The college football season comes closer, and while summer training camp in many ways begins the process of molding teams into shape, spring ball concludes a series of months in which coaches welcome in recruits or transfers and initiate them to the team, getting them used to new methods and a new environment. Within this context, some players played spring games without an established presence on campus, and other players were the stalwarts who helped other teammates get acclimated to a coach’s system. Quarterbacks are at the center of this process in spring – which ones stood out in recent spring games?
Tanner Lee, Nebraska
This is an example of a transfer coming into a program cold but then picking up the offense and getting used to veteran teammates. Tulane transfer Tanner Lee was extremely sharp in Nebraska’s spring game, but what went beyond any single play or any numerical totals was Lee’s leadership. Teammates on both offense and defense remarked after the game that Lee created a sense of calm on the field and was very authoritative in terms of how he took control of coach Mike Riley’s offense. The performance from Lee was so impressive – in ways which went beyond the box score – that Riley named Lee the team’s starting quarterback a few days after the spring game, instead of waiting until August. That opened some eyes and sent a very loud message not just to Nebraska players, but across the nation.
Jake Bentley, South Carolina Gamecocks
The 301 yards Bentley passed for in South Carolina’s spring game should not be surprising at all. The Gamecocks’ offense immediately picked up last season when Bentley came in after spending the first two months learning the offense and trying to catch up with the playbook. Bentley led South Carolina to an impressive victory over Tennessee and then played really well in a narrow Birmingham Bowl loss to South Florida, a game which became a total shootout. Bentley is viewed by many as the best quarterback in the SEC East, and the spring game did nothing to change that idea.
Will Grier, West Virginia Mountaineers
The transfer from Florida made all the throws a head coach and offensive coordinator want to see in West Virginia’s spring game. The program needed to replace Skyler Howard, who made progress last season but was still inconsistent enough to lose big games against quality opponents. Grier appears to be an overall improvement from Howard, giving the Mountaineers hope that they can win 11 games after winning 10 last season. This is a key time in the Dana Holgersen era for the Mountaineers. They are coming off a strong campaign and Grier looks like the type of player that can help them maintain their success. He could be one of the top quarterbacks in the Big 12 next season.
Jarrett Stidham, Auburn Tigers
The transfer from Baylor is viewed as the reason Auburn could contend for division, league and national championships this coming season. Auburn has had many of the pieces of an elite team in recent years, except for quarterback. Stidham is viewed as the man who can put the pieces together for this team, and after completing 16 of 20 passes in Auburn’s spring game, everyone has a clearer idea of how well he should fit into the offense. If Auburn stays healthy, the Tigers should do very well this season.
Shane Buechele, Texas Longhorns
The 369 yards caught the attention of many, but what mattered most was that Buechele began to learn coach Tom Herman’s offense and develop what he and Longhorn fans hope will be a very productive quarterback-coach relationship. Buechele’s natural talent is evident. If Herman can make the most of his skills, Buechele could become a genuine superstar in college football. This is a program that has really been hurting at the position. It’s been a while since Texas has had and developed a Grade A prospect. Buechele looks like he could end that pattern, though. We’ll see as we continue to move our way towards training camps.
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