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Perry Orth’s broken collarbone was the biggest news, but it is not the only news involving SEC East quarterbacks this spring.
As the countdown to opening day continues, here’s a spring checkup of each quarterback situation in the SEC East:
Florida
Starter status: Undecided.
Update: Luke Del Rio seems to have separated himself a bit from Austin Appleby and the pack, though last week he told the Tampa Bay Times that it’s clearly still an open race.
“I think it’s an open competition,” Del Rio said after practice Wednesday. “We’re all competing for the job. We’re all doing everything we can do in our power to earn the starting job. I’ve been here, but I don’t think that makes me above or No. 1 right now. I have to earn it.”
Biggest question: Is Del Rio ready? Del Rio doesn’t have nearly as much game experience as fellow transfer candidate Appleby, but Gators coach Jim McElwain doesn’t seem to mind.
“There’s something special about him,” McElwain told the Times, “but he needs to continue to get better himself.”
Finally, looking forward to the UF Spring game in Gainesville. I've heard so much about Luke Del Rio at QB that I'm beyond intrigued.
— Frank Frangie (@Frank_Frangie) March 27, 2016
Georgia
Starter status: Undecided.
Update: According to recent reports, not much has changed from last season. Greyson Lambert, last year’s starter, and Brice Ramsey, are getting most of the reps.
https://twitter.com/UGAfootballLive/status/713132627977494528
Biggest question: How soon will that depth chart change? Most assume Kirby Smart will turn the team over to Jacob Eason early next season, if not by the opener.
Last week Smart told reporters that Eason is learning and showing flashes but isn’t ready. Yet.
https://twitter.com/UGAfootballLive/status/712432381467217921
Kentucky
Starter status: Undecided.
Update: Drew Barker started the final two games of last season and told the Lexington Herald-Leader he is practicing every day like he’s the starter.
Drew Barker has impressed today. Has good control, has made some nice throws.
— Jen Smith (@ByJenSmith) March 26, 2016
Biggest question: Who is a better fit for the Wildcats’ new offense, which Barker said was more pro-style than the Air Raid attack they’ve had?
Kentucky isn’t working off a spring depth chart, and new offensive coordinator Eddie Gran said there’s no rush to build one, either.
“Let them compete,” he told the Herald-Leader.
Stephen Johnson, a JUCO transfer competing with Barker for the starting job, has impressed reporters as well with his throwing and running ability.
Stephen Johnson leads the offense down the field with a completion inside the 5, then runs it in himself. #FINISH pic.twitter.com/TR0T50SPWO
— Kentucky Football Recruiting (@UKStoopsTroops) March 26, 2016
Barker looks sharp but I'm impressed by the ball Stephen Johnson throws. Some on-the-money deep balls.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 26, 2016
Missouri
Starter status: Drew Lock.
Update: Lock told SEC Network that he wasn’t ready to lead last season but feels much more comfortable heading into his sophomore season.
Biggest question: Can new offensive coordinator Josh Heupel work his magic with Lock?
Lock certainly this so. He told SEC Network he’s excited about the offensive changes.
Missouri’s defense has noticed some changes, too, particularly a much faster pace.
After their first scrimmage, safety Cam Hilton told the Columbia Tribune that the Tigers were snapping the ball about every 16 seconds.
South Carolina
Starter status: Undecided.
Update: Perry Orth’s broken collarbone clears the path for Brandon McIlwain to legitimately push for the starting job on opening day. Orth’s injury was the second of note this spring: Lorenzo Nunez previously injured his knee but is expected to return to spring practice. Orth will not, but he will be ready when preseason camp opens.
Biggest question: McIlwain had been taking snaps with the second team, according to The State, and Gamecocks reporter Josh Kendall said teammates are beginning to feel confident that McIlwain could lead the team as a freshman starter.
What does Will Muschamp think?
That’s the biggest question … and Orth’s injury will give everybody even more opportunity for the answer to reveal itself.
Tennessee
Starter status: Joshua Dobbs is the top returning quarterback in the SEC East.
Update: Dobbs, in addition to being able to engineer touchdown drives, has a solid Plan B in place for life after football.
Biggest question: As long as Dobbs is healthy, there isn’t one. The Volunteers have one of the most enviable offenses in college football.
Vanderbilt
Starter status: Kyle Shurmur.
Update: Shurmur started the spring game and was 7 of 9 for 96 yards.
“Obviously I believe Shurmur is leading this deal, but I think we’ve got a nice quarterback situation,” coach Derek Mason told The Tennessean. “Our quarterbacks made some really good throws tonight.”
Kyle Shurmur hits CJ Duncan for a 32-yard completion to drive into the Black territory. This is the 1v1 now. #VANDYBG2016
— Jesse Johnson (@JesseWJohnsonVU) March 25, 2016
If QBs weren't protected today, Charles Wright would be visiting Kyle Shurmur in the hospital tonight pic.twitter.com/HI5mX97mY3
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) March 25, 2016
Biggest question: Can Shurmur make a substantial leap in Year 2?
Former Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler thinks so.
“It’s always hard to start that first year, it doesn’t matter if it’s high school, college or NFL,” Cutler told The Tennessean. “You’re surrounded by new stuff everywhere you go. But from that first year to second year, you can get comfortable and make a jump. I’m really excited for him.”
An APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.
