Big South QBs 2013

[bjtheflamesfan]

We kick off the position previews with the offense and we start with the triggermen for all six teams this fall:

Charleston Southern
Malcolm Dixon 2012 Stats: 66-128 1096 Yards 9 TD 5 INT
Briar Van Brunt 2012 Stats: 2-8 49 Yards 0 TDs

Senior dual threat QB Dixon is back to lead the Bucs for 2013. Dixon just missed out on all-conference honors last year, but showed quite a bit with his arm and legs.

I have Van Brunt listed as the #2 but only because he is the only other QB who took a snap last year that is back. Redshirt freshman Daniel Croghan III (who I believe CSUBUCDAD mentioned in last year's QB discussion) along with Price Washington will both be very much in the running for the backup spot behind CSU's Clark Kent (aka Dixon).

Coastal Carolina

Alex Ross 2012 Stats: 26-48 427 Yards 5 TDs 1 INT
Cody Craig 2012 Stats: none

Ross takes over for first team all-conference honoree Aramis Hillary, who's rushing and passing have him all over CCU's record book, including second most passing yards in a game (352), second most rushing yards for a QB in a game (115), tied for first for most TD passes in a game (5), second most passing yards in a season (2665), and second most passing TDs in a season (21), and that doesnt even touch on where he stands on the career list. Ross filled in very well when Hillary was injured and will be looked to by second year head coach Joe Moglia to lead the Chants back to the FCS playoffs.

Gardner-Webb

Lucas Beatty 2012 Stats: 215-334 2483 Yards 12 TDs 13 INT
Nat Dunlap 2012 Stats: none

Junior QB Beatty had a markedly improved 2012 campaign after splitting time with Chandler Browning in 2011, including a career high 383 yards in a shootout loss to Liberty in Lynchburg. With Exavier Johnson gone, Nat Dunlap took many of the reps behind Beatty and will likely be the backup when the Runnin Bulldogs open the season at home against Furman Aug 31.

Liberty

Josh Woodrum 2012 Stats: 183-267 1966 Yards 11 TDs 9 INT
Javan Shashaty 2012 Stats: none

After splitting time with Brian Hudson early in the season, Cave Spring standout Woodrum made the position his own starting with the Montana game. From that point on, he blossomed, making the final list for the Jerry Rice Award (Outstanding Freshman in FCS) and earning the Big South Freshman of the Year Award. Shashaty, a preferred walk-on from Florida in 2012, redshirted last season but with Hudson transferring to Campbell, cemented himself as the backup coming out of spring practice.

Presbyterian

Kaleb Griffin 2012 Stats: 117-200 1074 Yards 6 TDs 5 INT
Tamyn Garrick 2012 Stats: 7-138 778 Yards 2 TDs 6 INT

Much like Liberty, PC started the year with two QBs splitting time under center, with Griffin finally establishing himself late in the season. Both will be back for 2013, but I expect Griffin will have the edge for the starting job

VMI

Eric Kordenbrock 2012 Stats: 193-344 2008 Yards 8 TDs 9 INT
A.J. Augustine 2012 Stats: 18-39 151 Yards 1 TD 2 INT

Kordenbrock returns for his final season running the pro-style show up in LExington, after another solid season running things for the Roos. Augustine returns as the backup after some spot duty last year.


Team Rankings

1. Liberty
2. Coastal Carolina
3. Presbyterian
4. Gardner-Webb
5. VMI
6. Charleston Southern

Individual Rankings

1. Josh Woodrum, Liberty
2. Alex Ross, Coastal Carolina
3. Kaleb Griffin, Presbyterian
4. Erik Kordenbrock, VMI
5. Lucas Beatty, Gardner-Webb
6. Malcolm Dixon, Charleston Southern
7. Tamyn Garrick, Presbyterian
8. A.J. Augustine, VMI
9. Nat Dunlap, Gardner-Webb
10. Javan Shashaty, Liberty

The individual rankings for QBs were pretty close for the starters in my mind, especially between Woodrum and Ross and Beatty and Dixon. The real key as to who will be on top will come from the backups in the latter part of the rankings, because they will be the ones who will need to carry their team if called upon.

[elcid83]

Regarding Gardner-Webb. After missing all of last season, Chandler Browning may very well be poised for a return to provide Lucas some much-needed competition. Additionally, Exavier is trying to get one more year of eligibility and, if he does, he will give the O a boost in the running department. Here's hoping all 4 QBs show up in camp ready to give our new coaches some tough choices.

Go Runnin' Bulldogs!

[bjtheflamesfan]

That will be one to watch after he moved to LB last year elcid. having some experience at the #1 and #2 QB spots can help the first year HC down in Boiling Springs

[Libertine]

Cody Craig was moved to TE this spring at Coastal

[bjtheflamesfan]

Thanks for the update Lib...looks like only 3 of the 6 teams in the Big South will have a backup who played at all last year, and of the three that don't, two have never taken a college snap and one isn't even a QB this year

[bjtheflamesfan]

One thing that saddens me with Stony Brook moving to the CAA is that they were some of the most regular contributors to these position previews that I put together. Im hoping we can hear from kdinva or CSUBucDad or BJuice or even some of the Blue Hose posters

[kdinva]

We kick off the position previews with the offense and we start with the triggermen for all six teams this fall:

VMI

Eric Kordenbrock 2012 Stats: 193-344 2008 Yards 8 TDs 9 INT
A.J. Augustine 2012 Stats: 18-39 151 Yards 1 TD 2 INT

Kordenbrock returns for his final season running the pro-style show up in LExington, after another solid season running things for the Roos. Augustine returns as the backup after some spot duty last year.

The good: both Kordenbrock and Augustine are seniors............the bad: both Kordenbrock and Augustine are seniors. Unless R-Fr. Hayden Alford and Rat Al Cobb get some PT, the Keydets will go into 2014 with zero experience at QB.

[DKHardee]

Former Wofford QB Brian Kass transferring to CCU
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnf ... id=4602929" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bjtheflamesfan]

Thatll add an interesting dynamic to the QB situation down in Myrtle Beach. I still give Ross the nod at starter for now due to his familiarity with the offense there but Kass will give some nice competition and with no the other QBs on the roster (or soon to be once the 2013 signees are added to rosters across the country) higher than a junior (with Cody Craig moving to TE), having some extra experience will be helpful