Football coach Tom O’Brien cut the quarterback watch list to two Wednesday at his press conference before next week’s South Carolina game. O’Brien announced that the team will redshirt highly-touted freshman quarterback Mike Glennon.
The race leaves graduate student Daniel Evans, the team’s returning starting quarterback, and redshirt freshman Russell Wilson.
“We got together [with Glennon] and talked about it and he’s fine with it,” O’Brien said.
The announcement came the day after N.C. State’s last preseason scrimmage — a scrimmage that for the quarterbacks included their fair share of two-minute drills.
“The third scrimmage is a lot of game-ending situations where things have to happen fast,” O’Brien said. “A lot of it has to do with experience and the college game moves a lot faster than the high school game does.”
With the starting job down to Evans and Wilson, O’Brien said Beck moves to third string.
Students on campus met the news of Glennon’s redshirt with generally positive sentiments.
Evan Wagner, a sophomore in marketing, said he believes Glennon has the most potential and will be a superstar later in his career.
“But with a spotty offensive line and [wide receiver] Donald Bowens out for the season, Wilson’s the most logical choice because he can escape,” Wagner said. “Evans had his chance last year.”
Erin Williams, a freshman in First Year College, was one of a number of students who said Glennon could use the redshirt year to adjust to the college game. And students like Thomas Webb, a senior in sports management, are ready for a quarterback other than Evans to have his fair shot.
Concerns were raised about the size of Wilson, who stands at only 5 feet 11 inches tall. But students like Daniel Stradford, a freshmen in engineering, are convinced that his arm strength and mobility make up for his lack of height.
“I really like Russell. He’s got a great arm and sounds like he’s been really impressive,” Stradford said.
O’Brien said Wednesday that he will speak with South Carolina’s coaches about the timetable for releasing the depth chart and injury report for next Thursday’s nationally televised game.
“We will do it when we have to exchange with South Carolina,” O’Brien said. “No sense rushing what we’re doing right now.”
