WKU Football: Position Preview — Quarterback
When redshirt then-junior quarterback Mike White took over the Hilltopper offense last year, he had some big shoes to fill. Luckily, he did just that as he passed for 4,363 yards and scored 37 touchdowns with only seven interceptions on the campaign. White successfully led the Hilltoppers to a second-consecutive WKU C-USA Championship and a third-straight bowl game victory.
When Eastern Kentucky “invades” Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium on September 2, there will be no doubt that the 2017 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and All-CUSA Team quarterback will be the signal caller for the Hilltopper offense. Unless something disastrous happens, expect Mike White to be the starting quarterback every game this season.
White should have another stellar season, despite some losses on the offensive side of the ball: Defensive Coordinators, you may now groan in agony!
When White and company get done dumping mountains of yards and points on opposing defenses, it’ll be time for someone to come in and give ‘ole Mike a rest.
Sanford will likely hand the keys over to redshirt junior Drew Eckels, who has come in as a back up for a few games in his career. Eckels has thrown for 128 yards and two touchdowns in his career on The Hill, including a touchdown against top-ranked Alabama last season (his first touchdown as a Hilltopper). As was the case last year, Eckels will continue to come in for mop-up duty for White this season. This will give Eckels some playing experience for when he likely takes over the quarterback position in 2018.
Sanford could also hand the keys over to redshirt freshman Steven Duncan, who has yet to see action as a Hilltopper. During Duncan’s senior year at Ashley Ridge High School in Summerville (SC), he threw for over 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns.
The final option for Coach Sanford is freshman Davis Shanley, a former two-star quarterback out of Duluth, Georgia. Shanley passed for 2,348 yards and 25 touchdowns, while rushing for 623 yards and eight touchdowns during his junior year. Sanford could choose to give these guys some playing time as well, but don’t look to seem them on the field too much.
While there are other areas on the field that will be more exciting in terms of who will get playing time, the quarterback position for the Red Towels might be the safest, most boring discussion in college football. And, assuming all goes to plan this year, that’s mighty fine.
Do you think Mike White will improve from last year’s performance, or will there be a let down? How many yards and scores do you think White puts up this year? Let us know in a comment below, via Twitter at @TheTowelRackWKU or on our Facebook page.
