With fall camp in full swing and the regular season just around the corner, let’s take a look at some of the top quarterback battles in the state involving former Texas High School Football players.
TCU (Fort Worth): Redshirt sophomore Foster Sawyer (Fort Worth All Saints) and Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill (Southlake Carroll) are vying to replace Trevone Boykin (West Mesquite) and fill his record-breaking cleats. Coach Gary Patterson, as well as his offensive coordinators, have been saying all the right things when it comes to this position battle, telling anyone that will listen that it’s a 50/50 race at this point. But, with a decision expected nine days out from the season opener, expect Hill to eventually win over his coaches and teammates. While Foster has all the tools of a picture perfect drop-back passer, Hill’s mobility and play-making give him the slight edge for the Frogs.
University of Texas (Austin): True freshman Shane Buechele (Arlington Lamar) has made quite the impression since enrolling at UT last January, starring in spring drills and earning the trust of his teammates ahead of fall camp. With Charlie Strong’s seat warming up, will the coach trust a true freshman to lead an offense ripe with talented skill position players, or will he instead look to a veteran, namely Tyrone Swoopes (Whitewright) or Jerrod Heard (Denton Guyer)? Buechele didn’t look like a frosh in spring, and by all-accounts, continues to impress this fall. But will Strong believe he has the makeup to open the season against Notre Dame? We will know soon enough.
University of North Texas (Denton): The Mean Green are on the rebound, looking for a fresh start under new head coach Seth Littrell. After last year’s disastrous campaign, stabilizing play behind center is job number one. Graduate transfer Alec Morris (Allen), formerly of Alabama, might be the guy to do just that. After four years of warming the bench for Nick Saban and the Tide, Morris has worked to shake off the rust and try to nail down the job over incumbent Quinn Shanbour, a one time Oklahoma State walk-on who had an excellent spring. Redshirt sophomore Quinn Means (Deer Park) certainly looks the part, but is probably a year away from being ready to play significant snaps. Caleb Chumley (Pine Tree) is an intriguing prospect at 6’5” and 240 pounds; talented as a passer while being athletic enough to contribute as a wide receiver as well in high school. Expect Morris to start the season for the Mean Green, setting up another interesting battle a year from now.
Texas A&M (College Station): After a mass exodus that left the Aggies waving goodbye to Kyler Murray (Allen) and Kyle Allen, and having already dismissed Kenny Hill, Kevin Sumlin named Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight (Ronald Reagan) the 2016 starter coming out of spring ball, saying he would open against UCLA. But fan favorite Jake Hubenak (Georgetown) will certainly be waiting in the wings, after earning the start in the Aggie’s bowl game and throwing for 300 yards, two touchdowns, and a near upset of Louisville. Should Knight play to his 2013 form, he can help stabilize a position that has struggled since the departure of Johnny Manziel. But his 2014 struggles led to him losing the job to Baker Mayfield last year, and looking for greener pastures and one last chance to be a difference maker. Knight is certainly capable of holding off Hubenak, but Sumlin and the Aggies are desperate to break out of their eight win funk. Expect a quick hook if Knight doesn’t live up to his billing early.
SMU (Dallas): Matt Davis is probably the guy. An up and down 2015 campaign, that saw flashes of brilliance interspersed with shaking my head moments, is probably enough to instil enough trust from head coach Chad Morris heading into the coming season. But, there are enough question about Davis, and enough young talent waiting in the wings, to say it’s not a done deal. Morris has done an excellent job recruiting Texas (and only Texas), and the quarterback position is no exception. With Davis entering his final season, and the Ponies at least a season away from being able to truly compete in the AAC, Morris may find himself looking to Darrell Colbert (Houston Lamar), or the highly-touted Ben Hicks (Midway), to change the momentum or begin the process of establishing the future.
