In the midst of the Nevada Wolf Pack spring football camp, the race for the starting quarterback position has become a very close competition.
The quarterbacks who are competition to replace departed quarterback Cody Farjardo are junior Tyler Stewart, sophomore Dante Mayes and freshman Hunter Fralick. Each quarterback has had their positive moments but none have really separated themselves as the favorite to become the starting quarterback.
On Saturday, the team held its first team scrimmage and each of the three quarterbacks worked with the first team offense. In that scrimmage, Stewart, went 4 for 6 for 56 yards and threw a touchdown; Fralick went 6 for 10 for 118 yards and threw a touchdown but threw an interception; Mayes went 7 for 10 for 67 yards. (Also, walk on quarterback Jake Young went 3 for 4 for 53 yards and a touchdown)
On Monday after practice, Wolf Pack head coach Brian Polian said that the competition is "still a dead heat". Also, Polian said that the quarterbacks have collectively improved.
The Wolf Pack will need to see that improved quarterback play because towards the end of last season the Wolf Pack struggled throwing the ball. Farjardo only completed 45 percent of his passes as the Wolf Pack dropped two of their last three games of the season. The drop off could be blamed in part by the absence of wide receiver Hasan Henderson, who was lost due to a head injury, but the Wolf Pack must get improved quarterback play no matter who is named the starter.
Coach Polian has said that he will not name a starter after spring camp even though a depth chart will be released. There are only two more spring practices left for the quarterback's on Nevada's roster to separate themselves and rise to the top of the depth chart.