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No position has been more painful to watch the past two seasons than Quarterback. It seems like a century ago when we were hoping that Gary Rogers would be the next version of Matt Kegel. Since then we've seen two broken backs at the position and two season ending knee injuries. It's enough to make a Coug fan yearn for the days of Paul Mencke and Steve Birnbaum.
Nevertheless, real hope emerged last year when Jeff Tuel entered the game down in Los Angeles against USC. He showed the spark and energy and playmaking ability that had left town with Alex Brink. He completed nearly 60% of his passes as a true freshmen. He got 121 pass attempts in last season which essentially equates to about five full games of experience. Now we'll get to see whether he has taken another step in the weight room heading into Spring camp. He played at 207 pounds last season and there is no question that he'll need to be closer to 220 next season if he wants to finish the year. Jeff Tuel has the potential to be the next star Quarterback at WSU and it could come as early as next season if he stays slightly ahead of the curve on his progression. Marshall Lobbestael is a nice backup. Best case scenario is that he's WSU's version of Seneca Wallace. Only play him if Tuel is injured or we are blowing a team out. He is not a quarterback you can win with consistently in the Pac-10. This Spring should be all about Jeff Tuel.
What to watch for: The ability to grow some depth behind Jeff Tuel. It would be absolutely shocking if Marshall doesn't finish the Spring with the #2 spot. However, there have been solid reports of David Gilbertson and his ability. If we are honest with ourselves, it's a 50/50 proposition that Jeff Tuel will make the entire season without missing some snaps along the way. We need some depth in Gilbertson and Lobbestael to keep us competitive if/when Tuel is out and also to protect Connor Halliday's redshirt. Halliday badly needs a full year to put on some weight. There also needs to be some separation from Tuel and Halliday in years. If you can protect Halliday's redshirt then the quarterback position will be in fabulous shape for the next five years with Tuel's three seasons and then two more from Halliday.
What you should pray you don't read about: That coming out of the Spring we have a quarterback competition and that it won't be settled until this Fall. We need to be settled and building with Jeff Tuel. The staff definitely understands that and badly wants for that to happen but they are not willing to gift anyone a job. Jeff Tuel needs to take it this Spring. If that happens it sets you up for a great Summer and clarity heading into the Fall. Perhaps just as important….it gives the fanbase some hope and a big reason to come out and watch the team on Saturdays.
What to hope for coming out of Spring ball: A healthier and heavier Jeff Tuel. When we last saw him he looked like he might be up about 5-10 pounds from his weight in the Fall. He said his knee was 100% a few weeks after the season ended. So, the best hope coming out of the Spring is that Tuel is healthy and more physically capable of taking the pounding that will come this Fall. The Lobster will see plenty of reps this year and that's fine. He's likely going to be needed in a few games this Fall unless our offensive line takes a quantum leap forward. Nevertheless, it's all about Jeff Tuel this season. The success or failure of the season really sits with his progression. That's an awful lot to put on a true Sophomore playing quarterback but it couldn't be more true.
It will be interesting to watch Jeff Tuel this Spring to see how he handles being the #1. When you watch him with his teammates during practice and off the field you can see that his leadership style is somewhere between Jason Gesser and Alex Brink. Which direction will he head as he grows into the position? There is lots of talk in the hallways about Todd Sturdy being able to install more of his offense this season. I can guarantee that will be a recurring theme as you start to read practice reports. However, there is one guy that will determine if we can open up the playbook and that is the starting quarterback. Tuel's reads need to get quicker through Spring and the offense needs to balance his ability to run along with throwing the ball. Tuel might be the most interesting player to watch this Spring.
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