Georgia State’s next quarterback won’t be expected to be the next Nick Arbuckle, but offensive coordinator Luke Huard said expectations for his replacement haven’t been minimized.
“I’ve communicated clearly to our guys that the standard should stay the same or get better,” he said.
Arbuckle passed for more than 7,500 yards the past two seasons, the second of which included him being named the Sun Belt Conference’s player of the year and the Panthers’ first appearance in a bowl. He left with many school records.
Competing to replace him are three players who have never started an FBS game: redshirt junior Conner Manning, a transfer from Utah, redshirt sophomore Emiere Scaife, who has spent the most time in Huard's system, and redshirt freshman Aaron Winchester. Coach Trent Miles said on Thursday that a fourth quarterback, a transfer, may join them. He declined to name the player, citing NCAA rules.
Miles has said a starter won’t be named until the days or hours before the season-opening game against Ball State on Sept. 2 at the Georgia Dome.
However, Huard said the competition will likely be culled to two within the next 7-9 days.
Miles and Huard said the winner of the competition will most likely be the player who takes care of the football and can move the team.
“Main thing is they focus on their own development,” Huard said.
Each brings a different skill set, according to the players that catch the passes or try to defend them.
Safety Bobby Baker said Scaife has the perfect size (6-2, 230) and is still trying to develop as a player. Tight end Keith Rucker said Scaife is the most-fit quarterback he’s been around and has outstanding arm strength.
Baker said Manning is very smart and just needs to get comfortable in the system. Rucker said Manning reminded him a little bit of Arbuckle, “but you can’t replace Nick.” He said Manning is accurate and can help Scaife and Winchester with their footwork.
Baker said Winchester is mobile and also smart, and also needs to get comfortable in the system. Rucker said Winchester is very level-headed and very good at reading defenses, which can benefit Manning and Scaife.
Rucker and wide receiver Robert Davis said all the receivers and tight ends have worked with each of the quarterbacks equally during the summer because they have no idea who will be the guy to start the opener.
Huard said the quarterback will benefit from having a wealth of talent around them. Davis, Penny Hart and Rucker were all-conference last season. The line returns three starters and there are seven running backs competing in what Huard and Miles said they hope will be a run-focused offense.
Mile said he doubted that there would be packages for all three quarterbacks in the games, presuming each does well during August.
So, Manning, Scaife or Winchester don’t have to the next Arbuckle, but they do need to what they do well.
“All three guys have a shot to win games,” Baker said.
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