Quarterback Battle Looms for Florida State Football

Strategic Insights -

The Florida State football team is facing another offseason with uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position, a recurring theme for the program in recent years. Redshirt junior Drew Weatherford was the predominant starter the past three years, but he struggled to make the most of his opportunities, throwing a career-low nine touchdowns in 2007. Despite his experience, Weatherford will have to battle for the starting position for the fourth straight offseason, as the coaches are high on redshirt freshmen Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson.

Key Takeaways:

  • Drew Weatherford, the redshirt junior quarterback, completed 181 of 318 passes (57 percent) with just three interceptions in 2007, but threw a career-low nine touchdowns.
  • Coach Bobby Bowden believes Weatherford is coming on, but he will have to battle for the starting position against redshirt freshmen Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson.
  • The coaches are open to competition in the quarterback position, with offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jimbo Fisher stating that "all of the positions for that matter will be open come the spring and summer."
  • Redshirt junior quarterback Xavier Lee's status is uncertain, with Bowden saying he expects him back, but not knowing what Lee is thinking.
  • Third-year sophomore defensive end Everette Brown has asked the NFL draft advisory board for its appraisal of his projected status, but is not considering bolting early.
  • Three finalists have been announced for the fifth annual Bobby Bowden Award, which recognizes the Division I-A student-athlete who conducts himself as a faith model in the community: Ohio State senior fullback Dionte Johnson, Illinois senior linebacker J Lehman, and Kentucky senior tight end Jacob Tamme.

Statistics:

  • Drew Weatherford completed 181 of 318 passes (57 percent) with just three interceptions in 2007.
  • Weatherford throw a career-low nine touchdowns in 2007.
  • The Florida State football team has struggled with big plays in recent years, which is a crucial area for improvement.
  • Redshirt freshmen Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson are high on the coaches' radar as potential quarterbacks.
  • The Florida State football program is expected to sign a Top 5 recruiting class in February, which may include dual-threat quarterback E.J. Manuel.

Sources:

  • Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden
  • Offenesive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jimbo Fisher
  • Redshirt junior quarterback Xavier Lee
  • Third-year sophomore defensive end Everette Brown
  • Ohio State senior fullback Dionte Johnson
  • Illinois senior linebacker J Lehman
  • Kentucky senior tight end Jacob Tamme
  • Brian Landman, SPTimes.com, 2007