Watson has been open about his plan to graduate in 3 years and move on to the NFL. Swinney is well aware, so he surely has a plan, although it isn't obvious to me.
The talent on the roster is eye popping, but how do you replace a guy like Watson?

1. Kelly Bryant: will be a junior next year. A big, guy with elite running ability (his to run against Miami last year was amazing). He has not grabbed the backup QB job this year and has not proven himself as a passer. I can't recall him throwing the ball downfield in a game. It would be nice to see him break out this spring.

2. Zerrick Cooper: red shirting this year, but traveling with team and working signals on sidelines. QB coach Streeter said he's one of the best passers he's ever seen. I would put my money on him starting game 1 in 2017, but he will be inexperienced.

3. Tucker Israel: will be a redshirt sophomore next year. Shredded most Florida high school passing records. Has not made a move up the depth chart. The biggest knock on him, fair or not, is that he's under 6 foot tall.

4. Hunter Johnson: 5 star QB who will enroll in January and participate in spring practice. Watson did the same thing and became a starter as a freshman, but few players are ready to be an effective QB in their first year out of high school.

I'd guess Cooper at this point, but who knows?

(10-31-2016 05:56 AM)ren.hoek Wrote:  Watson has been open about his plan to graduate in 3 years and move on to the NFL. Swinney is well aware, so he surely has a plan, although it isn't obvious to me.
The talent on the roster is eye popping, but how do you replace a guy like Watson?

1. Kelly Bryant: will be a junior next year. A big, guy with elite running ability (his to run against Miami last year was amazing). He has not grabbed the backup QB job this year and has not proven himself as a passer. I can't recall him throwing the ball downfield in a game. It would be nice to see him break out this spring.

2. Zerrick Cooper: red shirting this year, but traveling with team and working signals on sidelines. QB coach Streeter said he's one of the best passers he's ever seen. I would put my money on him starting game 1 in 2017, but he will be inexperienced.

3. Tucker Israel: will be a redshirt sophomore next year. Shredded most Florida high school passing records. Has not made a move up the depth chart. The biggest knock on him, fair or not, is that he's under 6 foot tall.

4. Hunter Johnson: 5 star QB who will enroll in January and participate in spring practice. Watson did the same thing and became a starter as a freshman, but few players are ready to be an effective QB in their first year out of high school.

I'd guess Cooper at this point, but who knows?

I'd put my money on Cooper, with Israel and Johnson backing him up in no particular order. I believe Bryant is bound for either a position change or a transfer because in two years he had failed to progress very much as a passer. Out of the current QBs on the roster I would put him as the 5th best passer behind even walk-on James Barnes. Where Bryant excels is his running ability. He's much faster than Watson (probably as fast if not faster than Woody Dantzler) as has been shown many times. In the Miami game you mentioned he outran the Canes secondary on the TD run. But he is limited in the passing game and that's why Nick Schussler is currently the first option off the bench and if Watson were lost for the season the redshirt likely comes off Cooper.

As a Louisville guy...will be sssooo glad when Watson in the NFL. Been a major thorn in our side. But I have major respect for him and his game.

That's my gut feeling as well. The tea leaves seem to indicate Cooper just because both Israel and Bryant have not surpassed Schuessler this year.

(10-31-2016 08:58 AM)Kaplony Wrote:  

(10-31-2016 05:56 AM)ren.hoek Wrote:  Watson has been open about his plan to graduate in 3 years and move on to the NFL. Swinney is well aware, so he surely has a plan, although it isn't obvious to me.
The talent on the roster is eye popping, but how do you replace a guy like Watson?

1. Kelly Bryant: will be a junior next year. A big, guy with elite running ability (his to run against Miami last year was amazing). He has not grabbed the backup QB job this year and has not proven himself as a passer. I can't recall him throwing the ball downfield in a game. It would be nice to see him break out this spring.

2. Zerrick Cooper: red shirting this year, but traveling with team and working signals on sidelines. QB coach Streeter said he's one of the best passers he's ever seen. I would put my money on him starting game 1 in 2017, but he will be inexperienced.

3. Tucker Israel: will be a redshirt sophomore next year. Shredded most Florida high school passing records. Has not made a move up the depth chart. The biggest knock on him, fair or not, is that he's under 6 foot tall.

4. Hunter Johnson: 5 star QB who will enroll in January and participate in spring practice. Watson did the same thing and became a starter as a freshman, but few players are ready to be an effective QB in their first year out of high school.

I'd guess Cooper at this point, but who knows?

I'd put my money on Cooper, with Israel and Johnson backing him up in no particular order. I believe Bryant is bound for either a position change or a transfer because in two years he had failed to progress very much as a passer. Out of the current QBs on the roster I would put him as the 5th best passer behind even walk-on James Barnes. Where Bryant excels is his running ability. He's much faster than Watson (probably as fast if not faster than Woody Dantzler) as has been shown many times. In the Miami game you mentioned he outran the Canes secondary on the TD run. But he is limited in the passing game and that's why Nick Schussler is currently the first option off the bench and if Watson were lost for the season the redshirt likely comes off Cooper.

To Israel's credit Schuessler knows the offense inside and out. He's in his fourth year of it and all of them have been spent standing right beside the OC sending in plays. He's also smart enough to know his limitations and doesn't try to force things. I don't know what his plans are but people around the program say that Nick would make one hell of a coach because of his intelligence.

Tucker's problem is what you mentioned, he's not tall enough. There's the possibility that he could be a transfer threat because I believe he could be a starter at a lower level, but at this point he could be looking at his life beyond football.

(10-31-2016 05:56 AM)ren.hoek Wrote:  Watson has been open about his plan to graduate in 3 years and move on to the NFL. Swinney is well aware, so he surely has a plan, although it isn't obvious to me.
The talent on the roster is eye popping, but how do you replace a guy like Watson?

1. Kelly Bryant: will be a junior next year. A big, guy with elite running ability (his to run against Miami last year was amazing). He has not grabbed the backup QB job this year and has not proven himself as a passer. I can't recall him throwing the ball downfield in a game. It would be nice to see him break out this spring.

2. Zerrick Cooper: red shirting this year, but traveling with team and working signals on sidelines. QB coach Streeter said he's one of the best passers he's ever seen. I would put my money on him starting game 1 in 2017, but he will be inexperienced.

3. Tucker Israel: will be a redshirt sophomore next year. Shredded most Florida high school passing records. Has not made a move up the depth chart. The biggest knock on him, fair or not, is that he's under 6 foot tall.

4. Hunter Johnson: 5 star QB who will enroll in January and participate in spring practice. Watson did the same thing and became a starter as a freshman, but few players are ready to be an effective QB in their first year out of high school.

I'd guess Cooper at this point, but who knows?

My money is on Kelly Bryant for game 1 but it will quickly become Hunter Johnson's team.

(10-31-2016 01:57 PM)Ewglenn Wrote:  

(10-31-2016 05:56 AM)ren.hoek Wrote:  Watson has been open about his plan to graduate in 3 years and move on to the NFL. Swinney is well aware, so he surely has a plan, although it isn't obvious to me.
The talent on the roster is eye popping, but how do you replace a guy like Watson?

1. Kelly Bryant: will be a junior next year. A big, guy with elite running ability (his to run against Miami last year was amazing). He has not grabbed the backup QB job this year and has not proven himself as a passer. I can't recall him throwing the ball downfield in a game. It would be nice to see him break out this spring.

2. Zerrick Cooper: red shirting this year, but traveling with team and working signals on sidelines. QB coach Streeter said he's one of the best passers he's ever seen. I would put my money on him starting game 1 in 2017, but he will be inexperienced.

3. Tucker Israel: will be a redshirt sophomore next year. Shredded most Florida high school passing records. Has not made a move up the depth chart. The biggest knock on him, fair or not, is that he's under 6 foot tall.

4. Hunter Johnson: 5 star QB who will enroll in January and participate in spring practice. Watson did the same thing and became a starter as a freshman, but few players are ready to be an effective QB in their first year out of high school.

I'd guess Cooper at this point, but who knows?

My money is on Kelly Bryant for game 1 but it will quickly become Hunter Johnson's team.

Bryant has to do a lot of improving in the passing game between now and the Kent State game to become even the temporary starter. At the Orange & White game he was the 5th best QB even behind the walk-on Barnes, and he even looked inaccurate warming up.

IMO yesterday spoke volumes about who next year's QB is going to be. The fact that Schuessler carried the load after they held Watson out in a game that was decided in the first half against a obviously inferior opponent tells me that they do not trust Bryant in passing situations. I would be shocked if Zerrick Cooper wasn't the starter when we face Kent State next year.

(11-06-2016 04:38 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  IMO yesterday spoke volumes about who next year's QB is going to be. The fact that Schuessler carried the load after they held Watson out in a game that was decided in the first half against a obviously inferior opponent tells me that they do not trust Bryant in passing situations. I would be shocked if Zerrick Cooper wasn't the starter when we face Kent State next year.

Thought the exact same thing. Very disappointing to see Bryant not in the game after the Watson injury. It's actually rather deflating to think about next years QB situation. I'd love to have an experienced junior QB who was the backup and clear heir apparent this year. It will be either Cooper or maybe Israel will pull off a shocker. Isn't Israel about the same size as Kyle Parker?

(11-06-2016 10:09 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(11-06-2016 04:38 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  IMO yesterday spoke volumes about who next year's QB is going to be. The fact that Schuessler carried the load after they held Watson out in a game that was decided in the first half against a obviously inferior opponent tells me that they do not trust Bryant in passing situations. I would be shocked if Zerrick Cooper wasn't the starter when we face Kent State next year.

Thought the exact same thing. Very disappointing to see Bryant not in the game after the Watson injury. It's actually rather deflating to think about next years QB situation. I'd love to have an experienced junior QB who was the backup and clear heir apparent this year. It will be either Cooper or maybe Israel will pull off a shocker. Isn't Israel about the same size as Kyle Parker?

Nah. Kyle Parker is a legit 6' tall. Israel is at best 5'10", maybe even 5'9". I'm a smidge shy of 6'1" and Tucker is shorter than I am.

(11-07-2016 01:13 AM)Kaplony Wrote:  

(11-06-2016 10:09 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(11-06-2016 04:38 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  IMO yesterday spoke volumes about who next year's QB is going to be. The fact that Schuessler carried the load after they held Watson out in a game that was decided in the first half against a obviously inferior opponent tells me that they do not trust Bryant in passing situations. I would be shocked if Zerrick Cooper wasn't the starter when we face Kent State next year.

Thought the exact same thing. Very disappointing to see Bryant not in the game after the Watson injury. It's actually rather deflating to think about next years QB situation. I'd love to have an experienced junior QB who was the backup and clear heir apparent this year. It will be either Cooper or maybe Israel will pull off a shocker. Isn't Israel about the same size as Kyle Parker?

Nah. Kyle Parker is a legit 6' tall. Israel is at best 5'10", maybe even 5'9". I'm a smidge shy of 6'1" and Tucker is shorter than I am.

Rats. Seems like the most likely scenario is Cooper starting with Bryant or Israel as a backup (other switches positions or transfers). Hunter Johnson would be third string or redshirt. Is Chase Brice enrolling in January too?

My guess: Willis Mcgillicuddie

It's fun to read the messages in light of how things have played out so far. Bryant, by all accounts, was just better than the rest this spring.

(08-28-2017 12:59 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  It's fun to read the messages in light of how things have played out so far. Bryant, by all accounts, was just better than the rest this spring.

I'm going to have to see it to believe it. Remember that coming out of camp in 2014 Cole Stoudt was "clearly" better than Watson "by all accounts".

(08-28-2017 02:34 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  

(08-28-2017 12:59 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  It's fun to read the messages in light of how things have played out so far. Bryant, by all accounts, was just better than the rest this spring.

I'm going to have to see it to believe it. Remember that coming out of camp in 2014 Cole Stoudt was "clearly" better than Watson "by all accounts".

it's like deja vu all over again.

(08-28-2017 02:35 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(08-28-2017 02:34 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  

(08-28-2017 12:59 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  It's fun to read the messages in light of how things have played out so far. Bryant, by all accounts, was just better than the rest this spring.

I'm going to have to see it to believe it. Remember that coming out of camp in 2014 Cole Stoudt was "clearly" better than Watson "by all accounts".

it's like deja vu all over again.

We just got to get through this year. I was in the lowstate last week and on one of the sportstalk stations down there they had a SE recruiting reporter on. They asked about Trevor Lawrence and he said he had watched hours of tape and been to multiple Cartersville games and he said Lawrence is more developed as a passer at this point than Watson was.

(08-28-2017 03:00 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  

(08-28-2017 02:35 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(08-28-2017 02:34 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  

(08-28-2017 12:59 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  It's fun to read the messages in light of how things have played out so far. Bryant, by all accounts, was just better than the rest this spring.

I'm going to have to see it to believe it. Remember that coming out of camp in 2014 Cole Stoudt was "clearly" better than Watson "by all accounts".

it's like deja vu all over again.

We just got to get through this year. I was in the lowstate last week and on one of the sportstalk stations down there they had a SE recruiting reporter on. They asked about Trevor Lawrence and he said he had watched hours of tape and been to multiple Cartersville games and he said Lawrence is more developed as a passer at this point than Watson was.

I heard another recruiting guru type say that the 3 best QBs ever to come out of Georgia HS are (in no particular order) Eric Zeier, Deshaun Watson, and Trevor Lawrence. It will be hard to keep Lawrence off of the field, but he does need to put on some weight.

Holy resurrected thread, Batman!

(08-28-2017 03:14 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(08-28-2017 03:00 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  

(08-28-2017 02:35 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(08-28-2017 02:34 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  

(08-28-2017 12:59 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  It's fun to read the messages in light of how things have played out so far. Bryant, by all accounts, was just better than the rest this spring.

I'm going to have to see it to believe it. Remember that coming out of camp in 2014 Cole Stoudt was "clearly" better than Watson "by all accounts".

it's like deja vu all over again.

We just got to get through this year. I was in the lowstate last week and on one of the sportstalk stations down there they had a SE recruiting reporter on. They asked about Trevor Lawrence and he said he had watched hours of tape and been to multiple Cartersville games and he said Lawrence is more developed as a passer at this point than Watson was.

I heard another recruiting guru type say that the 3 best QBs ever to come out of Georgia HS are (in no particular order) Eric Zeier, Deshaun Watson, and Trevor Lawrence. It will be hard to keep Lawrence off of the field, but he does need to put on some weight.

Eric Zeier used to be from SC. He went to Lexington in middle school. I know this because we played them when I played B team and I actually intercepted a pass from him. Felt like I had caught a lightning bolt. Without a doubt the hardest thrown football I had ever caught.

Legend is the head coach at Lexington High told him he would never be a QB for varsity and wanted him to move to another position. His dad was career Army and put in for a transfer. They went to Germany for a year then ended up in Marietta. One of my good friends at Newberry played at Lexington and told me that story.