Early reports from USF spring football practice in Tampa is that the quarterback competition still remains wide open, and it appears that the top three contenders, junior Mike White, senior Steven Bench and sophomore Quinton Flowers, have all taken a liking to the new, up-tempo system. The key, however, is that head coach Willie Taggert sees his quarterbacks embracing the competition and actually improving.
Back in January I wrote an “offseason to-do list” for the Bulls, and item numero uno was to stabilize the quarterback position. Here’s what I wrote:
“I’m not saying they need to pick a guy and stick with him throughout the entire season, but the revolving door approach Taggert took with his signal-callers this season was a recipe for inconsistency and losses.
During one three-game stretch of the season, the Bulls started a different quarterback in each game, and Taggert was quick to bench his quarterback in favor of another mid-game on several occasions. Whether they decide on [White], [Bench], [Flowers] or an incoming player, I don’t think it matters.
The Bulls need to open up the competition this offseason, be decisive on who their starter is going into the season and let that guy play every down to start the season. If it goes poorly, then Taggert can reevaluate things, but the key is to show some stability and consistency at quarterback in the hopes that it gives that player and the team as a whole confidence and in turn a chance to play better.”
So far it sounds like Taggert likes the direction they are heading, as he had the following to say after Saturday’s scrimmage:
“Just looking at their completion percentages and those things, this spring has been better than it’s ever been since we’ve been here. I think it’s because of the offense, doing a lot less than we did before and they’re getting the ball out of their hands quickly. The tempo, it always helps.”
If I had to guess, White probably has the inside track to the starting gig as he’s started 15 games over the last two seasons for the Bulls. Also, he played in a similar offensive system in high school and earned Class 3A Florida Player of the Year honors while doing so. With that said, probably the most intriguing player of the three is Flowers as he possesses the ability to make a play with his legs whether it’s designed that way or a broken play. Flowers also played in this type of offense in high school, and he led a 65-yard touchdown drive on the opening possession of the Bulls’ scrimmage Saturday.
At the end of the day Taggert is going to go with the guy who moves the offense, puts up points and takes care of the football the best in the new scheme. It remains to be seen who will get the initial opportunity to be that guy, but I would expect Taggert to make a decision sooner rather than later, and I think that’s a good thing for this team.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
