All eyes on Jadrian Clark

[Geo-Guy15]

Just listened to CNuanez's podcast of his interview with Jay Hill. Thanks for posting, it was a really good interview. It seems like Hill is pretty confident in what we have going into this season on both sides of the ball (I am especially optimistic about the linebackers, offensive line, and running backs we've got coming back). The area that Hill talked about that will be the key was the passing game. He complemented Jadrian Clark on many things but then said several times that the passing game has got to improve.

My question here... Is Jadrian Clark a good enough quarterback to lead the Wildcats to a Big Sky Title?

I said good enough. In my opinion, with the depth we have on the rest of the team, Clark doesn't have to be a particularly outstanding quarterback this season for the Wildcats to compete.

A quick look at Clark's stats from last year:

10 TDs
11 Picks
160-314 for 1875 yards
51% completion
170 YPG

Not outstanding, but not bad. There were several head scratching throws made last season, but, keep in mind, he did lead us to as many wins last years as there were in the three previous seasons combined!

Clark is a ferocious competitor and has a insatiable desire to win. You can see it on his face and in the way he plays, sometimes almost wanting to do too much. He is also an incredible all around athlete. If you need to jog your memory, watch some of his highlights from the Montana and North Dakota games last year.

Here is the assumed depth chart at QB going into the season
1. Jadrain Clark (Sr.)
2. Justin Shaw (So.)
3. Billy Green (Jr.)
4. Kelly Hilinki (Jr.)
5. Stafan Cantwell (Jr.)

Clark is the obvious starter here, being the lone senior and the player with the most playing experience.

As a side note... Can someone please tell me what happened with Billy Green. I remember him putting on a show in cedar city, throwing for like 300+ yards and Carl Arky talking about how the Wildcats future was bright with a legitimate quarterback... Is there an injury I'm not aware of? Problems with coaches? Confidence problems? Look, I'm just a fan, not a football expert, but to me, he looked pretty legit when he played... But, it seems that ship has sailed though and Clark is our guy.

There is no one on the team that has near the amount of pressure that Jadrain Clark has on him going into the 2016 season. There have been many critics, and Clark has had a somewhat unconventional playing career at Weber State, but all will be forgotten and forgiven if he can play good enough to win. All eyes will be on Jadrian Clark this season. I hope he can rise to the occasion.

 

[Colter_Nuanez56]

Jay Hill told me on the record multiple times during the 2014 season that there are certain mistakes a quarterback playing in his system can't make. When Green threw two interceptions against Montana State, Hill pulled him and inserted Clark. Clark led Weber State on two scoring drives and has been the starter ever since.

 

[Back2WSU]

From what I've heard about Green, he's lost his confidence and touch he showed that first half of 2014

 

[SWeberCat02]

From what I've heard about Green, he's lost his confidence and touch he showed that first half of 2014

Can you blame him? He was benched, replaced by another sub-par QB, and has never been given another chance, even when his replacement has struggled. They've even given a walk-on true freshman a chance before going back to him.

I'm a fan of Coach Hill and have agreed with most everything he's done except when it comes to the QB position, by far the most important position on the field. If the passing game "has to improve" he should have been out there recruiting his ass off to find a better QB. Would have loved to have seen Alex Kuresa or Austin Kafentzis in a Wildcat uniform.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Clark? As long as he isn't absolutely embarrassing, I feel that the Cats have a good chance, because of the depth on the line and at running back, to still be explosive on offense. Reality is, is that Clark is a glorified running back who can, on occasion, make a decent pass.

As for the other guys on the depth chart. I really liked Green and feel he got the raw end, but he had a hard time keeping possession of the ball. Not that Clark has been that much better, he hasn't been worse. That is why he is still our starter. We might want to keep an eye on Cantwell. He isn't the most glamorous of QBs, but has been really successful wherever he's been.

 

[thewaterboy]

Let's be perfectly honest here, the QB position IS the weakest link on the entire team with a close 2nd being the WR group. From the looks of it not much has changed at those 2 spots. WSU can't just run the ball 90% of the time and expect it to yield long term success. Currently there is nothing at the QB position to strike ANY fear in the minds of other teams, and the only WR that currently has that ability is Livingston (if healthy). I hope these 2 groups prove me wrong but they have to prove it on the filed, and last year they collectively wet the proverbial bed. :twocents:

 

[talhadfoursteals]

Just got a chance to listen to the podcast. Here are my takeaways:

1. Our defense has the potential to be really good. One of the best in the country. Our Secondary, Tackles, and Linebackers are the best in the conference.

2. We might not have the overall best running back in the conference, but we do have four guys who can run for over 100 yards at any given time. I.e. we are going to run the ball a lot. SMASH MOUTH FOOTBALL!

3. This is what I liked the most, the OL is going to be extremely tough to beat. Weber's OL is the most under-rated and under-appreciated in the conference. Three starters back, an FBS transfer anchoring the line at center and a guy who could really wow us after switching from DE to OL. Coach wouldn't have done that if he was worried about the guys playing the DE position. Our line is 2 and in some cases 3 deep. Good football starts in the trenches. That is what Hill has done well. Getting good lineman is a must if you want to succeed.

4. The QB issue still hasn't been resolved. Jadrian has improved and is still developing, we will re-evaluate during Fall Camp to see if he is in fact the best we have.

5. Our WR were young, inexperienced, and injured last year, but there is hope. Even if they don't fully perform again, we have some really good TEs, who can take the pressure off.