ESPN Insider: Syracuse has the best 2014 QB class in ACC

[NateW]

This is what the Freshman will, likely, have to do better than...

18 0f 28, 159 yards, 64.3 comp %, 1 TD, 0 INT, 123.8 QBR (L 17-16) (13 yards rushing, 0 TD)
29 of 43, 270 yards, 67.4 comp %, 2 TD, 1 INT, 13o.9 QBR (W 34-31) (90 yards rushing, 1 TD)
19 of 29, 188 yards, 65.5 comp %, 0 TD, 0 INT, 120.0 QBR (W 21-17) (74 yards rushing, 2 TD)

That's Hunt's final three games, in his first year of starting.

Plus he had his team in position to win all 3 of those games on final drives.

The kid has heart and is a winner. That was enough last year. This year expectations go up and we'll need to see better throws, better reads, better execution. If he doesn't stay consistent and losses pile up then he will be replaced. It's as simple as that. Life is an open competition. Whether its relationships, work, or playing QB for the Syracuse Orangemen you've got to work for everything, everyday. So no one should be poo pooing the idea of his job being up for grabs. Hell Peyton Manning has an epic record breaking season, leads his team to the best record in all of football and all it takes is one game for his job, his legacy, his breed of quarterback to be questioned.

I believe TH advanced his game during the season last year. With a full off-season of him getting the 1's snaps I see no reason he can't be even better. What does that equate to? I'm not totally sure but with a nice stable of wide receivers, OCGM with a year of play calling under him, and 4 OL coming back life should be a little easier for him next season. Rooting very hard for this guy as he seems to be a hard working individual who has had to battle a lot of that life has dealt him. One thing I know for sure is that he will not back down from the competition as I believe that that was one thing that propelled him to advance his play last season. I look forward to seeing what he can do.

 

[anomander]

I'm still baffled people at some of these responses. Hunt showed tremendous improvement the last 3 games. Pitt, BC, and Minnesota aren't exactly chumps. He basically won 2 of those games himself.

People are talking like 2 unproven red shirt Freshman will unseat him. Wilson will never play. He doesn't fit Gmac's style. He is a pro-style qb recruited by the prior staff. Kimble was a wing-T HS qb so his development is probably behind Hunt's.

It's not like Hunt isn't going to improve. He will have a full year of McDonald's offense under his belt, and most importantly he may have a couple WR's who can actually get open for him

 

[Chip]

We went 4-4 inspite of our QB play. In fact, the more I think about this I think Hunt is going to have to outplay the other QB's to have a shot at starting. Many people are looking at Hunt as a typical returning starter of a 7-6 team that won a bowl game. I see a QB that threw 3 TD's and 8 INTs whose team had to drastically amend its offense in order to limit his impact on the game. I also see an offensive coodinator who may have some higher aspirations of being a HC or maybe an OC at a higher profile school. If Mac does have those aspirations he knows he's not going to get there by limiting his offense when he has options available that can possibly execute his offense. He's only going to get there if his offense starts putting points on the board. Based only on what I have read about the other QB's I'm going to predict Kimble wins the job this Spring and has to fight off Eduoard this Fall. I'm tired of soft toeing around this issue. The RB's TE's and WR's are in place for next year. They need and deserve a QB that can get them the ball. I didn't see any indication that Hunt has that ability. All I saw from Hunt was a QB that was hard to tackle.

While your analysis might be spot on, the way I read it doesn't leave open the possibility that Hunt's numbers could have been better if the RB's, TE's, WR's were in place for this past year (well, WR and TE anyway). There are QBs who make the others around him better. He may not be that guy, but not everyone is. Look how much McNabb struggled early on in 1996 as his green WRs tried to get up to speed.

He definitely had an extended rough patch last year where practically nothing went right in the passing game. But he also worked through that to have better games against Pitt, BC, Minnesota. I just think it's way too early to close the door on him. He may close it himself this year.

I may know nothing of what I speak, and I'm fine with that, but put me on a list of people who will be surprised if Kimble or Wilson ever play a down here (other than a Hunt 2014 injury). I think they were recruited over, and the new guys need at least a year in the oven.

 

[Millhouse]

The way I read your as asserting it's some huge jump that isn't likely to happen.

Reality is that in the statistical range for those categories Hunt has a lot of ceiling, regardless of the percentage improvement what I suggested just gets him to the mid point there and therefore should be expected from a second year QB.

It's not as a big a deal as you are making it.

nah, i'll come out and say it if that's what i think. good or bad, i'm willing to go out on a limb. i don't know where hunt ends up. i suspect he has a low ceiling but part of me hopes that he's as good as anyone else but just further behind in reps

i was just adding on - a 1.5 increase in ypa sounds much smaller than a 25% increase. if you go down to a per play level, it's easy to make a big improvement sound small because we're not used to talking about it on a per play or attempt level

hunt improved enough for me to not have strong feelings either way about what's going to happen and i'm glad about that

 

[Chip]

Not 5 games, where's that coming from?

Jim Boeheim? Adjective missing between 5 and games.

 

[AAM62]

Different sport I know, but that was Kevin Durant's big criticism out of college, didn't hurt him.

Different sport, indeed.

 

[Pat Kelly]

Different sport, indeed.

Don't think strength is a big issue for quarterbacks.

 

[timkay99]

This thread was pretty hilarious. I learned that our fan base expects Terrell Hunt to either win the Heisman next year or lose the job in spring ball (and absolutely everything in between).

All 4 frosh QB's have tools and they all have warts. The only 2 with an actual opportunity to win the job, IMO, are Kimble and Long. Edouard won't win it in the spring and Wilson just doesn't fit the offense.

I think I am more excited about Long then most, I think he is the best QB in this class. Quick release w/ decisive reads and can make plays on the run with the pass. Just battled injuries last year. With that said, I will be absolutely shocked if he wins the job in spring b/c he (like Alin) need to put on strength.

Kimble will be our # 2 and I bet he will play next year, at least a little bit against Nova b/c we will be up 49-0 at half with Hunt as the starter.

 

[Statesman1]

Don't think strength is a big issue for quarterbacks.

Yeah, strength is no big deal for qb's-especially for guys like Hunt- he never has to break a tackle or anything.

 

[Rocco]

This thread was pretty hilarious. I learned that our fan base expects Terrell Hunt to either win the Heisman next year or lose the job in spring ball (and absolutely everything in between).

All 4 frosh QB's have tools and they all have warts. The only 2 with an actual opportunity to win the job, IMO, are Kimble and Long. Edouard won't win it in the spring and Wilson just doesn't fit the offense.

I think I am more excited about Long then most, I think he is the best QB in this class. Quick release w/ decisive reads and can make plays on the run with the pass. Just battled injuries last year. With that said, I will be absolutely shocked if he wins the job in spring b/c he (like Alin) need to put on strength.

Kimble will be our # 2 and I bet he will play next year, at least a little bit against Nova b/c we will be up 49-0 at half with Hunt as the starter.

The Heisman talk is funny. If Hunt can improve his reads and have more talent to throw at (Ishmael, Cooper, KJ, Custis, Adly??? - along with Estime, Broyld, Cornelius, West, Funderburke), I think he could end up a top 4 or 5 QB in the ACC.

I would be shocked if McDonald doesn't redshirt Edouard and Long (he has upper hand because he's already on campus). They both need some time in the weight room, especially Edouard. Unless of course, he is that much better than Hunt, Kimble, Wilson and Long in the 8 weeks he's actually on campus before the season opener.

And yes, Kimble is already our #2 IMO.

 

[texasorange]

The starting job is his to lose.

I love the guy and hope he improves and becomes a big star.

He has a lot of work to do and the young QBs will provide some competition.

Absolutely it is his job to lose. Hunt has done everything you could ask of him. He may not have the best arm but he is a leader.

 

[SmilinBob]

All I know is this is the biggest smile this guy has had on his face regarding the talent and depth at this position in a long long time. Put the uniform on and may the best player win.

I want them to double the spring game time so I can watch these guys take more snaps!

Hunt is the incumbent and did a very nice job and won a bowl game. Kimble and Wilson had a year of studying and showing the staff what they can do. Long comes in early with some very good numbers and get some reps in the spring and Edouard looks silly fast man. Wow...love watching talented players compete.

 

[cuseguy]

I'm looking for a good QB to back up Hunt. Otherwise, the QB spot is closed for the next two years.

I'm more concerned with finding suitable replacements for Bromley and Spruill.

 

[orangepassion]

This year we will be returning:
Almost all whole O-line
3 RB's with experience
Our 3 starting WR's (West, Flemming, Broyld) plus Estime, Cornelius, Funderburk, Kobena, and all the new talent
A TE with starting experience

Do you really want to waste that with a Freshman QB with zero experience unless they are Mcnabb-like? I don't and I don't think Hickey came back for that, either.

 

[Entropic]

I don't think Hunt did enough to earn a guaranteed starting spot. If he continues to improve as he did the last couple games of the season than he will likely take it. This isn't a discussion about whether or not Jameis Winston is going to start. Hunt has a lot to improve on and the defense won several of those games when the offense was inept. I don't care who starts as long as its the person that gives the team the best chance to win. This isn't some social justice thing where the person who has endured the most hardships wins. Hunt displayed leadership and grit but to say he is the guaranteed starter is a little silly considering he had some of the worst passing stats in the BCS. Lets keep things in perspective.

 

[TheCusian]

I don't think Hunt did enough to earn a guaranteed starting spot. If he continues to improve as he did the last couple games of the season than he will likely take it. This isn't a discussion about whether or not Jameis Winston is going to start. Hunt has a lot to improve on and the defense won several of those games when the offense was inept. I don't care who starts as long as its the person that gives the team the best chance to win. This isn't some social justice thing where the person who has endured the most hardships wins. Hunt displayed leadership and grit but to say he is the guaranteed starter is a little silly considering he had some of the worst passing stats in the BCS. Lets keep things in perspective.

I don't think anyone was giving anything to him. My point was that I think he will beat out the 4 other kids easily and be our QB all season, barring injury. And his past has influenced who is as a football player and leader - I'd bet the last thing he would want is for someone to give him the job out of pity.

He had some of the worst passing stats at one point in the season. Where he finished (last 3 games) were more than respectable.

 

[anomander]

I don't think Hunt did enough to earn a guaranteed starting spot. If he continues to improve as he did the last couple games of the season than he will likely take it. This isn't a discussion about whether or not Jameis Winston is going to start. Hunt has a lot to improve on and the defense won several of those games when the offense was inept. I don't care who starts as long as its the person that gives the team the best chance to win. This isn't some social justice thing where the person who has endured the most hardships wins. Hunt displayed leadership and grit but to say he is the guaranteed starter is a little silly considering he had some of the worst passing stats in the BCS. Lets keep things in perspective.

what more do you expect from him? he did what he needed to do and that was win the games he was supposed to win, and even a few some weren't expecting. he showed improvement throughout the season, and by the last couple games he had total control of the offense, including 2 game winning drives. again this was with one of the worst receiving corps in the country. the kid was a sophmore qb, who missed Spring Ball a few years before. I just think peoples expectations are way way way to high if that wasn't acceptable? even if it isn't there isn't a qb on the roster, or a qb we brought in that is further along in their development. Hunt is here to stay, it's better everyone get behind and start supporting him because Shafer may say it's open competition, but there is no chance anyone starts, but Terrel Hunt.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

If I hadn't been a Syracuse fan for the last 40 years and heard the same kind of crap about Beohiem until the last few years it would strike me as odd that someone who posts on a Syracuse site and I assume is a fan would say such things. I think I've seen it referred to as milltown mentality.

Terrell Hunt is not a Heisman caliber QB. End of discussion. He is not an all ACC caliber a QB. He does not pass well enough to win post season accolades. He is a fine young man who plays hard and seems to be a good leader. There is nothing wrong with that.
That has nothing to do with being from Syracuse. Its about being objective and not delusional.

 

[CousCuse]

Terrell Hunt is not a Heisman caliber QB. End of discussion. He is not an all ACC caliber a QB. He does not pass well enough to win post season accolades. He is a fine young man who plays hard and seems to be a good leader. There is nothing wrong with that.
That has nothing to do with being from Syracuse. Its about being objective and not delusional.

Tim Tebow won the Heisman just a couple of years ago and he wasn't know as a great passing QB. RG3 really didn't throw a good deep pass until his senior year. So, if you want to judge THunt on a rookie season where he didn't get the starting reps until a third of the season with a new coaching staff and a new offensive scheme then go ahead. I think that any young man that has a starting QB position at a major college program should have somewhere in there mind of achieving the highest success and awards , and if they don't they shouldn't be a starting QB at a major college program .

 

[RMH44]

what more do you expect from him? he did what he needed to do and that was win the games he was supposed to win, and even a few some weren't expecting. he showed improvement throughout the season, and by the last couple games he had total control of the offense, including 2 game winning drives. again this was with one of the worst receiving corps in the country. the kid was a sophmore qb, who missed Spring Ball a few years before. I just think peoples expectations are way way way to high if that wasn't acceptable? even if it isn't there isn't a qb on the roster, or a qb we brought in that is further along in their development. Hunt is here to stay, it's better everyone get behind and start supporting him because Shafer may say it's open competition, but there is no chance anyone starts, but Terrel Hunt.

To suggest that anyone here isn't "behind" THunt is ridiculous. I think it's safe to say that all SU fans hope that Terrel works hard and continues to improve.

Terrel's strengths are his intangibles (pocket presence, poise, feel, savvy etc, which are difficult to teach) and experience. He does, however, have glaring physical limitations. At least 3of the 4 QB's behind him are physically better suited for McDonald's offense. Is that enough to unseat Terrel? Probably not, but keep in mind that the staff (or at least McDonald) decided that he wasn't the "QB of the future" by picking Allen over him to start last season. Hopefully for Terrel, he did enough at the end of last year to change the coaches' minds.

Btw, if some one other than Hunt starts the first game against 'nova I hope it's because he outright won the job rather than Terrel losing the job.

 

[007]

Tim Tebow won the Heisman just a couple of years ago and he wasn't know as a great passing QB. RG3 really didn't throw a good deep pass until his senior year. So, if you want to judge THunt on a rookie season where he didn't get the starting reps until a third of the season with a new coaching staff and a new offensive scheme then go ahead. I think that any young man that has a starting QB position at a major college program should have somewhere in there mind of achieving the highest success and awards , and if they don't they shouldn't be a starting QB at a major college program .

If nothing else, you are persistent. Why resurrect this thread? Seems like there was an overwhelming consensus that the Heisman talk was just...ridiculous. As is the attempt to paint not running a Heisman campaign as a sign of "Eyeore" mentality, lack of fan support, or somehow detrimental to Hunt's development.

If anything, YOUR insistence in this thread has resulted in others pointing out Hunt's deficiencies. Let it die, CousCuse.

Unless of course you have a Danny Shayes autograph...

 

[CousCuse]

If nothing else, you are persistent. Why resurrect this thread? Seems like there was an overwhelming consensus that the Heisman talk was just...ridiculous. As is the attempt to paint not running a Heisman campaign as a sign of "Eyeore" mentality, lack of fan support, or somehow detrimental to Hunt's development.

If anything, YOUR insistence in this thread has resulted in others pointing out Hunt's deficiencies. Let it die, CousCuse.

Unless of course you have a Danny Shayes autograph...

I did let it die and then 4 days later I got another alert , but I will take your advice and henceforth not respond.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Tim Tebow won the Heisman just a couple of years ago and he wasn't know as a great passing QB. RG3 really didn't throw a good deep pass until his senior year. So, if you want to judge THunt on a rookie season where he didn't get the starting reps until a third of the season with a new coaching staff and a new offensive scheme then go ahead. I think that any young man that has a starting QB position at a major college program should have somewhere in there mind of achieving the highest success and awards , and if they don't they shouldn't be a starting QB at a major college program .

On a National Championship team contender playing in the SEC. If Terrell is leading us to a NC or in the discussion, we may revisit this topic

 

[All4SU]

Amazing that for more than a decade we just struggled to get QBs here that could play at a high level. Now we have a returning soph, who won a bowl game. Two solid recruits who redshirted this year, and two recruits who get recognized as the best QB class in the ACC. Something has changed.

 

[Moontan]

Something has changed.

Other than the coaching changes, the biggie is that Syracuse is now in a conference that's perceived to be better. For kids in southern states there's also the prospect that their families will be able to see their games more frequently.