Bo Schlechter will start his first college game as a quarterback Friday when Georgia State hosts Clark Atlanta at the Georgia Dome.
He hopes it won’t be his last.
Waiting at No. 2 on the depth chart is Drew Little, last year’s starter who will be the backup Friday. Waiting behind Little is Kelton Hill, who was tabbed the starter after spring practice, but before he got into trouble during the summer and was suspended for the season’s first game.
After uncorking an effortless 60-yard throw during practice earlier this week, Schlechter said he has practiced and prepared as if he has no plans to relinquish the spot he said he has dreamed about since he was in high school.
“I’m feeling good, feeling confident,” he said.
Schlechter offers a nice mix of skills. He has a strong arm like Little, but can run like Hill. Schlechter is quick enough that offensive coordinator John Bond has added a few wrinkles to the offense to take advantage of his speed and athletic ability. As Panthers fans saw last season, Schlechter is fast enough to play wide receiver, a position he voluntarily moved to last year because the team was thin at the position.
“His ability to run is deadly,” offensive lineman Joe Gilbert said.
Bond said Schlechter has worked hard to harness his powerful arm. He said quarterbacks with guns sometimes try to fit passes into tight spots. If Schlechter can avoid turnovers, but still take advantage of his quick release, “I think you’ll see a pretty good player,” Bond said.
Gilbert and wide receiver Albert Wilson said they see evidence of that daily. Gilbert said Schlechter’s timing has improved. Wilson said Schlechter is putting passes where only a receiver, not the defender, can make the catch.
“I’m trying to improve mentally, understanding the game, reading defenses, processing the offense on the go. That’s my biggest thing,” Schlechter said.
Of course, being a starting quarterback is more than just being able to throw the ball deep or scramble for a few yards. Coach Bill Curry said he has seen Schlechter develop into a leader on the field and in the training room. He and Bond said they’ve seen a harder edge to Schlechter’s personality. The laid-back freshman has turned into a serious football player as a sophomore.
“We’ve said things to him, ‘You’ll be the starter, but only as long as you behave like a starter,’” Curry said. “It doesn’t mean he’s perfect, but he’s made good progress as a leader and human being as well as a quarterback.”
Schlechter said he has matured because he’s supposed to be a team leader, but also because of what happened to Little and Hill, both of whom ran into trouble during the offseason. He is trying to learn from mistakes: the ones he’s making on the field and the ones others are making off the field.
“It’s felt easier to do some of the things that leaders do,” Schlechter said.
About the Author
