BC Quarterback Preview

The QB position has been the biggest question mark for BC over the last few seasons.  This year appears to be no different.  While the 2 leading contenders, Darius Wade and Anthony Brown, were highly rated recruits, neither are expected to turn the Eagles into an offensive juggernaut.   

Darius Wade 
2016 Stats: 9-19, 100 yards, 1 INT

2017 Outlook: Throughout the Spring Wade looked like the best quarterback on the roster.  He is has been at BC for 4 years now, and is more polished than anyone else.  Addazio even admitted during ACC media days that if the season started then, Wade would be the starter.  However, a lot can change during preseason camp.  BC is also expected to continue to use more of a pro-style offense than the spread.  This helps Wade as he better at reading defenses the rest of the QBs.  Wade has decent speed and quickness, but should not be looked at to win a game with his legs. Look for Wade to at least get playing time during the Northern Illinois game, but he performance in the first few games of the season will decide whether he plays the rest of the year. 

Anthony Brown
2016 Stats: Redshirted 

2017 Outlook: Whenever the QB struggles took its toll last year, Daz would point to Brown as the guy who could come in and fix it.  Brown is clearly the QB with the most upside on the roster.  He also has good speed, and could excel running the zone read.  Where Brown needs to improve is reading defenses and in his decision making.  It was clear in the Spring game that Brown did not have any live game experience playing college football. Brown’s development as a QB during practice will determine if/how much he plays this year.  There is a very real possibility that he is the starter by mid-September and the QB for the next 34 years.  However, if he does not improve his reads, he will not leave the bench. 

John Fadule 
2016 Stats: Did Not Play 

2017 Outlook: Barring injuries, Fadule will not play this year.  However, he is a good QB to have on the roster as a backup.  He has been on the team for 2 years, and even started a few games as a freshman.  This experience will be good to have in case Brown or Wade goes down with an injury.  As he has 2 more talented QBs in front of him, it is unlikely he sees the field. 

Overall: BC does not need their QBs to become Matt Ryan in order to win games.  Even in 2013, and 2014 when the Eagles had a good offense, they still did not throw the ball super successfully.  What BC needs their QBs to do, however, is to provide some sort of threat through the air.  Whether this is on play action or short quick passes, any sort of success to keep the defense honest will be huge. 

I believe that Wade will be the starter come September 1 against Northern Illinois.  However, I also think Brown will play at some point during that game.  As Daz admitted that he doesn’t like to rotate quarterbacks, look for one man to win the job by the Notre Dame game.  Wade has shown he is the better QB so far, and he is the QB I have the most trust in.  If he plays well, he will start all year, and BC will have a successful season.