College football position groups usually have at least two starters and can have more. But there can only be one quarterback.
The illustrious position of starting quarterback is decided by competition, reps, accuracy, experience and more. The starter for the Cardinals this season will be redshirt freshman Kadin Semonza.
Former Ball State quarterback and current head coach Mike Neu said supporting the QB1 within the quarterback room is crucial.
In the event that a quarterback does not get a spot in the starting lineup, he must be ready to accept his next available role, Neu said.
“They (backup quarterbacks) play a big role in coming up with a game plan,” Neu said. “They play a big role in analyzing video replays and studying our opponent.”
“We have such a good space. Everyone wants to play, but at the end of the day everyone knows they have a job to do.”
Since there is fierce competition on the field, the quarterbacks can have fun there too. After camp, each quarterback plays “football golf.” The goal is to create a golf hole out of objects on the field; the zero in 10, the Cardinals’ eye, the gap in A in Cardinals, and so on and so forth.
Semonza said playing games like football golf helps bring the already close quarterback team even closer together while everyone enjoys a game they all love.
Sophomore quarterback Colin Blazek said games like football golf are important to lighten the load during the tough weeks of camp, but just because it’s a game doesn’t mean they don’t try to beat each other.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Aidan Leffler said that while there is always competition, the group of quarterbacks is a close-knit team.
“At the end of the day, no matter who gets the job or not, we’re still going to love you and cheer you on,” Leffler said. “That could be on the sidelines or on the field, wherever.”
Neu said the roles of QB2 and QB3 on game day are critical for the Cardinals. They are involved in the communication process of the signals on the headsets. They are constantly communicating with coaches and players on the field and in the locker room.
On a game day, redshirt sophomore Colin Blazek can be found giving signals or even mock signals to distract opponents. He also observes all aspects of the game to communicate any issues to the coaches and quarterback.
“(You have to) trust your eyes and what you see,” Blazek said. “Knowing you’re kind of like a coach on the sidelines because we know the whole game plan inside and out.”
The job requires work in evaluating plays as well as the ability to communicate with players and coaches and make changes.
Semonza said it’s great to have an extra pair of eyes from the sidelines with the backup quarterbacks. They can help him adjust and figure things out that can hopefully lead to a big play, Semonza said.
Semonza said he was able to learn a lot about the quarterback position from Neu, especially in the film room.
“Being around guys like Drew Brees, it’s great to be able to ask him questions and hopefully make me a better player,” Semonza said.
Semonza said it was an honor to lead the quarterback department as QB1.
“We’re just a bunch of competitors,” Semonza said. “These guys all work hard to be the best they can be as people, as players and so on.”
Contact Elijah Poe at [email protected] or on X at @ElijahPoe4.
