Johnson or Knapke Next Season

[thewebboy]

I am curious what people think heading into next season (assuming Johnson is healthy).

After the IU game, I though we might have a QB controversy brewing for next season. Both should have 2 years eligibility starting next season.

I am not sure I have seen enough of Knapke to give him the nod. I have to go with Johnson. I like his elusiveness. He seems to have that 'it' factor you need to be successful in the MAC.

[Flipper]

Johnson has one year left...

[thewebboy]

Can you get a medical redshirt if you redshirted as a freshman?

[MarkL]

Can you get a medical redshirt if you redshirted as a freshman?

Yes. Johnson has one year guaranteed left. The school can apply for him to have an extra year of eligibility.

Now I'm not Matt Johnson. I would love to have him around for another year, but I could not blame him if he chooses to move on. Six years of school is a kind of long time. I'm not suggesting that he would decline a sixth year if it were available, but I would understand it if he would decline a sixth year and choose to move on.

But ... oh my ... if Johnson were to be the QB in 2016 and Babers the HC when we go to Ohio State .... oh my.

[Flipper]

I don't think he can aply for a medical RS unless it can be shown he took his initial redshirt for a medical reason

[MarkL]

I don't think he can aply for a medical RS unless it can be shown he took his initial redshirt for a medical reason

I could be wrong, but I believe you can take a medical redshirt even after a non-medical redshirt. Case Keenum at Houston missed all of a season (2010 I think?) and took a medical redshirt which allowed him to play and set all kinds of records in 2011. He redshirted his freshman year.

I should think Johnson will be granted a sixth year. He missed all but 3.5 quarters of this year, so I just cannot imagine the NCAA denying a medical redshirt.

[Redwingtom]

We're not heading into next season. Isn't this a tad premature?

[thewebboy]

We're not heading into next season. Isn't this a tad premature?

I get it. I guess I just wondered what people thought of Knapke compared to where Johnson was at this time last year.

[svillefalcon]

Johnson, for sure. Knapke has done a good job of keeping the ship afloat, but he isn't on Matty J level.

[Rollo83]

Johnson, for sure. Knapke has done a good job of keeping the ship afloat, but he isn't on Matty J level.

+1 Matty J has the "it factor" and Knapke doesn't...at least not yet.

[Redwingtom]

We're not heading into next season. Isn't this a tad premature?

I get it. I guess I just wondered what people thought of Knapke compared to where Johnson was at this time last year.

Okay...but that's a TOTALLY different question. No doubt Johnson was farther along last year. That being said, he also wasn't dealing with a brand new offense like we have this year. So it's really hard to say. We only have one game to judge Johnson in this offense, but that was so early that you almost have to throw it out...although he didn't look near as good as last year, but that's totally expected.

I think Knapke has done an admirable job "running" this offense...by that I mean not totally screwing things up. But it's more than evident that Johnson has that special something that Knapke just hasn't found. Yet.

[jpfalcon09]

Knapke reminds me a lot of Matt Schilz so you can take that however you'd like.

[Rollo83]

Knapke reminds me a lot of Matt Schilz so you can take that however you'd like.

Sorry, not sure what you are watching, but that's just not the case. Knapke is so much better than Schilz that it's not funny. He moves better in the pocket, makes better decisions with the ball and is much more accurate. Did you catch the Indiana or UMass games? Schilz could not of done that.

That's how I take that...

[BGSU33]

I don't think he can aply for a medical RS unless it can be shown he took his initial redshirt for a medical reason

I could be wrong, but I believe you can take a medical redshirt even after a non-medical redshirt. Case Keenum at Houston missed all of a season (2010 I think?) and took a medical redshirt which allowed him to play and set all kinds of records in 2011. He redshirted his freshman year.

I should think Johnson will be granted a sixth year. He missed all but 3.5 quarters of this year, so I just cannot imagine the NCAA denying a medical redshirt.

Johnson can indeed apply for a medical RS even though he RS his first year. And being that he only played in one game this season, I see no reason why he would be denied that 6th year by the NCAA.

As for an answer to the question, Johnson - without a doubt. That's not a knock on Knapke at all either, but there is a reason why Johnson was the #1 QB this year and we can see for ourselves why. I also feel like Johnson kept getting better and better last year by each game whereas Knapke seems to be getting a little more shaky each game. I also agree that Knapke reminds me a lot of Schilz.

[kdog27]

Knapke reminds me a lot of Matt Schilz so you can take that however you'd like.

I agree. He's done an adequate job but like Schilz I feel like his ceiling is limited.