SEC coaches weigh in on most critical position to recruit outside quarterback
By Kevin Duffey
Published:
College football is trending more and more like the NFL and becoming a quarterback league.
It’s no doubt coaches have to have that guy under center who can make big plays down the field, but what’s the second most important position?
A panel of coaches weighed in during their time at ESPN’s Car Wash. You can watch the video SECSports.com, but we’ll sum up the notable quotes below:
Nick Saban: “Skill guys on offense. Great running back, great receiver — those guys change the scoreboard as much as anybody. You talk about the value of a left tackle. You can talk about the value of a pass rusher that can affect the quarterback.”
Gary Pinkel: “I remember Don James saying No. 1 you have to have a quarterback. No. 2 you have to have someone on the other side to get to the other guy’s quarterback. So, for me, it’s pass rusher.”
Mark Richt: “Defensive front, to me — just the whole gang of that front four, however you line up, whether it’s a three-down or four-down scheme.”
Hugh Freeze: “Defensive lines, I would agree. But the defensive lines in this conference are so good, it seems to be the hardest position you’re the most adequate at is offensive line…Offensive line is always the one we’re trying our best to neutralize these great defensive lines.”
Les Miles: “Back 100 years ago when I was one of the G.A.s at Michigan, I took Bo to the airport and he was talking, saying the personality of the team was always based on the big guys up front…I think it starts in the center of the field [with the offensive line, defensive line and safeties].”
A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.
