Quarterback Situation

[Mirer3Powlus]

New to the forums; I'm really glad I found a place where I can voice my concerns to people who will understand.

Crist
Rees
Montana (will he remain on scholarship?)
Hendrix
Massa
Golson

Surely we aren't going into the season with this many players on scholarship, and we all know that BK will be bringing in another guy in the '12 class. Even if Montana doesn't get one for 2011, that still seems like too many. What are your all's predictions in terms of transfers, which seems like the only logical solution? I really hope that Hendrix stays; I honestly believe he has a brighter future in South Bend than Rees.

 

[ryno 24]

Massa is moving to Wide Reciever I heard , Crist is going to stay at QB, Hendrix situation has been quiet, Golson will have an opportunity to start but will probably just have a package or two for him, Rees will probably be the backup, Crist will probably start not a big fan of this, They have said that they will not take Montana off scholarship

 

[johnnykillz]

Welcome man.

Here's my opinion:

Two young gentlemen will transfer. One will not be Montana. He will stay for honor, but he to his father, and ND to honor his father. The kid works hard.

Massa, Hendrix, and Rees will be a battle. I see Massa being a gimme if someone told me an athlete would transfer.

Crist is a wildcard. If he loses the starting position, look for him to be out of here. He's my number one QB still though, regardless of Rees "W's."

A win-win would be if all stay to create the fiercest of QB competitions known to a University in quite sometime. I like all of these young gentlemen. I will be in despair to lose one of them, because I feel all of them to be quality...

 

[IrishLax]

Most teams carry 4 scholarship players at QB. All 6 will be on scholarship this year baring transfer. In 2012 Montana will be gone and there is a possibility another might be gone. For instance, if Crist never recovers or otherwise doesn't play this season, he would likely graduate and be on his way. So you can assume we are going to take one QB in the '12 class and have 4 to 6 QBs on scholarship... I think likely 5. There is a likely scenario where if Crist starts through '12 that all eligible QBs do not consider transfer until '13.

In 2013, at worst we have Massa, Golson, Hendrix, Rees and '12 on the roster with no transfers. Rees will have all his eligibility up and at least one of Massa/Hendrix (whoever is not starting.. and maybe both of them) will not be asked back for their 5th year... so then in '14 we will likely have only Golson, '12, '13 and any class of '14 guys... returning to the normalcy of 1 QB a year = 4 scholarship QBs.

So yeah... don't expect any players to get "cut" or lose schollies and our QB situation won't be "normal" until '14 unless we get some transfers. This is what happens when you take 3 average-rated guys in one year. High rated guys are more likely to transfer and try to make the pros (Demetrius Jones, Zach Frazier, etc.) or get lots of playing time but a 2* or 3* guy is more likely to focus on the free degree from an elite university.

 

[johnnykillz]

High rated guys are more likely to transfer and try to make the pros (Demetrius Jones, Zach Frazier, etc.) or get lots of playing time but a 2* or 3* guy is more likely to focus on the free degree from an elite university.

Nice take.

 

[IrishLax]

edit: nvm.

 

[Veer option]

I don't see why this is such a situation. For the first time in a long time ND has quality depth at QB. Sure a couple do not have any college experience, but if I am believe what I have read about those kids. ND is in a very fortunate position to be able to have so much potential at the QB position. The skills at QB on scholarship range from a drop back passer to a mobile run and gun. Even though its fun to talk about it, I think it is more important to grasp the concept that the future at QB is very solid no matter who coach Kelly decides to play.

 

[Rhode Irish]

1. Crist (starter if fully recovered; if beat out will graduate and move on)
2. Hendrix (chance to beat out Crist; will be "next man in" if Crist injured again)
3. Rees (reliable backup and good insurance policy, but not BCS-caliber starting QB)
4. Golson (redshirt will get spring/practice reps and challenge to start in '12)
5. Massa (will likely transfer or change position; BK said no spring/practice reps for 5th & 6th QB)
6. Montana (ceremonial roster spot and non-factor)

 

[irishtrain]

My cristal ball does not work well lately but I do think someone will leave on projected talent alone. I think Rees has to have the job until he shows otherwise. How can you take the guy out after his last 4 games. Yes the team carried the load but the guy did what was needed to win. Dane is going to have to get on his horse-hope he does because the talent level is huge there. Leadership is a key with performance in game situations. Ofter times a great college QB is leader first and talent second. To me this is Rees. This team in 1 to 2 years is going to be very very good and a QB who runs the show without the ups and downs of wild *** talent vs game management is the one I want back there. They will have enough fire power across the board ( off + def ) to win big without a mistake prone QB. If Kelly gets his gamebreaking back next year or one of the present backs gets to that level in '11 whoever is pulling the trigger must be a leader.

 

[tadman95]

I wouldn't discount Golson to quickly. He has more experience running a spread offense than the other five. He's got 7 months to get stronger. Kelly will play whoever gives them the best chance to win. Does Golson start? I doubt it but we shouldn't assume he can't.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

1. Crist (starter if fully recovered; if beat out will graduate and move on)
2. Hendrix (chance to beat out Crist; will be "next man in" if Crist injured again)
3. Rees (reliable backup and good insurance policy, but not BCS-caliber starting QB)
4. Golson (redshirt will get spring/practice reps and challenge to start in '12)
5. Massa (will likely transfer or change position; BK said no spring/practice reps for 5th & 6th QB)
6. Montana (ceremonial roster spot and non-factor)

I totally agree w this post. I believe Hendrix was the 12th rated QB on Scout or Rivals coming out (to disagree w a previous post that none of these 3 were elite). Kelly has spoken well of Hendrix and I think he would be happy to have him see some game time this year.

 

[Rocket89]

I think Hendrix really throws a wrench in all of these plans (and to a lesser extent Golson).

IrishLax made a lot of sense with his post, but he didn't really address who will play and who will not, only how many will be on scholarship in the coming years.

Also, we didn't bring in three mediocre QB's in the 2010 class, only two. This is where Hendrix comes in as being underrated. He was a legitimate 4-star guy and top 12 to 20-ish QB in the nation. That makes him more highly regarded than everyone coming out of high school except Crist.

I think it's likely we'll see Crist start, Hendrix back up, with Rees right there as well and Golson sit out a year. After 2011, things will get really messy and who knows what is going to happen.

With that said, I think Hendrix is the guy we have to worry about transferring. I hope Golson can come in and play at a high level if Hendrix leaves town.

 

[Guest]

I love Crist as a pro style QB. He could be one of the best in college FB. But the spread offense is not his cup of tea, and his best bet is to transfer. Even if he starts, he'll damage his draft stock.

Rees has to be considered. He is smallish but those QBs do well in the spread and in college football. Rees has already proven to be a winner.

The rest are inexperienced and probably don't get a realistic shot until next year.

Montana is a drop back QB also, he and Crist could be starters on the right team at a lot of other schools.

 

[Rhode Irish]

One thing that I find interesting is that, even though we could see the QB situation shaking out a ton of different ways, no scenario that I can come up with strikes me as "bad". I think the only outcome that I wouldn't agree with would be Rees being handed the job based on going 4-0 as a starter last season and Hendrix, Crist and Golson on the bench - and honestly, I don't see that happening.

All of the scenarios would be good. Crist gets the job, as I suspect will happen, that means he's healthy and we knows he's talented. If Hendrix beats him out it means he is legit and ready to play. If Golson somehow wins the job, then clearly he will have to have been tremendous to beat out Crist and Hendrix. So no matter what, I think we're in pretty good shape.

 

[IrishLax]

I think Hendrix really throws a wrench in all of these plans (and to a lesser extent Golson).

IrishLax made a lot of sense with his post, but he didn't really address who will play and who will not, only how many will be on scholarship in the coming years.

Also, we didn't bring in three mediocre QB's in the 2010 class, only two. This is where Hendrix comes in as being underrated. He was a legitimate 4-star guy and top 12 to 20-ish QB in the nation. That makes him more highly regarded than everyone coming out of high school except Crist.

I think it's likely we'll see Crist start, Hendrix back up, with Rees right there as well and Golson sit out a year. After 2011, things will get really messy and who knows what is going to happen.

With that said, I think Hendrix is the guy we have to worry about transferring. I hope Golson can come in and play at a high level if Hendrix leaves town.

This is very true (to a degree) as Rivals and ESPN had him #11 and #13 respectively. But Scout had him as their #29 QB.. so it's not like he's a can't miss prospect... he was more a guy with a really high upside. I think he has no trouble sitting for a couple years behind Crist and learning... but yeah, if he got beat out by Golson or Rees I'd say a transfer would be a strong possibility. That's the main reason why I think the whole QB situation really depends on Crist's health. If he gets healthy and starts for two more years, don't expect many transfers (if any). The prospect of starting as a RS Sophomore (Golson) or RS Junior (Hendrix) is not going to deter them. All you can ask for is 2 years starting at an elite university. If he isn't healthy and Rees/Hendrix/Golson wins an early QB derby.. you could see up to 2 QBs off the roster after the '11 season (Montana/Crist) and another two leave via transfer before the '12 season if they don't think they can beat out their classmate.

No matter what way you try to slice it though, this is an incredibly complex situation that could turn out a myriad of different ways.

 

[phork]

Golson, per Kelly, will get reps with the first team as a true spread QB. Don't be shocked to see Golson in the mix this year, if only as a change up occasionally. Look for this to be his team next year if he pans out.

 

[IrishLax]

Golson, per Kelly, will get reps with the first team as a true spread QB. Don't be shocked to see Golson in the mix this year, if only as a change up occasionally. Look for this to be his team next year if he pans out.

True freshman do not start and do well in D1. Not Clausen, not Barkely, not Bolden at PSU, not the kid at BC... what makes you think Golson is going to come in and be the exception to the rule when a bunch of #1 overall prospects and the like couldn't excel?

You need experience and time to develop and learn the playbook. He will get reps, he will probably have a package, but there is very little chance (barring DC not being healthy) that this is "his team" next year when we take the field. That's just not the way college football works.

 

[Rocket89]

Golson, per Kelly, will get reps with the first team as a true spread QB. Don't be shocked to see Golson in the mix this year, if only as a change up occasionally. Look for this to be his team next year if he pans out.

I don't recall Kelly saying anything of that nature during NSD...did he say something since then?

I know he was asked about playing two 2 QB's or if he'll have certain packages for someone like Golson. He stated he is more likely to have certain packages for another QB and he won't play 2 QB's at the same time. But I don't think there was ever any explicit talk of Golson getting first-team reps and definitely stepping on the field in 2011.

 

[InKellyITrust]

I don't recall Kelly saying anything of that nature during NSD...did he say something since then?QUOTE]

The only thing I can really recall is Kelly saying that Golson is their only true spread QB. Kelly was saying that he hopes to have his offense look closer to Oregon's by the fall in terms of tempo. Obviously, it'll take a few years before they can get close to that, but he'd like to see a nice level of improvement. I can't say that I envision Rees running that type of offense.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Using Golson this year would be a waste of a year of his eligibility, IMO.

 

[johnnykillz]

Using Golson this year would be a waste of a year of his eligibility, IMO.

I think the competition will determine Golson's reps. In a way, I hope he loses the #3 spot so we red shirt him. That will mean eligibility in the future.

 

[Veer option]

Using Golson this year would be a waste of a year of his eligibility, IMO.

I agree with this.

 

[Rocket89]

Nevermind, that SI article by Mandel has Kelly quoted as saying:

"You have two very similar quarterbacks [Crist and Rees] -- they're not spread quarterbacks, they're modified spread quarterbacks," said Kelly. "We're going to give [Golson] an opportunity to be part of the first [team] and run the spread and be 100 percent committed to that. He won't be under center."

Hmmm...interesting.

 

[Mirer3Powlus]

While I love all of the quarterbacks currently on the team, I hope Kelly still stays in contention for an elite talent in the upcoming classes. Imagine what Clausen could have done with this kind of talent around him instead of what he was dealt in '07 and '08.

 

[rtrn2glory]

You simply have to love the competition that is being created at the qb and other positions. This time last year was not good. It's going to be a very exciting March and April!!

Here's my take:
1. Crist (if he's healthy)
2/3. Rees/Hendrix, duke it out to see who's backup (going to be very competitive)
4. Golson (Redshirt)
5. Massa (Barring position change)
6. Montana

 

[Rocket89]

He's going to do an enormous sales job for an elite QB to come to South Bend and *potentially* sit behind Crist, Hendrix, Golson, Rees and Co.

I know, I know...great quarterbacks aren't afraid of competition (I really hate this saying BTW). But if a stud QB comes here and sees Golson is awesome, he's SOL and so is Notre Dame if he transfers.

That said, I think Kelly is going to reel in a great QB for '12...because that's just how he rolls.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I still maintain that Dayne's future depends on if, and to what degree, he can participate in spring ball. If he's holding a clip board, and watching film I don't think he has a chance. If he can move around, and run the offense at least going 70% he will most likely get the job.

We should find out soon what his health, right?

Also, Golson will get a package of plays to run ala Tim Tebow. I think Kelly see's Golson as his QB, and the QB of the future. He's going to slowly introduce him to the college game by experience, and put him into situations that can build the kids confidence. I doubt he plays all 12 game this year. I think we'll see him against certain defenses to throw curve balls.

 

[rtrn2glory]

He's going to do an enormous sales job for an elite QB to come to South Bend and *potentially* sit behind Crist, Hendrix, Golson, Rees and Co.

I know, I know...great quarterbacks aren't afraid of competition (I really hate this saying BTW). But if a stud QB comes here and sees Golson is awesome, he's SOL and so is Notre Dame if he transfers.

That said, I think Kelly is going to reel in a great QB for '12...because that's just how he rolls.

That's a great point...I really think this is the reason we can write off a guy like Mauk from Ohio. I see him ending up in Missouri or Cincy.

 

[Mirer3Powlus]

Let's not anoint Golson the quarterback of the future just yet. Rivals is the best in the business and had him as a mid-level prospect. Star rankings certainly aren't the finishing indicator, but we haven't seen his or Hendrix's body of work yet and the latter was ranked much more favorably. This is a great problem to have, though!

 

[Riddickulous]

Dayne Crist - Starting if healthy.
Tommy Rees - Starting if Crist is not healthy.
Andrew Hendrix - Will get his chance in 2012 (if Crist does not apply for a fifth year) or 2013 (if Crist gets his fifth year).
Everett Golson - Same as Hendrix.
Nate Montana - Psh.