They like Brock Osweiler down in Arizona. The 6-foot-8 quarterback, who graduated from Flathead High School early in the fall so he could participate in spring ball at Arizona State University, has been making waves at practice. The coaches, players and local media clearly are enamored with the tall Montana boy with the golden arm. This much is apparent by checking out online scouting reports and news stories, with headlines reading “No Trouble Adjusting for Freshman Osweiler” and “Osweiler Hits the Ground Running,” among others.
I’ve been keeping up with Osweiler on the Internet as best as I can, though I haven’t chatted with him since he left Kalispell. He’s currently in the midst of a heated battle for the top quarterback position to replace Rudy Carpenter, who graduated last year. It’s unlikely, however, a true freshman would get the nod, but Osweiler has put his name on the map nonetheless. Not to mention, because of his decision to graduate high school early, he already has far more preseason reps than other freshmen.
There are five quarterbacks battling for Carpenter’s job, including John Elway’s son Jack. The general thinking right now is that the top spot will go either to senior Danny Sullivan or sophomore Samson Szakascy, since they have been in Arizona State’s system the longest. But between them, they have virtually no game experience.
In a recent scrimmage, Sullivan took the most snaps followed, perhaps surprisingly, by Osweiler, who produced workmanlike numbers with 7-for-16 passing, 76 yards and an interception. Elway didn’t take any snaps.
Even if Osweiler doesn’t get the top spot or even any playing time this year, he’s positioning himself for success down the road. He’s the youngster of the five quarterbacks. Many in the media and on the sidelines down in Tempe are intrigued with Osweiler not only because of his vast talent, but also because he’s taller than any NFL quarterback and he hails from the Northwest corner of Montana.
Szakascy calls him “Brock and Roll” and coach Dennis Erickson says he’s “very athletic.” Erickson also had this to say about Osweiler: “In no way does Brock look out of place. He’s one of the most mature young players I’ve seen.”
The top two candidates for the starting job will most likely be announced by April 18, the date of the annual spring game. Osweiler appears to be the No. 3 quarterback at the moment. But no matter what happens this year, the former Flathead Brave and Gatorade Montana Football Player of the Year has already proven he belongs in big-time collegiate football. The future looks bright.
Here’s a sampling of the stories coming out of Tempe:
-ASU Web Devil on Osweiler
-House of Sparky Interview with Osweiler
-KTAR on Quarterback Battle
-ASU Web Devil on Quarterback Battle