How excited do we get??

Ok, it seems solid now that Todd Walker is 100% committed to the Jackets as a QB. See the post below for details, but here is a kid that would probably be considered the fastest guy on the GT team (or pretty darn close). He has been timed in the 4.3 range in the 40 at 3 different camps, so he has speed. His video clips show that he uses his speed well, he is elusive and hard to tackle. His passing seems good, but honestly I have no feel at all for his talent level throwing the ball. One of the reasons he chose GT is that we are recruiting him as only a QB and don't want to switch him to another position. That's where he wants to develop.

Now here is the reality. Look at our QB situation in the next few years:

RB=Reggie Ball
PC=Patrick Carter
TB=Taylor Bennett
KM=Kyle Manley
TW=Todd Walker
BB=Robby Brown

2004 - RB(so)/PC(rs-fr)/TB(fr)/KM(fr)/BB(rs-sr)
2005 - RB(jr)/PC(rs-so)/TB(rs-fr)/KM(rs-fr)/TW(fr)
2006 - RB(sr)/PC(rs-jr)/TB(rs-so)/KM(rs-so)/TW(rs-fr)
2007 - PC(rs-sr)/TB(rs-jr)/KM(rs-jr)/TW(rs-so)
2008 - TB(rs-sr)/KM(rs-sr)/TW(rs-jr)
2009 - TW(rs-sr)

Now, that's just looking year by year as they progress towards graduation. It's also assuming that Taylor Bennett, Kyle Manley and Todd Walker all red-shirt for one year. If the NCAA rules to allow a 5th year of eligibility the result will be the same in the analysis.

So here's the question. How excited can you get about a guy who might not see the field for years? Well, no doubt the answer is VERY EXCITED. Why?

1. PJ Daniels proved that a 7th string player can become the go-to guy. A critical injury and the picture changes dramatically.

2. Reggie Ball has not been given the keys to the car for the next 3 years. He has to earn it. If he plays this season the same as last season, I'm not sure how solid he will be heading into his junior season. He needs to show progress. Coach Gailey has proven that no job is 100% secure - you have to perform.

3. Reggie Ball is the only guy who has ever taken a snap at the collegiate level. All the back-ups are 100% inexperienced in game situations. So that means that Walker has every shot to outplay them for the the #2 spot or even higher depending on Reggie.

4. Attracting a top-flight guy like Walker can also lead to other recruits taking a 2nd look at GT. He comes from the Texas, arguably the most prolific high school talent pool in the nation. Our recruiting base in Texas is strengthening.

Here's the frustrating thing for me. Walker has the physical tools to play a lot of spots on the field. He could be really good early, particularly in other spots. But he wants to play QB. We have to respect that because he probably would not have come here if he was going to play another spot. That's the selfish side of me coming out though. You look at that speed and you say wow.

Having said that, I wonder if this opens up the possibility of Pat Carter playing another position. I know Coach Gailey has said he is also the type player that just benefits the team when you can get him on the field. He has been nagged by injuries at the worst time. Heck, if it weren't for a knee injurty, there's a remote possibility he could be our starting QB right now. Reggie stepped up in the situation as a frosh, but you never know.

So would Gailey move Carter? Right now, we NEED Carter at QB. He's been through the system for two pre-seasons now and went through a full season as a back-up, learning the system. Outside of Ball, he's clearly got the most experience.

Believe me, I don't know anything here - just pure speculation. Probably not a good idea, but I'll do it anyhow. It begs one more question - how many QB's do you want to have in the system? Well, conventional wisdom is that you can never have too many. Kids who play QB in high school have certain qualities that can be translated to the college level in many other positions. They tend to be leaders, they tend to be athletes, they tend to understand intricacies of systems. The problem is that you will never satisfy all those guys. Only 1 guy can be the #1 QB.

Anyway you look at it, one thing is clear. Coach Gailey has stepped up his recruiting. Each year has clearly been stronger than the previous and 2005 appears to have gotten off to the best start of all.

For a full list of commits, click here...... Also, here is what many of the "gurus" think of the most talented skill position players this recruiting season - link here. Notice there is an archive of previous questions for the same panel.