Quarterback battle

[GoRMU]

Always a good topic for off-season discussion for football fans - who will be the starting quarterback?

JImmy Walker is the returning starter - He is certainly capable and should be much more successful with an improved offensive line. He transferred in last year from San Diago State obviously with the expectation that he would have a good opportunity to be the starter.

Caleb Lewis transferred in this semester from LSU. He is a player that the new coaching staff has been familiar with since high school. I have to believe that he wants to go from backup, at LSU, to starter, at RMU. He knows it won't be handed to him, and he, according to the coaches, enjoys working out and preparing himself.

Chase Bodeman - should not be overlooked. He has the talent to be a good FCS QB.

George Martin came in as a preferred walk-on, I believe. He's a tall QB with a good arm. He has very good ability for a player that was overlooked by a lot of college scouts.

Matt Barr may be listed with the wide receivers again, but also has the ability to be a good QB.

On the surface, this appears to be a battle between Jimmy and Caleb, but I am not counting anyone out. I suspect that Caleb may have the stronger arm and Jimmy may be more mobile. Just my guess, I will say that Caleb will be the starter against Dayton.

Let's get some other thoughts.

 

[GoRMU]

It appears that whoever wins the QB battle that we will have a very capable QB. Will that QB be more than capable, say, one of the top three in the Conference is another question? Also, we should have capable backups regardless of who wins the starting role. Of course, it is not uncommon for a QB to transfer out after the spring semester if he does not see a future for himself at his current school, but even if we lose a QB, we should have capable backups.

 

[ColonialInsider]

I think the other guys will get reps, but I have to believe this is ultimately down to Walker vs. Lewis.

For being battered behind a green offensive line, Walker wasn't exactly awful last year. He threw for 1,669 yards, had more touchdowns than interceptions. He completed less than 50 percent of his passes, which definitely isn't great, but he was incredibly prolific in junior college and high school.

Lewis hasn't thrown a pass in a real game since high school, but he had a heck of a high school career and was twice the Florida player of the year. So there's obvious talent there as well.

Those two guys have the best pedigrees. It's important that the staff go with whoever gets the system and can make plays, and if it's someone other than these two that's fine, but I'd be shocked if it wasn't Walker or Lewis.

 

[LetsGoRoMo]

Same, shocked if not walker or Lewis, either would be great backup. Was surprised chase hung around last year, would be more surprised if he is here this fall. A lot of guys don't want to compete anymore.

Think Martin could be a solid QB in future, if he is a PWO, hopefully they shirt him anyways if chase stays, then if he does well toss some money at him down the road.

 

[Original_RMC]

It will come down to what the scheme will be for this offense. I think Walker will be the 1A QB heading into spring with Lewis & Barr battling for 1B.
If Barr can improve his accuracy greatly and for how athletic he is, he could be a dark horse to win the job.

 

[irish_buffalo]

From playing days to coaching days I was always on the defensive side of the ball and I always loved to go against a pocket passer who could not move his feet any day over someone who could move a bit. And keep in mind I'm not saying that everyone has to be Marcus Mariota but when you can extend plays and move the pocket and roll out AND occasionally run a zone read to keep a DE honest it makes you that much better.

I thought all things considered Jimmy did well last year. He has a good arm and gets the ball out really well. However, he was a sitting duck last year for two reasons, one, he is not fleet of foot and two, due to our lack of creativity he would become a sitting duck by the third series. I felt for the kid last year, he took an absolute beating.

We will see. If Coach Luvara has an ounce of creativity we are better than last year already. Personally, I would like to see a QB that can move and is athletic. I think taking guys like Matt and Chase and inserting them in Miller's offense was like trying to insert a square peg into a round hole, it just is not working. I attended two practices last year and saw one of the QB's get yelled at for taking off as he was about to get sacked. I watched as other QB's would get sacked (tapped by DL/LB) and then complete a pass after the fact and be congratulated. Is all I could think was he was sacked? It is like moving onto multiplication and division before you have addition and subtraction conquered...it just aint gonna work.

 

[ColonialInsider]

I'd be floored if positions are won in spring ball, but we should get a feel for exactly what you're saying, Irish. What kind of QB does this staff want? Who can pick up stuff quickly? Who is a leader?

Should be interesting.

 

[jnbxu]

It will come down to what the scheme will be for this offense. I think Walker will be the 1A QB heading into spring with Lewis & Barr battling for 1B.
If Barr can improve his accuracy greatly and for how athletic he is, he could be a dark horse to win the job.

His accuracy was not a problem his freshman year. As Irish Buffalo pointed out, it was more the type of offense coach Miller employed, and his play calling. Additionally the young inexperienced offensive line.
"Posted two of the top four single-game completion marks in school history during the season
- Completed 81.2% of his passes (13-of-16), tying the RMU record, in a win over Bryant (11/21)
- Completed 77.8% of his passes (14-of-18) in securing his first collegiate win (9/19)"