Quarterback Analysis

[mitchforcy]

Just me but I don't really care about the QB room. Only one guy can play at a time. I'd rather have one 1 dollar player than 4 quarters.

For the record I live in Ankeny and saw Kohl play both basketball and football several times so I have to admit a massive amount of bias toward him and I hope he has a ton of success. But I think he's a guy you want starting after a redshirt year or as a sophomore, not right away.

I saw him play a lot at Ankeny as well. Even at Ankeny last year he had some real tough games. A part of the reason he was ranked so high was because of the physical tools he has and how they project to the next level. The ranking isn't necessarily indicative of how ready he is right out of the gate. I know people like to point to Purdy when talking about Kohl starting right away but Brock is such an exception. Stats aren't everything but here are Brock's SR year stats vs JJ's.

Brock: 237/364 4,405 yards, 65% completion, 18.6 AVG, 57 TD to 9 INT.

JJ: 155/239 2,023 yards, 65% completion, 13.1 AVG, 17TD to 4 INT.

 

[werdnamanhill]

Seems like I have heard this same song about 1000 times.

We've had a new O-Line coach 1,000 times?

 

[Cyinthenorth]

If this is close to accurate it doesn't sound good IMO.

It is probably right on. I mean, we were picked to finish 10th in the Big 12. I am wondering if that is too generous if I'm being honest.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

It is probably right on. I mean, we were picked to finish 10th in the Big 12. I am wondering if that is too generous if I'm being honest.

Just doesn't bode well imo that a last minute JUCO transfer is challenging Becht. This whole thing is exhausting. Still excited for the season though. I really want to see fresh blood on the field even if there's growing pains.

 

[Jeremy]

I wish I had your optimism.

Most people call me a pessimist on here, though I firmly believe I'm almost always in the middle... aka realist. Let me clarify a bit...

1. We have the most talented QB room we've ever had.
2. That doesn't mean we have Tom Brady in the room, but we don't have nearly the drop-off from 1 through 3 as typically seen.
3. All of our QBs are going to have up and down games given their age, skills, OL, etc.
4. Rocco has a high ceiling, higher than Dekkers. His mobility with good arm gives us options even if our OL sucks ass again.
5. Kohl is incredibly smart and picking things up faster than anybody expected. He has the highest ceiling of any QB we've ever had, but he's got a lot of learning and adjusting to do. I wouldn't see him ready to play much this year unless Rocco and Hughes struggle big time.
6. Hughes was a necessary addition once Dekkers became an unknown but also brings some things that Rocco and Kohl are lacking - experience being paramount.

I think no matter who plays, it's going to be up to the OL to improve and give them time. We supposedly have a lot of depth in the WR and TE rooms but we've yet to see any of it shine on game-day. We need several targets to step up or it's going to be a really long year.

 

[Jeremy]

Just me but I don't really care about the QB room. Only one guy can play at a time. I'd rather have one 1 dollar player than 4 quarters.

For the record I live in Ankeny and saw Kohl play both basketball and football several times so I have to admit a massive amount of bias toward him and I hope he has a ton of success. But I think he's a guy you want starting after a redshirt year or as a sophomore, not right away.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[SCNCY]

Really, I think so long we are able to have an average running game, the QBs should be ok, which ever one is used. I don't remember well, but I didn't think pass blocking by the OL was bad; the problem was that because we couldn't run the ball, defenses were able to sit back in coverage. Thus making it harder for our QB.

 

[State2015]

I saw him play a lot at Ankeny as well. Even at Ankeny last year he had some real tough games. A part of the reason he was ranked so high was because of the physical tools he has and how they project to the next level. The ranking isn't necessarily indicative of how ready he is right out of the gate. I know people like to point to Purdy when talking about Kohl starting right away but Brock is such an exception. Stats aren't everything but here are Brock's SR year stats vs JJ's.

Brock: 237/364 4,405 yards, 65% completion, 18.6 AVG, 57 TD to 9 INT.

JJ: 155/239 2,023 yards, 65% completion, 13.1 AVG, 17TD to 4 INT.

Not sure about Purdys supporting cast in HS but Kohl had talent around him too. Had a lot of help

 

[Jeremy]

Really, I think so long we are able to have an average running game, the QBs should be ok, which ever one is used. I don't remember well, but I didn't think pass blocking by the OL was bad; the problem was that because we couldn't run the ball, defenses were able to sit back in coverage. Thus making it harder for our QB.

There were a ton of times last year when Dekkers simply had no time to even get to the quick route, let alone have a play develop. When he did have time, it was largely because it was an obvious passing down and the defense could slack off expecting a short crossing route.

 

[werdnamanhill]

I just think we were waaay closer than some remember last year, and I have confidence the coaching changes will cause a much quicker rebound than some. We were not awful last year, despite the record. Just awful at critical momenta. Hoping that new coaches and the growth and experience of the players will improve this. If we had made a few kicks or not dropped a few TDs and gone 6-6, people would be discussing this year very very differently.

 

[Jeremy]

I saw him play a lot at Ankeny as well. Even at Ankeny last year he had some real tough games. A part of the reason he was ranked so high was because of the physical tools he has and how they project to the next level. The ranking isn't necessarily indicative of how ready he is right out of the gate. I know people like to point to Purdy when talking about Kohl starting right away but Brock is such an exception. Stats aren't everything but here are Brock's SR year stats vs JJ's.

Brock: 237/364 4,405 yards, 65% completion, 18.6 AVG, 57 TD to 9 INT.

JJ: 155/239 2,023 yards, 65% completion, 13.1 AVG, 17TD to 4 INT.

This is very important to point out, thank you.

Just because Kohl has a high ceiling, it doesn't mean he has even stepped on the ladder yet. I think he's got the abilities, as did the recruiting services and schools like Auburn, but he isn't a first year starter type of guy, especially in the Big 12 and behind a mediocre line.

 

[Al_4_State]

Kohl has been featured a ton in the social media this summer. Becht hardly at all. If you've paid attention to this staff, that's historically meant something.

 

[mitchforcy]

Kohl has been featured a ton in the social media this summer. Becht hardly at all. If you've paid attention to this staff, that's historically meant something.

I've seen Becht featured in a decent amount of stuff.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Just doesn't bode well imo that a last minute JUCO transfer is challenging Becht. This whole thing is exhausting. Still excited for the season though. I really want to see fresh blood on the field even if there's growing pains.

Yeah, honestly any of the QBs are concerning in my opinion. Dekkers is the only known commodity and even he didn't show to be a world beater by any means last year. Dekkers is the only one I'd be comfortable with for sure, but we know we won't have him early on. Any of the other 3 options are just wait and see approach. Kohl almost certainly isn't ready to start day 1, and I know nothing about Hughes, aside from he's a pretty big dude. Becht to me is simply a place holder guy. I know he has some NFL pedigree, but he was a low-ish rated recruit, isn't very big, and can't draw any conclusions on the brief play he had last year. To me, Hughes will just be used in tandem with whoever does start. I don't foresee him being a full time starter at any point.

 

[werdnamanhill]

We are going to run a wildcat type offense with direct snaps to Dominique Orange

 

[Al_4_State]

I've seen Becht featured in a decent amount of stuff.

Seems like 2:1 Kohl, with obviously 0 Dekkers.

Just given how the staff has used summer social media to telegraph guys who are going to play a ton, I just have a gut feeling that they will roll with Kohl. The last time they had a talented intelligent true freshman that was impressing in camp, they sat on him for too long and I think they recognize that.

When you add in that Purdy was behind a guy in Noland who had played a significant number of Big 12 minutes the year before, won a conference road game, and played his ass off in a controversial loss, it's easier to see why they had patience with Noland despite a belief that Purdy was better.

Assuming Dekkers isn't an option, it's Kohl vs. guys who don't have that kind of track record or experience. Becht played spot duty and never looked good. Hughes is a total wild card. Even if Kohl isn't ready (and I'm sure he's not), it wouldn't surprise me at all if the staff decides he's our best option.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Yeah, honestly any of the QBs are concerning in my opinion. Dekkers is the only known commodity and even he didn't show to be a world beater by any means last year. Dekkers is the only one I'd be comfortable with for sure, but we know we won't have him early on. Any of the other 3 options are just wait and see approach. Kohl almost certainly isn't ready to start day 1, and I know nothing about Hughes, aside from he's a pretty big dude. Becht to me is simply a place holder guy. I know he has some NFL pedigree, but he was a low-ish rated recruit, isn't very big, and can't draw any conclusions on the brief play he had last year. To me, Hughes will just be used in tandem with whoever does start. I don't foresee him being a full time starter at any point.

Becht actually had a 4 star rating on one site. Him not beating out Dekkers after what it looked like last year makes me squeamish. To be fair to Dekkers the running game was awful and play calling/route trees were less than inspiring. Dekkers has the tools and early season I was already a believer as he was having good success.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Kohl has been featured a ton in the social media this summer. Becht hardly at all. If you've paid attention to this staff, that's historically meant something.

Could just be trying to sew hope in the fan base as well. Things aren't materilizing the same as they did during Campbell's early tenure here. I really hope its all just a blip in the radar.

 

[hurdleisu24]

Could just be trying to sew hope in the fan base as well. Things aren't materilizing the same as they did during Campbell's early tenure here. I really hope its all just a blip in the radar.

Also the fact that he is local vs. a kid from Florida. We love putting local talent front and center.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Also the fact that he is local vs. a kid from Florida. We love putting local talent front and center.

Speaking of local talent, I'm big time pulling for Abu to take the starting running back position. He put size on his senior year and his speed is amazing. Also Kai Black at receiver though I think we have some dudes coming up in that room.