Nine of the 12 teams in Conference USA feature return starting quarterbacks in 2017 led by Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State.
1. Western Kentucky: Former USF transfer Mike White put together a career season with the Hilltoppers last season, passing for more than 4,300 yards with 37 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. New coach Mike Sanford Jr. is a former quarterback and he’ll work to continue to develop the position with White along with Drew Eckels and incoming freshman Davis Shanley.
2. Middle Tennessee State: Brent Stockstill was putting together a career season before suffering a broken collarbone that sent him to the sidelines for the final three regular season games. His return in time to play in the bowl game was nothing short of miraculous. John Urzua stepped in and helped during Stockstill’s absence providing the Blue Raiders with needed experience heading into 2017.
Marshall quarterback Chase Litton (14) is pressured by Connecticut defensive lineman Kenton Adeyemi (95) as he throws a touchdown pass in the first quarter Saturday.
Marshall quarterback Chase Litton (14) is pressured by Connecticut defensive lineman Kenton Adeyemi (95) as he throws a touchdown pass in the first quarter Saturday.
3. Marshall: Safe to say after coming off a disappointing 3-9 season in 2016 that no job is safe on the Marshall roster. Chase Litton has thrown for more than 5,000 yards over his first two seasons with 47 career touchdowns but even that’s not enough to guarantee him the job heading into spring. Incoming freshman Isaiah Green – a 3-star dual threat quarterback – could push for the job as well.
4. Charlotte: Former Miami transfer Kevin Olsen started the first five games for the 49ers last season before losing the starting job to sophomore Hasaan Klugh, who would lead the team to a 3-4 record the rest of the way. The offense showed improvements under the mobile Klugh and will move forward with him this spring especially after Olsen was suspended from the team following off-the-field issues.
5. FIU: New FIU coach Butch Davis brought in longtime offensive coordinator Rich Skrosky to retool an offense that ranked No. 106 in the nation in scoring offense. Alex McGough, who has 32 career starts under his belt, struggled with his consistency last season which led to him being replaced by Maurice Alexander, who started the final three games, leaving the job up for grabs in the spring.
6. FAU: The Owls most likely will undergo a major reimagining offensively under new coach Lane Kiffin. The key part of that plan will be bolstering the quarterback position. Kiffin rolled the dice by signing former FSU QB De’Andre Johnson from the junior college ranks to challenge holdovers Jason Driskel and Daniel Parr during spring practice.
7. Louisiana Tech: The Bulldogs featured the top passing offense in 2016 with senior quarterback Ryan Higgins leading the league in passing yards (4,617) and passing touchdowns (41). Higgins’ exit opens the door for J’Mar Smith to continue the trend of explosive performances by Tech quarterbacks. He’ll have highly-touted freshman Elijah Walker and Jack Abraham providing depth at the position.
8. UTSA: The Road Runners showed vast improvement offensively under first-year coach Frank Wilson. Junior Dalton Sturm has 20 consecutive starts under his belt going back to 2015 and his growth at the position last season leaves the position in good hands heading into spring. Depth, however, could be a concern with incoming freshman Frank Harris and Bryce Rivers battling for the backup role.
9. North Texas: Freshman Mason Fine won the starting job heading into the second game of 2016, finishing with 1,572 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games. Durability became a concern with senior Alec Morris stepping in for three starts. Morris’ departure means Fine will remain behind center with incoming freshman Cade Pearson and JUCO transfer Devlin Isadore providing much-needed depth.
10. UTEP: Three different quarterbacks started games for the Miners last season with sophomore Ryan Metz getting the majority of the time with seven starts including the final six games of the season. Metz, who completed nearly 65 percent of his passes for 1,300 yards with 14 touchdowns, should remain the starter in spring. Zach Greenlee and Kavika Johnson add depth along with freshman Alex Fernandes.
11. Old Dominion: The Monarch’s must find a replacement for David Washington, who started 33 games at quarterback including every game in 2016. Redshirt freshman Blake LaRussa, who saw limited action in 10 games last season, appears to be the favorite to replace Washington in spring with Drayton Arnold and JUCO transfer Jordan Hoy as possible contenders for the job.
12. Southern Miss: In four seasons at Southern Miss, Nick Mullens passed for close to 12,000 yards and 87 career touchdowns. Those are big shoes to fill and left to a trio of players including sophomore Keon Howard, redshirt junior Kwadra Griggs and freshman Marcelo Rodriguez.
13. Rice: Tyler Stehling started every game last season as a senior for the Owls and finding his replacement will be crucial this spring especially for a program looking to bounce back from one of its worst seasons since 2009. Jackson Tyner, J.T. Granato and freshman playmaker Miklo Smalls could all battle for the job.
14. UAB: The Blazers football program returns after a three-year hiatus with four players listed at quarterback including A.J. Erdely – a JUCO transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College – and Joseph Willis, who spent time at East Mississippi Community College.
mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Follow Matt Murschel on Twitter at @osmattmurschel or like his Facebook page for more college football coverage.
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