The departure of Adrian Martinez makes the quarterback position up for grabs in a way that hasn’t been the case in four years under Scott Frost.
Currently, Nebraska is without an offensive coordinator or a quarterbacks coach. Whoever fills those roles will have a big say in who is taking the snaps in 2022.
Mickey Joseph, a former Husker QB himself, was announced as the Passing Game Coordinator, among his other titles.
The Huskers have two remaining scholarship quarterbacks on the roster: Logan Smothers and Heinrich Haarberg.
Smothers played in five games in 2021, starting the finale against Iowa. That start is a huge data point for the coaching staff that would not have been there if not for the injury to Martinez. Except for looking the part of a freshman in the fourth quarter, Smothers played well enough to give the coaches something to think about heading into 2022.
Haarberg has yet to see game action, though his athleticism and big time arm make him a quality candidate to fight for a top-2 spot on the depth chart, regardless of additions to the roster.
Nebraska is also slated to add three-star Richard Torres during the early signing period. The Texan has been committed to the Huskers since the summer.
That would give Nebraska three underclassmen quarterbacks on scholarship. Frost and company are likely to dip into the transfer portal for some extra help, and maybe even a frontrunner to start.
Below are five uncommitted quarterbacks currently in the transfer portal.
Myles Brennan, LSU
A four-star out of high school, Brennan has seen action in 20 games over his five seasons at LSU, including three games this past year. He is more of a pocket passer than what Frost’s offenses have been, but Brennan arrived in Baton Rouge and exited at the same time as newly hired Mickey Joseph. Could the two reunite in Lincoln and give the Huskers a new look on offense?
Jack Miller III, Ohio State
A pro style quarterback, Miller lost the battle to inherit the potent Buckeyes offense this past fall to Big Ten offensive player and freshman of the year CJ Stroud. There was simply too much talent in Columbus for Miller to see significant snaps, but he was a five-star at one point. He has four years of eligibility remaining.
Quinn Ewers, Ohio State
Another Buckeye defector, but this one is very different than the previous. Ewers left high school early to cash in on the implementation of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). The five-star made over $1 million without ever throwing a pass in a game in 2021. Before reclassifying, Ewers was the No. 1 ranked player in the class of 2022. As a junior, he threw for 2,442 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Jacob Zeno, Baylor
A four-star prospect coming out of high school, Zeno hasn’t been a factor in three years at Baylor. He threw just three passes in 2021, seeing action in two games back in September. In 2019 and 2020, Zeno appeared in just four games. But that doesn’t mean he’s lacking for talent. The 6’2, 211 pound QB with three years of eligibility remaining not only passed for over 1,300 yards as a high school senior, he also rushed for over 400 yards with 12 touchdowns. That is the size, and running ability, to fit a Frost offense.
Chubba Purdy, Florida State
Huskers fans recognize the last name from Iowa State’s departing quarterback. Well, Chubba is Brock’s younger brother. The junior Purdy is a 6’2, 215 dual-threat QB, originally out of Arizona. He has only seen four games of action at FSU in his two seasons, leaving him with four years of eligibility still. A four-star out of high school, Purdy produced 9,000 yards of total offense and 111 touchdowns in two season as a starter.
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