Robert Morris will have a very different look to its quarterback depth chart in the spring. ColonialsCorner has learned that sophomore quarterback Matt Layman will transfer. Layman made the decision recently and began telling family, friends, and now former teammates within the last week.
Layman started three games in place of Jeff Sinclair over the past two seasons. A native of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Layman played in eight games in his career, completing 43-of-85 passes (50.6 percent) for 452 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions.
He was projected to compete for the starting quarterback job in the spring now that Sinclair has completed his eligibility, but the transfer of former Penn State quarterback Paul Jones to Robert Morris meant that Layman likely would be competing for a back-up spot again. Jones is expected to be a heavy, heavy favorite to win the job, though it won't be given to him.
Layman is expected to transfer a little closer to home and look for a potential school where he can compete for starting time.
The transfer leaves Robert Morris with just two quarterbacks on the roster: Jones and current freshman Derik Abbott. Barring injury and poor performance, it also clears a likely line of succession: Jones will start for two years before giving way to Abbott for two years.
The Colonials will need another quarterback, though. They have a commitment from Seton-La Salle quarterback Luke Brumbaugh, but will likely bring in another scholarship quarterback to stretch the depth chart to four. They also could hope that someone like Mikal Hall, who was the third QB during Sinclair's suspension earlier this year, returns to work out with the team in spring ball.
Layman started three games in place of Jeff Sinclair over the past two seasons. A native of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Layman played in eight games in his career, completing 43-of-85 passes (50.6 percent) for 452 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions.
He was projected to compete for the starting quarterback job in the spring now that Sinclair has completed his eligibility, but the transfer of former Penn State quarterback Paul Jones to Robert Morris meant that Layman likely would be competing for a back-up spot again. Jones is expected to be a heavy, heavy favorite to win the job, though it won't be given to him.
Layman is expected to transfer a little closer to home and look for a potential school where he can compete for starting time.
The transfer leaves Robert Morris with just two quarterbacks on the roster: Jones and current freshman Derik Abbott. Barring injury and poor performance, it also clears a likely line of succession: Jones will start for two years before giving way to Abbott for two years.
The Colonials will need another quarterback, though. They have a commitment from Seton-La Salle quarterback Luke Brumbaugh, but will likely bring in another scholarship quarterback to stretch the depth chart to four. They also could hope that someone like Mikal Hall, who was the third QB during Sinclair's suspension earlier this year, returns to work out with the team in spring ball.
