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What Started as a position of strength for Utah State now has some serious depth concerns. Quarterback Darell Garretson will reportedly transfer:
A team source has informed me that Utah State Aggies quarterback Darell Garretson will be transferring from Utah State. Destination unknown.
— Mitch Kunzler (@MitchKunzler) March 30, 2015
Even with Chuckie Keeton back at seemingly full strength, (no knee brace) Garretson was splitting reps with the first team. Garretson played in 13 games over two seasons and was 8-3 as a starter including big wins at BYU and in the 2013 Poinsettia Bowl over Northern Illinois. It was speculated that Garretson might transfer in the February position by position preview:
Darrel Garretson: Garretson might be in the hardest position of all the quarterbacks at Utah State. He is an excellent pocket passer who, while mobile in the pocket, isn't a big running threat. I initially thought that the change in Offensive Coordinator would benefit garretson. I thought Heupel and Oklahoma ran an offense geared heavily toward a pocket passer but I was wrong. Percentage of runs made by the quarterback for Heupel's offense the last two years at Oklahoma: 16.34% (2014), 26.12% (2013). For reference utah state was at 20.12% and 22.13%. It seems as Garretson might be the odd man out. Depending on what happens with Chuckie it wouldn't surprise me to see Garretson transfer.
With Garretson's transfer and Kent Myers move to receiver, which might be temporary for spring camp, the Aggies will be down to one quarterback on the roster who has won a bowl game instead of the three they started with.
Unless Garretson moves down to the FCS level he will be required to sit out a year before he can play for a different university. Damion Hobbs, who transferred in from Oregon after sitting out last year, and DJ Nelson will now compete for the backup spot behind Keeton.
Utah State confirmed the transfer in a press release Tuesday afternoon:
Junior quarterback Darell Garretson has left the Utah State football program it was announced Tuesday by Aggie head coach Matt Wells. "We thank Darell for his contributions to Utah State football the past two years and wish him the best in the future," said Wells.
It will be interesting to see where Garretson ends up and how it will effect Utah State's QB depth.