Potential emergency quarterback/Wildcat players in Colorado
Less than 24 hours before they were supposed to take the field, the Denver Broncos learned they were not going to have a quarterback for their Week 12 game with the New Orleans Saints. Backup quarterback Jeff Driskel tested positive…
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Continue ReadingLess than 24 hours before they were supposed to take the field, the Denver Broncos learned they were not going to have a quarterback for their Week 12 game with the New Orleans Saints.
Backup quarterback Jeff Driskel tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week, and due to high-risk contact tracing, all the other quarterbacks on the roster were deemed ineligible to play and were forced to sit out on Sunday.
The Broncos were forced elevate wide receiver Kendall Hinton from the practice squad to play quarterback without any practice reps during the week. While Hinton was playing wide receiver in the NFL, he did start his career at quarterback for Wake Forest. Denver also used running backs Phillip Lindsey and Royce Freeman in the Wildcat in the 31-3 loss.
The unprecedented situation got us wondering: if a team was forced to play without a quarterback at the last minute, who could step in and either play at quarterback or run the Wildcat efficiently for their team in one game? So, we looked for athletes who either showed an ability to run a Wildcat system or for guys who stepped in at quarterback and could potentially hold their own if moved to that position on an emergency basis. To do this, these athletes need to be able to move with their legs to avoid pressure, but we also want them to make some throws with their arm as well. So, here are a look at some guys who showed this season that they could be thrusted into that emergency roll if needed.
Mason Lowe, 2023, 5’10, 165, WR/Chatfield
Lowe is listed as a wide receiver, but in reality, he has been used like a quarterback and running back as well this season. The sophomore completed 20 of 33 passes for 193 yards, carried the ball 112 times for 460 yards, and caught 18 passes for 298 yards. He would score eight touchdowns in all three phases. The athleticism is there to make plays with his legs, and he can run well in open space and use his speed to take direct snaps and run the ball or even run the read-option game. As for his passing, there was enough there this season that Lowe could also make some plays when teams load up the box against him. Lowe would most likely be a Wildcat player, but there is enough with the passing that he can be an emergency quarterback if needed.
Eli Hubert Eli Hubert 5'11" | ATH Silver Creek | 2022 State CO , 2022, 5’11, 165, WR/DB, Silver Creek
Hubert was the team leader in receptions (30) for Silver Creek this season, and he showed an ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. But in the final game of the regular season versus Heritage, Hubert moved from the outside to under center and played quarterback for most of the game. He did well in relief completing 12 of 24 pass attempts for 143 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Hubert also used his legs with nine carries for 46 yards and a rushing touchdown. His legs would be critical to buy time against the rush, but he proved he can make some throws in the pocket for his team in that game versus Heritage. Consier Hubert a solid emergency quarterback candidate.
Jackson Kiel, 2022, 6’2, 175, WR/DB, Sterling
Kiel can make guys miss with the ball in his hands. He showed he could run after the catch in the open field, but he also showed he can make guys miss when they close in. He did that when catching passes, but he also did that when taking shotgun snaps and running the ball. That shiftiness and athleticism would allow him to run a Wildcat package well. As for his arm, he did complete three of his five passes attempts, so that could be in his arsenal. But for a true Wildcat runner who could find positive yards, Kiel can be that guy in the open field, and teams could feel comfortable in finding positive plays with him running the package.
Dominic Coleman, 2021, 6’1, 165, QB/RB/DB, Granada
Any 6-man player would fit this role perfectly. For many teams in the classification, they pitch the ball back to the quarterback and ask him to either take off and run with the ball or throw it down the field when in the shotgun. That is exactly why Dominic Coleman is on the list as a Wildcat player. He has been the best statistically this season throwing the football in 6-man football with 1,469 passing yards and 30 touchdowns to just four interceptions and a completion percentage of 65 percent. You could also use him to run the football and be effective, as evident by his 694 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. Coleman would be a solid pick for the Wildcat and to slide into an emergency quarterback role.
Zack Rakowsky Zack Rakowsky 5'8" | QB Loveland | 2021 State CO , 2021, 5’10, 190, RB/DB, Loveland
This one may not be as fair since Rakowsky has been a starting quarterback in his career, but the reason he is on the list is because Loveland used him like another running back frequently when he did take shotgun snaps. Rakowsky would take direct snaps and run to the outside on sweep plays, let his lineman pull for counters, and run the read-option. When teams loaded the box and went all-out to stop his rushing, he would stand in the pocket and throw short and intermediate passes. Rakowsky has completed 52 percent of his passes in his career, so he can keep defenses honest with his arm. But what puts him on the list is how he can run the power, the counter and the read-option effectively, a key to give different looks in the Wildcat package. Rakowsky could be a natural fit in that role. You can give him a Wildcat package, but if a desperate situation forced, he can slide into the quarterback spot for your team.