Colorado State Has Two Legitimate Options At QB This Year
Coach Bobo has a choice to make this year
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Can Collin Hill or Patrick O’Brien stake their claim on the starting job?
Collin Hill was the presumptive starter last year before tearing his ACL for the second time. Patrick O’Brien was sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. Both now have the opportunity to stake their claim as the CSU Rams starting quarterback.
Hill is the presumptive favorite. He’s been in the system for three years and has been pretty impressive when he’s been in. No one thought Hill was going to play last season, after tearing his ACL playing basketball before spring camp. But he made a fast comeback and played in every game this past season, including starting the last four.
O’Brien is going to get the chance to show he can be the guy for the Rams. Originally committed to Nebraska, O’Brien decided to transfer to the Rams after deciding that new Cornhuskers coach Scott Frost’s offense wasn’t a good fit. He will have some catching up to do, being two years behind Hill.
O’Brien told Mike Brohard, of the Loveland Reporter-Herald, in November that he was going to be ready for the competition: “Oh yeah, 100 percent. Physical ability, I think I’m definitely there. Mentally, just with the offense, I still think there’s more to learn.”
Bobo told Kelly Lyell, of the Fort Collins Coloradoan, on the opening day of spring camp, in regards to the QB competition, that “It’s a true competition, I’m excited about that position.”
No doubt both QBs have what it takes to be the starter. Both are 6’5″; Hill is listed at 210 lbs, while O’Brien is listed at 244 lbs. Both are mobile QBs, with O’Brien, coach Bobo noted, being the one more inclined to tuck and run.
CSU Rams’ fans are definitely going to be on their seats watching this competition. Both quarterbacks are ready to lead this team. Whoever earns the right to lead this team, will be the one responsible for leading this team back to bowl contention.
