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Wyoming Will Enter The 2018 Season With One Of The Nation’s Top Defenses But Who Fills The Void at Quarterback?
The next starting quarterback at the University of Wyoming has big shoes to fill. Redshirt freshman Tyler Vander Waal and redshirt senior Nick Smith enter spring camp looking to show they are the man for the job.
Wyoming coach Craig Bohl is excited for the competition and hopes to find a starter by the end of spring drills. Bohl explained “I think it is going to be important that we find our starter. We’d like to have our starter by the end of spring. Ideally, that is where we would like to be at, and so that is what we’re aiming for.
Expect An Exciting Spring From The Pokes
Bohl continued, “I think you’re going to see more live contact on our quarterbacks. Nick has played some. Tyler hasn’t. I think it would be a little bit of a disservice to our team if we don’t make them live at times to give them a game-like feel and to be able to evaluate them. As a head coach you kind of hold your breathe when you put your quarterbacks in live situations, but I think there will be some more live work that we’ll do this spring versus past springs.
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What Does Each Player Offer
Nick Smith enters the competition with much more experience. However, in his limited action, the offense has struggled. In his first meaningful snaps of the 2017 season, Wyoming was able to hold onto their lead in a 28-14 against Air Force. His next two starts resulted in losses against Fresno State and San Jose State. While he has struggled in relief, he hasn’t had the opportunity to have an offense molded to his strengths and comforts. It is too soon to make a call on what he might be as QB1.
Tyler Vander Waal was one of the top recruits in the 2017 class. With Allen and Smith on the roster, the Cowboys had the opportunity to redshirt him and save his eligibility for life after Josh Allen. The 3-star recruit from Northern California was recruited by many Pac-12 and MW programs. Vander Waal doesn’t have collegiate game experience but investing resources into a player with 4 years of eligibility is more enticing than being in this situation again next season.
Prediction
I think Nick Smith will look more impressive in the spring than many Cowboys fans might expect but I think the youth and upside of Vander Waal will ultimately win him the job.
You can read the entire release here.