As an 18-year-old true freshman, Brock Osweiler will be the backup quarterback at Arizona State University this fall. Head coach Dennis Erickson made this announcement – after a summer full of speculation and shifting at the quarterback position – after a mock game at Sun Devil Stadium on Aug. 28. According to the Arizona Republic, Osweiler is likely to see playing time in the Sun Devils’ first game on Sept. 5 against Idaho State.
Osweiler, a 6-foot-8 phenom who played at Flathead High School, was originally listed as the No. 5 quarterback position when he showed up in Tempe in the winter after graduating high school early. One quarterback transferred, while another – Jack Elway, son of NFL legend John Elway – gave up football, leaving the team with three quarterbacks. Since then, he has become a favorite of both the fans and the media, not to mention the coaching staff. This is mostly due to his performance, but surely it has something to do with his aura – he’s as tall as an NBA power forward and he hails from a small town in Montana.
Sophomore Samson Szakacsy has been listed as the second-string quarterback on the depth chart, but injuries appear to be preventing him from fulfilling that role. All of which opens the door for the young Osweiler, who will roam the sidelines waiting for his chance, if called upon, to replace starter Danny Sullivan. Sullivan is a senior.
At a conference, Erickson stressed the necessity of having two quarterbacks, in light of Szakacsy’s injury woes: “Brock [Osweiler] will not be able to redshirt. We’ve got to play him.”
Arizona State University’s Web site goes on to quote Erickson (you can see a video of the press conference here):
“I thought that Brock, for being a freshman, did some awfully good things coming in the spring and where he is at right now. [Brock] is very talented, but like any freshman, he has a lot to learn and obviously he’s going to have to learn it pretty fast.”
According to the Arizona Republic, Osweiler is taking the news in stride:
“It’s something I’ve tried to prepare for. All I can do is go out there and do my best and do what coach tells me to do. Danny has done a great job. It’s a big thing to do, but that’s why I came down in January. It’s not like I’m nervous going out there. I’m ready for it. I’ve just got to play within myself and do whatever I can to help my teammates win.”
And clearly he has captured the imagination of Sun Devil nation down there. Just look at the articles and blogs, like this one:
“If you don’t currently know who Osweiler (is) then let me enlighten you. He is probably the most physical QB specimen to ever don the maroon and gold.”
The blog concludes:
“Right now Osweiler’s ceiling is Andrew Walter (former ASU quarterback who went on to NFL) with more mobility. If he turns into that he is the best QB in ASU history. Until then we can’t help but wonder what this kid can be.”