It’s a four way battle to start at quarterback in Notre Dame, perhaps the most high profile position in all of college sports. But after upon further inspection, it’s most likely a two way competition this college football season.
Last year’s starter Tommy Rees had the inside track to regain the position this year, but the charges he’s facing: underage drinking, resisting arrest and battery, means he’s likely fallen down the depth chart.
Discipline problems like these are hard to ignore, and that will open up the door for the more inexperienced signal callers.
Isn’t it time to get ‘experienced’ with Hendrix? Andrew Hendrix played some last year, throwing 18 of 37 for 247 yards, 1 TD, 2 picks. He also played in the Champs Sports Bowl loss to Florida State, going 3 of 8. Is he the QB of the future?
This is how he assessed his performance in Blue & Gold:
“I started off strong, then threw an interception which is obviously not what you want, but the difference between this spring and last spring is I know better,” Hendrix said.
“At this point I know what I should be doing and it’s just attention to detail. These are the little things I need to take care of to improve our team and my own game.”
The winner of the QB race will not have Michael Floyd, who statistically speaking is the greatest wide receiver in school history, to work with. There are still plenty of weapons though, including tight end Tyler Eifert, left on the squad.
“Our offense has the potential to be extremely potent with the players we have, the schemes, it showed today that when we’re clicking the possibilities are endless.”
Hendrix is aware of what some of his weakness is at a quarterback.
“I have a tendency to force the ball, maybe I’m a little too confident in my arm, I’m not sure.”
For Hendrix the key will be becoming more of a leader, and a quarterback and less of “a thrower.”
Turnovers are exactly NOT what the ND coaching staff, players and fans are looking for in their QB. They had plenty of that last season. Whoever wins the gig will be probably be the one who protects and takes care of the football the best.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, MSN, and Fox Sports
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