West Virginia Football: 5 things to watch for at the 2019 Gold-Blue Spring Game
By Phil Poling
4. Quarterback Battle
One of the most important positions in football is the quarterback slot, a position that handles the football literally every single play they’re on the field. Brown, however, must determine who the ‘Eers signal-caller will be heading into 2019. The spring game will act as the perfect audition.
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Redshirt junior Jack Allison was the expected starter-in-waiting following Grier’s departure, but an unimpressive outing in the Camping World Bowl and an unexpected quarterback transfer have tightened the race. Allison’s resume doesn’t guarantee anything, either, having compiled only 352 yards and one touchdown in limited snaps a year ago. His best attribute is his arm, but mobility is a glaring issue.
Austin Kendall, the Oklahoma graduate-transfer, is another redshirt junior with hopes of finally starting in 2019. While Allison sat behind Grier for two seasons, Kendall watched back-to-back Heisman Trophy campaigns in Norman behind Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Kendall only has about a full-game’s worth of stats, too, throwing for 265 yards and three scores in his limited role as a Sooner.
A pair of redshirt freshman could get an opportunity under center in the spring game, too: Trent Jackson and Trey Lowe III. Both are listed at 6-foot-2, but Lowe outweighs Jackson by nearly 15 pounds. Lowe’s also an outfielder on the baseball team.
Inexperience is the theme at quarterback for the Mountaineers. One positive fallout from that, though, could be a re-dedication to the running game. There are a stable of running backs in Morgantown. It would be wise for Brown to use them to help set up the passing attack.