Coach Charlie Strong and his University of Texas staff will play host to ex-Trojan quarterback Max Wittek this weekend. If things go right, the former USC slinger may end up starting for the Horns on August 30 against North Texas at Darrell K Royal Stadium. While many think UT senior David Ash will have the edge to lead the Longhorns in 2014, a new staff and new system should leave the quarterback and most all positions up for grabs as Texas heads into spring ball.

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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What makes Wittek so attractive to Texas is that he has two years of eligibility remaining as he is projected to graduate from USC in May. Wittek is your typical pro-style quarterback, standing 6’4” inches tall and weighing 235 pounds. He was a four-star quarterback recruit back in 2011 and can sling it from the pocket. He does not have great movement skills but from what we’ve seen out of Strong’s offenses at Louisville and the possible influences brought on by new Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Joe Wickline, it may not be needed. Wittek threw for 600 yards and three touchdowns in two seasons at USC.

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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The incumbent David Ash will have an edge on everyone, however, with the most starting experience under his belt and a spring session of practices with the new staff by the time Wittek would land in Austin. What Ash may lack at this time is faith from the Longhorn fan base—and possibly also the coaching staff—that he can remain on the field. The senior quarterback missed most of last season with issues brought on by reoccurring concussions. There were also whispers by the end of the season that Ash may have been healthy but the previous coaching staff felt Case McCoy was the better option.

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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The Longhorns also will have two young quarterbacks vying to get into the mix. True sophomore Tyrone Swoopes, a highly touted four-star recruit out of Whitewright, Texas saw some mop-up duty last season for the Horns but did not make an impact or impression as a passer. It will be interesting to see how he performs this spring as Charlie Strong may decide a position switch is in the future for the highly athletic talent. Lastly, Texas will welcome four-star recruit Jerrod Heard out of Denton. Heard is a dual-threat quarterback who may be best suited for a redshirt year. The true freshman is a great runner but will need to refine his passing skills to become a legit quarterback at the collegiate level.

Whoever lands the starting job for Texas next August may be in the position of just trying to not screw things up as the Horns are loaded in the backfield and have solid talent throughout the offense.


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