Texas Longhorns could name starting QB sooner than we think

With lethargic numbers and a promising future in decline, the Texas Longhorns might be ready to move on from senior quarterback Tyrone Swoopes.

The Texas Longhorns kicked off its fall camp yesterday and invited media to watch the first practice. But it didn’t take long before Twitter began buzzing on how Texas coaches appeared to be favoring Shane Buechele–a key part in the ‘Horns 2016 recruiting class.

Texas freshman Shane Buechele was the first QB to receive team reps followed by Tyrone Swoopes. Then they split reps
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) August 6, 2016

Media on the ground all drew the same conclusions, that while Buechele and Swoopes each threw back-to-back laser passes splitting first-team reps, neither truly dominated at the position. Jerrod Heard and Matthew Merrick both split second team reps, according to Horns’ 247, but barring first team injuries through the season and fall, that’s a separate quarterback battle at the moment.

Why am I speculating the quarterback battle might reveal itself sooner than people think? There are a number of factors, but first, let’s talk about Swoopes numbers over the years. With three seasons under his belt for the Longhorns, Swoopes has thrown 2,972-yards, 12 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

This isn’t bad, but for comparative purposes, Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes II is headed into his third season uncontested for the starting job for the first time, having thrown for an astonishing 6,200-yards, 52 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions.

For people who know how Big 12 offenses are being conditioned to pile on points, Swoopes’ numbers have underwhelmed, especially for a dynasty that’s won four National Championships.

While Swoopes’ statistics don’t favor a commanding lead in the Horns’ quarterback battle, it’s not to say he doesn’t have the leadership skills or qualities needed to help the team out; however, it’s not unreasonable to say he’d probably have more success assisting offensive coordinator and quarterbacks’ coach Starlin Gilbert on the sidelines this season.

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Position battles should be constant as a way to keep starters on their toes, and backups ready in case they have to go in. But at what point do coaches look at a position battle and realize that seniority with mediocre statistics isn’t worth hedging bets over and that they’ll probably have better luck moving forward with the future of the team? Because in this case, the future looks to be in Shane Buechele.

Swoopes deserves recognition for coming in with clutch plays–including his short yardage plays that led to head coach Charlie Strong’s biggest marquee 24-17 win over the Oklahoma Sooners last season.

That running package, dubbed the “18 Wheeler,” bought Swoopes a little more time following the Horns’ 38-3 loss to Notre Dame last season to kick off its 2015 campaign, as many thought he had finally found his rhythm. But his performances following the Red River Rivalry were far too inconsistent to definitively say he would be the starter in 2016, provided he stayed healthy.

Since 1823, the Texas Longhorns have only started a freshmen quarterback in 19 games, so it would be a pretty historic for Coach Strong to give Buechele the starting nod.

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There are a lot of experts who are predicting that youthful motivation will prevail, and Buechele will be named the starter as the Longhorns kick off the season on September 4 in Austin against Notre Dame. But with all roster moves and predictions, expect that whoever earns the starting nod will be met with competition as the season plays out.

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