Wyoming has been trying to find a replacement ever since Austyn Carta-Samuels decided to transfer back in February and head coach Dave Christensen settled on co-starters between Miller and true freshman early enrolle Brett Smith, but now with the news that Miller is leaving the team it makes Smith the number one quarterback.
Miller is leaving the Wyoming due to personal reasons and Christensen released a short statement about Miller leaving the Cowboy program:
"Emory (Miller) made the decision that he would not return next year," said Christensen in a statement. "We thank him for his hard work this past year, and wish him the best in his future."
While Miller never saw the field in his time at Wyoming he had some decent offers out of high school from various solid mid-major programs. So, he had some talent if those schools wanted him.
Even though Smith is technically the number one quarterback he is still not guaranteed to have the job. Wyoming has another true freshman quarterback in Adam Pittser. Pittser is the 19th rated dual-threat quarterback and has the fifth strongest arm in the 2011 class, so expect Pittser to challenge Smith for the starting job once he arrives for fall camp.
Another option could be Cody Sokol who is a junior college player out of Scottsdale Community College, but he is a recruit for the 2012 class. Sokol could actually attend Wyoming this fall instead of waiting until December since he has already qualified academically for Wyoming. This would be a desperate move by Wyoming, but it would be a risk worth taking since right now they only have two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster and both are true freshman. Smith did partake in spring drills which helps, but that is not the same as facing Nebraska who happen to travel to Wyoming this year.
As for Sokol, it might behoove him to make the move now because he has more experience at a higher level and it might be easier for him to land the starting job this year then it would be if either Smith or Pittser succeed at the starting quarterback in 2011.
2011 could be another rough year for Wyoming football.
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