The Skyhawks left the spring game knowing almost as much about the quarterback position as they did at the start of spring, but it appears they have named a starter, for now.
After losing Derek Carr, redshirt-sophomore Jarod Neal was expected to take the reins of the offense. However, with the addition of Dylan Favre and the improved of Tyler Rice UTM has had a much tighter race at quarterback than expected.
Head coach Jason Simpson made it clear at OVC Media Day that he expects the quarterback depth chart to look the same week one as it did at the start of spring, giving the starting nod to Neal.
Simpson said that the key was for the starter to not have to carry the team on their own.
“There’s a lot of good players around them to be able to help them,” said Simpson. “They don’t have to do everything.”
Returning for the Skyhawks is wide receiver Jeremy Butler, who looks to be a big time playmaker for the team this fall. Last season, playing opposite of future New England Patriot Quentin Sims, Butler hauled in 51 catches for 750 yards and 10 touchdowns.
With the recent changes on offense for UTM it’s easy to see why the team may lean more on the run this coming season. After all, they are returning four of their starting five offensive lineman, but that’s not the case according to center Tyler Eady.
“We’ll run the ball when we need to and throw the ball when we need to,” said Eady. “The same way we did last year. We have a lot more talent around the to-be quarterback than what Derek [Carr] had when he first took it over … We have trust in the guy, whoever that is.”
The news of Dylan Favre transferring to UTM had many people excited last December with most fans expecting him to secure the starting job. However, the former Mississippi State quarterback struggled in the spring game and is expected to start the season third on the depth chart behind Neal and Rice.
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