Illinois Football: Illini quarterback situation is making me nervous
The Illinois football team had a good class come in for 2017. This group should fill some holes left by departing players.
In the class of 2017 there were two quarterbacks, or supposed to be two quarterbacks, coming in that would compete for the starting job year one. This seems to be a question mark as of today, though.
Just a few days ago, Bob Asmussen of The News-Gazette published an article giving Illini fans an update on the status of quarterback Dwayne Lawson. He and Cam Thomas were the two quarterbacks who Illini fans were excited about coming in for 2017.
Before this article, it was much publicized that Lawson wasn’t going to join the team for spring practice because he still needed to finish up his associate’s degree from Garden City Community College where he currently attends.
More from Writing Illini
- Illinois Football: 5 Illini players who need more snaps against FAU
- Illinois football vs. Florida Atlantic first half and game betting lines
- Bret Bielema has made Illinois football a nationally competitive program
- Illinois Football: Predicting how the Illini will finish the 2023 season
- Illinois Football: Illini quarterback controversy is on the horizon
In the article by Asmussen, he talks with the coach of Garden City, Jeff Sims, and he says that Lawson is on track. This is a good sign for Illini fans, but Sims then goes on to tell Asmussen that Lawson is going to graduate but he can’t tell him a time frame right now. He said Illinois is being patient.
The fact that Sims can’t tell a time frame on when Lawson will graduate makes me nervous. I am in the camp of getting this kid into the program as soon as possible. Sims does say he could be done in the summer, but the fact he uses the word could doesn’t give me any reassurance.
So if that would be the case, Illinois is then left with three possibilities at quarterback, Jeff George Jr., Chayce Crouch and Cam Thomas.
Crouch is coming off surgery to repair an AC separation. He isn’t getting in a full spring practice and that can potentially hurt the chemistry with the wide receivers. Hopefully, he continues to get better and gets some reps in with players like Carmoni Green and Mike Dudek, both of whom will be key players this season.
The other two, George and Thomas, both have their flaws. George has an okay arm but his mobility hurts the Illini at times. Thomas is also a question mark right due to him being a true freshman. He has all the mobility in the world but his arm is still up in the air.
Next: 5 state of Illinois recruits needed for 2018
I am nervous about the quarterback situation. Hopefully, Crouch goes into the season 100-percent healthy and Lawson can come in and compete for the starting job as well. That would be the optimal scenario for this team.