Cincinnati’s Gunner Kiel Holding Off Challengers for QB Job

There’s nothing like good ‘ole healthy competition—or at least Cincinnati head coach Tommy Tuberville certainly thinks so.

“I thought all the quarterbacks did some good things,” the Bearcats’ second-year coach said about the team’s first day of fall camp. “We are going to have some competition and it’s not a given who is going to be our quarterback and there will be some pressure as we go along.”

With no starter named yet, well-traveled quarterback Gunner Kiel has emerged as the leading candidate coming out of spring ball. Yes, the same Gunner Kiel who signed with Notre Dame as the nation’s No. 1 quarterback prospect coming out of Indiana’s Columbus East.

The former five-star signal caller has managed to hold an edge over junior college transfer Jarred Evans and returning starter Munchie Legaux, who has been slowing working his way back into game shape after enduring a gruesome knee injury that cancelled his 2013 campaign just two games in.

There’s just one slight problem. Kiel hasn’t taken a live snap since high school.

“Going into camp and all summer long, Gunner has thrown with the No. 1 players, so he’s considered No. 1,” Tuberville said. “Someone’s going to have to beat him out. … Gunner Kiel is, I think, going to be a heck of a quarterback. The problem is, he hasn’t taken a snap in three years. You’re only as good — especially early — as your quarterback.”

Since earning the coveted No. 1 prep prospect tag, the 6-foot-4 Kiel de-committed from Indiana and LSU before ultimately finding his way to South Bend, where he watched from the sidelines during his first season in 2012—which led to transferring to Cincinnati.

Perhaps the biggest push will come from Evans.

“The quarterback competition is going to be good, and the only thing I can do is put hard work and dedication into it,” the Santa Barbara Community College transfer (Calif.) said in an interview earlier this month. “I’m looking forward to camp, because that’s when you really get to show out.”

Tuberville is expected to name his season-opener starter in the coming weeks. However, don’t expect the veteran coach to rush into a decision, especially with Legaux being the only scholarship quarterback to have registered a major college pass.

“Gunner is the guy at this point,” Tuberville said. “But remember, last year we sat here and Brendon Kay was going to be the quarterback, and we get in there and Munchie (Legaux) beats him out.”

Despite all the hype surrounding Kiel potentially winning the starting role, the sophomore gunslinger simply wants to fit in and earn the respect of his teammates.

“I’m still trying to do little things to improve my game, and me as a player and a person,” Kiel said. “I’m definitely trying to earn these guys’ respect and trying to be the team leader, the guy that they want under center.”

Cincinnati, which finished 9-4 overall a year ago and was picked to finished first in the American Athletic Conference preseason poll, opens the 2014 campaign with Toledo on Sept. 12 at Paul Brown Stadium.

Note: USA Today, Cincinnati Enquirer, and the University of Cincinnati contributed to this report.