The Wyoming quarterback situation heading into 2011 was to be between two true freshman Brett Smith and Adam Pittser who were to take over for Austin Carta-Samuels who transferred from Wyoming in January. Now there is a third player in the mix in walk-on junior college player Colby Kirkegaard. According to offensiver coordinator Gregg Barndon, Kirkgaard is in the mix for the starting job:
"Obviously the quarterback position is a battle, and it will be for the next three weeks until we establish a starter sometime before the first game," Christensen said at War Memorial Stadium's Wildcatter Stadium Club & Suites. "We have three guys that are competing for the spot right now and that will go throughout our four scrimmages."
Smith is the only member of the battle who was with the program through spring camp."He's right in the mix," said Gregg Brandon, UW's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. "After three days, we've only had one day with shoulder pads on, but he's in the mix. He's got a chance, I think. I like him."
Out of high school Kirkgaard was three-star rated recruit by Rivals with a handful of offers from Arizona State, Northern Arizona, San Diego State, Louisville, Fresno State, North Dakota State and Louisville.
Here are his highlight videos from high school:
However, he suffered an injury during his senior year and ended up going to the junior college route and played one season at Phoenix College where he had 12 touchdowns to six interceptions while throwing for 1,695 yards on 54 percent completion rate. Here are highlights from Phoenix College:
After only two practices Kirkgaard is in the mix with Smith and Pittser. Smith is the only of the three quarterbacks who were with Wyoming during the spring, Pittser came in during the summer and now Kirkgaard has just arrived but he does have experience at a higher level then the other two.
One good note pointed out over at Cowboy Altitude on this is that it allows for much needed depth and could allow for the third quarterback to redshirt the 2011 season. Expect this competition to last through out fall camp to allow the staff to make the best decision possible.
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