Breaking it Down - QB

As promised, during the slow off season, we will be looking at every position on the field for the Bulls and looking at the players, who will start and all the news floating around, today we start with a topic of much debate, quarterback.

The Bulls have a problem at QB this season. Coming into the winter conditioning, the starter, BJ Daniels is recovering after surgery on his non-throwing arm, recovery should be at least 6 weeks and he should be ready by mandatory spring practices. So no big deal, the back up will just get the snaps, problem is, we don't have a back up. The other QB last season, Evan Landi converted to wide receiver last season due to his athletic ability and is projected as a starter this year, so will he get the snaps in the winter conditioning? The answer is simply yes, the Bulls and Holtz have no choice for now. It will get him more experience in the new system and if something were to happen to Daniels and his recovery he could be the starter if the Bulls had to.

Now the other QBs on the depth chart are interesting. Their is sophomore Victor Marc, who came to USF as an athlete, switched to QB mid-point last year but then switched to defense and special teams, ending the season with one tackle. He is making the switch to receiver or either defensive back this year and stay put so he won't be a qb on the chart, which is a shame because he is talented physically and could start for this team we believe because of his arm and ability to make plays with his legs. The other QB on the chart is sophomore Ryan Eppes, a walk-on from last year that redshirted. Playing ball at Largo High, he decided he wanted to make the roster for a shot but was not used last year. It would a stretch for him to get a snap or see any kind of playing time except for injury or position change.

The other name that is being thrown around is Jamius Gunsby, the 4 star recruit from Georgia. He is a tall, strong pro-style player that resembles Pinkney that was the QB for Holtz while at ECU. He has a strong arm and also able to create from his legs as well. With the new system Holtz is going to put in for the offense this year he might start, Holtz has said he wants him to be on the field and use his ability. Just one problem for the winter, he is still in high school. That means he won't be able to get a jump on the system and play calling until summer when he and Daniels will both be battling for time under center.

At this point, it's far too soon to say who is the starter at QB for the Bulls, one would have to believe that going into week 1, BJ is our guy and Gunsby the number 2 right behind. Playing teams like Stony Brook and Western Kentucky should allow for him to see major playing time to get some real experience. BJ has proven himself and with his athletic ability, it would be insane to take him off the field, a man that out gained the entire FSU team in total yardage by himself. Daniels will start and Gunsby will see playing time and if Daniels does not continue to grow and Gunsby is pushing him, the team may be handed to him.