Baylor Football: Zach Smith’s decision clears path for Charlie Brewer
By Dana Becker
Baylor Football experienced a tough 2017 season under first-year head coach Matt Rhule, finishing just 1-11. Now Zach Smith will transfer, opening the door for Charlie Brewer.
As they head into 2018, it appears as if talented freshman Charlie Brewer will be the clear-cut No. 1 at quarterback for the Bears after the news of Zach Smith’s decision to transfer.
Last year, Smith was reported to have put in for a transfer after Rhule was hired to replace Art Briles. Instead, he opted to give him a shot, completing 105 of 201 passes for 1,471 yards and eight touchdowns before an injury ended his season.
News broke Wednesday that Smith intended to continue his career elsewhere.
I've learned sophomore QB @thezach_smith has decided to transfer from #Baylor and will make it official soon. He's begun the process of getting his release. Smith, was 221-397 passing for 2,997-yards, 21-TD's in 19-games after a record-breaking career at Grandview HS. #CFB #NCAA
— David Smoak (@DavidSmoak) December 13, 2017
Brewer brings hope to the Baylor offense
Enter Brewer, as he took command of the offense, completing 68 percent of his throws – 16 points higher than Smith – for 1,562 yards and sporting an 11-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
While Brewer won just one game, a 38-9 victory over Kansas, he gave Baylor a chance against Texas Tech and Iowa State. Brewer was 23 of 29 for 315 yards with three touchdowns vs. the Jayhawks, threw for 417 yards and three scores in 43-for-63 passing vs. the Red Raiders and closed out the year with a third 300-yard effort in a loss to TCU on the road.
Brewer also provides some dual-threat skills, finishing with positive rushing yards in his last four games. He had a career-high 49 yards rushing against the Horned Frogs.
Smith, a sophomore, claimed the starting job this season from Arizona transfer Anu Solomon after two games, throwing for 263 yards in a loss at Duke. He had 463 yards and four touchdowns in a 49-41 defeat vs. Oklahoma, but failed to generate much offense after that.
In losses to Kansas State, Oklahoma State, West Virginia and Texas, Smith threw just one touchdown and was picked off three times. He had 291 yards passing vs. the Wildcats, but split time with Brewer in a 38-7 loss to the Longhorns and was eventually replaced.
As a freshman, Smith was inserted into the lineup after an ankle injury to Seth Russell. He threw for 1,526 yards with 13 touchdowns that year, completing 59 percent of his passes.
Next: Post-regular season 2018 NFL Mock Draft
Prior to arriving in Baylor, Smith was a national top 300 recruit from Grandview (Texas) High School, earning All-American honors. He was a three-time all-state pick who finished his career with over 10,000 yards passing and 113 touchdowns.