KU Football: Who Deserves Starting Quarterback Job

After a long spring and summer camp, the KU football coaching staff still does not know who will be taking the snaps this Saturday against Rhode Island.

KU football didn’t shine bright last season (or the year before that…), but the squad is hoping to turn a corner in 2016. The Jayhawks need to have success at the quarterback position if they want any shot at a somewhat decent season.

Last season, Montell Cozart had the starting quarterback job until he got hurt after week two. That opened a spot for Ryan Willis to step up.

In a press conference this week, coach David Beaty told the media that he does not plan to announce the starting quarterback before the season opener. He stated (quote below courtesy of Benton Smith of KU Sports),

"“You’ll see somebody run out there Saturday. And whenever that guy gets on the field, that’ll be the guy that takes the field”"

The big question is who really deserves to be out there taking the snaps?

Montell Cozart came into KU as a young and mobile promising quarterback from Kansas City. The Bishop Miege product played in four games last season throwing for 752 yards and 2 touchdowns. Not too bad for only a few games.

More from KC Kingdom

Last season, Beaty announced the offense changed to an air raid, which did not help Cozart as much because he is mobile. The 6’2 redshirt junior received a medical hardship waiver last season, which gave him another year of eligibility, giving him next year to play as well.

Ryan Willis may be the better option for the future, but right now he and Cozart are neck and neck.

Willis played in 10 games last season throwing for 1719, which was promising for a true freshman. Now Willis obviously has the better arm and that benefits him to the air raid offense, but he is not nearly as mobile as Cozart.

The sophomore has the chance to start and take over as the program’s leader for the next three years, but he needs to be able to throw the ball.

Next: Top Ten KU Quarterbacks of All-Time

In the end, I think Cozart will win the starting job, but I guarantee we see both play on Saturday. This game could also be the deciding factor to who really takes the spot in the end for game two against Ohio.

As for what want though, I would start Willis. He has the better arm and it will be his team come next year.

Both quarterbacks have the ability to be at the top in the Big 12, but only one will be able to take all of the snaps.

Home/Kansas Jayhawks