The spring season is now in the rear view, and we’ve got more clarity on the quarterback battle than we did just a couple months ago. Stephon Masha is clearly the leader and, to no one’s surprise, was placed atop the depth chart following the spring. Masha has also been named one of the captains for the 2016 season.
In the spring game, Masha received 31 of the 47 snaps. He was also more productive than both Rudiger Yearick and Bo Swanson, completing 12 of 17 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. The biggest question mark surrounding the rising junior entering the spring, was his ability to make downfield passes. While it’s only one play, Masha did show great touch on a 50-yard pass completed to B.J. Farrow during the spring game. If he’s able to consistently deliver on deep balls like that, he will be the true dual-threat quarterback the coaching staff hopes they have.
Bo Swanson completed 2 of his 3 pass attempts for 49 yards. He did throw an interception, which was returned by Alpha Jalloh for a touchdown. Rudiger Yearick completed just 1 of his 4 passes for 5 yards.
As we turn our attention to summer workouts and August’s training camp, Masha is the starting quarterback. As Coach Gill stated, “he will go into (the season) as our #1 guy and unless someone just comes along and really, really does a fantastic job, I anticipate him to be our starter as we go into the season, he’s earned that.”
