There was once a time when Neil Caudle, not Cameron Newton, was considered a viable choice for the starting quarterback job at Auburn. In fact, the two headed Auburn race was considered a hot quarterback battle through spring practices.
At Michigan, Tate Forcier, not Denard Robinson, was supposed to bring a Wolverines program back from the steep decline the team had been riding during the Rich Rod era. In fact, Forcier had started all 12 games as a true freshman, gaining Freshman All-American honors.
Presumably, we all know the outcome of both teams quarterback competitions. Newton became one of college football’s most exciting players ever, bringing in a Heisman trophy, National Championship and consensus first team All-American honors.
Robinson set an NCAA quarterback rushing record with 1,702 yards. He passed for over 2,500 yards, with 18 touchdowns through the air. Against Notre Dame, Robinson set Michigan records for total yards (502) and rushing yards (258).
What happened to Caudle and Forcier? Caudle attempted just one pass for the Tigers in 2010 and has since graduated. Forcier, after filling in as an injury replacement throughout the 2010 season, has transferred to Miami (Fl).
No matter the team or year, starting quarterback jobs are won and lost in spring football and the 2011 season is no different for a number of traditional college football powers.
The top quarterback battles going down in spring practice this March and April:
Nebraska: Taylor Martinez vs. Cody Green
Martinez was sensational to start the year as a redshirt freshman in 2010, leading the Huskers to an 8-1 start. A sprained ankle would sideline Martinez against Missouri, as he played in and out of the lineup to end the year on a 1-3 note. Whoever takes the starting nod this spring will need to prove they can be effective in new offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s offense. Green is fairly raw, and needs to correct serious fumble problems. If Martinez is fully healthy, which he’s shown he is, it should be enough to take the job. He’s too good of an athlete and game changer not to. Pick: Martinez
Miami (Fl): Jacory Harris vs. Stephen Morris
New head coach Al Golden sent a message to both Harris and Morris at the start of spring practice, placing walk-on quarterback Spencer Whipple atop the depth chart. How long that sticks remains to be seen. Harris brings more experience and has shown flashes in the past, even earning Heisman recognition his sophomore year. Morris is a polished passer and has the stronger arm, but doesn’t have the game experience. Competition has pushed Harris to greatness in the past and new offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch’s system should fit to his abilities better than the last. The word in early camp is the attitude and approach of Harris is totally different this season. Pick: Harris
LSU: Jordan Jefferson vs. Jarrett Lee vs. Zach Mettenberger
It seems like it’s been a while since there was a clear cut starter in the Bayou. Jefferson has had his opportunities to win the job in the past, as has Lee, but neither has stepped up to the challenge. Imagine how good of a team the Tigers could have been if their offense hadn’t finished ranked No. 102 in the nation. A lot of eyes will be on junior college transfer Zach Mettenberger, who is a former Georgia Bulldog and in for spring practice. So far, Jefferson has turned heads throughout the start of spring ball. Now a senior, I’d expect Jefferson to step up to the final challenge and become the fulltime starter, while Mettenberger should overtake Lee for the second spot. Pick: Jefferson
Penn State: Kevin Newsome vs. Rob Bolden vs. Paul Jones vs. Matt McGloin
It’s a mess in Happy Valley. First, it’s not clear if Bolden will be back next season, as he’s already tried to transfer once. Newsome on the other hand, has been a disappointment at Penn State since graduating early as a highly regarded recruit in 2009. McGloin, a walk-on who stole the starting job from Bolden last season, didn’t end well, with a five interception performance against Florida. Jones is a bit of an unknown and has failed to live up to expectations thus far. With a 4-2 record down the stretch in the Nittany Lions Big Ten schedule, McGloin has shown he can be a reliable starter in the conference. I don’t think Bolden will be around, nor may Newsome be come fall camp. As a redshirt freshman, Jones may be the starter of the future, but he’s not there yet. He's not flashy and wont sell jerseys, but McGloin can manage a game. Pick: McGloin
Texas: Garrett Gilbert vs. Case McCoy vs. Connor Wood vs. David Ash
The Longhorns aren’t cutting anyone out of the quarterback race, not after a 5-7 season in Austin. There’s no doubting Gilbert’s talent, but as a sophomore, that talent was seldom on display. Seven more interceptions than touchdowns just don’t fly at Texas. In competition this spring will be sophomore Case McCoy, brother of Colt, redshirt freshman Connor Wood and true freshman David Ash, who’s in for spring practice. In the end, I think it comes down to Gilbert and McCoy. Gilbert is a good athlete and has a big arm, but needs to work heavily on his decision making. McCoy has upside, but is still raw as a passer. Don’t expect a starter to be named until after fall practices, but because of Gilbert’s strong arm and running ability, I think he starts the year with the job. Pick: Gilbert
(Brett Davis, US Press wire)
Alabama: AJ McCarron vs. Phillip Sims
The Tide need either McCarron or Sims to step up this spring, making the fall camp final decision an easier one. The redshirt freshman Sims comes in as the more highly touted recruit out of high school, but McCarron, a sophomore, has proved to be the more polished passer so far. Neither is an athlete, as both should follow within the style of past Tide quarterbacks, John Parker Wilson and Greg McElroy. McCarron has on field, experience, having passed for 389 yards and three scores last season, including going 6-for-6 against MSU in the Capital One Bowl. The starter won’t be announced until just before the season, but McCarron should head into fall camp as the favorite. Pick: McCarron
Washington: Keith Price vs. Nick Montana
The Huskies are clearly a program on the rise and one with all the necessary tools in place to make a run at a conference title, if not this year, in the near future. The loss of quarterback Jake Locker will slow their push, but not for long. Price has playing experience; having started the Oregon game last season, while Locker sat with an injury. He’s got similar athletic abilities as Locker, but has work to do with his mechanics. Montana, the son of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, is a strict pocket passer and, like his father, is a student of the game. Locker wasn’t exactly a great fit for Steve Sarkisian’s offense and neither is Price, but he still walks into spring as the favorite. The winner will need to be more of a game manager and distributor more than anything, something the redshirt freshman Montana will be able to do. Pick: Montana
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