With Dennis Dixon using up all his eligibility as an Oregon Duck, the coaching staff headed into Spring trying to find a new quarterback, in what might be the most interesting battle for the starting quarterback spot ever in the history of Oregon football.
That task just got even tougher now as the Ducks added another addition to the race in JC transfer Jeremiah Mosali, who will have 3 years to play when he arrives to Eugene this summer. Mosali brings experience in the spread option and Madden-like stats from his freshman season at CC of San Francisco, where he threw for 3600 yards, ran for another 400, and a combined for 41 touchdowns through the air and rushing.
So who starts?
How about the QB’s do the Truffle Shuffle like in Goonies to see who starts?
Is it Costa, the player the coaching staff said would have slided right in at QB when Dixon went down with his injury and kept the offense flowing?
Or Roper, the season saving QB who lead the Ducks to a Sun Bowl win in a blowout fashion?
What about one of the two freshman QBs in Harper or Thomas? Both bring athleticism to the QB spot and look to be the future QBs of college football. Big. Quick. Athletic.
Don’t forget Cooper. Remember, he was a top JC QB two years ago and the starting BYU QB last summer before an injury.
There is also the home grown Oregon boy in Kempt, who started the last two games of the regular season, as well.
Now you can add in the most recent addition in Mosali who is the Spread King it appears from his JC stats as a FRESHMAN!
Is it a problem to have 7 (Yes, 7!) quarterbacks on the roster? I think it is, and it is starting to sound like the coaching staff does, too.
We now have two different instances where Bellotti has indirectly made it sound like two guys will need to find a different position on this team.
The first came last Saturday during the Spring game when Joe Giansante asked him about the depth at QB and Belloti said they will trim the roster down to five spots. Which means two players will need to move.
Today on 1320 AM “The Score”, Bellotti was on “Sports Talk with Steve Tannen” and reiterated the fact that the staff would like five players on the depth chart and there are currently seven players listed at quarterback.
So who moves? Thoughts?
Matt
Matt is a special contributor to Duck Sports News and Editor of Ducks Attack.
Bobby Bouche Says:
May 1st, 2008 at 3:52 pm
it has to be thomas and harper, sadly. I think kempt is a waste of a scholarship and a roster spot ( PS i should know, he went to my highschool! ). Thomas maybe to WR and harper to either LB, WR or FS seems logical. Once again i think Kempt and Cooper should get released, kicked off the team, or move to a new position but the problem is that they are not as versital as harper and thomas, which is a travesty
Donald Duck Says:
May 1st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
No way the two new HS recruits who can redshirt and have skills the others don’t move. Those who have been in the program and still haven’t shown anything like Kempt will transfer or move to D or play baseball and Cooper will help out on the scout team or move on since he won’t get a scholly. Just my opinion.
profem Says:
May 1st, 2008 at 5:15 pm
My guess would be: Kempt to defense and Thomas or Masoli redshirted. Harper looks more ready at this point than Thomas, and Masoli hasn’t even seen the play book. Cooper is a more accurate passer than either Thomas or Harper right now but may well be passed on the depth chart in 2009. And don’t forget, one of the seven may get injured; sad, but well within the probabilities.
Donald Duck Says:
May 1st, 2008 at 5:38 pm
No way do the two new HS recruits with skills the others don’t have should get moved without a chance to improve and prove themselves. Kempt has had two years in the program and still hasn’t shown he can be a competent QB, so he will switch to D or play baseball or transfer. Cooper doesn’t look like he will earn a scholly and will help out with the scout team and not be counted among the 5, or move on. Just my opinion. Don’t move the guys with skills before they’ve had a chance.
DC Duck Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:54 am
I heard that Cooper isn’t even on scholarship, so he isn’t even an impact to any roster spots (unless you want to count the travel squad).
As for Kempt – is he going to hang it up for baseball? I heard that he would like to play baseball, but nothing about dual time.
As for the super frosh – one of the two will need to redshirt. I figure it to be Thomas as he does not have the physical attributes (skinnier than Dixon was at that age). I think Harper will probably change positions and I would like to see him at the TE (our H-back) position. Possibly a slot receiver.
Chris C Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:47 am
Redshirt, or no, these guys still count against our 5 roster spots at QB. same with the scout team.
Our first three QB’s on the depth chart practice in our offense and 4 and 5 on the depth chart handle the scout team offense in practice.
It’s too bad because Cody looked outstanding in my eyes in the spring game. The possession he’d like to have back is the one where he screwed up the mesh and was tackled before he could get in the end zone, eventually settling for a FG. (who played center on that play? Help a QB out and snap it accurately GEEZ!)
Outside of that he had great zip on his throws and the jump ball he threw up for Elvis looked fantastic. I’m sure he has to feel a little slighted if he’s the one who has to move.
Unfortunately though, in the spirit of developing the guys who are built for this offense (Thomas, Harper, Masoli) he will have to move to LB or Rover. Cooper is another guy I feel disappointed to part ways with but with all this depth and talent those are the “ropes” kid. No pun to Justin intended
I feel like a guy trying to choose between beautiful women. “Why can’t I just have them all?!” but this ain’t BYU so……
jj Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Kempt to d or baseball, Cooper to safety or scout team. No way harper changes positions, this kid is going to be a player. He has shown the best comand of the offense of the newcomers. Masoli and fragile knees are only 6′ tall, which could be a problem in the pac 10. One thing is for sure, it is going to be interesting.
Matt Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Kempt played well in the spring game but if you were on the sidelines for spring practice like I was on a regular basis you would see his good practice/game was always followed by a ton of bad days.
Nothing on Kempt in anyway. In my eyes he is a D2 QB playing D1.
If he has anything to be upset about its the fact that the coaches placed him at QB right away and didnt give him a shot at Safety. He was a mean one in high school.