Hudspeth unsure 'which direction to go' in starting QB selection

Now, even with the Ragin' Cajuns' annual spring game on Saturday night fast approaching, UL coach Mark Hudspeth is not so sure he will be able to do that.

Advertiser
subscription

I read the article and I choose to believe that Hud knows who his starter would be if the season starts tomorrow. He has to say the competition is close to continue pushing Haack while motivating the other two quarterbacks.

Haack starts against Kentucky.

Note: The Advertiser was not at the scrimmage Saturday, so this is pretty much what Coach Hudspeth stated right after the scrimmage Saturday to the media. But I think most can read between the lines.

"Brooks (Haack) right now is throwing the deep ball as well as I've seen any quarterback throw it," Hudspeth said after Tuesday's 11th spring practice. "Jalen (Nixon) is running the ball very strong. He's got a good command on the field."

"You know, man, he (Haack) is very efficient. He manages the game. He's throwing the ball extremely well. Throws the deep pass well. Had some great throws (in last Saturday's scrimmage). And he (doesn't) even have his top two wide receivers targets in Jamal Robinson and Jared Johnson – and Eli (McGuire), even, in the backfield."

"So, you know, he (Haack) has more experience in the backfield, which gives him the head up. The other two? They're competing their (back sides) off. So, it's gonna be interesting."

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cajunjeb

I read the article and I choose to believe that Hud knows who his starter would be if the season starts tomorrow. He has to say the competition is close to continue pushing Haack while motivating the other two quarterbacks.

Haack starts against Kentucky.

---

-----The more I look at this the more puzzled I get----I think back to the past years where there is no doubt that there was a 1 QB mentality by HUD---the only exceptions were Gautier coming off the injury in the Bowl game and Nixon's and Haack's subbing for injuries---From the readings Haack had a really good pre Spring as a leader, has shown he can throw the ball very well, and has thrown it W/O Rob, Johnson, and McG----Nixon has shown that he can, besides his running ability, be a very good possession thrower. In addition he seems to be an intense competitor with a new look on his life-----Davis seems to be the best overall and the future guy----"Its not what Haack is not doing, its what the other two are doing"----HUD's quote kind of explains the entire picture---to me that is not a problem but a situation!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boomer

-----The more I look at this the more puzzled I get----I think back to the past years where there is no doubt that there was a 1 QB mentality by HUD---the only exceptions were Gautier coming off the injury in the Bowl game and Nixon's and Haack's subbing for injuries---From the readings Haack had a really good pre Spring as a leader, has shown he can throw the ball very well, and has thrown it W/O Rob, Johnson, and McG----Nixon has shown that he can, besides his running ability, be a very good possession thrower. In addition he seems to be an intense competitor with a new look on his life-----Davis seems to be the best overall and the future guy----"Its not what Haack is not doing, its what the other two are doing"----HUD's quote kind of explains the entire picture---to me that is not a problem but a situation!!!

---

I agree - Jordan Davis seems to have the best skill set out of the group. Who knows how he would perform in a live game situation though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CajunT

Note: The Advertiser was not at the scrimmage Saturday, so this is pretty much what Coach Hudspeth stated right after the scrimmage Saturday to the media. But I think most can read between the lines.

"Brooks (Haack) right now is throwing the deep ball as well as I've seen any quarterback throw it," Hudspeth said after Tuesday's 11th spring practice. "Jalen (Nixon) is running the ball very strong. He's got a good command on the field."

"You know, man, he (Haack) is very efficient. He manages the game. He's throwing the ball extremely well. Throws the deep pass well. Had some great throws (in last Saturday's scrimmage). And he (doesn't) even have his top two wide receivers targets in Jamal Robinson and Jared Johnson – and Eli (McGuire), even, in the backfield."

"So, you know, he (Haack) has more experience in the backfield, which gives him the head up. The other two? They're competing their (back sides) off. So, it's gonna be interesting."

---

T, I am assuming from reading the bold sentence that you feel Hud may be leaning towards Jalen. Is that correct? I am reading the next paragraph and from this, that Haack sounds like would be the "best" choice to start.

If the OL is blocking and the WRs are getting open and catching the ball, this team won't need a "running" QB because of the talented backfield.

Broadway had to run a lot last year for a few reasons. There were protection issues last season. Teams realized they blitz heavy on Broadway. I also think Broadway lost confidence when Robinson went down, but also to I think his arm was still impacting him. The team opted to utilize one of Broadway's strengths, his legs. His wide outs also dropped a number of passes (which one could also argue was due to his arm issues).

I'm not T… but I think he was trying to insinuate you should read between the lines… meaning "Jalen Nixon is running the ball very strong" would indicate he's not throwing it too well… and he is behind… JMO and maybe T can correct me if I am wrong…

PS… after 10 years as a Ragin Pagin member… I am 1 post away from 1K… HOOOORAHHH

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cajunjeb

T, I am assuming from reading the bold sentence that you feel Hud may be leaning towards Jalen. Is that correct? I am reading the next paragraph and from this, that Haack sounds like would be the "best" choice to start.

---

Between the lines I read Haack @ QB, Nixon @ RB

IMO, haack will be the starter, Nixon will have special packages. If any of them struggle to consistently move the offense, the next guy will get a chance to do so.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by campo118

I'm not T… but I think he was trying to insinuate you should read between the lines… meaning "Jalen Nixon is running the ball very strong" would indicate he's not throwing it too well… and he is behind… JMO and maybe T can correct me if I am wrong…

PS… after 10 years as a Ragin Pagin member… I am 1 post away from 1K… HOOOORAHHH

---

Yep!

I read it as T does. But I don't think Hud was intentionally informing us. He just accidentally did. Naturally, he wants all three competing until he has to name the starter. You never know.

I also believe that without all of the top skill position people in the mix, the passer is way ahead of the runner. When our best skill players are on the field, the most important QB is the one that can distribute the ball with his arm and head.

I sure hope Hud goes back and realizes that he beat equals and lesser programs with a great running QB, with decent passing skills. He hasn't beaten equal to better teams. The mid major teams that did beat better teams, had great passing QBs. Teams that ate us apart had great passers (or we made them look great).

We need a great passing QB that can read defenses and can exploit them by getting the ball to his outstanding athletic team mates. If he can run... fandamntastic. But ball distribution short/middle/deep... is king to being better than an 8 win regular season with an undisputed conference championship.

I (Cajunfan337) don't understand (comprehend) how any of you (Ragin Paginers) were able to read (read) any of those quotes (real people words) from that Advertiser (schit paper) story.