By Hale McGranahan.
About six months ago, the immediate future of the quarterback position at Clemson was unsettled.
Cole Stoudt, Chad Kelly and DeShaun Watson were in the throes of a competition that, according to the Tigers’ offensive brain trust, was very much up in the air. The only thing that was clear was the status of Watson: He was going to play at some point along the way in 2014, despite injuring his collarbone less than a week before the spring game.
No sooner than the dust settled from the spring game, Kelly was kicked off the team and Stoudt was named the starter.
Two games into 2014, Stoudt hasn’t done anything to lose his job, but Clemson fans have gotten a taste of Watson and they want more. For those who want the future to be now, they have at least two more full seasons of No. 4.
Set to join Watson in January are Tucker Israel and Kelly Bryant, the 2015 quarterback duo that — in all likelihood — will compete for the second-team job in 2015.
With those three quarterbacks scheduled to be on scholarship after next season, the Clemson coaches appear set to sign one more during that 2016 recruiting cycle. TheClemsonInsider is keeping an eye on several junior quarterback prospects.
Zerrick Cooper, Jonesboro High School – Georgia
As Cooper was preparing for his first full season as the guy at his high school, he suffered an ACL injury. Despite his lack of full-time experience, Cooper already had offers from Clemson, Ohio State, Miami and others. The four-star (Rivals) prospect has reciprocated Clemson’s interest. He visited twice in the summer and again for last week’s home opener. For now, Cooper looks like the leader in the clubhouse as Clemson’s 2016 quarterback.
Jarrett Guarantano, Bergen Catholic – Oradell, New Jersey
Like Cooper, Guarantano had to transition from part-time to full-time during as a junior. And, like Cooper, Guarantano has piqued the interest of several big-time college programs. Before the season, Guarantano narrowed down his options to Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and Oklahoma. He visited Clemson during the spring and hopes to return sometime this season, before reaching a decision.
Avery McCall, Dillon High School
The top instate quarterback for the 2016 cycle, McCall received early offers from Clemson, South Carolina, Tennessee, UNC and East Carolina. Over the last few years, most of Dillon’s top prospects have gone on to sign with South Carolina. Most believe McCall will do the same.
Shea Patterson, Calvary Baptist Academy – Shreveport, Louisiana
It would be easier to list the programs that haven’t offered Patterson, who is considered by Rivals as the top dual-threat quarterback in the country. A former Arizona commitment, Patterson is the best 2016 quarterback and ranked as a five-star prospect, according to Scout. Clemson’s lone 2016 pledge, tight end J.C. Chalk, is among the contingent recruiting Patterson for the Tigers.
Chazz Surratt, East Lincoln High School – Denver, North Carolina
Surratt is still waiting to learn what position Clemson thinks he can play at the college level, but there are several others that already know. All of the instate schools (UNC, Duke, N.C. State, ECU and Wake Forest) have all offered Surratt as a quarterback, the position he wants to play at the next level.