WAC quarterbacks aim high in 2010
Forget talk of the WAC’s impending implosion. Put aside rumors of possible expansion and further realignment. Look beyond the “selfish” actions of Nevada and Fresno State. This week, when the college football season kicks off, all eyes will be on the WAC’s crop of quarterbacks, who look to bring their respective teams to national prominence.
In an offseason dominated by talk of anything and everything off the field, the WAC boasts considerable star power on it. It starts with Boise State’s Kellen Moore, but it doesn’t end there. In total, seven WAC quarterbacks return to play this season after registering a passing efficiency rating of 125.00 or greater in 2009 – a statistic no other conference can match. Whether it be the pinpoint accuracy of Moore and Idaho’s Nathan Enderle, or the dual-threat play-making ability of USU’s Diondre Borel and Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick, the conference’s strength at quarterback figures to earn the WAC plenty of national attention.
“I think their names are probably not as much out there as other quarterbacks, but they do have the ability to be at the top,” said USU linebacker Bobby Wagner. Wagner commented that the WAC’s quarterbacks – including Borel – often don’t get the exposure of many of the nation’s top signal callers, but he expects that to change this season.
“Playing more and more games, the nation will get more of a chance to see them play and see that they are elite,” Wagner said.
“Kellen Moore has obviously shown he can be one of the best quarterbacks in the country and Diondre (Borel) has shown that he can be one of the best quarterbacks in the conference. The more and more they’re seen the more and more they’ll be compared to other (great college) quarterbacks.”
This isn’t the first time the WAC has seen a national star among its ranks at the quarterback position. Colt Brennan led the Hawaii Warriors to a BCS bowl game in 2007 while setting numerous passing records, while players like Billy Volek and David Carr have gone onto NFL success. The 2010 season looks to be different, however, and unlike previous seasons where only one or two WAC quarterbacks earned national acclaim, this year the conference boasts a quartet of bona fide stars. Not only that, but several “lesser-“known WAC signal callers – like Hawaii’s Bryant Moniz and Fresno State’s Ryan Colburn – could surprise after showing flashes of brilliance in 2009.
Just where do WAC quarterbacks stack up nationally? At WAC media days in July, new Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Dykes said the conference’s top quarterbacks compared “very favorably” to their counterparts in the PAC-10. The PAC-10 is considered to be especially strong at quarterback in 2010, with Washington’s Jake Locker and Stanford’s Andrew Luck already getting mentions as future first-round NFL draft choices.
Locker and Luck may have to compete for the draft dollars. According to Dykes, WAC quarterbacks bring just as much to the table as anyone in the nation. Their play, he said, is a testament to the systems they play in and the coaching they have received.
“The guys in this league are very well coached,” said Dykes, who served as offensive coordinator at Arizona before taking the job in Ruston.
“It’s a really progressive league with great coaches and outstanding quarterback play, and that’s what makes it difficult to win in this league. Getting your quarterbacks to play at a high level is where it all starts, and these guys play at a tremendously high level.”
Kellen Moore agreed, going so far as to say that in order to be successful in WAC play, a team must have a good quarterback.
“You’ve got to be successful at quarterback to hopefully have a successful team,” he said.
The WAC’s top signal callers may all play at a very high level, but when it comes to their personal styles of play, they’re as varied as the conference’s geography. Last year’s Offensive Player of the Year, Moore may be undersized by traditional standards, but his pinpoint accuracy and understanding of the game are unequaled.
“He’s the only quarterback I’ve played against who puts it only where their receivers can get it,” said Bobby Wagner. “I think that’s what makes him special.”
Moore is ranked as the 12th best draft-eligible quarterback by Phil Steele magazine, and was named a first team All-American by both ESPN.com and SI.com last season.
If Moore represents the quintessence of efficiency and production as a passer, than Kaepernick and Borel represent the new school of NCAA quarterbacks who are a threat to defenses with both their arms and their legs. Both are blessed with exceptional speed, and are especially dangerous when plays break down in the pocket.
“I think Colin is very good,” said Moore of Kaepernick.
“If people haven’t had the opportunity to watch him, he is just a tremendous athlete – one of the best athletes, I think, who plays college quarterback as far as being able to run and make plays on the run.”
“At the same time he can drop back and make throws,” added Moore.
“We’ve seen him get better and better like a lot of quarterbacks throughout the years and next year he’s got some opportunities to definitely showcase his talents.”
The feeling of mutual respect is a common theme for WAC quarterbacks. Kaepernick, who is coming off a year in which he threw for more than 2000 yards and rushed for more than 1000, couldn’t stop raving about his peers, and said that their unique styles make watching them a treat.
“They are a big play waiting to happen,” said the Nevada quarterback. “They run their offenses great. You can see it in the way they play. They are all very confident in what they do. I love watching them making plays and leading their teams to wins … they all win games for their teams and they all do a great job but it’s all in a very different way. You kind of get something different each week.”
Local media outlets and WAC players aren’t the only ones who’ve taken note. In August, ESPN.com columnist Pat Forde ranked the top ten quarterbacks in college football who “find a way to win.” Three WAC players – Moore, Enderle, and Kaepernick – all made it onto the list, giving the conference more players than any other league featured.
Is it a safe bet to say that 2010 will be the year of the quarterback in the WAC? It may be too early to tell, and other conferences certainly have their share of star power, but Fresno State defensive end Chris Carter may have summed it up perfectly in July.
“I feel like the WAC has four of the best quarterbacks in the country,” Carter said.
That alone, even in an offseason filled with so much drama, is reason enough to tune into what could very well be the conference’s most competitive season yet.
The fearsome foursome of WAC quarterbacks
Kellen Moore, Boise State
Count Aggie linebacker Bobby Wagner as one who believes Moore is among the best players in the country. “He’s the only quarterback I’ve played against who puts (the ball) only where his receivers can get it,” Wagner said of the Boise State University quarterback. Moore, who is considered by many to be a Heisman trophy candidate in 2010, was the WAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2009, leading the nation in passing efficiency (161.65) and finishing second in touchdowns thrown (39). With a career record of 26-1, he’s a proven winner, and gives the Broncos a real chance at winning a national title this season.
Colin Kaepernick, Nevada
The 6’6” quarterback says that he models his game after Vince Young, and that’s no exaggeration. Kaepernick – who like Moore is a Heisman contender – is one of only 10 QBs in NCAA history to rush for 1000 yards or more in back-to-back seasons, and became only the second player in FBS history to throw for 2000 yards or more while rushing for over 1000 yards in back-to-back seasons. “(Colin) is one of the best athletes who plays college quarterback as far as being able to run and make plays on the run,” Moore said.
Nathan Enderle, Idaho
A prototypical passer with next level size (6’5”, 227 lbs.) and a rocket arm, Enderle enters his senior year after finishing fifth in the nation in passing efficiency a year ago, despite missing two games. Four of his top five receivers from last season return in 2010, including 6’6” Eric Greenwood and 6’3” Eric Shaw. Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN draft guru, currently has Enderle ranked as his third best senior QB in the country.
Diondre Borel, Utah State
Logan’s own is just as as dangerous with his legs as he is with his arm, and has earned the respect from the WAC’s other top QBs. “I think he might be the best ‘wiggle around and make a play’ quarterback I’ve ever seen in a long time,” said Moore. Borel led the WAC in total offense last year with 287.6 yards per game, and already holds the school record for rushing yards by a QB. His four interceptions thrown in 2009 were the second fewest in the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision).
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