Well, here's how I see the QB situation for next year (and the next few years after that probably). What we have now are these guys:LegalEagle wrote:Any word on how the "QB situation" for next season?
Senior - Trenton Norvell
Junior - Craig Slowik
Sophomore - Sean McGuire
R-Freshman - Jack Beneventi
R-Freshman - CJ Weydeman
Freshman - Connor Sampson
Freshman - Clint Ratkovich
Last year, our starter most of the year was Norvell. When Norvell was out with appendicitis, McGuire stepped in and did an exceptional job considering he'd never played at the college level before. I expect that Norvell will probably be our starter again next year, but depending on how things go in spring and summer practices, it wouldn't completely surprise me if McGuire ended up getting the starting spot. Slowik played very sparingly (just a little in one game) in 2015. He will probably compete with the two R-Freshmen for the #3 spot behind Norvell and McGuire in 2016. As for the two R-Freshmen, Beneventi is the more "hyped" QB (I think Weydeman was a walk-on), originally getting offers from UMass, Wyoming, Iowa (although that offer was pulled fairly late in the recruiting process)...and according to ESPN's recruiting site, interest or offers (of some form...maybe preferred walk-on) from Illinois, Louisville, Notre Dame, and Western Michigan. Sampson (a traditional QB) and Ratkovich (more of a running QB/all-around athlete) will almost for sure be redshirted next year.
Honestly, my best guess for our QB depth chart over the next few years (barring injuries, transfers, and possible future crazy-good recruits) is this:
2016 - Norvell, McGuire, Beneventi
2017 - McGuire, Beneventi, Sampson (with Ratkovich put in sometimes as "wildcat" or for other "trick" plays)
2018 - Same as 2017 (unless Beneventi blows everyone away and earns the starting spot over McGuire)...but this far out, it's pretty hard to project who will still be playing, who will have been brought in, etc.
It's entirely possible that in 2017 or 2018 we'll see Sampson earn the starting spot, with his HS teammate and friend Darron Wheeler to throw to. Who knows, Sampson to Wheeler could be the next Norvell to Lenoir (or Matt Barr to Lito Senatus)...they did a lot of that in HS.
Essentially, we're in a really good position for next year, with two QBs who are good enough to start, and likely for the forseeable future, with some very good young QBs waiting "in the wings".