Sean Merriman, BTN.com web editor, August 4, 2015
Ohio State's quarterback competition could be the most exciting storyline heading into this year's college football season.
However, don't be fooled into thinking that is the only exciting QB battle in the Big Ten this year. In fact, there are five intriguing quarterback competitions heading into this season, all of which appear to be wide open at this point in time.
Here is a breakdown of those five quarterback competitions in the Big Ten, as well as some quotes from both coaches and players about the ongoing battles.
OHIO STATE
The candidates: J.T Barrett, Cardale Jones, Braxton Miller
What they're saying:
Urban Meyer: "I don't know if I've ever seen three guys at one position, where you had to pick one. I've never been in that situation. I've been in places where you can play three or four wide receivers at a time and you have five good ones. Play them all. I've never been in one like this."
Taylor Decker: "It doesn?t change my job at all. I love those guys, but at the end of the day, who is at quarterback doesn?t change the fact I?m going to be blocking a defensive end almost every play.?
NORTHWESTERN
The candidates: Zack Oliver, Matt Alviti, and Clayton Thorson
What they're saying:
Pat Fitzgerald: "We've got a pretty good blueprint on how we go about doing the (quarterback) evaluation. You've obviously got the statistical side that we have plenty of information from spring, and then that will kick back in here when we start up a week from Monday back on the field. From a standpoint of where things are at from a general standpoint, at the end of the spring we broke everything up into thirds on the field. There wasn't a clear separation. Did Mick and I want to have that separation happen? Yeah, we would have loved to have it happen, but it didn't. And we'd rather have it happen organically than to force something."
Christian Jones. "I don't think having three quarterbacks is that much of an issue. We have had multiple quarterbacks in the past, so our receivers have gone through this. We all watch film together, they are all in the same rooms together, so we all kind of learn together. We have to grow and learn about them, while they have to learn about us as receivers."
RUTGERS
The candidates: Chris Laviano and Hayden Rettig
What they're saying:
Kyle Flood: "I think the quarterbacks are very similar. I don't think there's a lot of differences in terms of how they play. I think they both have strong arms. Chris (Laviano) might be a little bit more mobile. Hayden's arm might be a little bit bigger. That might be the difference if there was one. But ultimately, it's going to come down to making great decisions, locating the football and running the team. That intangible part of it might be more important than the first two."
Lenote Carroo: "Right now, I don't see a ton of differences between the two of them. I just see two guys going out there and competing, trying to win a job. Just to see them compete every day is exciting and I just can't wait until the competition has dwindled down. It takes a lot of character. Obviously, whoever wins it is the guy who wanted it more, so that's what I'm excited about."
MICHIGAN
The candidates: Jake Rudock, Shane Morris, Alex Malzone, Wilton Speight and Zach Gentry
What they're saying:
Jim Harbaugh: "It really comes down to observing, watching and see who the best is. Who performs the best, who makes the best decisions, and ultimately, who can put the team in the best position to win."
Jehu Chesson: "Alex Malzone is a freshman, and he is a great kid. He's putting his nose in the books. Shane, the lefty, he's always diligent with what he does. (Jake) Rudock, is a new guy who also just came in. They all do it as a unit. Constructive competition is all good for the program."
MARYLAND
The candidates: Caleb Rowe, Perry Hills and Daxx Garman
What they're saying:
Randy Edsall: "The one thing at our quarterback position, we basically had three guys in Caleb (Rowe), Daxx (Garman), and Perry (Hills) who have won games in a power five conference. So at least we have experience, and it's going to be neat to see the competition unfold here in the preseason."
Will Likely: "I think all three of those guys are great quarterbacks. They've all won big games, so it's going to be very exciting to see who wins that starting job come the first game."