Kingsbury To Name Starting Quarterback Early In Fall Camp

During his press conference at Big 12 media days, Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury revealed that he plans to name a starting quarterback within the first week of fall practice. This news is a pleasant surprise that will help put to rest the most burning question facing Texas Tech football.

"“I’m planning on naming a starter fairly early in camp and trying to develop that chemistry with the first team and second team,” the third-year head coach told the media."

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The fact that Kingsbury seems ready to make a quick decision seems to favor sophomore Patrick Mahomes Jr. who started the final three games of 2014. During spring practice, Mahomes seemed to pull ahead of junior Davis Webb, due in large part to the fact that Webb was still recovering from shoulder surgery and was unable to fully participate in workouts.

"When asked what would be the determining factor in settling on a quarterback, Kingsbury said, “I think more than anything it’s eliminating negative plays. We’ve been historically bad the last two years at that position with turnovers.” Kingsbury told media. “I think the last two years we’ve had 20‑plus just in our position at quarterback….So whichever guy can protect the football the best and continue to take shots, take chances but protect the ball is going to be our guy.”"

Looking at both quarterback’s career statistics suggests there is a clear frontrunner based on ball security. Webb has a career 2:1 touchdown to interception ratio, while Mahomes has a 4:1 ratio.

Some may point to the fact that Mahomes stats may be skewed by the fact that he has only started three games in his career. However, the flip side to that argument is that Mahomes performed extremely well as a true freshman thrown into a difficult position.

For comparison, as a true freshman in 2013, Webb threw seven touchdown passes and three interceptions in his first three starts. Last season, Mahomes passed for 16 touchdowns and four interceptions in his first three full games (not counting his start against Texas in which he was knocked out of the game in the second quarter).

All signs seem to point to Mahomes being the leader for the job. And if Kingsbury hopes to name a starter early in camp, Webb would have to do something spectacular to surpass Mahomes on the depth chart.

Once a starter is named, fans should not expect a quarterback controversy during the season. Kingsbury plans to pick a starter and stay with him.

"“If we name a starter, we’re going to ride with that guy knowing that we have a great insurance policy behind him,” Kingsbury said, “but I wouldn’t expect a quick hook on whoever we name the starter.”"

What should make Texas Tech fans rest easy is the fact that both Webb and Mahomes have shown the ability to win games in the Big 12. It is highly likely that the starting quarterback will at some point suffer an injury meaning that the backup will be called upon to perform. Last season, Tech went through three different quarterbacks (Webb, Mahomes and Vincent Testaverde Jr.). In fact, TCU was the only team in the conference whose quarterback started every game of the season.

According to the man who will be snapping the ball to whichever quarterback is playing, the team has confidence in both quartebacks.

"“We believe in [Kingsbury] and we believe in the system. You have to. In order to be great, you have to believe in it,” Texas Tech center Jared Kaster said. “And we know [Kingsbury’s] going to do a great job with whatever quarterback he picks. Because they both can do it. We’ve seen both of them win football games.”"

If Texas Tech is to return to a bowl game this season, the quarterback play must improve. Last season, Tech’s inferior defense was exposed by being put on the field too often as a result of turnovers, especially interceptions. Football is a game that revolves around the quarterback position so all of the improvements the coaching staff feels have been made in the offseason could be nullified by poor quarterback play.

Coming off of a 4-8 season, and with an overall losing record as a head coach, Kingsbury has to make the right decision. It is imperative that Tech returns to postseason play in 2015 because two consecutive losing seasons would eliminate all of the momentum Kingsbury has built and bring the honeymoon to a abrupt end.

It is not hyperbole to suggest that the most important decision of Kingsbury’s brief career will be made in about two weeks.

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