Riddle me this!?! Our QB "situation"...

[asu66]

Hey, Moose...

So, I've been floating along in my safe little bubble, relatively secure in the knowledge that Taylor Lamb is the Sun Belt's best and most experienced returning QB. In addition, my safe little world had JP Caruso ready and waiting in the wings to take over should Taylor sustain a debilitating injury and as a fifth year "grad" player in '18 unless one of the other six underclassmen overtake him next spring and fall.

Then, while doing some catch-up reading on Twitter overnight, that proverbial "ton of bricks" hit me. Despite the fact that the current roster lists Caruso as a rising junior (in actuality he'd be a RJr under normal circumstances, but this circumstance isn't normal), he graduated with a degree in Management on May 12th with two years of remaining eligibility. That speaks volumes of positives for JP and his academic work ethic, but it could get c-o-m-p-l-i-c-a-t-e-d for App FB.

How does JP's graduation affect the QB situation going into Summer 1?

[Yosef10]

Don't be surprised if/when you see Jacob Huesman and/or Zac Thomas as the #2 when the depth chart is released.

[asu66]

Don't be surprised if/when you see Jacob Huesman and/or Zac Thomas as the #2 when the depth chart is released.

Roger that. I've actually had Zac Thomas as our #3 all winter, but he could move up. Huesman and Easter aren't exactly chopped liver.

[WataugaMan]

From Right Field: Grad School for JP?

[asu66]

From Right Field: Grad School for JP?

That's JP's only option if he wants to play at App to complete his eligibility. I'm unable to imagine that Satterfield wouldn't want JP back for two more seasons. We've allowed one grad year before--Pierre Banks comes to mind. It would have to work out that APP offers the grad degree that JP wants to earn.
The MBA program goes with Management. That's a solid match-up for JP's academics.

We have to hope that other schools don't try to poach him; and that the NCAA doesn't have stupid regs that prohibit two grad years on scholarship.

Otherwise, JP could walk away right now and never look back. Methinks he wouldn't do that.

[WVAPPeer]

It sounds to me that he is setting himself up with several options - He, we, everyone else, knows he won't play significant time this season unless something happens to Taylor and He, We and everyone else don't want to see anything like that to happen --- He could, as some have suggested enroll in grad school at APP, He could, as a grad, transfer anywhere without having to sit out but I only see him going somewhere where he "has been told" he will be the starter for the next 2 seasons - He could also give Fall ball a shot here and see how he stacks up with all the QBs behind Taylor and then make his decision before any classes start but that would be cutting it close without much time to pick up a new system - that option seems doubtful - HOWEVER, what all this says is that he is an outstanding student and whether he plays a lot of football at APP or not, he should be PRAISED for his academic prowess !!!

[bcoach]

He deserves to play ball and I hope he gets that chance wherever that may be. My hope is at APP but if not then somewhere.

[firemoose]

We'll know more come fall camp about what's going on and where we stand (Huesman, according to interviews with Ponce post spring ball, was the #2 QB at that time) but keep one thing in mind, just because someone "walks" in May doesn't mean they've actually completed everything. The words used during graduation are that everyone walking "has completed or will complete" the requirements to earn their degree. More students than you think, who are going to be December graduates, will walk in the "bigger" ceremony in May instead of the December ceremony, especially if they have friends who are also walking in May. It may also be easier for family and friends to come in May than December. Plus you don't have to wait around in December for the ceremony. You can leave as soon as finals are done. There can be many reasons why students do it. And I'm talking all students, not just athletes.

Dante Jones, who has a year left and is still on the roster, walked as well. Honestly I tend to look more at who is honored on Sr day as an indication of who is staying and who is leaving, as the RsJr's and anyone else who is not going to use their eligibility usually stands on the field that day.

As far as NCAA rules, you have 5 to play 4. Doesn't matter how you do it. Not counting medicals or other things the norm is 5 to play 4. The NCAA does have it's typical muddled rules about grad transfers who go to another university if the one they got their bachelor degree from has a grad program for that degree, but if you are staying at the same school and go to grad school then if you have more than one year of eligibility left you can use them as long as you meet the grad school requirements.

As I said we'll know more in July/August but I will add one thing. I saw you had Easter listed. He has moved to WR, by his own request. He came to the coaches in spring and asked for the move so he could get on the field. Just an FYI.

[EastHallApp]

I don't think the coaches are necessarily counting on Caruso to ever be the starter, and as Moose noted, I'm not sure he hasn't already been passed by one or both RS freshmen. I think the bigger question is whether the staff will try to get any non-garbage-time game reps this fall for whoever eventually wins the #2 spot.

[Yosef84]

I would imagine that whomever is considered the heir apparent to the QB position will get some reps this coming season. Caruso had a fair amount of play this past year. We have been lucky that Lamb has been healthy but it does mean our depth chart doesn't have many snaps in game situations.

[appstate24]

It appears our backup QB spot is now between Huesman or Thomas. Just saw where JP will be forgoing his final 2 years of eligibility at App. Looks like he will enroll at the University of Delaware for his masters and last 2 years of football. Hate to see him go as he seemed like he had a ton of potential and a very likeable guy on the sidelines. Can't fault a guy for getting his masters degree though. Best of luck JP! GO APPS!

[EastHallApp]

It appears our backup QB spot is now between Huesman or Thomas. Just saw where JP will be forgoing his final 2 years of eligibility at App. Looks like he will enroll at the University of Delaware for his masters and last 2 years of football. Hate to see him go as he seemed like he had a ton of potential and a very likeable guy on the sidelines. Can't fault a guy for getting his masters degree though. Best of luck JP! GO APPS!

Where'd you find that? Not that I doubt you, I just can't find any reference to it online.

Throw Peyton Derrick in the mix for that backup spot too. Although I would agree the second-year guys would seem to be the favorites, at least initially.

[appstate24]

I saw it posted on his social media this afternoon.

[firemoose]

Guess we don't have to wait for fall after all. As others have said congrats to JP for graduating early and I wish him nothing but good luck going forward. Not surprised by this since he had been passed on the chart, as I stated above. But it does mean we need to get some good camp reps and game time, when possible, for both our redshirt Freshmen (Derrick is the wild card as we won't know exactly where he stands until camp) just in case, and I hate myself as I type this, Taylor gets injured. As much as no one wants to hear something like that it has to be taken into consideration. This is football after all. And we need someone we can count on to run the O. At least we have a stable of experienced backs and TE's that can help in case the worst happens but fingers crossed we don't have to find out. Fall camp just got more interesting.