Texas Football: Prolonged Quarterback Competition Helps Position Depth
By Tyler Brett
With the season opener less than two weeks away, Charlie Strong still has not declared who will be the starting quarterback for Texas football. While that indecision could lead some to worry, the prolonged quarterback competition will benefit the depth of the position long term.
By most accounts, true freshman Shane Buechele is the front-runner for the starting QB job. He has shown poise and leadership beyond his years since enrolling last January. his 300+ yard performance in the spring game showed what he could do in this new, wide-open Longhorn offense in 2016.
Despite all of that, however, Buechele is still splitting reps with the first team offense 50/50 with senior Tyrone Swoopes. That has played into Strong’s insistence that they have not yet decided on a starter, though he admitted “I kinda know” who his No. 1 will be on September 4. But he’s held back on announcing who he’s going with, not even telling the team, to keep a competitive edge over Notre Dame.
This continued split between Buechele and Swoopes has worried some into thinking that neither quarterback is distinguishing themselves. Even worse, some people have thought that this prolonged competition means that Swoopes could win the starting job again. While Swoopes is a valued member of this team, he’s already shown to be limited as a starting quarterback.
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But those worries are premature. It’s important to remember that Texas is implementing a new offensive system under Sterlin Gilbert. Prior to spring practice, no quarterback on the roster had taken a single snap in his offense. Buechele and Swoopes both have the same amount of time in Gilbert’s offense and both need as many reps as possible to learn it.
In prior seasons, Texas has been hurt by not properly preparing a second quarterback to step into games in event of injury or poor play. The Horns were pinning all their hopes on one quarterback and when that didn’t work out, they had to push an unprepared backup into the fray. This fall, Gilbert plans to have two quarterbacks comfortable running the offense so the team can operate with either of them.
One of the benefits of running Gilbert’s up-tempo attack is an increase in practice reps. That means that there are enough reps to go around and both Buechele and Swoopes can get the work they need to be fully prepared in the offense. So when the quarterbacks trade off leading the first team offense, it’s not an indication of which one is on track to lead the team out of the tunnel on September 4, it’s just a strategy to build much-needed depth under center.
The biggest knock on Buechele coming in as a true freshman is that he lacks the bulk to withstand a lot of punishment. So if he’s the starting quarterback for Texas, it would be a good idea for the Horns to have a Plan B in case Buechele’s underdeveloped physique breaks down. Swoopes doesn’t have the ceiling of the freshman but he needs to be ready if he needs to step in.
While the question of who plays quarterback continues to hang over fall camp, Texas is putting themselves in good shape under center for 2016. By extending the quarterback derby up to the season opener, they allow more time for both Buechele and Swoopes to become acclimated in this offense.
It’s frustrating not knowing who the man will be for this Texas offense just yet but the coaching staff knows what they’re doing. Splitting reps is building necessary depth for the position and putting Texas in the best spot to find enduring success.