Eleven of the 12 programs in the Mountain West Conference return starting quarterbacks from last season including Boise State and San Diego State. Here is a look at each of those positions and where their ranked:
Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien loses his grip on the ball when he’s hit by a Utah State defender before he can throw a pass Friday night. A replay showed it was an incomplete pass.
Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien loses his grip on the ball when he’s hit by a Utah State defender before he can throw a pass Friday night. A replay showed it was an incomplete pass.
Boise State: Brett Rypien, who earned first-team all-MWC honors after leading the league in passing yards (3,646) and passing per game (280.5) last season, returns to lead the Broncos offense in 2017. Thomas Stuart’s decision to transfer after the season leaves the program with just three scholarship players heading into spring including JUCO transfer Rathen Ricedorff with Chase Chord arriving in fall.
San Diego State: Christian Chapman has been behind center a majority of the time in each of the two conference championship seasons with the Aztecs. Surgery on his thumb will keep Chapman off the practice fields this spring but he should be back and ready to go in the fall. Sophomore Ryan Agnew and Neil Boudreau will work out this spring with freshmen Mark Salazar and Cam Roane arriving in the fall.
Wyoming: Josh Allen led the league in total offense with 3,726 yards as Wyoming improved from No. 10 in total offense in 2015 to fifth in 2016. His decision to return rather forgo his senior season is good news for the Cowboys’ hopes. Nick Smith, who was the primary backup, and Nick Szpor will add some much needed depth behind the talented Allen.
Fresno State: New coach Jeff Tedford brings a reputation as a quarterback guru of sorts and his hiring was meant to revive a Bulldogs offense which has finished dead-last the past two seasons. Chason Virgil started the majority of the games last season but struggled with accuracy and turnovers and Jorge Reyna, a 3-star JUCO quarterback, could push for the job in spring practice.
Utah State: Senior quarterback Kent Myers comes into spring camp with more than 938 plays and 25 career starts under belt providing the Aggies with experience behind center. Damion Hobbs was Myers’ primary backup and he’ll be joined by junior DJ Nelson.
Hawai’i: Senior Ikaika Woolsey started the first four games last season before giving way to sophomore Dru Bown. Brown’s development over the final 10 games of the season were one of the reasons the Rainbow Warriors made significant improvements under first-year coach Nick Rolovich. Brown will join four other quarterbacks this spring in developing depth at the position.
Colorado State: Injuries forced three different quarterbacks to start a game for the Rams last season. Nick Stevens opened as the starter but Collin Hills stepped in and quickly demonstrated that he could be a future face of the program at quarterback. The duo will compete for the job in spring along with Justice McCoy – a dual-threat quarterback – who could provide much needed depth.
Nevada: New coach Jay Norvell promised to bring his ‘Air Raid’ offensive scheme to the program, making the quarterback position crucial for the overall success. Alabama transfer David Cornwell – a true pro-style quarterback, could go into spring with a leg-up on the rest of the competition.
New Mexico: Lamar Jordan shared snaps with Austin Apodaca last season as the Lobos put together their best season since 2007. Apodaca’s departure leaves Jordan as the primary starter heading into 2017 with JaJuan Lawson and Tevaka Tuioti backing him up. Highly-touted signee Cameron Burston could be a factor as well, giving Bob Davie a true dual-threat quarterback.
UNLV: Three different players started games last season for the Rebels thanks to injuries and inconsistencies. Dalton Snead started five games but his transfer during the offseason means Johnny Stanton and Kurt Palandech will battle during the spring to earn the starting job in 2017.
Beggs has been taking testosterone supplements for two years. Some people liken the testosterone to performance-enhancing steroids. (Feb. 27, 2017)
Beggs has been taking testosterone supplements for two years. Some people liken the testosterone to performance-enhancing steroids. (Feb. 27, 2017)
Beggs has been taking testosterone supplements for two years. Some people liken the testosterone to performance-enhancing steroids. (Feb. 27, 2017)
Beggs has been taking testosterone supplements for two years. Some people liken the testosterone to performance-enhancing steroids. (Feb. 27, 2017)
With barely any sleep after a cross-country move, Giles Barnes trained in high heat and then immediately fell into an interview rotation during Orlando City’s media day.
With barely any sleep after a cross-country move, Giles Barnes trained in high heat and then immediately fell into an interview rotation during Orlando City’s media day.
Former Unviersity of Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis talks about the upcoming NFL Draft. He is expected to be selected in the first round.
Former Unviersity of Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis talks about the upcoming NFL Draft. He is expected to be selected in the first round.
The Seabreeze High School ‘Marching 100’ drumline provides a driving soundtrack for highlights from the 59th running of the Daytona 500, ‘The Great American Race,’ at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell and Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
The Seabreeze High School ‘Marching 100’ drumline provides a driving soundtrack for highlights from the 59th running of the Daytona 500, ‘The Great American Race,’ at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell and Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Aaron Gordon discusses his move from small forward to power forward in this video
Aaron Gordon discusses his move from small forward to power forward in this video
San Jose State: Kenny Potter’s exit and Brent Brennan’s hiring means there will be a shakeup on the offensive side of the football. Josh Love is one of four quarterbacks on the Spartans roster and the only one with substantial playing time.
Air Force: Air Force only returns seven starters from a team that finished with 10 wins last season including junior Arion Worthman, who started four out of the final six games where he compiled nearly more than 1,200 yards.
mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Follow Matt Murschel on Twitter at @osmattmurschel or like his Facebook page for more college football coverage.
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