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Stanford Football: Top 3 post-spring 2022 storylines to follow

By Jacob Bruetsch

PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Head Coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal waits to lead his team onto the field before the start of the 124th Big Game between Stanford and the California Golden Bears played on November 20, 2021 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California; visible players include Walter Rouse #75, Ryan Johnson #23, Nicolas Toomer #24, Levani Damuni #3, Gabe Reid #90. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Head Coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal waits to lead his team onto the field before the start of the 124th Big Game between Stanford and the California Golden Bears played on November 20, 2021 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California; visible players include Walter Rouse #75, Ryan Johnson #23, Nicolas Toomer #24, Levani Damuni #3, Gabe Reid #90. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) /
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Last year’s Stanford football team did not live up to lofty expectations. In what is sure to be an interesting season, we examine what to look for in 2022.

Last year’s Stanford football team had high expectations, but didn’t live up to any of them.

Going into 2022, Stanford finds itself with a lot of familiar faces, both on the roster and the coaching staff, and will look to develop and solve the challenges they faced a year ago. This will be a tall task, though; a brutal schedule and a shift in reputation have subdued expectations, and a team that was once a lock for 10 wins now may struggle to reach bowl eligibility.

Nevertheless, the pieces may be there to achieve more, and as these three storylines develop, their ability to succeed will become clearer.

3. Will Tanner McKee live up to the hype?

The 2022 NFL Draft had few, if any, solid quarterback prospects. Pitt’s Kenny Pickett was the only one taken in the first round, and only three more were Day 2 picks.

Next year, however, looks to be different, with current (albeit early) mocks having six or seven guys going in the first round alone. This includes the likes of Heisman frontrunners CJ Stroud and Bryce Young, but also includes Stanford’s own Tanner McKee.

McKee has the size and arm talent to be a stud, however, he failed to utilize those last year. He can make the throws,  but he doesn’t always attempt them, and after averaging a little over seven yards per attempt a season ago, McKee will need to let it fly a little more to elevate his game to the next level. He’s more than capable of doing it, but only time will tell if he will.

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