An Early Look At Texas College Spring Training Quarterback Battles

With offseason workouts in full swing and spring practice right around the corner, there are plenty of questions about who will be the signal callers around the state of Texas.

Texas – Last year’s starter Shane Buechele should be the front-runner for the job as he fits the mold for Tom Herman-style quarterbacks and he can grow in his second year as a starter. Freshman Sam Elingher has lots of hype as he makes his way to Austin and is already in school. If he has a great spring camp he can have an outside shot to start next year.

Texas A&M – Head Coach Kevin Sumlin hasn’t solved the quarterback position since Johnny Manziel left campus. They’ve gotten high profile recruits but they haven’t stuck around College Station. Nobody has any idea who is going to start, is it going to be Jake Hubenak, who has been a great soldier through his time with the Aggies? Will it be Nick Starkel, who almost had his redshirt burned last year to play when Trevor Knight was hurt? Or, will it be true freshman Kellen Mond, who is the true wild card? There will be a better handle on the situation after the spring game.

TCU – Kenny Hill improved as the season went on last season so he should retain the job for next season. Shawn Robinson from DeSoto will look to win the back up position so he can be next in line if something happens to Hill.

Texas Tech – With Pat Maholmes gone for the NFL, the Red Raiders need a quarterback, and it looks like it is going to be Nic Shimonek. Shimonek will have some large shoes to fill but it seems like in the Air Raid offense Tech is always able to get solid quarterback play.

Baylor – It’s down to three guys, Zach Smith, who came in for Seth Russell when he was injured last year, Anu Solomon who is transferring from Arizona, and freshman Charlie Brewer from Lake Travis. Smith has to have the upper hand as he won the bowl game and the experience he gained last year should be vital. No guarantees for Smith though, as first year head coach Matt Rhule will get to pick his guy.

SMU – Matt Hicks will probably be the starter for the Ponies next year, but as the years roll on don’t count out Tyler Page, who was recruited as an athlete out of Friendswood, where he smashed records routinely.

Texas State – Once had a surplus of quarterbacks, the Bobcats needed Damain Williams transferring in from Mississippi State to give them the stability at the position. He will be the starter next year.