Assess the current QB situation after the spring game

[Triple B]

25 minutes ago, BullsFanInTX said:

McClain can play in 4 games and not burn his redshirt.  Let him play some and see what happens.  If he doesn't do anything, keep his redshirt.  If he ends up being electric, burn the redshirt.

Forgot about that ...... but still stick to the 4 games to give him the experience (unless the other 3 just totally crap the bed) but keep the 4 years of eligibility. We're not challenging for a conf championship this year and imagine if Willie had been able to do that with Q (No pressure at all on the kid comparing to our GOAT).

[Who'sYourData?]

41 minutes ago, BullsFanInTX said:

McClain went 8 of 13 for 117 yards and a TD and also rushed 6 times for 30 years and another TD.  He would have had a lot more yardage if they didn't call the QB down as soon as someone touched him.  He also was subbed out a lot, I think he missed two series when they put in other QB's, plus they had the running clock in second half.  He looked the most mobile of all out QB's on the roster.  Looked like a mini Vick out there (NOT saying he's the next Michael Vick).  If he had played the entire first half like Fortin and Williams did, he probably would have put up big numbers both rushing and passing.   

Keep in mind he was running against D scrubs also.

[Who'sYourData?]

I think the entire group is far ahead of last year's group.  Which I suppose is to be expected given how little chance the team had last year to learn the offense and get in proper practices.  But this looks like a far better group.

That said, Fortin is the clear starter.  McClain is interesting, but he was running the second half, presumably not against anything resembling a starting defense.    Fans seem to get excited about running QBs, but very few running QBs can be effective unless they can run the offense and also throw.  McClain needs more seasoning, and won't need to play much if Fortin is this sharp.  This is a GOOD thing if McClain can redshirt.  Don't be in a hurry to make him the starter too soon.

It would be a dream to be able to keep all four into next season, seems unlikely if Fortin takes the job as McClain becomes the obvious heir apparent.  Marsh is young and could potentially start elsewhere, and Williams has already transferred once.

[Roaming Bull]

So Cade and Marsh are one and two. Williams is the three and McClain gets the redshirt? 

[BullsFanInTX]

15 minutes ago, Who'sYourData? said:

Keep in mind he was running against D scrubs also.

Yeah but he looked light years faster than them.

[BullsFanInTX]

6 minutes ago, Roaming Bull said:

So Cade and Marsh are one and two. Williams is the three and McClain gets the redshirt? 

I'd put McClain number two, while still attempting to keep his redshirt.  If Fortin sucks or gets injured, then play McClain and burn redshirt.  He clearly has the most athleticism of all the QB's.  Whether that pans out, we don't know, but he has potential starter written all over him.

[Friscobull]

18 minutes ago, BullsFanInTX said:

I'd put McClain number two, while still attempting to keep his redshirt.  If Fortin sucks or gets injured, then play McClain and burn redshirt.  He clearly has the most athleticism of all the QB's.  Whether that pans out, we don't know, but he has potential starter written all over him.

Agreed, we don’t have the luxury of redshirting athletes like that, get the kid out there and let him learn under fire, always the most effective way to do it in college.  I am not saying start him but get him some snaps.

Just now, Friscobull said:

Agreed, we don’t have the luxury of redshirting athletes like that, get the kid out there and let him learn under fire, always the most effective way to do it in college.  I am not saying start him but get him some snaps.

I guess after reading your post we don’t agree

[Gatorbull325]

Save McClain for the future and redshirt him - 2024 (Alabama, NC State and L'ville) & 2025 (UM, UF & Boise St) we have a great lineup. 

[Roaming Bull]

37 minutes ago, BullsFanInTX said:

I'd put McClain number two, while still attempting to keep his redshirt.  If Fortin sucks or gets injured, then play McClain and burn redshirt.  He clearly has the most athleticism of all the QB's.  Whether that pans out, we don't know, but he has potential starter written all over him.

Hypothetically if McClain is the number two, but if we give him action in the first few games and redshirt him. Would you put Williams ahead of Marsh? Marsh may transfer after this season, but he seems like he could be a serviceable backup 

[dausfbulls11]

2 hours ago, Triple B said:

Forgot about that ...... but still stick to the 4 games to give him the experience (unless the other 3 just totally crap the bed) but keep the 4 years of eligibility. We're not challenging for a conf championship this year and imagine if Willie had been able to do that with Q (No pressure at all on the kid comparing to our GOAT).

We are challenging for a conference championship every year, whether it will play out as legitimate challenge is another question