Next year - QB?

[All4SU]

It’s my opinion that the number one result of NIL/portal is the distribution of QB talent throughout FBS. Thats why so many middling teams have had above average seasons. Everybody has a portal QB. A guy who is looking for a chance to get off the bench at a big school. Big schools are grabbing high-performing QBs from average programs - because they can. QBs at those top programs see time running out and have to find a spot where they can get a chance. Everybody has a QB now.

I don’t think we will ever be free from looking to the portal for a QB. We may still be able to recruit a frosh phenom, but every coach will hedge their bets through the portal.

 

[guards98]

Sluka was promised 100K and got 3K and he's a quitter?

I don't think so.

Let's see what you do if you show up at work and your paycheck is 3% of what you expect it to be.

I don't blame Sluka for doing what he did at UNLV, but as a QB he's basically 2023 Garrett Shrader. I don't need to see another power running QB with a noodle arm, we've already seen how far that gets us in the ACC.

 

[pattycuse]

Agreed. I can see it playing out one of three ways.

1. Williams is good enough to start, and builds upon this year's apprenticeship and takes the reins this offseason.
2. Incoming frosh Carney is so good, he leapfrogs Williams and uses spring practice to get ready to start next year.
3. Either / both of them need more time to develop, so we go "sell" an experienced QB on McCord's success.

I'm guessing #3 will be the option Fran and staff pursue.

FWIW I’ve heard #3 is the plan.

 

[orange79]

Can’t we just have Kyle grow a stache and say he is Lyle McCord his twin who was home schooled? Then we get 4 more years.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

I don't blame Sluka for doing what he did at UNLV, but as a QB he's basically 2023 Garrett Shrader. I don't need to see another power running QB with a noodle arm, we've already seen how far that gets us in the ACC.

I didn't say go after him.

I just said he is not a quitter for doing what he did.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Sluka is a pure runner. We ain’t going to go that route. That would be a complete 180 in terms of philosophy and structure of the offense.

I didn't say go after him.

I just said he is not a quitter for doing what he did.

Or, in other words, "ibid" to the above post.

 

[Cusefan78]

Do we? Look at what ncst did this year and now GT with Philo. Let’s save the money for 2026 given the gauntlet next year is, we can use the opportunity to see if Jakhari or Carney has potential.

That being said, if doeren gets fired I think Fran will go hard for CJ Bailey. Another guy I like is Devon Dampier at New Mexico (under Jason Beck) but he’s probably going to stay in the west

I really can’t stand the phone it thought process. What kind of sign is that for the team. We aren’t going after a top qb because we are going to lose!

 

[anomander]

Our starting QB isn't on the roster yet. Next year isn't the time to break in a new QB, especially with our first 5 games, and it's not like it gets easier after that. We should be an easy sell to some nice portal options. Still have Pena, Gill, LeQuint, Zeed coming back. That's a nice core to work with. Too bad Meeks didn't have another year.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

FWIW I’ve heard #3 is the plan.

Unless Ewers or Klubnik have a horrendous game next week, I don't see many options to be McCord #2. We really lucked out with that. Maybe we can find Holstein #2.

 

[JKinPhilly]

Sluka was promised 100K and got 3K and he's a quitter?

I don't think so.

Let's see what you do if you show up at work and your paycheck is 3% of what you expect it to be.

Both quit on their teams mid season. No thanks.

But I’ll phrase it differently - I’m done with QBs who can’t throw. Is that better?

 

[UnknownOrange]

No Castellanos, no Sluka...no quitters.

Has nothing to do with them quitting. Passers. We need a passer. If we went from McCord to either one of them that would be an incredible downgrade

 

[SuFTW]

If Kyle opts out, who start for us in the bowl game? That might give us a clue as to next year.

Not really anyone than we already know. Williams would start, but the incoming freshman and any potential transfers won’t be on the team yet.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Let’s save the money for 2026

That's not really how it works.

 

[Cuse House]

Our starting QB isn't on the roster yet. Next year isn't the time to break in a new QB, especially with our first 5 games, and it's not like it gets easier after that. We should be an easy sell to some nice portal options. Still have Pena, Gill, LeQuint, Zeed coming back. That's a nice core to work with. Too bad Meeks didn't have another year.

Plus young guys like Tremble, Ross, and Hornsby who I all think are all solid P5 contributors going forward.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Look what we did with Kyle, 8-9 wins with all our warts. I get it, the trenches are crucial and should be a huge priority but QB is the single most important position in all of sports. Get a one year guy and use the bulk of the remaining NIL cash on player retention and trenches upgrades. Also, is the school able to start paying players in 2025? That will help. Anyone who knows is welcome to answer that one for me!

Agree about Bailey, he may leave even if DD is retained

Well, if not the best groups of receivers and best passing QB we have collectively had at one time, it’s darn close.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I didn't say go after him.

I just said he is not a quitter for doing what he did.

Would you work for a company that promised to pay you X, then made it clear they weren’t going to pay you the money it had promised?
If yes, have I got a great job for you. It pays big bucks.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

FWIW I’ve heard #3 is the plan.

Yeah, if we weren't kicking off the entire football season against an SEC team I'd say rolling with a young guy we believe in is fine.

But we have the chance to make a statement right at the beginning of the season.

If we can get a guy that's more of a sure thing that's something we have to explore for our QB1.

 

[zjscuse]

With the schedule we have in 2025 I hope Fran spends his NIL on the OL & DL and goes with Jakhari Williams at QB.

Yes this please ! I am fine going 6-6 or 7-5 with that brutal schedule if it allows Williams to grow as a player for a more favorable schedule. Then again fair point about perception. I guess it’s all a gamble.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I don't blame Sluka for doing what he did at UNLV, but as a QB he's basically 2023 Garrett Shrader. I don't need to see another power running QB with a noodle arm, we've already seen how far that gets us in the ACC.

Preach. These people wanting noodle armed dual(run only threat) threats drive me absolutely insane.

 

[SyrDave]

Our starting QB isn't on the roster yet. Next year isn't the time to break in a new QB, especially with our first 5 games, and it's not like it gets easier after that. We should be an easy sell to some nice portal options. Still have Pena, Gill, LeQuint, Zeed coming back. That's a nice core to work with. Too bad Meeks didn't have another year.

Agreed.

We ought to be able to tell a NIL candidate, you can be the next McCord, step into the starting role, play in some great games (Tenn, ND, Clemson, Miami), solid group of WRs and a stud RB, lots of TV games, home games indoors, come make the next step in your career.

Or is that super wishful thinking?

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Both quit on their teams mid season. No thanks.

But I’ll phrase it differently - I’m done with QBs who can’t throw. Is that better?

I never said to take him so I'm fine with that. I'm also tired of TEs playing QB for us.

What I disagreed with was your characterization of him as a quitter.

I believe he was thoroughly justified in what he did.

 

[CuseBlood44]

I spoke to Diggs after the game yesterday and he said he’s definitely playing in the bowl game. I don’t think he will be the only one.

they didn’t do the senior walk right?

 

[CuseBlood44]

That's not really how it works.

Our boosters ponied up big money to bring Kyle here, and that was for a “discount” compared to what Nebraska and others may have been offering. We struck gold with Fran’s family connections.

All across the country every offseason now, QB free agency is going to be the most sought after and competitive NIL arms race, followed by OL. Look at the competition schools had over cam ward. Florida state and Miami were fighting it out over him and DJU, both paid millions to get their guy - one of which is in the Heisman talks and another of which got benched.
Remember this 2024 incoming top transfer QBs article that McCord didn’t even make? It’s a crap shoot.

If I’m a booster, I see next years schedule as a developmental year. See what we have on the roster or maybe bring in a young guy to compete, try to find your CJ Bailey (or get him), your Philo at GT, your Holstein at Pitt, Colandrea at UVA etc. if it doesn’t work out, that money can be invested and used towards a hot commodity in 2026

 

[money3189]

I never said to take him so I'm fine with that. I'm also tired of TEs playing QB for us.

What I disagreed with was your characterization of him as a quitter.

I believe he was thoroughly justified in what he did.

UNLV didnt want to pay him once they realized the other kid was better

 

[Forza Azzurri]

UNLV didnt want to pay him once they realized the other kid was better

Doesn't matter. You make an agreement you honor it.