BG should recruit a JUCO QB this year

[BGSU33]

Taking a look at next season’s roster, and if you go off of our two-deep to close the season, we only lose three starters next year. While each one of them will be big losses, on paper (knock on wood) we should return 10 on offense, 9 on defense and essentially both our kicker and punter (Tyler Tate took over FG duties). We lose a few seniors at backup spots too, but when you consider there are 22 starting positions (not counting special teams where we return every starter but our long snapper and PAT kicker) and we’re bringing back 19, you really can’t ask for better numbers.

The lone loss on offense is at RT with Jordan Roussos, while the two losses on defense are at DT (Chris Jones) and MLB (Dwayne Woods). I think we’ll be able to plug Roussos’ spot just fine. While Jones was our best player and we’ll surely miss him, I do like that fact that we’ll return two players who were lost for the year in Campbell and Maynard. While neither are at Jones’ level, I love the fact they are both experienced players who will return that we were essentially without all season. At MLB, we’ll miss Woods as well, but we have some guys who can hopefully step up and we landed Paul Senn (a JUCO) to boost the position.

That said, when you look at who we return and examine the depth we have at every position, the most concerning spot heading into next year from a starting position and depth is at QB in my opinion. I don’t care what the coaches say publically, anyone who has watched Matt Schilz play over the last three years can see this year he looked really off. For a three-year starter, there were times this year I thought he looked more out of synch this year than he did as a first-year starter as a red-shirt frosh. Yes, I do admit his WR corps wasn’t as good as the year before, and they need to improve as well. But even when Schilz had time and protection, many of his throws sailed high, or were too hard on short routes to handle, or were just flat out inaccurate. And when he starts to move out of the pocket on the run, it almost always ends in an incompletion, not to mention, he is no threat to run. He was just very, very inconsistent. In most any year, any time you return what should be a four-year starter at QB, you are thrilled. But I have to say, I think BG really needs to go out there and recruit a proven JUCO QB. When Trent Hurley transferred, that saw Matt Johnson (soon to be a Soph) become our backup and James Knapke will be coming off a red-shirt season. But I don’t think either of these two are going to or will push Schilz for the spot next season. Now I am not saying we should just recruit a JUCO and hand him the spot, I am not saying that at all. But what I am saying is we should seriously invest a scholarship in one if we find a guy who “could” step in and run this team, similar to what SJSU did with David Fales. Fales was at SJSU in the spring and took complete control of that offense and look at the tremendous year he had. Kent State also did the same thing by bringing in JUCO David Fisher although Spencer Keith held down the spot. But if we have a soon to be four-year starter that can’t seem to get a grip on the offense still and we can find a JUCO who can, I want him. It would build instant competition for the #1 spot which frankly, I just don’t think we have at that position. It would also give us a senior presence at the spot in 2014 when Schilz is gone and would fill the class void left by Hurley’s departure. I hope both Johnson (who we’ve seen very little of) and Knapke (who hasn’t played a collegiate snap) develop into great players for us, but I think it would be extremely valuable to get a proven JUCO in here next year for several reasons. If we can carry four kickers on scholarship like we did this season, we can afford to get one JUCO QB to come in here.

[Flipper]

I think if you'd ask the coaches, they'd tell you the QB spot is set up close to perfectly. You have the encumbent with four years in your system coming off an 8 win year backed up by a guy with two years in the system and a third guy with a year in the system. You also have a walk on or two with more than one year under thier belts. They want to sign a QB every year....Austin Valdez has verballed. I don't think they'll bring in a JUCO and I don't think they should. If you think Schilz needs a push from the outside...he clearly isn't your guy and if you don't trust Johnson by now as your back up (unless Knapke is as good as advertised and winds up #2...bonus if he is) you might just as well start over with Knapke as your guy going forward.

Of course...I could be wrong and they could be combing through Cali JUCO QB tapes as I type this...

[BGSU33]

If you think Schilz needs a push from the outside...he clearly isn't your guy and if you don't trust Johnson by now as your back up (unless Knapke is as good as advertised and winds up #2...bonus if he is) you might just as well start over with Knapke as your guy going forward.

That is exactly what I am thinking heading into 2013. I do agree that things set up down the road at the position in terms of how Clawson said he wants to recruit a QB every year. I love that mindset and agree 100% with how they recruit the position. Heading into 2013 at QB we'll have a senior, two sophomores, a redshirt-freshman, a true freshman and some walk-ons. However, aside from Schilz, our entire QB unit has completed just 10 collegiate passes (all by Johnson) and we don’t have another upperclassman (junior or senior) at the position. Aside from no one seemingly “challenging” Schilz, if he wins the position and goes down, we could be in big trouble at the spot. So, I do hope we are searching high and low for a JUCO and can get him in for spring to compete for next season. If he comes in and Schilz beats him out, so be it, that would be great. I think it would only create better competition and might just bring the best out of Schilz for his senior year. But if we brought a JUCO in and he beat out Schilz, then we just improved our position and we’d have a very experienced backup.

[MarkL]

I would love to see Malik Stokes get some time next year. We used a wildcat through a lot of 2011 and rarely had much success. We never once saw a pass attempt out of wildcat, making that a rather predictable attack. I wonder if Malik Stokes could get some time at WC. He's a great athlete and brings the threat of a pass, even a deep pass out of WC. In some 3rd and short situations or in 1st and 10 when you want a pace change I bet he could be highly effective.

As for QB depth ... Johnson looked really good when he was in this year. I don't know anything about Knapke other than he won the state championship in Indiana and was pumped to head to BG. I don't know where Stokes fits in with the group, outside of that he's behind Johnson on the depth chart as of now. Valdez looks like a solid recruit. I sincerely hope and expect whoever of those four gets the job in 2014 is ready.

[Flipper]

The thing Schilz needs to improve on the most is his...for lack of a better word...focus. He's like a goalie in hockey that can stand on his head when he's facing 15 shots a period but lets in soft goals when he sees only 4 or 5. When he's back there chucking it up 30 times a game, he's in rhythm. When he has to hand ot off 6-7 times in a row and then pass, he's really inconsistent.

[Warthog]

They want to sign a QB every year....Austin Valdez has verballed.

I've seen Valdez play in high school and was shocked to see that we offered him a scholarship. I wouldn't expect much out of him for several years.

[Globetrotter]

Any chance Valdez switches positions?

In regards to Schilz, I love the Juco QB idea. Don't waste a team that returns 19 starters with a hope that a QB who looked awful this year will bounce back.

[jpfalcon09]

As much as we complain, Schilz will be the starter next year unless he gets hurt or completely craps the bed. No way the coaching staff sits a four-year starter in favor of a sophomore or freshman unless they absolutely need to. That being said, Matt has much to learn and work on if he expects to succeed next year. His mental toughness needs to improve, as does his consistency, accuracy and decision making. He's still not checking down effectively and panics when his first option is taken away. I felt his form this year regressed as well, he was too loose in the pocket at times and needs to learn when to tuck the ball in and take a sack, rather than force a bad pass or cause a fumble.

Not sure how much a JUCO QB would help...I would imagine Clawson will give Johnson/Stokes/Knapke plenty of reps this spring and in camp to prove themselves an adequate challenger to the #1 job if its open. I do believe though that one of these guys needs to push Matt this year to be better, a little competition never hurt anyone.

[Globetrotter]

Relying on Schilz is not thinking about 84 other scholarship players on the roster. Lets get someone in here who can be effective.

[bgdodgeball4]

You guys are underestimating Johnson - would have been a 4 star guy if he were two inches taller. He'll push Schilz this coming year. He didn't look fantastic this year, but he has a ton of talent.

And I think Stokes will get some time in the wildcat.

[Falcon137]

You guys are underestimating Johnson - would have been a 4 star guy if he were two inches taller.

If my aunt had nuts, she'd be my uncle.

[Globetrotter]

You guys are underestimating Johnson - would have been a 4 star guy if he were two inches taller. He'll push Schilz this coming year. He didn't look fantastic this year, but he has a ton of talent.

And I think Stokes will get some time in the wildcat.

Atleast try something. We can always have Schilz. Lets try for more.

[Oldballcoach61]

If BG wants to make a leap forward next year, it won't be with SCHILZ at QB. The kid is NOT a leader . Period. I have watched this kid regress this year. That is not a sign of a true QB. I have been silent on this kid all year, but after the bowl game and watching his performance , one has to wonder what DC and the staff are afraid of if they pull him. I will now say what I think is wrong :

While watching the OU game, and setting within a few feet of the bench, I watch this kid come off the field , throw his helmet, and literally cuss out the coach and WR coach. Then proceeds to cuss his teammates. Next drive, he is in the game and no consequences for his actions. That is the WRONG message , as a coach , team, and damn sure for your so called leader.

Weeks later , while at the Kent St. Game, watched the same scenario play out again. Comes off the field ranting and raving, throws his helmet, and again starts ranting like a baby at the WR corp and coach. Back in the game he goes. No consequence for his piss poor actions and total lack of leadership.

If anybody thinks that there is a player on the team that has any respect for him you are completely mistaken. You can not expect growth from a player that has NO concern for his security at his position. If one has no sense of responsibility to perform and lead, then they wont do so.

It is well past time to I've Johnson and the younger QB 's a real look , and not a token look in spring, and then go back to #7. And , by the way, he is a 3 year starter, not 4. Lets hope there is a change in the process of evaluating the QB, or you may see other players jumping off the DC train and heading elsewhere.

[factman]

I think that may be a "tad" overstated, concerning Schilz! After all, the TEAM did vote him as a captain!!!

[BGSUFanatic7]

If BG wants to make a leap forward next year, it won't be with SCHILZ at QB. The kid is NOT a leader . Period. I have watched this kid regress this year. That is not a sign of a true QB. I have been silent on this kid all year, but after the bowl game and watching his performance , one has to wonder what DC and the staff are afraid of if they pull him. I will now say what I think is wrong :

While watching the OU game, and setting within a few feet of the bench, I watch this kid come off the field , throw his helmet, and literally cuss out the coach and WR coach. Then proceeds to cuss his teammates. Next drive, he is in the game and no consequences for his actions. That is the WRONG message , as a coach , team, and damn sure for your so called leader.

Weeks later , while at the Kent St. Game, watched the same scenario play out again. Comes off the field ranting and raving, throws his helmet, and again starts ranting like a baby at the WR corp and coach. Back in the game he goes. No consequence for his piss poor actions and total lack of leadership.

If anybody thinks that there is a player on the team that has any respect for him you are completely mistaken. You can not expect growth from a player that has NO concern for his security at his position. If one has no sense of responsibility to perform and lead, then they wont do so.

It is well past time to I've Johnson and the younger QB 's a real look , and not a token look in spring, and then go back to #7. And , by the way, he is a 3 year starter, not 4. Lets hope there is a change in the process of evaluating the QB, or you may see other players jumping off the DC train and heading elsewhere.

This was way too dramatic. Bash on him for his play, but Matt is a clear leader. If you don't believe me, ask anyone on the team. I have talked to a lot. Clawson loves Schilz too and he has said in multiple press conferences that his play needs to improve. And hopefully with all of the receivers that played this year coming back, Schilz will look more like he did against Miami and Kent. I am not too sure you heard him swearing at everyone, that is a little ridiculous. He is a fiery guy. But I have never seen anything like you are talking about and I think everyone here would agree that Clawson runs an extremely clean program. He would not stand for anything like that.

Not saying he has been very good this year, but this rant was a joke. His teammates voted him a captain and he never singles out anyone, even in press conferences after tough losses. After the Kent game, he was asked if he was pressured at all during his final throw, and even though he was clearly flushed out of the pocket and forced to throw one up in the endzone, he didn't call out his line and said multiple times that he had time to make the throw. He also talks all the time about how "Proud" he is of how the WR's such as Gallon have progressed and how great of a player Joplin is.

I know these things are little, but defending your players in the press are just simple examples that I can point to. And to say that he is not a leader is a joke. Trust me when I say that DC would not stand for players doing what you claimed he did. He is not that type of coach and Matt is not one to be disrespectful like that to his teammates or players. He is just not. As for Matt's play, yes, it obviously has to improve for this team to take the next step.