From ESPN. I'd be shocked if Delton doesn't redshirt b/c of Bazooka Joe and Snyder, but here you go anyway.
Alex Delton, Jarrett Stidham could be latest impact true freshman QBs
By Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
This past season, true freshmen quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Mason Rudolph were two of the Big 12’s major storylines down the stretch.
Mahomes stepped in for an injured Davis Webb and reignited the Texas Tech offense before nearly leading the Red Raiders to an upset of Baylor in their season finale.
Rudolph’s redshirt was pulled with just two regular-season games to go following injuries to J.W. Walsh and Daxx Garman. But the gamble proved worth it, as Rudolph spearheaded Oklahoma State to an upset of Oklahoma in Norman to catapult the Cowboys to the TicketCity Cactus Bowl, where they defeated Washington.
K-State coach LHC Bill Snyder rarely plays true freshmen, but he may make an exception for QB Alex Delton.
Now, Rudolph and Mahomes appear to be on the cusp of solidifying themselves as two of the top quarterbacks in the league.
Coming off the heels of another signing day, it seems another pair of incoming quarterbacks have prime opportunities to become this year’s version of Rudolph and Mahomes as impact true freshman signal-callers.
Kansas State coach LHC Bill Snyder rarely plays true freshmen and never plays true freshman quarterbacks.
But this week, even Snyder confessed, never say never.
The Wildcats will be looking for a replacement for Jake Waters, after his two seasons as one of the league’s most steady quarterbacks. Former walk-on Joe Hubener is the favorite to win the job, with three years of experience already on campus. But he’ll have to hold off talented true freshman Alex Delton, who is already enrolled and set to take part in spring ball.
Delton, a three-star signee, was a three-year starter in high school, and compiled more than 6,700 yards of offense and 75 touchdowns in his career. As a true dual threat, he fits the mold of past Snyder quarterbacks. And, like with Mahomes and Rudolph, Delton appears to possess the maturity to be an early factor in the derby.
“I like his demeanor,” Snyder said, who usually refrains from handing out effusive praise to true freshmen. “He tries to invest himself. He wants to find out anything and everything that he possibly can. He is the kind of guy that we like. He is a youngster of good character. I think he has done well in the out-of-season workouts up until this time.
"I can't recall ever starting a freshman, (but) he'll be competitive because of the things that he's capable of doing.”
Like K-State, Baylor will also be replacing an all-conference passer. Bryce Petty was one of the top quarterbacks in the country the past two seasons, leading the Bears to back-to-back Big 12 titles.
Junior Seth Russell will have an edge to succeed Petty after serving as his backup the past two seasons. But the Bears have also brought in one of the top-rated quarterback recruits in the country in Jarrett Stidham, who, like Delton, is already enrolled and working out with the team.
“This guy is real-time deal, he gives us a chance to continue our quarterback tradition,” coach Art Briles said. “The thing I’ve gotten to really appreciate about him since he’s been on campus is his competitive nature, and his passion that he has to be great. That gives you the opportunity to be great if you have the passion to be great, and you can back it up with talent.
“He has the talent to back it up.”
Rudolph and Mahomes lit up the Big 12 as true freshmen last season.
Stidham and Delton have the ability -- and the opportunity -- to do the same.
