The quarterback question

Unlike last season, Utah State football Head Coach Brent Guy has two quarterbacks to choose from that have started a game in college.

“We have two guys that started and won,” he said. “Last year, we had none. I feel a lot better about the position.”

Leon Jackson III started the first nine games of the last season before getting injured. Jerod Walker started the final two games.

Their stats from last year are comparable. Jackson completed 58 percent of his passes and averaged 172 yards passing per game while Walker completed 70 percent of his passes, but averaged only 73 yards per game.

Both quarterbacks averaged 36.4 yards rushing per game.

Guy said they will not be running as much this season.

“We’ve got to develop the running back game,” he said. “We had no 100-yard games from any player last year. We’re not going to run the [the quarterback] near as much as last year.”

Guy said that so far in practice, Jackson has been solid.

“Leon’s been pretty dominant,” he said. “He doesn’t make as many critical mistakes. He’s not trying to do too much. He sees a lot more. He picked up where he left off.”

Jackson said now that he has some real college experience behind him, he’s more comfortable at the position.

“I feel a lot more confident in the system,” he said. “I’m not second-guessing myself.”

As for Jackson’s counterpart, Guy praised Walker’s toughness.

“He runs over guys,” he said. “He’s a tough guy.”

Walker said he has improved since last season.

“I’m knowing more of the defense,” he said. “I’m throwing better this year. You can’t live on the past. You have to keep showing that you can play.”

Guy said Jackson has been more patient in the pocket than Walker.

“Jerod has a tendency to run it,” he said. “Leon stays with the play longer.”

Jackson said he’s glad there is some competition for the starting spot.

“We do a great job pushing each other,” he said.

Walker said the quarterbacks were in a similar position last season.

“It seems like the same thing as last year,” he said. “It’s fun. The guy I’m competing with is a friend, so it’s easier.”

Guy said that although no decisions have been made, Jackson is the front-runner, but that doesn’t mean anything at this point.

“Leon was the starter last year,” he said. “Jerod has to take the position away from him. Anything can happen in football.”

Walker said he’s not that worried about it.

“I feel I can be the starter,” he said. “Even if I don’t get it, I know I’m still going to play.”

Jackson said he wants to establish himself as a lead on the team.

“I hope I can prove that to my teammates that I can lead this offense,” he said.

-bhhinton@cc.usu.edu

Jerod Walker (Michael Sharp)