QB Competition

[NewEnglandBull]

TAMPA — The latest quarterback competition on USF’s campus didn’t arise organically.

The participants involved insist this is a derby of divine intervention, facilitated by some fervent prayers and featuring at least one celestial audible. Even a team chaplain lent a hand in bringing it all to fruition.

“For me, it was definitely something I was kind of jumping into blindly,” North Carolina transfer Cade Fortin said. “But I knew I’d be all right.”

Fortin and fellow transfer Noah Johnson (Alcorn State) are competing with incumbent Jordan McCloud in what — by many accounts — has remained an equitable competition, with snaps evenly distributed throughout the Bulls’ two-plus scrimmages.

“I didn’t want any handout or anything, I just wanted to make it fair,” said Johnson, who sports the team’s most profound beard. “And we’ve had a fair competition.”

 

Former Armwood High standout Noah Johnson totaled 3,287 yards and 26 touchdowns two seasons ago at Division I-AA Alcorn State. [Photo provided by USF Athletics]

[ TRAVIS PENDERGRASS | FB_TP ]

McCloud, thrust into action out of necessity last September and played through wrist and shoulder ailments nearly the whole season, is healthy again and roughly 15 pounds heavier (6-foot, 196 pounds).

Fortin (6-3, 222), a pro-style slinger with arguably the liveliest arm of the group, played in four games for North Carolina in 2018, throwing for 276 yards in an overtime loss to N.C. State.

Johnson (6-0, 198), an Armwood High alumnus and prototypical dual threat, was the Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2018 (3,287 total yards, 26 touchdowns) before tearing his AC joint early the following year.

“The biggest comments that I gave those guys is, ‘Hey, we’re gonna have a great quarterback competition,‘” Coach Jeff Scott said as preseason camp dawned. “We’re not gonna have a quarterback controversy, we’re gonna have a quarterback competition.”

Yet only eight months ago, the idea of such a convergence barely had dawned

[BulledOver]

 Good

[Skingraft]

I don't see McCloud fitting in to this group... Unless he has dramatically improved over last year.... I mean, insanely dramatically improved

 

[DJBulls]

43 minutes ago, Skingraft said:

I don't see McCloud fitting in to this group... Unless he has dramatically improved over last year.... I mean, insanely dramatically improved

 

He showed promise...don't be shocked if you see him get snaps at least early on when we start playing...

[WhoRUSF]

41 minutes ago, DJBulls said:

He showed promise...don't be shocked if you see him get snaps at least early on when we start playing...

Barnett is better than McCloud

[DELdaBull]

I'm glad we have a competition 

[DJBulls]

15 minutes ago, WhoRUSF said:

Barnett is better than McCloud

Barnett has also been playing qb for roughly 37 years...McCloud payed qb for really 1 full season in high school...he is still developing...that is why I think he may still make a push for playing time...

[NewEnglandBull]

43 minutes ago, WhoRUSF said:

Barnett is better than McCloud

[WhoRUSF]

29 minutes ago, DJBulls said:

Barnett has also been playing qb for roughly 37 years...McCloud payed qb for really 1 full season in high school...he is still developing...that is why I think he may still make a push for playing time...

LOL to think a guy in such a football obsessed family has only been playing for one year. Sorry man, but you are dead wrong. McCloud has never shown to be able to throw like Barnett has

[DJBulls]

6 minutes ago, WhoRUSF said:

LOL to think a guy in such a football obsessed family has only been playing for one year. Sorry man, but you are dead wrong. McCloud has never shown to be able to throw like Barnett has

QB..yes...other positions, no...I suppose the coaching staff will make the determination of who starts...I personally think it is between Noah or Cade...I wouldn't be surprised though if McCloud sees snaps...