Texas Tech has had a rough season this year. They currently sit at 4-7 for the year with one game remaining, a showdown against Baylor at Jerry World in Dallas. Kliff Kingsbury did not get the kind of production he expected from Davis Webb coming into the season, and the defense has been atrocious.
After Davis Webb shredded the Arizona State defense in last year’s Holiday Bowl, he looked like the quarterback of the future. And Kingsbury was forced to put all his eggs in one basket when both Michael Brewer and Baker Mayfield chose to transfer to other schools.
The only scholarship quarterback on the roster was Patrick Mahomes, a true freshman from Whitehouse with zero college experience. But the hope was that Webb would sustain the success he experienced in the bowl game and lead the Red Raiders to greener pastures.
Unfortunately, that is not exactly how things have played out so far in 2014. Webb was an entirely different quarterback than he had been in his freshman season. He was missing easy throws, making bad decisions and turning into a turnover machine. And since he was ineffective, Mahomes was not able to get any experience because Tech played close games against both Central Arkansas and UTEP.
The quarterback situation culminated in Tech’s loss to Texas. Webb was unable to play due to an ankle injury he suffered in a blowout loss to TCU, and Mahomes, making his first career start, was injured in the second quarter when he was hit hard trying to run. Vincent Testaverde, a walk on and the son of former Miami star Vinny Testaverde, was forced to finish the game.
Even after a bye week in preparation for Oklahoma, Webb was still not ready to go. Mahomes made his second start, and he looked awesome. He was incredibly poised for a guy making only his second career start, finishing 27-of-50 with 393 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He spread the ball around admirably, completing passes to eleven different receivers, and the Red Raider offense played arguably its best game of the season to that point.
In the days leading up to Tech’s game against Iowa State, Kingsbury said he expected to have his full stable of quarterbacks healthy, but he refused to name a starter, saying he would decide “at kickoff.”
Surprisingly, Mahomes got the start, and he didn’t disappoint. He put together another productive performance against the Cyclones, completing 23-of-35 attempts for 328 yards and four touchdowns. He did turn the ball over twice, an interception and a fumble, but he adds a dynamic to the offense that is nonexistent with Webb; the quarterback run game.
Facing a pivotal third down late in the fourth quarter of the Iowa State game, Mahomes dashed nine yards for a first down, sealing the Red Raiders’ fourth victory of the season. Webb is more of a pocket passer, and if Mahomes can continue to beat defenses with his arm and legs, he might be the signal-caller of the future.
In his Monday press conference, Kingsbury spoke highly of Mahomes to reporters.
“He’s doing a lot of good things for that age,” he said. “You know there is going to be some spots that he’s gotta grow, but for a true freshman, pretty pleased with where he’s at.”
However, there will be an added wrench in the quarterback competition come next spring. Jarrett Stidham, the top-rated dual threat quarterback according to 247Sports.com, will graduate from Stephenville High School early so he can participate in spring drills.
So as the start of next season comes around, Kingsbury will have a tough decision on his hands. He will have three options to start at quarterback in the 2015 season opener against Sam Houston State; Webb, Mahomes and Stidham.
Webb is probably the best pure passer of the group and has the most experience, but his limited mobility doesn’t allow Kingsbury to open the playbook as much as he would like.
Mahomes is very athletic and a solid runner, and he will continue to grow as he gets more repetitions in practice and in games.
And Stidham is the wild card, he is pretty much unknown. He has amassed gaudy high school stats, but keep in mind that he plays in the 4-A classification, meaning he is not exactly facing dominant defensive units. However, he received exemplary grades at The Opening, so he is likely the real deal. He will have plenty of time to learn the playbook and if you trust recruiting services, he has more talent than any other quarterback on the roster.
It is obvious that Kingsbury thinks very highly of the Texan prep star. Kingsbury told Stidham that he can “change the program,” so don’t expect Stidham to stay on the bench for long.
The quarterback won’t be able to carry the team by himself, but a consistent athlete behind center is a heck of a place to start. It’s not like the quarterback is not going to have help, either. The offense is going to be loaded with weapons.
DeAndre Washington will be back for another season, and he should be able to build on his stellar 2014 breakout season. Justin Stockton will serve as an excellent change-of-pace back and will also contribute catching passes.
Bradley Marquez will graduate, but the rest of the receiving corps will be back barring any unexpected events. Jakeem Grant, Devin Lauderdale, and Reginald Davis should continue to get better during the offseason and serve as big play threats. Dylan Cantrell will be back as a lethal red zone target, and Ian Sadler might develop into a possession receiver similar to others that have come through Lubbock; Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, Eric Morris, etc.
But those skill guys can only be as good as the guy throwing them the ball. And if Kingsbury’s track record of grooming quarterbacks is any indication, he will make the correct decision.