Arkansas Football: Nick Starkel could be just what offense needs in 2019

Arkansas football landed Texas A&M quarterback transfer Nick Starkel on Monday and he could be just what the Razorbacks need in 2019.

Every new coach brings in a key transfer at some point who helps turn things in the right direction for his program. Some are successful with those transfers into the program while others have seen this backfire in years past, but Chad Morris is hoping for the former as Arkansas football landed former Texas A&M quarterback Nick Starkel on Monday.

Not often do you see a kid transfer from one school to another in the same conference, let alone division, but Starkel jumped at the opportunity to play for Morris and the Razorbacks in the SEC West.

Starkel is set to graduate this May and should be immediately eligible to compete for starting snaps this fall — which is great news for Hogs fans.

If you looked at the numbers from Arkansas’ offense last season, you’d see that the Razorbacks’ weakness was in the passing game, and not for a lack of weapons. Rather it was the quarterback play that really struggled.

Cole Kelly, who has since transferred to SE Louisiana, was expected to be the starter but struggle and handed the reigns to Ty Storey, who is also transferring. The latter didn’t fare well, either, throwing 11 touchdowns to 10 interceptions.

The offense could use a guy like Starkel who has spent time as a starter in that same conference and who knows the defenses like the back of his hand. He had a breakout season in 2017 but lost his job to Kellen Mond in 2018 which has led to this transfer.

Starkel is a leader and a kid who completed about 61 percent of his passes at Texas A&M for 15 touchdowns to just six interceptions.

The weapons will be present around him and the fact that he has experience will help him right away, but this creates an even more intriguing quarterback battle with SMU transfer Ben Hicks in the fall.

This could be one of the best quarterback battles in the nation and will only make the offense better. Starkel is the perfect fit for Arkansas.