3 predictions for Nebraska Football’s quarterback competition

Nebraska football added not one but two quarterbacks from the transfer portal this month and that has set the stage for a true quarterback competition for the Huskers. 

Going into the 2022 season, one thing Nebraska football needed to do what upgrade the quarterback position.

Adrian Martinez had some great moments during his four-year career with Nebraska football but it became apparent near the end of last season that he just wasn’t the guy to get the Huskers over the hump.

Martinez made the right call to transfer and the Huskers and head coach Scott Frost also made the right call in pursuing not just one, but a pair of talented QBs in the transfer portal.

Nebraska football could have stopped with the commitment of former Texas starting quarterback Casey Thompson. But it didn’t. Chubba Purdy was another top target for Nebraska and new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple and following a visit to Lincoln this past weekend, the Huskers were able to land their second four-star quarterback from the transfer portal.

Thompson was ranked in the top 300 and as a top-200 prospect, Purdy was ranked even higher when he went to Florida State.

Thompson has two years of eligibility left, while Purdy has four. If it all works out, both could eventually start for Nebraska football. Yet, there will be a true QB competition waged in the spring and Logan Smothers, who started against Iowa, shouldn’t be discounted.

So as we look ahead to what’s sure to be an interesting spring ball for Nebraska, we offer three predictions about how the quarterback battle will play out.

It won’t be decided in the spring

Many Nebraska football fans will be following spring practices even closer than usual with the upcoming battle at quarterback.

Thompson has the edge in experience. He was the starter for the final 10 games of last season for Texas and even led the Big 12 in passing touchdowns with 24.

Purdy, on the other hand, does have one career start to his name, but he has also battled injuries throughout his time at FSU. Yet, there is no denying his talent. His brother, Brock Purdy, also just finished a successful run at Iowa State.

Both quarterbacks throw the ball well but also have the ability to run, although neither would really be considered a runner a la Martinez. Smothers is probably the best runner of the three and with the option concepts possibly still part of this offense, that’s something to watch.

I don’t see this quarterback job being won in the spring, although Thompson is my bet to emerge as the favorite heading into fall camp. Purdy shouldn’t be discounted and for that matter, Smothers shouldn’t be either.

The best thing for Nebraska football is that there will be legitimate competition. That’s a good thing for Frost and company heading into a pivotal season.