The Case For Each QB
CHARLOTTE, NC - As it stands, four quarterbacks will go into fall camp competing for the starting job at North Carolina, and there’s really no clear indication any of them have an edge at this time.
Each is different, which makes this competition even more fascinating, but things will shake down fairly early in fall camp. It likely will be a two-man battle by mid-August and a starter named the week of the season opener versus California at Kenan Stadium.
So, lets take a quick look at each of the four quarterbacks and make a case for each winning the job. The order here is by class, nothing else:
Brandon Harris, Sr., 6-3, 218 – The graduate student started 15 games during his LSU career completing 187 of 347 pass attempts for 2,756 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also was credited with 97 rushes for 370 yards (3.8 average) and 7 touchdowns. Harris’ best passing game was a 324-yard effort at Ole Miss two years ago. He has experience, which the others don’t have, and he’s faced adversity, which could have made him stronger than his struggles at LSU. Harris lost the starting job in the second game of last season and didn’t play again, but that he’s been in SEC battles with some impressive performances works in his favor.
Larry Fedora says: “He’s a guy coming out of high school we thought he could be really good. He can run, he can throw it, he’s got a strong arm and he’s played in big games. He’s not going to get rattled, he’s thrown touchdowns he’s thrown interceptions, so he understands that part of it.”
Nathan Elliott, Soph., 6-1, 195 – Elliott is the only other of the four quarterbacks that has taken a snap in a college game, and he did very little of that behind Mitch Trubisky last season. In fact, Elliott completed 8 of 9 pass attempts for 55 yards, but only two of those passes – both completions – came against FBS teams. He was 2-2 for 16 yards against Georgia Tech. Elliott’s attribute is that he knows the offense very well. He’s been in it longer than the others, and in the spring game appeared more comfortable in it. He went through his progressions and looked like it was his offense and he can make the simple throws, which Larry Fedora places tremendous value.
Larry Fedora says: “A lefty, he throws the ball well, he’s made great decisions in practice (and) he’s the only guy there that’s had any experience on our football team right now in our offense. He’s not going to be the fastest guy out there, though he can run the football.”
Logan Byrd, RS Fr., 6-3, 225 – Byrd is big and strong and is a nice fit for the offense. He can run in between the tackles and take a hit, much like former quarterback Marquise Williams. There are some similarities. He also throws a sharp ball and in the workouts we’ve seen is often accurate. Byrd enrolled early a year ago, so he’s been through two springs and a full season running the offense. He’s made significant progress, and if that trajectory continues, he well could be in the mix in late August.
Larry Fedora says: “Logan’s about 6-3, 225 pounds. Logan has a big, strong arm. He’s in that learning stage of learning the offense and being a guy that can have great presence behind the center.”
Chazz Surratt, RS Fr., 6-3, 205 – The other lefthander, along with Elliott, Surratt is a tremendous and accomplished athlete who is known for his competitive nature. There’s a smoothness to him, an easiness that can be misconstrued as being too laid back. Surratt’s anything but that, however, as he displayed in spring camp on several occasions where he put on some of the best, most impressive performances of the quarterbacks. If he becomes more consistent, Surratt will have a good chance at winning the job.
Larry Fedora says: “Chazz Surratt’s a tremendous athlete, extremely fast, can run, can throw it. He’s a lefty, he’s led his team to state championships both on the football field and the basketball court. He’s a really good athlete. He has a chance to be really good.”
THI’s Take: Conventional wisdom says the staff goes with the most experienced player here early in the season, so we expect Harris will start versus Cal. But at least one other QB will play that afternoon, and there might be a different starter once the calendar turns to October.
Who do you guys think will win the job?