North Dakota State's Steve Walker Among TSN's Top Returning I-AA Quarterbacks
6/1/2006 5:00:00 AM | Football
Philadelphia, Pa. (Sports Network) - If I-AA followers want to satisfy their football fix with less than 100 days until the 2006 season begins, they can start with a pair of good debates about the quarterback position.
North Dakota State quarterback Steve Walker was listed at No. 17 on the top returning quarterback list. The Sports Network's Matt Dougherty wrote. "Walker, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound junior, made his first big splash as a freshman, when he came on late in the season to lead North Dakota State by tossing 10 touchdown passes with no interceptions. He built on that success for a solid campaign in 2005, throwing for 1,781 yards with 14 touchdown passes and seven interceptions."
The first involves the intriguing conversation that all fans love: Who's the best?
In one corner, there's New Hampshire's Ricky Santos, who is on track to approach I-AA passing records with two more seasons at the helm for the Wildcats. Santos lifted the Wildcats to a second consecutive playoff berth and the No. 1 seed in the I-AA playoffs, and has already accounted for more than 7,000 passing yards and 70 touchdowns in two seasons.
But there's also Northern Iowa's Eric Sanders. Sanders took over halfway through the 2004 season and missed some time with an injury in 2005, so the statistics are not as extraordinary. But Sanders has emerged as a proven winner, with a 16-4 mark as a starter and only two losses in games he completed against I-AA opponents. And he does have that playoff win to hold over Santos.
After that, no impartial fan could give the No. 1 in I-AA nod to any other returning quarterback. Sure, new stars can emerge, and a few talented I-A transfers could post big numbers if they live up to the hype and end up changing the complexion of the debate by the end of the year. But there aren't any other quarterbacks with the credentials of Santos and Sanders right now.
And that's where we encounter a second interesting debate. After Santos and Sanders, who's next on the list?
There are some candidates, but the departures of stars like Erik Meyer, Bruce Eugene, Richie Williams, Travis Lulay and Barrick Nealy leave mostly unproven or inconsistent players vying for top spots on the I-AA quarterback food chain.
The most proven player is James Madison's Justin Rascati, who has a national championship to his credit but rarely has to win games with his arm. Players like Jon Grant, Anton Clarkson and Josh Greco have shown the potential to dominate games, but also have a penchant for throwing interceptions.
At least half a dozen quarterbacks could make a case for the coveted No. 3 spot in the preseason. Below, I'll throw my two cents in on the debate for preseason recognition for the I-AA quarterback crop, and also look at some of the possible emerging stars and first-year quarterbacks to watch in 2006.
Top Returning Quarterbacks in I-AA
1.
2. Eric Sanders,
3.Justin Rascati, James Madison (Sr., 6-2, 220)
4. Jon Grant, UC Davis (Sr., 6-2, 205)
5. Anton Clarkson, Hofstra (Sr., 6-0, 225)
6.
7.
8.
9. Josh Johnson,
10.
11. Tom Zetts,
12.Colin Drafts,
13.Aries Nelson,
14.Marvin Burroughs, Villanova (Jr., 6-1, 215)
15.
16.
17.
18.Sedale Threatt, Lehigh (Jr., 6-2, 190)
19.
20. Joseph Lewis, Southern (Jr., 5-10, 190)
Stars in the Making?: These sophomores-to-be might not be stars just yet, but offered a potential glimpse into the future with a solid freshman season and hope for more in 2006: Jacob Phillips, William & Mary (So, 6-3, 210); Sean Schaefer, Towson (So., 6-1, 215); Liam Coen, Massachusetts (So, 6-2, 205); Brandon Landers, Grambling State (So, 6-0, 190); Matt Brennan, Cal Poly (So, 6-2, 205).
First-Year Starters to Watch: With so many top quarterbacks from 2005 moving on, some potential playoff teams will call on a first-year quarterback under center. Five starters have big shoes to fill, but have the potential for a smooth transition into the lineup: Trey Elder, Appalachian State (Jr. 6-1, 190); Renaldo Gray, Furman (Jr., 6-0, 225); Cory Carpenter, Montana State (Jr., 6-2, 215); Chase Wasson, Texas State (Jr., 5-11, 190); Nick Hill, Southern Illinois (Jr., 6-3, 200).
Transfers to Watch: Matt Gutierrez, Idaho State (Sr., 6-4, 231/Michigan), Josh Swogger, Montana (Sr., 6-5, 255/Washington State), Joe Flacco, Delaware (Jr., 6-6, 230/Pittsburgh), Jack Rolovich, Montana State (Jr., 6-3, 215/Hawaii), Jimmy Oliver, Jackson State (Jr., 6-1, 175/Pearl River CC) .
Top Mid-Major Quarterbacks: Johnson, Kevin Hoyng, Dayton (Sr., 6-0, 190), Brian Boland, Monmouth (Sr., 6-1, 210), Anthony Doria, St. Francis (PA) (Sr., 6-1, 205), Michael Jump, LaSalle (Jr., 6-3, 200).
North Dakota State completed the 2005 season with a 7-4 record under the direction of head coach Craig Bohl, and tied for third place in the Great West Football Conference with a 3-2 record. The Bison were ranked in the I-AA Top 25 for 10 out of 12 weeks during the season.
The Bison open the 2006 season against Concordia University-St. Paul at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 31.
