Whoever starts as Georgia State’s quarterback in Friday’s season opener against Ball State will have a lot of rust to shake off and some some extra weight to carry.
The two candidates — Conner Manning, a redshirt junior, and Aaron Winchester, a redshirt freshman —can’t complain of fatigue. Manning last threw a pass in a college game on Nov. 22, 2014, for Utah. Winchester last played in a game as a senior at Mount Pisgah Christian School on Nov. 28, 2014.
They are following the estimable Nick Arbuckle, the fair-or-unfair standard that the school’s quarterbacks will be held up to. Arbuckle was meticulous in his preparation and it showed in his results. He threw for more than 7,000 yards in two seasons, led the team to a bowl game and last season was named the Sun Belt Conference player of the year.
“Reason they won’t be the next Nick Arbuckle is because one of them is named Conner Manning and the other is named Aaron Winchester,” coach Trent Miles said. “They aren’t the same people. They just need to play as good as they can play and that’s good enough.”
Miles said the starter will be named just before the first snap. Though both players have practiced with the first team, Manning has taken more snaps. Miles said there’s a plan for both, but wouldn’t say that both will play.
“Could. Might. Might not. I don’t know,” he said. “We’ll see. It depends. Lot of factors that will go into that.”
It’s been a long journey for Manning. He set several high school passing records in California, committed to Utah early and then shut down his recruiting. Things didn’t work out with the Utes, who began using more dual-threat quarterbacks. The six passes he threw in a loss to Arizona in 2014 comprised the entirety of his playing time.
Georgia State offensive coordinator Luke Huard was familiar with Manning and when he learned he was leaving Utah, he convinced him to transfer to Georgia State, where he has two years remaining as a graduate transfer. He is especially excited about getting the chance to play on Friday. His parents are flying in to watch.
“Kind of my whole childhood dream is to play college football,” he said. “It will be quite memorable for me.”
Manning said he doesn’t mind any comparisons to Arbuckle, who also grew up in California. Both were pocket passers, both have a similar build and deliver their passes with the same zip. But while Manning has a more relaxed vibe, Arbuckle had an intensity in his answers and mannerisms that couldn’t be missed.
“He was a tremendous player,” Manning said. “He did so many good things for this program. He’s always going to be remembered. I’m going to do what I can as a player, worry about myself and help this team win every single week.”
Winchester learned Georgia State’s offense and how to study opposing defenses from Arbuckle.
“I feel like nobody that I’ve ever been around has been more prepared than Nick,” Winchester said. “That’s the one thing I took from him. He’s helped me a lot as far as preparing myself for this moment.”
Winchester gives Huard another tool because he is mobile. Should defenses find ways to cover all-conference receivers Robert Davis and Penny Hart, and all-conference tight end Keith Rucker, Winchester may still move the offense because he can run.
Huard and Miles said both quarterbacks have grown in confidence since their competition started in the spring. Manning dedicated himself to developing chemistry with the receivers. Winchester worked on consistency with his throws. Though the Panthers may feature a new quarterback on Friday, Huard said the offense won’t change much from the one Arbuckle ran, although the team will try to run the ball more.
He referenced last year’s 34-7 win over Georgia Southern, when the offense passed for 346 yards and rushed for 143.
Safety Bobby Baker faced both quarterbacks in practice and said both are ready to try to lead the Panthers to their first winning season as an FBS program.
“They both look really good,” he said. “I’m excited to see who is going to make big plays. I think they will both make big ones.”
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