Per Burton.. (posted on Shaggy)
From what I am told, there is little question among those in charge of the offense that Texas has a difficult situation on its hands at quarterback.
Neither Tyrone Swoopes nor Jerrod Heard are going to be the "answer". Either of them may eventually "win" the starting job, but it will be by attrition or a lesser of two evils situation. Unfortunately, it won't be because of sterling play. That is not the expectation. That's the feeling of those inside the offensive room I am told.
The feeling is the coaching staff can and will do some things to shore up their shortcomings and accentuate their positives. But as for either of them ever being the complete answer, it's just not going to happen.
As many of you know, I tend to agree with this summation. But I want to be clear, it's not my summation that I am recounting here.
Of the remaining three QBs -- Shane Buechele, Kai Locksley and Matthew Merrick -- the offensive room is encouraged by what they have seen thus far from Buechele.
They like his arm. They like his accuracy. They like his moxie. They like his decision making. They like how he handles himself. They think he has the tools to eventually answer all of what the staff needs from the position.
But there are two major drawbacks:
1. His inexperience on the college level. I am told that there are those in the offensive room who feel like this issue is over-rated to some degree, because he is a significantly better, more natural and competent thrower than the competition he is facing.
2. This is the big one. Is he physically ready? They just don't know. Remember, he has played multiple sports his entire life until this year. So while he has always been in the weight room to some degree, weight-lifting itself has almost never been the primary focus for him during a football off-season.
At the end of the day, the staff doesn't have all the answers yet.
There are still 12 more spring practices remaining and a little less than six months before the season opener.
In the interim, I'm told that Texas is looking to sign a grad transfer at QB (and possibly add a scholarship PK).
I don't know who the targets at either position might be or if the Horns will be able to fill the spots. But the issue of who will start at QB for Texas come September is far from decided.
