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QB UPDATE (From The Shotgun)
By Daniel Freer | August 10, 2008
With pre-season camps finishing their first week, there already have been some issues affecting the QB situation at a few schools.
Of course, the big newsmaker was the injury to USC QB Matt Sanchez, which could affect the Trojans QB situation for the early part of the season.
Also, while there may be some losers…some will reap the benefits, possibly Cincinnati QB Dustin Grutza (pictured, thanks IconSMI ).
Here is a rundown of the affected QBs and schools.
CINCINNATI:
2007 starter Ben Mauk was denied a sixth-year of eligiblity by the NCAA, which will pretty much end his college career. Mauk had filed two previous appeals (medical reasons) to the NCAA, but was denied on both of them. Look for Dustin Grutza to become the starter for the Bearcats opener August 28 vs Eastern Kentucky, although Notre Dame transfer Demetrious Jones could contend for the job.
HAWAII:
Possible 2008 starter Tyler Graunke has not practiced with the team since they opened camp. He has been suspended by new head coach Greg McMacklin for unspecified reasons, although the suspicion is that Graunke has some academic issues. This should help Inoke Funaki, who is the only other Warrior QB on the roster with any college game experience, and very scant experience, at best. JUCO imports Greg Alexander and Brett Rausch could challenge Funaki for the starter role. Although the Warriors should be OK at QB once WAC play begins, they do open their season at Florida. Maybe Urban Meyer can spare a QB?
INDIANA:
With Kellen Lewis back on the team, the Hoosier QB situation looks better than it did earlier this year. However, Lewis is not a shoo-in for the job, as Ben Chappell performed well in spring ball while Lewis was suspended. Both QBs will be given every opportunity to win the starting spot. I still favor Lewis for the IU starting job, because his running ability will be much needed as the Hoosiers have to replace some key people on offense, mainly WR James Hardy.
KENTUCKY:
Mike Hartline…come on down…you are the new starting QB at Kentucky. Earlier this week UK kicked off Curtis Pulley for a myriad of off-field incidents (drugs, driving infractions). Hartline and Pulley had been challenging for the #1 spot, and Pulley probably had the advantage until his off-field problems became too much. The now-#2 QB on the Wildcat roster, Will Fidler, has also had some off-field issues…earlier this summer he was busted for disorderly conduct.
SOUTH CAROLINA:
The Ol’ Ball Coach likes Tommy Beecher…so much, in fact, he is the #1 QB on the depth chart. Steve Spurrier has not had much luck at the QB position since he arrived in Columbia, and is probably willing to try anything to get the Gamecock offense going. Maybe Beecher will turn out to be another Shane Matthews, an unheralded QB at Florida who flourished under Spurrier’s first few seasons as Gator head coach. Or, Terry Dean…
TULSA:
Clark Harrell probably will be known best as “Graham Harrell’s little brother”. And that may not change, as the younger Harrell has decided to transfer to Division II Abilene Christian (TX). Meanwhile, Golden Hurricane offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is talking about that “Wildcat” offense again…the same one he used at Arkansas (using RB Darren McFadden at QB). Malzahn is thinking of using A.J. Whitmore, a UT WR-RB, in the Wildcat role…to get more mobility out of the QB position. Also, UT may use three QBs early on, with David Johnson, Jacob Bower, and Whitmore. Still, the favorite will be Johnson, who has the most experience in the system at Tulsa.
Topics: Daniel Freer, From the Shotgun, Power I, Pro Football, Quarterback, Running Back |
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