5. Quarterback competition
OSU fans have been whispering the names of Dru Brown and Spencer Sanders for more than a year now.
Much of the efficiency and offensive firepower from three 10-win seasons ending in 2017 could be traced back to the gunslinger, now-Steelers backup quarterback Mason Rudolph. As a fifth-year senior starter last year, Taylor Cornelius failed to provide some of that same level of play in a consistent manner.
Enter Brown and Sanders this spring. Gundy has said that he’s comfortable with making the decision in the first week leading up to the season opener against Oregon State, so the quarterbacks’ moves will likely be closely scrutinized for a long time.
Brown is a senior who started two years at Hawaii in 2016 and 2017, amassing some impressive numbers in the Mountain West: 5,273 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and only 15 interceptions. In his junior year alone, he rushed for more than 300 yards.
Sanders is a highly touted redshirt freshman from Denton, Texas and was rumored to be in the running for taking over Cornelius’ job midseason as the Cowboys experienced a crushing midseason slide. Sanders was named the 2017-18 Gatorade Player of the Year in Texas and the state’s Mr. Football, also showcasing some terrific dual-threat talent at the high school level.
With two exciting quarterback prospects set to battle, the decision could come down to experience. Expect to see more as the spring progresses.