By Mark Pszonak
While numerous 2023/2024 transfer quarterbacks flourished during their opening game, several found it more difficult. Here are five who will need to play better to meet preseason expectations:
Tyler Van Dyke
Tanner Mordecai wasn’t the answer in 2023 and after one game in 2024 there is already concern in Madison regarding Van Dyke’s decision making. While the Badgers next opponent, South Dakota, isn’t a fair measuring stick for the remainder of the season, it may be exactly what Van Dyke needs before Wisconsin plays Alabama and USC on consecutive weeks.
Aidan Chiles
Chiles was bound to have growing pains this season (as I mentioned here) but with expectations as high as they were in East Lansing, his performance against Florida Atlantic was disappointing. Only completing 10 of his 24 attempts for 114 yards and two interceptions, Chiles will need to quickly improve his level of play if the Spartans have any chance of winning at Maryland this Saturday afternoon.
Grayson McCall
Just looking at his statistics from a surprisingly difficult victory over Western Carolina, it is hard to say that McCall needs to do better. However, while completing 26 of 40 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns, he was inconsistent and almost seemed nervous or jittery during his first game at the P4 level. With a huge game this Saturday night against Tennessee, McCall needs to play with the poise that is expected of him if the Wolfpack hope to pull off an upset.
Max Brosmer
Making the move from FCS to P4 and playing in his first game against a legitimate North Carolina defense wasn’t the easiest scenario for Brosmer to thrive in. But even with all of that he will need to show a bit more if the Gophers hope to stay relevant in the Big Ten this season. Minnesota’s lack of creative play calling may also restrict his maturation, but for now he has two easier games (Rhode Island and Nevada) to gain some confidence before the schedule gets rugged with Iowa, Michigan and USC in consecutive games.
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DeQuan Finn
Finn completed 14 of 22 passes for 192 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, while also rushing for a touchdown, during his Baylor debut. Considering this performance came against Incarnate Word, this isn’t good enough if the Bears hope to avoid another disaster of a season similar to 2023. And everything gets immediately more difficult as Baylor plays at Utah on Saturday. Finn has the potential to do much better and needs to do so immediately.
