A Look at the Quarterbacks

8/16/2016 4:45:00 PM | Football



The quarterback slot is secure with returning starter Dane Evans (6-1, 210) back for his senior season. Evans ranked among the American Athletic Conference and NCAA leaders last year for most passing and total yards.
 
"Dane has had a good fall camp. We put more on his plate, and taken the reins off a little bit, just to see how he'd handle some of those situations. I think his progress has gone really well," said Montgomery.
 
Evans comes into the 2016 season looking to become the first quarterback in school history to throw for over 3,000 yards in three separate seasons. He completed 63-percent of his passes for 4,332 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2015 and enters 2016 with 8,332 yards and 52 passing touchdowns in his career. Evans needs 2,604 yards to surpass Paul Smith (2003-07) as the school's all-time passing leader.
     
Sophomore Chad President (6-3, 222) is the only other player with any experience at quarterback for the Hurricane. He played in six games last year as a true freshman, and also saw limited playing time at receiver.
     
President and junior Ryan Rubley (6-3, 220) are locked in a battle for the back-up position behind Evans. Rubley, a fourth-year junior, has not yet seen game action for the Hurricane.
     
"I think our young guys are really improving. I think Chad and Ryan are both getting after it, competing, and working against each other, but also helping each other get better. Right now, it's still a close race. I think those guys will work their way out in the next scrimmage," added Montgomery.
 
Quarterbacks adding depth to the position include red-shirt freshman Will Hefley (6-5, 207), who completed 67-percent of his passes for 9,795 yards and 128 touchdowns in his prep career, sophomore Sam Gottsch (6-2, 190), who lettered on special teams last year and moved to quarterback in the spring, and true freshman Luke Skipper (6-3, 200), who threw for over 2,700 yards and rushed for nearly another 1,200 yards as a prep senior at Forney (Texas) High School a year ago.
 
"Will and Sam are both getting better each and every practice. I like the way our quarterbacks are competing. Freshman Luke has made good progress. He's got a lively arm," added Montgomery.
 


 
 
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