Alright.... spring football's almost over, and we don't have Book's replacement yet. BK did mention in passing that there isn't going to be a starter named this soon, which is to be expected, and quite frankly is entirely appropriate. Nevertheless we can take stock of how things have developed thus far with the limited bits and snippets we have to work with.
JACK COAN - I still say he's the total odds-on guy to be named the starter, and not least because it's much more convenient for the program if he does. It certainly makes things easier as far as long-term prospects as Coan can step in and have a great year as a grad transfer, a la Nick McCloud and Ben Skowronek, and then next time around Buchner and Pyne can duke it out. And it looks like Coan has pretty seamlessly fit in and seems to look good enough in the clips and footage we get.
DREW PYNE - The obvious wildcard as some fans seem to think he's looked even better than Coan, and aside from his very diminutive size, he was a top prospect. And it would be no shock for him to emerge as the best option. I have my own little theories as to why a QB so small could end up struggling at the P5 level, but if he were to win the job and establish himself as the guy, that would be fantastic in one sense, and we might have another excellent QB on our hands. But what happens to Buchner?
TYLER BUCHNER - He's looked pretty good too, I suppose, though it doesn't appear he's in the running at all, and that's the strong vibe you get. Which is a relief. He certainly hasn't looked that great, and to be fair he is not a Justin Fields or Trevor Lawrence who's going to overwhelm you with undeniable raw tools. He probably wouldn't even be seriously in the running even without covid, but the fact that Buchner's lack of a HS sr season has precluded any chance of it has it's upside. And we can just nip that in bud!
BRENDON CLARK - It's too bad for BC with his nagging injury issues, but I suppose that's just how it goes. Even if he was fully healthy maybe he'd still only be 3rd in the running, but he's really behind the eight ball now. And with the trasnfer rules now fully liberalized, everything's all set up for him to seek greener pastures if he so desires. I hope he stays and gives it at least one more year. He could always start next season, and compete to replace Jack Coan. And of course if he's on the 3-year graduation track he can get his ND diploma that way too. I hope he stays.
RON POWLUS JR - Legacy, baby! LEGACY!!! Seriously, though.... Powlus is currently no more than an afterthought. But you want to talk wildcards, he's definitely got enough size and arm. I could see Powlus dutifully carrying a clipboard, graduating in three years, and then grad-transferring himself into a starting job, maybe at one the numerous MAC colleges. Definitely getting his ND degree in any case, and being in it for that much of the long haul.
So I'm still going Jack Coan, but the prospect of Pyne being the guy and getting the call in week one vs Florida St. is growing on me!
JACK COAN - I still say he's the total odds-on guy to be named the starter, and not least because it's much more convenient for the program if he does. It certainly makes things easier as far as long-term prospects as Coan can step in and have a great year as a grad transfer, a la Nick McCloud and Ben Skowronek, and then next time around Buchner and Pyne can duke it out. And it looks like Coan has pretty seamlessly fit in and seems to look good enough in the clips and footage we get.
DREW PYNE - The obvious wildcard as some fans seem to think he's looked even better than Coan, and aside from his very diminutive size, he was a top prospect. And it would be no shock for him to emerge as the best option. I have my own little theories as to why a QB so small could end up struggling at the P5 level, but if he were to win the job and establish himself as the guy, that would be fantastic in one sense, and we might have another excellent QB on our hands. But what happens to Buchner?
TYLER BUCHNER - He's looked pretty good too, I suppose, though it doesn't appear he's in the running at all, and that's the strong vibe you get. Which is a relief. He certainly hasn't looked that great, and to be fair he is not a Justin Fields or Trevor Lawrence who's going to overwhelm you with undeniable raw tools. He probably wouldn't even be seriously in the running even without covid, but the fact that Buchner's lack of a HS sr season has precluded any chance of it has it's upside. And we can just nip that in bud!
BRENDON CLARK - It's too bad for BC with his nagging injury issues, but I suppose that's just how it goes. Even if he was fully healthy maybe he'd still only be 3rd in the running, but he's really behind the eight ball now. And with the trasnfer rules now fully liberalized, everything's all set up for him to seek greener pastures if he so desires. I hope he stays and gives it at least one more year. He could always start next season, and compete to replace Jack Coan. And of course if he's on the 3-year graduation track he can get his ND diploma that way too. I hope he stays.
RON POWLUS JR - Legacy, baby! LEGACY!!! Seriously, though.... Powlus is currently no more than an afterthought. But you want to talk wildcards, he's definitely got enough size and arm. I could see Powlus dutifully carrying a clipboard, graduating in three years, and then grad-transferring himself into a starting job, maybe at one the numerous MAC colleges. Definitely getting his ND degree in any case, and being in it for that much of the long haul.
So I'm still going Jack Coan, but the prospect of Pyne being the guy and getting the call in week one vs Florida St. is growing on me!
