UH is trying to figure out its backup plan behind starting quarterback D’Eriq King.
Behind King at QB, reserves Smith, Tune bring zero experience to mix
Bryson Smith calls it one of the toughest seasons of his football career, watching from the sideline as a redshirt freshman at the University of Houston.
It’s a rite of passage for most young quarterbacks at nearly every major college football program: Wait your turn, learn the system and eventually the job will be yours.
“Last year was a sponge year,” Smith said. “I just soaked everything in.”
Turns out, the learning is just beginning. As the Cougars approach the end of spring workouts — they host the annual Red & White Game on Saturday and two final practices next week — coach Major Applewhite continues to evaluate a quarterback position that lacks game experience.
Briles tweaks offense
Junior D’Eriq King, who started the final four games last season, is the unquestioned starter. After that, the backup job is up for grabs between Smith and freshman Clayton Tune. The two candidates for the backup job have combined for zero snaps on the collegiate level.
Experience became an issue with the graduation of Kyle Postma and the decision by Kyle Allen to enter the NFL draft, leaving the Cougars with only three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.
“We’ve got to find a second- and third-team quarterback,” Applewhite said. “There’s a lot of work to do at that position.”
UH has spent the spring installing a new up-tempo and “attacking” downfield passing offense, the same (with a few tweaks) implemented by new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles when he was at Baylor and Florida Atlantic.
The Cougars have enough of an idea what to expect from King, who gives them the dualthreat ability to run and pass. What will need to be sorted out before the Sept. 1 opener at Rice is the backup spot between Smith and Tune.
Handling with care
With no live-game action, Briles said a “a judgment call” will need to be made based on spring workouts and fall camp. Both have had moments this spring. Tune, who began the spring as the No. 2 quarterback, has done “a really nice job, Briles said, for a “18-year-old kid who should be getting ready for prom” but decided to enroll early at UH.
“The first three-four practices mentally, Bryson was not where he should be, and now he has really picked it up,” Briles said.
Part of the learning process has been packaging elements of the offense specifically for Smith and Tune.
“I don’t expect them to know the whole offense,” Applewhite said. “It’s just how you operate — your mechanics, getting people lined up when things aren’t right you can see it and move people into the right splits and alignment, and communicate when a guy doesn’t know what to do. Just a guy that can master his own plan.”
Even King comes with some unknowns, but what he lacks in experience he makes up with a “care” factor.
King threw for 1,260 yards and seven touchdowns with only two interceptions in limited time at quarterback last season. He was the team’s second-leading rusher with 379 yards and eight touchdowns. A receiver his first two seasons, King also has the most receptions (29) and yards (264) among returners.
“He cares so much,” Applewhite said. “No wonder why he runs the offense well.”
Briles admits having a playmaker like King will allow the Cougars to do different things offensively.
“It’s fun. It allows you to play 11-on-11,” Briles said. “A lot of times you are playing 10-on-11 and the quarterback is back there distributing. So when you do have the ability to do that, it adds a different element and is tougher on the defense for those guys to have to defend it. But there’s also the balance of keeping that guy healthy.”
‘Control yourself ’
Smith said it’s all about “adapting,” whether it’s a change in offseason or the late signing of Tune to the quarterback mix. Tune was not available for comment because UH does not allow true freshmen to speak to the media until they play in a game.
“It’s a competition, but at the same time D’Eriq is our guy right now because he did end the season,” said Smith, who accounted for more than 8,800 yards and 96 touchdowns during his high school career at Tyler John Tyler.
“We’re just rallying behind him and moving forward.”
What about the battle for the No. 2 job?
“I was always told don’t worry about the next man,” Smith said. “Control yourself and just get better.”