The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
SEC features several quarterback battles
Spring football is well under way in the SEC. And like last year, a handful of high-profile quarterback battles will shape the spring ball story lines.
The spring won’t always provide a final answer for teams. With coaches so intent on controlling what the public can and can’t see, we often learn very little — especially when it comes to quarterbacks. It’s always an open competition with no timetable, and if none of the candidates play especially well, there’s no need to name a starter before fall camp.
So, with that said, let’s take a brief look at the SEC’s biggest battles right now:
LSU
Favorite: Danny Etling Contenders: Justin McMillan, Lindsey Scott Dark horse: Lowell Narcisse Not on campus: Myles Brennan
Etling, the ex-Purdue incumbent, ran the firstteam offense during LSU’s first practice. The senior holds the most game experience by far and gives the Tigers a reliable game manager, if nothing else. But he may not be the best fit for new coordinator Matt Canada’s system — one that should feature far less I-formation ground and pound than the Les Miles era did.
Florida
Favorite: Feleipe Franks Contenders: Kyle Trask, Luke Del Rio Dark horse: Kadarius Toney Not on campus: Jake Allen
We’re entering our third season of Jim McElwain and Doug Nussmeier at Florida, and the program is still looking for reliability at quarterback. After taking a redshirt during his first year on campus, Franks looks poised to seize the starting job with Del Rio sidelined by shoulder surgery. Franks has an SEC-caliber arm. But have his accuracy and decision-making abilities improved?
Tennessee
Favorites: Jarrett Guarantano, Quinten Dormady Contender: Sheriron Jones Dark horse: Will McBride Dormady, a junior and more of a pocket passer, spent the past two seasons as the backup. Guarantano, a five-star recruit and the No. 1 dual-threat prospect in the class of 2016, redshirted during his first year. Both have been acknowledged as front-runners to earn the job this spring.
Auburn
Favorite: Jarrett Stidham Contenders: Sean White, Woody Barrett Dark horse: Malik Willis Moving to receiver: John Franklin III
Technically a battle, but in actuality this has to be Stidham’s job to lose. White can’t stay healthy, while Barrett and Willis haven’t seen a college snap yet. Can Baylor’s boy wonder can thrive in the SEC West? Gus Malzahn sure hopes so.
Texas A&M
Favorite: Jake Hubenak Contenders: Kellen Mond, Nick Starkel Dark horse: Connor Blumrick
Hubenak has the most experience, but didn’t wow anyone while filling in last fall. Starkel, a three-star signee who profiles as more of a pocket passer, redshirted last season. Mond and Blumrick are the newcomers. So, that’s one senior journeyman and three guys with a total of zero games played in college. Just how Texas A&M drew it up, right?
Anywhere else?
Every other SEC team returns its starting quarterback from last season, so, in theory, there shouldn’t be a position battle. But there’s one school that could provide a little drama this spring.
That’s Alabama, which hired Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator after Steve Sarkisian left for the Atlanta Falcons. Jalen Hurts didn’t progress as a passer and overrelied on his athleticism in 2016 as a freshman.
Hurts will run with the first team when spring practice begins, as he should. But a slew of transfers at quarterback means midyear enrollees Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones are in line to be his primary backups at the very least. They could pressure Hurts for the job once they get up to speed on offense.