[PVTree]

I would happily take a Hogan clone walking in through those doors and becoming our starting QB this weekend.

[PVTree]

I would happily take a Hogan clone walking in through those doors and becoming our starting QB this weekend.

[lex24]

So a week ago was my personal low thinking about recent Stanford quarterbacks.

Former Stanford recruit Bear Bachmeier led BYU to win 69-0 in their opener, and analysts heaped praise on Cal’s true freshman Sagapolutele, who looked relaxed and in command as he threw gorgeous, perfectly placed dimes in his collegiate debut. Even Hawaii fans were calling Alejado the next Tu’a.

And yet, Stanford seems like they cannot get a quarterback who can throw the ball to a receiver and not into the ground or to a wide-open defensive back.

But this is not a recent thing. It’s not just a Reich thing, it’s not just a Taylor thing and it plagued Shaw (I still argue, Hogan was not a consistently accurate passer). 

Stanford used to be called “Quarterback U” and even Stenstrom played some in the NFL.

But it feels like since Luck (!!), Stanford has been unable to recruit and develop a qb who consistently can look relaxed and throw accurate balls. There were moments (Kevin Hogan beating Notre Dame at home), but it seems like for a long time across multiple coaches, using different systems, Stanford QBs look jittery. I find it particularly instructive (and depressing!), to contrast the mechanics, ease, and placement of Cal’s Sagapolutele, playing as a true freshman in his collegiate debut, to recent Stanford quarterbacks.

So my question is, why? And can it be fixed?

I asked this question years ago before, and, not surprisingly, people blamed David Shaw and Tavita Pritchard. They said those two can’t recruit, can’t evaluate, can’t develop, turtled up and psychologically scarred our quarterbacks, and ran systems too complex for the human mind and were unable to scheme anything. 

Well, Shaw is now the passing game coordinator for the Detroit Lions, Pritchard is now the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders, and Stanford quarterbacks are still throwing the ball into the dirt or worse.

I ask this because I wonder if there is something across all these coaching staffs that has changed that can be undone.

Maybe we still use the STRIVR system, and maybe there’s just something off about it where qbs are losing their physical rhythm and flow. Maybe our qbs shouldn’t have their playbooks on an ipad and should go back and use paper copies. Maybe there is some other newfangled technology, workout routine or other practice that we’ve been using across the last three coaches that just isn’t a good fit for a young, developing college QB. (We try a lot of new technologies at Stanford).

It just seems like there’s been this lack of relaxation, an inconsistency, and and a breakdown in rhythm that has plagued us across different coaches and different schemes, and I wonder if there’s something we can change or go back to.

We used to be Quarterback U. Stanford has earth’s finest student athletes, amazingly talented, dedicated and hard working players, a gorgeous campus where it’s beautiful to toss the ball around. We should be able to be Quarterback U again, and although of course we can recruit better, I know we can develop better, and get more out of the talent we have.

Talent first.  Coaching second.

Football has changed. For much of the time Stanford was “Quarterback U”  teams relied more on the run. Now, it’s an aerial circus. Everyone wants the top quarterbacks. Thus, makes it much much more difficult to recruit.

Ditto for skill position players. Stanford just does not get the top flight receivers that it did in the glory days. Even those receivers that we come to like and get a Cup of coffee in the NFL are not reminiscent of the great receivers in Stanford’s past. The game changers.

Running backs. Right now they have what looks like a very pedestrian group. I appreciate the effort they put out there. But there’s not an explosive back in the group.

Offensive line. This may be the biggest issue of them all. It’s tough to drop back and find receivers when you have no time to throw the ball. And they’re very few Andrew Luck’s out there that can process that quickly. Not to mention the fact that he did have a great offensive line.

Quarterbacks don’t do it alone. They are in part a function of what they have around them. That’s true, even for the incredibly gifted quarterbacks. For the average every day quarterback, that is especially the case.

Stanford has no speed to speak of. No true playmaker anywhere that I can see on that roster. And they don’t pass block, particularly well.   Under those circumstances, it’s hard for any quarterback to thrive. And it’s impossible for an average (at best) quarterback to thrive.

I’m just gonna guess that Frank Reich and Andrew Luck know a bit about what it takes to be a quarterback. The fact that this guy is starting tells you a little bit about what’s behind him. But it’s not all his fault. Far from it.

The talent gap  is significant. Maybe it changes if Stanford gets more heavily involved with NIL  and the portal. The good news is, things can change quickly in today’s football world if you get in the right transfer class. I’m not holding my breath. But one can hope.

Players around the quarterback improves – the quarterback play will approve with it. And if they could actually recruit a talented quarterback, it would improve significantly.

But ill leave you with a simple question. If you were a top flight quarterback – why the hell would you pick Stanford at this point?

[lex24]

So a week ago was my personal low thinking about recent Stanford quarterbacks.

Former Stanford recruit Bear Bachmeier led BYU to win 69-0 in their opener, and analysts heaped praise on Cal’s true freshman Sagapolutele, who looked relaxed and in command as he threw gorgeous, perfectly placed dimes in his collegiate debut. Even Hawaii fans were calling Alejado the next Tu’a.

And yet, Stanford seems like they cannot get a quarterback who can throw the ball to a receiver and not into the ground or to a wide-open defensive back.

But this is not a recent thing. It’s not just a Reich thing, it’s not just a Taylor thing and it plagued Shaw (I still argue, Hogan was not a consistently accurate passer). 

Stanford used to be called “Quarterback U” and even Stenstrom played some in the NFL.

But it feels like since Luck (!!), Stanford has been unable to recruit and develop a qb who consistently can look relaxed and throw accurate balls. There were moments (Kevin Hogan beating Notre Dame at home), but it seems like for a long time across multiple coaches, using different systems, Stanford QBs look jittery. I find it particularly instructive (and depressing!), to contrast the mechanics, ease, and placement of Cal’s Sagapolutele, playing as a true freshman in his collegiate debut, to recent Stanford quarterbacks.

So my question is, why? And can it be fixed?

I asked this question years ago before, and, not surprisingly, people blamed David Shaw and Tavita Pritchard. They said those two can’t recruit, can’t evaluate, can’t develop, turtled up and psychologically scarred our quarterbacks, and ran systems too complex for the human mind and were unable to scheme anything. 

Well, Shaw is now the passing game coordinator for the Detroit Lions, Pritchard is now the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders, and Stanford quarterbacks are still throwing the ball into the dirt or worse.

I ask this because I wonder if there is something across all these coaching staffs that has changed that can be undone.

Maybe we still use the STRIVR system, and maybe there’s just something off about it where qbs are losing their physical rhythm and flow. Maybe our qbs shouldn’t have their playbooks on an ipad and should go back and use paper copies. Maybe there is some other newfangled technology, workout routine or other practice that we’ve been using across the last three coaches that just isn’t a good fit for a young, developing college QB. (We try a lot of new technologies at Stanford).

It just seems like there’s been this lack of relaxation, an inconsistency, and and a breakdown in rhythm that has plagued us across different coaches and different schemes, and I wonder if there’s something we can change or go back to.

We used to be Quarterback U. Stanford has earth’s finest student athletes, amazingly talented, dedicated and hard working players, a gorgeous campus where it’s beautiful to toss the ball around. We should be able to be Quarterback U again, and although of course we can recruit better, I know we can develop better, and get more out of the talent we have.

Talent first.  Coaching second.

Football has changed. For much of the time Stanford was “Quarterback U”  teams relied more on the run. Now, it’s an aerial circus. Everyone wants the top quarterbacks. Thus, makes it much much more difficult to recruit.

Ditto for skill position players. Stanford just does not get the top flight receivers that it did in the glory days. Even those receivers that we come to like and get a Cup of coffee in the NFL are not reminiscent of the great receivers in Stanford’s past. The game changers.

Running backs. Right now they have what looks like a very pedestrian group. I appreciate the effort they put out there. But there’s not an explosive back in the group.

Offensive line. This may be the biggest issue of them all. It’s tough to drop back and find receivers when you have no time to throw the ball. And they’re very few Andrew Luck’s out there that can process that quickly. Not to mention the fact that he did have a great offensive line.

Quarterbacks don’t do it alone. They are in part a function of what they have around them. That’s true, even for the incredibly gifted quarterbacks. For the average every day quarterback, that is especially the case.

Stanford has no speed to speak of. No true playmaker anywhere that I can see on that roster. And they don’t pass block, particularly well.   Under those circumstances, it’s hard for any quarterback to thrive. And it’s impossible for an average (at best) quarterback to thrive.

I’m just gonna guess that Frank Reich and Andrew Luck know a bit about what it takes to be a quarterback. The fact that this guy is starting tells you a little bit about what’s behind him. But it’s not all his fault. Far from it.

The talent gap  is significant. Maybe it changes if Stanford gets more heavily involved with NIL  and the portal. The good news is, things can change quickly in today’s football world if you get in the right transfer class. I’m not holding my breath. But one can hope.

Players around the quarterback improves – the quarterback play will approve with it. And if they could actually recruit a talented quarterback, it would improve significantly.

But ill leave you with a simple question. If you were a top flight quarterback – why the hell would you pick Stanford at this point?

[SkiBum80]

So a week ago was my personal low thinking about recent Stanford quarterbacks.

Former Stanford recruit Bear Bachmeier led BYU to win 69-0 in their opener, and analysts heaped praise on Cal’s true freshman Sagapolutele, who looked relaxed and in command as he threw gorgeous, perfectly placed dimes in his collegiate debut. Even Hawaii fans were calling Alejado the next Tu’a.

And yet, Stanford seems like they cannot get a quarterback who can throw the ball to a receiver and not into the ground or to a wide-open defensive back.

But this is not a recent thing. It’s not just a Reich thing, it’s not just a Taylor thing and it plagued Shaw (I still argue, Hogan was not a consistently accurate passer). 

Stanford used to be called “Quarterback U” and even Stenstrom played some in the NFL.

But it feels like since Luck (!!), Stanford has been unable to recruit and develop a qb who consistently can look relaxed and throw accurate balls. There were moments (Kevin Hogan beating Notre Dame at home), but it seems like for a long time across multiple coaches, using different systems, Stanford QBs look jittery. I find it particularly instructive (and depressing!), to contrast the mechanics, ease, and placement of Cal’s Sagapolutele, playing as a true freshman in his collegiate debut, to recent Stanford quarterbacks.

So my question is, why? And can it be fixed?

I asked this question years ago before, and, not surprisingly, people blamed David Shaw and Tavita Pritchard. They said those two can’t recruit, can’t evaluate, can’t develop, turtled up and psychologically scarred our quarterbacks, and ran systems too complex for the human mind and were unable to scheme anything. 

Well, Shaw is now the passing game coordinator for the Detroit Lions, Pritchard is now the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders, and Stanford quarterbacks are still throwing the ball into the dirt or worse.

I ask this because I wonder if there is something across all these coaching staffs that has changed that can be undone.

Maybe we still use the STRIVR system, and maybe there’s just something off about it where qbs are losing their physical rhythm and flow. Maybe our qbs shouldn’t have their playbooks on an ipad and should go back and use paper copies. Maybe there is some other newfangled technology, workout routine or other practice that we’ve been using across the last three coaches that just isn’t a good fit for a young, developing college QB. (We try a lot of new technologies at Stanford).

It just seems like there’s been this lack of relaxation, an inconsistency, and and a breakdown in rhythm that has plagued us across different coaches and different schemes, and I wonder if there’s something we can change or go back to.

We used to be Quarterback U. Stanford has earth’s finest student athletes, amazingly talented, dedicated and hard working players, a gorgeous campus where it’s beautiful to toss the ball around. We should be able to be Quarterback U again, and although of course we can recruit better, I know we can develop better, and get more out of the talent we have.

Talent first.  Coaching second.

Football has changed. For much of the time Stanford was “Quarterback U”  teams relied more on the run. Now, it’s an aerial circus. Everyone wants the top quarterbacks. Thus, makes it much much more difficult to recruit.

Ditto for skill position players. Stanford just does not get the top flight receivers that it did in the glory days. Even those receivers that we come to like and get a Cup of coffee in the NFL are not reminiscent of the great receivers in Stanford’s past. The game changers.

Running backs. Right now they have what looks like a very pedestrian group. I appreciate the effort they put out there. But there’s not an explosive back in the group.

Offensive line. This may be the biggest issue of them all. It’s tough to drop back and find receivers when you have no time to throw the ball. And they’re very few Andrew Luck’s out there that can process that quickly. Not to mention the fact that he did have a great offensive line.

Quarterbacks don’t do it alone. They are in part a function of what they have around them. That’s true, even for the incredibly gifted quarterbacks. For the average every day quarterback, that is especially the case.

Stanford has no speed to speak of. No true playmaker anywhere that I can see on that roster. And they don’t pass block, particularly well.   Under those circumstances, it’s hard for any quarterback to thrive. And it’s impossible for an average (at best) quarterback to thrive.

I’m just gonna guess that Frank Reich and Andrew Luck know a bit about what it takes to be a quarterback. The fact that this guy is starting tells you a little bit about what’s behind him. But it’s not all his fault. Far from it.

The talent gap  is significant. Maybe it changes if Stanford gets more heavily involved with NIL  and the portal. The good news is, things can change quickly in today’s football world if you get in the right transfer class. I’m not holding my breath. But one can hope.

Players around the quarterback improves – the quarterback play will approve with it. And if they could actually recruit a talented quarterback, it would improve significantly.

But ill  leave you with a simple question. If you were a top flight quarterback – why the hell would you pick Stanford at this point?

I cannot logically disagree with what you are saying.
However, in regards to our specific team and offense and QB of discussion, I point mostly to the Hawaii game as one big datapoint.
Where we did have a good running game, our OLine actually looked pretty good on a lotta plays, both running and in giving reasonable pass protection time.
And yet our passing game looked overall really not good. Actually pretty bad.
Blame the receivers if you wish, for not getting more open.
Or the QB for the many poor throws and/or bad pocket decisions.
But not the OLine or running game or RB's or even Defense, not in that game anyway.

[SkiBum80]

So a week ago was my personal low thinking about recent Stanford quarterbacks.

Former Stanford recruit Bear Bachmeier led BYU to win 69-0 in their opener, and analysts heaped praise on Cal’s true freshman Sagapolutele, who looked relaxed and in command as he threw gorgeous, perfectly placed dimes in his collegiate debut. Even Hawaii fans were calling Alejado the next Tu’a.

And yet, Stanford seems like they cannot get a quarterback who can throw the ball to a receiver and not into the ground or to a wide-open defensive back.

But this is not a recent thing. It’s not just a Reich thing, it’s not just a Taylor thing and it plagued Shaw (I still argue, Hogan was not a consistently accurate passer). 

Stanford used to be called “Quarterback U” and even Stenstrom played some in the NFL.

But it feels like since Luck (!!), Stanford has been unable to recruit and develop a qb who consistently can look relaxed and throw accurate balls. There were moments (Kevin Hogan beating Notre Dame at home), but it seems like for a long time across multiple coaches, using different systems, Stanford QBs look jittery. I find it particularly instructive (and depressing!), to contrast the mechanics, ease, and placement of Cal’s Sagapolutele, playing as a true freshman in his collegiate debut, to recent Stanford quarterbacks.

So my question is, why? And can it be fixed?

I asked this question years ago before, and, not surprisingly, people blamed David Shaw and Tavita Pritchard. They said those two can’t recruit, can’t evaluate, can’t develop, turtled up and psychologically scarred our quarterbacks, and ran systems too complex for the human mind and were unable to scheme anything. 

Well, Shaw is now the passing game coordinator for the Detroit Lions, Pritchard is now the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders, and Stanford quarterbacks are still throwing the ball into the dirt or worse.

I ask this because I wonder if there is something across all these coaching staffs that has changed that can be undone.

Maybe we still use the STRIVR system, and maybe there’s just something off about it where qbs are losing their physical rhythm and flow. Maybe our qbs shouldn’t have their playbooks on an ipad and should go back and use paper copies. Maybe there is some other newfangled technology, workout routine or other practice that we’ve been using across the last three coaches that just isn’t a good fit for a young, developing college QB. (We try a lot of new technologies at Stanford).

It just seems like there’s been this lack of relaxation, an inconsistency, and and a breakdown in rhythm that has plagued us across different coaches and different schemes, and I wonder if there’s something we can change or go back to.

We used to be Quarterback U. Stanford has earth’s finest student athletes, amazingly talented, dedicated and hard working players, a gorgeous campus where it’s beautiful to toss the ball around. We should be able to be Quarterback U again, and although of course we can recruit better, I know we can develop better, and get more out of the talent we have.

Talent first.  Coaching second.

Football has changed. For much of the time Stanford was “Quarterback U”  teams relied more on the run. Now, it’s an aerial circus. Everyone wants the top quarterbacks. Thus, makes it much much more difficult to recruit.

Ditto for skill position players. Stanford just does not get the top flight receivers that it did in the glory days. Even those receivers that we come to like and get a Cup of coffee in the NFL are not reminiscent of the great receivers in Stanford’s past. The game changers.

Running backs. Right now they have what looks like a very pedestrian group. I appreciate the effort they put out there. But there’s not an explosive back in the group.

Offensive line. This may be the biggest issue of them all. It’s tough to drop back and find receivers when you have no time to throw the ball. And they’re very few Andrew Luck’s out there that can process that quickly. Not to mention the fact that he did have a great offensive line.

Quarterbacks don’t do it alone. They are in part a function of what they have around them. That’s true, even for the incredibly gifted quarterbacks. For the average every day quarterback, that is especially the case.

Stanford has no speed to speak of. No true playmaker anywhere that I can see on that roster. And they don’t pass block, particularly well.   Under those circumstances, it’s hard for any quarterback to thrive. And it’s impossible for an average (at best) quarterback to thrive.

I’m just gonna guess that Frank Reich and Andrew Luck know a bit about what it takes to be a quarterback. The fact that this guy is starting tells you a little bit about what’s behind him. But it’s not all his fault. Far from it.

The talent gap  is significant. Maybe it changes if Stanford gets more heavily involved with NIL  and the portal. The good news is, things can change quickly in today’s football world if you get in the right transfer class. I’m not holding my breath. But one can hope.

Players around the quarterback improves – the quarterback play will approve with it. And if they could actually recruit a talented quarterback, it would improve significantly.

But ill  leave you with a simple question. If you were a top flight quarterback – why the hell would you pick Stanford at this point?

I cannot logically disagree with what you are saying.
However, in regards to our specific team and offense and QB of discussion, I point mostly to the Hawaii game as one big datapoint.
Where we did have a good running game, our OLine actually looked pretty good on a lotta plays, both running and in giving reasonable pass protection time.
And yet our passing game looked overall really not good. Actually pretty bad.
Blame the receivers if you wish, for not getting more open.
Or the QB for the many poor throws and/or bad pocket decisions.
But not the OLine or running game or RB's or even Defense, not in that game anyway.

[fullmetal]

"Quarterbacks don't do it alone" 

Okay well delay of game penalties, staring down receivers while taking sacks, fumbling the snap, throwing short completions to wide open receivers into the dirt (worm burners, dirtballs, etc), a propensity for throwing interceptions, lacking pocket awareness and ability to escape properly...

...yes quarterbacks do "it" alone, if "it" means single-handedly tank a team's chance of winning.

[fullmetal]

"Quarterbacks don't do it alone" 

Okay well delay of game penalties, staring down receivers while taking sacks, fumbling the snap, throwing short completions to wide open receivers into the dirt (worm burners, dirtballs, etc), a propensity for throwing interceptions, lacking pocket awareness and ability to escape properly...

...yes quarterbacks do "it" alone, if "it" means single-handedly tank a team's chance of winning.

[lex24]

So a week ago was my personal low thinking about recent Stanford quarterbacks.

Former Stanford recruit Bear Bachmeier led BYU to win 69-0 in their opener, and analysts heaped praise on Cal’s true freshman Sagapolutele, who looked relaxed and in command as he threw gorgeous, perfectly placed dimes in his collegiate debut. Even Hawaii fans were calling Alejado the next Tu’a.

And yet, Stanford seems like they cannot get a quarterback who can throw the ball to a receiver and not into the ground or to a wide-open defensive back.

But this is not a recent thing. It’s not just a Reich thing, it’s not just a Taylor thing and it plagued Shaw (I still argue, Hogan was not a consistently accurate passer). 

Stanford used to be called “Quarterback U” and even Stenstrom played some in the NFL.

But it feels like since Luck (!!), Stanford has been unable to recruit and develop a qb who consistently can look relaxed and throw accurate balls. There were moments (Kevin Hogan beating Notre Dame at home), but it seems like for a long time across multiple coaches, using different systems, Stanford QBs look jittery. I find it particularly instructive (and depressing!), to contrast the mechanics, ease, and placement of Cal’s Sagapolutele, playing as a true freshman in his collegiate debut, to recent Stanford quarterbacks.

So my question is, why? And can it be fixed?

I asked this question years ago before, and, not surprisingly, people blamed David Shaw and Tavita Pritchard. They said those two can’t recruit, can’t evaluate, can’t develop, turtled up and psychologically scarred our quarterbacks, and ran systems too complex for the human mind and were unable to scheme anything. 

Well, Shaw is now the passing game coordinator for the Detroit Lions, Pritchard is now the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders, and Stanford quarterbacks are still throwing the ball into the dirt or worse.

I ask this because I wonder if there is something across all these coaching staffs that has changed that can be undone.

Maybe we still use the STRIVR system, and maybe there’s just something off about it where qbs are losing their physical rhythm and flow. Maybe our qbs shouldn’t have their playbooks on an ipad and should go back and use paper copies. Maybe there is some other newfangled technology, workout routine or other practice that we’ve been using across the last three coaches that just isn’t a good fit for a young, developing college QB. (We try a lot of new technologies at Stanford).

It just seems like there’s been this lack of relaxation, an inconsistency, and and a breakdown in rhythm that has plagued us across different coaches and different schemes, and I wonder if there’s something we can change or go back to.

We used to be Quarterback U. Stanford has earth’s finest student athletes, amazingly talented, dedicated and hard working players, a gorgeous campus where it’s beautiful to toss the ball around. We should be able to be Quarterback U again, and although of course we can recruit better, I know we can develop better, and get more out of the talent we have.

Talent first.  Coaching second.

Football has changed. For much of the time Stanford was “Quarterback U”  teams relied more on the run. Now, it’s an aerial circus. Everyone wants the top quarterbacks. Thus, makes it much much more difficult to recruit.

Ditto for skill position players. Stanford just does not get the top flight receivers that it did in the glory days. Even those receivers that we come to like and get a Cup of coffee in the NFL are not reminiscent of the great receivers in Stanford’s past. The game changers.

Running backs. Right now they have what looks like a very pedestrian group. I appreciate the effort they put out there. But there’s not an explosive back in the group.

Offensive line. This may be the biggest issue of them all. It’s tough to drop back and find receivers when you have no time to throw the ball. And they’re very few Andrew Luck’s out there that can process that quickly. Not to mention the fact that he did have a great offensive line.

Quarterbacks don’t do it alone. They are in part a function of what they have around them. That’s true, even for the incredibly gifted quarterbacks. For the average every day quarterback, that is especially the case.

Stanford has no speed to speak of. No true playmaker anywhere that I can see on that roster. And they don’t pass block, particularly well.   Under those circumstances, it’s hard for any quarterback to thrive. And it’s impossible for an average (at best) quarterback to thrive.

I’m just gonna guess that Frank Reich and Andrew Luck know a bit about what it takes to be a quarterback. The fact that this guy is starting tells you a little bit about what’s behind him. But it’s not all his fault. Far from it.

The talent gap  is significant. Maybe it changes if Stanford gets more heavily involved with NIL  and the portal. The good news is, things can change quickly in today’s football world if you get in the right transfer class. I’m not holding my breath. But one can hope.

Players around the quarterback improves – the quarterback play will approve with it. And if they could actually recruit a talented quarterback, it would improve significantly.

But ill  leave you with a simple question. If you were a top flight quarterback – why the hell would you pick Stanford at this point?

I cannot logically disagree with what you are saying.
However, in regards to our specific team and offense and QB of discussion, I point mostly to the Hawaii game as one big datapoint.
Where we did have a good running game, our OLine actually looked pretty good on a lotta plays, both running and in giving reasonable pass protection time.
And yet our passing game looked overall really not good. Actually pretty bad.
Blame the receivers if you wish, for not getting more open.
Or the QB for the many poor throws and/or bad pocket decisions.
But not the OLine or running game or RB's or even Defense, not in that game anyway.

The QB1 is not good.  Which tells you all you need to know about QB2.

[lex24]

So a week ago was my personal low thinking about recent Stanford quarterbacks.

Former Stanford recruit Bear Bachmeier led BYU to win 69-0 in their opener, and analysts heaped praise on Cal’s true freshman Sagapolutele, who looked relaxed and in command as he threw gorgeous, perfectly placed dimes in his collegiate debut. Even Hawaii fans were calling Alejado the next Tu’a.

And yet, Stanford seems like they cannot get a quarterback who can throw the ball to a receiver and not into the ground or to a wide-open defensive back.

But this is not a recent thing. It’s not just a Reich thing, it’s not just a Taylor thing and it plagued Shaw (I still argue, Hogan was not a consistently accurate passer). 

Stanford used to be called “Quarterback U” and even Stenstrom played some in the NFL.

But it feels like since Luck (!!), Stanford has been unable to recruit and develop a qb who consistently can look relaxed and throw accurate balls. There were moments (Kevin Hogan beating Notre Dame at home), but it seems like for a long time across multiple coaches, using different systems, Stanford QBs look jittery. I find it particularly instructive (and depressing!), to contrast the mechanics, ease, and placement of Cal’s Sagapolutele, playing as a true freshman in his collegiate debut, to recent Stanford quarterbacks.

So my question is, why? And can it be fixed?

I asked this question years ago before, and, not surprisingly, people blamed David Shaw and Tavita Pritchard. They said those two can’t recruit, can’t evaluate, can’t develop, turtled up and psychologically scarred our quarterbacks, and ran systems too complex for the human mind and were unable to scheme anything. 

Well, Shaw is now the passing game coordinator for the Detroit Lions, Pritchard is now the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders, and Stanford quarterbacks are still throwing the ball into the dirt or worse.

I ask this because I wonder if there is something across all these coaching staffs that has changed that can be undone.

Maybe we still use the STRIVR system, and maybe there’s just something off about it where qbs are losing their physical rhythm and flow. Maybe our qbs shouldn’t have their playbooks on an ipad and should go back and use paper copies. Maybe there is some other newfangled technology, workout routine or other practice that we’ve been using across the last three coaches that just isn’t a good fit for a young, developing college QB. (We try a lot of new technologies at Stanford).

It just seems like there’s been this lack of relaxation, an inconsistency, and and a breakdown in rhythm that has plagued us across different coaches and different schemes, and I wonder if there’s something we can change or go back to.

We used to be Quarterback U. Stanford has earth’s finest student athletes, amazingly talented, dedicated and hard working players, a gorgeous campus where it’s beautiful to toss the ball around. We should be able to be Quarterback U again, and although of course we can recruit better, I know we can develop better, and get more out of the talent we have.

Talent first.  Coaching second.

Football has changed. For much of the time Stanford was “Quarterback U”  teams relied more on the run. Now, it’s an aerial circus. Everyone wants the top quarterbacks. Thus, makes it much much more difficult to recruit.

Ditto for skill position players. Stanford just does not get the top flight receivers that it did in the glory days. Even those receivers that we come to like and get a Cup of coffee in the NFL are not reminiscent of the great receivers in Stanford’s past. The game changers.

Running backs. Right now they have what looks like a very pedestrian group. I appreciate the effort they put out there. But there’s not an explosive back in the group.

Offensive line. This may be the biggest issue of them all. It’s tough to drop back and find receivers when you have no time to throw the ball. And they’re very few Andrew Luck’s out there that can process that quickly. Not to mention the fact that he did have a great offensive line.

Quarterbacks don’t do it alone. They are in part a function of what they have around them. That’s true, even for the incredibly gifted quarterbacks. For the average every day quarterback, that is especially the case.

Stanford has no speed to speak of. No true playmaker anywhere that I can see on that roster. And they don’t pass block, particularly well.   Under those circumstances, it’s hard for any quarterback to thrive. And it’s impossible for an average (at best) quarterback to thrive.

I’m just gonna guess that Frank Reich and Andrew Luck know a bit about what it takes to be a quarterback. The fact that this guy is starting tells you a little bit about what’s behind him. But it’s not all his fault. Far from it.

The talent gap  is significant. Maybe it changes if Stanford gets more heavily involved with NIL  and the portal. The good news is, things can change quickly in today’s football world if you get in the right transfer class. I’m not holding my breath. But one can hope.

Players around the quarterback improves – the quarterback play will approve with it. And if they could actually recruit a talented quarterback, it would improve significantly.

But ill  leave you with a simple question. If you were a top flight quarterback – why the hell would you pick Stanford at this point?

I cannot logically disagree with what you are saying.
However, in regards to our specific team and offense and QB of discussion, I point mostly to the Hawaii game as one big datapoint.
Where we did have a good running game, our OLine actually looked pretty good on a lotta plays, both running and in giving reasonable pass protection time.
And yet our passing game looked overall really not good. Actually pretty bad.
Blame the receivers if you wish, for not getting more open.
Or the QB for the many poor throws and/or bad pocket decisions.
But not the OLine or running game or RB's or even Defense, not in that game anyway.

The QB1 is not good.  Which tells you all you need to know about QB2.

[StanUSwagU]

********************

Over the last 10-15 years, Oregon has had a string of very good capable QBs, and except for 1 down year under Coach Helfrich, these 'very good dual threat QBs' (i) ran well & (ii) passed well & (iii) led Oregon to winning seasons, many of which were '9+game winning seasons'.

These string of QBs were:

2008-Jeremiah Masoli - dual threat
Darron Thomas - dual threat
Marcus Mariota - dual threat
Vernon Adams - dual threat
Justin Herbert - dual threat
Tyler Shough - dual threat
Anthony Brown - dual threat
Bo Nix - dual threat
2024-Dillon Gabrial - dual threat
2025-Dante Moore - dual threat



Oregon does a great job with QBs, usually finding & bringing in very good dual threat QBs ( either from high school or transfer portal ) & their offensive system is a 'quick learn' which allows these 'dual-threat qbs' to quickly become productive scorers & explosive game-impacters, & which gives Oregon great flexibility in running their offense.

Many of these QBs went onto the NFL, but the key is Oregon was looking for 'dual threat QBs' who could exploit college football rules, and lead 'uptempo high octane offenses', not guys who were going to run 'slower, huddle-up, NFL pro offenses'


Yes, Oregon also surrounded these 'dual threat QBs' with good skill players & good OLinemen, but their skill players & Olinemen were not of the caliber of an OhioState or Michigan, or Alabama, or Georgia, yet they were able to play with those 'Big Boys' because of their 'very good dual threat QBs' sort of making up the difference.


Of course these 'very good dual threat QBs' and good SkillPlayers and 'Good Olinemen' find Oregon attractive for a host of reasons, a few of which are:

-All the Nike Gear & Drip a Young Man could ever dream of !
-Saturdays being excited & hyped Playing in front of an always packed Autzen Stadium & rabid Duck fanbase, where fans stand (not sit) most of the game !
-Very competitive NIL deals
-Program that routinely gets its players drafted into the NFL
-etc

[StanUSwagU]

********************

Over the last 10-15 years, Oregon has had a string of very good capable QBs, and except for 1 down year under Coach Helfrich, these 'very good dual threat QBs' (i) ran well & (ii) passed well & (iii) led Oregon to winning seasons, many of which were '9+game winning seasons'.

These string of QBs were:

2008-Jeremiah Masoli - dual threat
Darron Thomas - dual threat
Marcus Mariota - dual threat
Vernon Adams - dual threat
Justin Herbert - dual threat
Tyler Shough - dual threat
Anthony Brown - dual threat
Bo Nix - dual threat
2024-Dillon Gabrial - dual threat
2025-Dante Moore - dual threat



Oregon does a great job with QBs, usually finding & bringing in very good dual threat QBs ( either from high school or transfer portal ) & their offensive system is a 'quick learn' which allows these 'dual-threat qbs' to quickly become productive scorers & explosive game-impacters, & which gives Oregon great flexibility in running their offense.

Many of these QBs went onto the NFL, but the key is Oregon was looking for 'dual threat QBs' who could exploit college football rules, and lead 'uptempo high octane offenses', not guys who were going to run 'slower, huddle-up, NFL pro offenses'


Yes, Oregon also surrounded these 'dual threat QBs' with good skill players & good OLinemen, but their skill players & Olinemen were not of the caliber of an OhioState or Michigan, or Alabama, or Georgia, yet they were able to play with those 'Big Boys' because of their 'very good dual threat QBs' sort of making up the difference.


Of course these 'very good dual threat QBs' and good SkillPlayers and 'Good Olinemen' find Oregon attractive for a host of reasons, a few of which are:

-All the Nike Gear & Drip a Young Man could ever dream of !
-Saturdays being excited & hyped Playing in front of an always packed Autzen Stadium & rabid Duck fanbase, where fans stand (not sit) most of the game !
-Very competitive NIL deals
-Program that routinely gets its players drafted into the NFL
-etc

[fullmetal]

The QB1 is not good.  Which tells you all you need to know about QB2.

It doesn't always, really.  There have been notable mid-season QB changes for the better in recent Stanford history.

[fullmetal]

The QB1 is not good.  Which tells you all you need to know about QB2.

It doesn't always, really.  There have been notable mid-season QB changes for the better in recent Stanford history.

[lex24]

"Quarterbacks don't do it alone" 

Okay well delay of game penalties, staring down receivers while taking sacks, fumbling the snap, throwing short completions to wide open receivers into the dirt (worm burners, dirtballs, etc), a propensity for throwing interceptions, lacking pocket awareness and ability to escape properly...

...yes quarterbacks do "it" alone, if "it" means single-handedly tank a team's chance of winning.

Two questions:

1.  How would you rank Stanfords non-QB talent among ACC teams? Power 4 teams? 

2.  (I asked this before). If you are either a top flight HS or Transfer QB, why would you pick Stanford?

The question that started this is “the mystery of recent Stanford QBs“. I don’t think it’s much of a mystery. For years, people have screamed about the incompetent coaching. First Shaw , then Taylor. It’ll happen soon for Reich if it hasn’t already. 

And next, the poor quarterback play. With much of the discourse again being that they must be poorly coached.

The real problem has been a dearth of talent.

I’m not suggesting that Stanford‘s QB has not hurt them in the first two games. Especially the Hawaii game, which was winnable. He has. But then he was not a particularly attractive transfer when you get right down to it. And apparently he’s not getting pushed by anybody that’s behind him. Which should tell you all you need to know about the talent level of the other quarterbacks on the roster. 

This should be no mystery. Stanford football is an afterthought for almost everybody except the people on this board. They get very little attention locally. The attendance is embarrassing. The only attention I’ve seen nationally is an article stating that they may be the worst power four team in the country.

The administration twiddled their thumbs when the changes began in college football. It took them forever to accept even a modest number of transfers – while losing many on their end. And they were very slow to join the NIL party.  I don’t know the exact numbers – but even today are they competitive on that front? I don’t think so.

So the “mystery” of Stanford quarterback is nothing more than what’s happened to the whole program. They can’t  keep relying on the “40 year decision.” That’s no longer relevant. If that wasn’t abundantly clear before the Hawaii game – it should have been brought home quite clearly when a wide receiver for Hawaii caught a key touchdown pass. He had transferred from Stanford. Think about that for a minute. And think about it in particular as it pertains to the “forty year decision.”

Either the program moves into the modern world of college football or it dies. That is, in my opinion, the uncomfortable truth. It means that if you want a top flight  quarterback – you pay a hell of a lot of money for him.  And you have a large treasure chest significant to woo recruits and transfers.  Hopefully Andrew Luck and  the new A.D. can push the university to do what is unfortunately necessary in order to have a successful football program. If they cannot -  then either  join the Ivy League or drop the program.  Because this is not doing anyone any favors.

---

The QB1 is not good.  Which tells you all you need to know about QB2.

It doesn't always, really.  There have been notable mid-season QB changes for the better in recent Stanford history.

Play QB two. Play QB three. I don’t care. I don’t think it is is going to make a real difference. The talent level needs to be increased significantly.

[lex24]

"Quarterbacks don't do it alone" 

Okay well delay of game penalties, staring down receivers while taking sacks, fumbling the snap, throwing short completions to wide open receivers into the dirt (worm burners, dirtballs, etc), a propensity for throwing interceptions, lacking pocket awareness and ability to escape properly...

...yes quarterbacks do "it" alone, if "it" means single-handedly tank a team's chance of winning.

Two questions:

1.  How would you rank Stanfords non-QB talent among ACC teams? Power 4 teams? 

2.  (I asked this before). If you are either a top flight HS or Transfer QB, why would you pick Stanford?

The question that started this is “the mystery of recent Stanford QBs“. I don’t think it’s much of a mystery. For years, people have screamed about the incompetent coaching. First Shaw , then Taylor. It’ll happen soon for Reich if it hasn’t already. 

And next, the poor quarterback play. With much of the discourse again being that they must be poorly coached.

The real problem has been a dearth of talent.

I’m not suggesting that Stanford‘s QB has not hurt them in the first two games. Especially the Hawaii game, which was winnable. He has. But then he was not a particularly attractive transfer when you get right down to it. And apparently he’s not getting pushed by anybody that’s behind him. Which should tell you all you need to know about the talent level of the other quarterbacks on the roster. 

This should be no mystery. Stanford football is an afterthought for almost everybody except the people on this board. They get very little attention locally. The attendance is embarrassing. The only attention I’ve seen nationally is an article stating that they may be the worst power four team in the country.

The administration twiddled their thumbs when the changes began in college football. It took them forever to accept even a modest number of transfers – while losing many on their end. And they were very slow to join the NIL party.  I don’t know the exact numbers – but even today are they competitive on that front? I don’t think so.

So the “mystery” of Stanford quarterback is nothing more than what’s happened to the whole program. They can’t  keep relying on the “40 year decision.” That’s no longer relevant. If that wasn’t abundantly clear before the Hawaii game – it should have been brought home quite clearly when a wide receiver for Hawaii caught a key touchdown pass. He had transferred from Stanford. Think about that for a minute. And think about it in particular as it pertains to the “forty year decision.”

Either the program moves into the modern world of college football or it dies. That is, in my opinion, the uncomfortable truth. It means that if you want a top flight  quarterback – you pay a hell of a lot of money for him.  And you have a large treasure chest significant to woo recruits and transfers.  Hopefully Andrew Luck and  the new A.D. can push the university to do what is unfortunately necessary in order to have a successful football program. If they cannot -  then either  join the Ivy League or drop the program.  Because this is not doing anyone any favors.

---

The QB1 is not good.  Which tells you all you need to know about QB2.

It doesn't always, really.  There have been notable mid-season QB changes for the better in recent Stanford history.

Play QB two. Play QB three. I don’t care. I don’t think it is is going to make a real difference. The talent level needs to be increased significantly.

[ADPinWDC]

The QB1 is not good.  Which tells you all you need to know about QB2.

It doesn't always, really.  There have been notable mid-season QB changes for the better in recent Stanford history.

CORRECT

---

The QB1 is not good.  Which tells you all you need to know about QB2.

It doesn't always, really.  There have been notable mid-season QB changes for the better in recent Stanford history.

CORRECT
-- so limited downside with QB2 or QB3 now

[ADPinWDC]

The QB1 is not good.  Which tells you all you need to know about QB2.

It doesn't always, really.  There have been notable mid-season QB changes for the better in recent Stanford history.

CORRECT

---

The QB1 is not good.  Which tells you all you need to know about QB2.

It doesn't always, really.  There have been notable mid-season QB changes for the better in recent Stanford history.

CORRECT
-- so limited downside with QB2 or QB3 now

[Mick]

Some of the passes that QB1 threw were amazing...and not in a good way.

Please let's try someone else.

[Mick]

Some of the passes that QB1 threw were amazing...and not in a good way.

Please let's try someone else.

[Spiny_Norman]

Also worth noting that Stanford has no QB committed for the class of 2026 (perhaps understandably given that prospects don't know who the coach will be). All of the top 50 HS QBs are already committed to other schools. Stanford will probably be back in the transfer portal looking for a QB in the off-season unless the new coach can flip someone.

[Spiny_Norman]

Also worth noting that Stanford has no QB committed for the class of 2026 (perhaps understandably given that prospects don't know who the coach will be). All of the top 50 HS QBs are already committed to other schools. Stanford will probably be back in the transfer portal looking for a QB in the off-season unless the new coach can flip someone.

[Mick]

Also worth noting that Stanford has no QB committed for the class of 2026 (perhaps understandably given that prospects don't know who the coach will be). All of the top 50 HS QBs are already committed to other schools. Stanford will probably be back in the transfer portal looking for a QB in the off-season unless the new coach can flip someone.

How about Arch Manning? He had a 3.5 in high school. Austin Simmons at Ole Miss? AD's honor role, grad w/ bachelor's degree, 4 star in high school, redshirt soph this year, backed up Jaxson Dart, has had multiple clutch relief appearances.

Gaston Moore (backup at Tennessee, 2x member of SEC Academic Honor Rol.

Chase Griffin, backup at UCLA, multiple Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll

Beau Pribula Penn State

Jaylen Henderson, one of the best backups, Texas A&M

Davis Beville, backup at Oklahoma (prev. w/Pitt and SoCar), Academic ALl Big 12

Chubba Purdy, Nevada, was Nebraska/Florida State, Academic All Big Ten.

[Mick]

Also worth noting that Stanford has no QB committed for the class of 2026 (perhaps understandably given that prospects don't know who the coach will be). All of the top 50 HS QBs are already committed to other schools. Stanford will probably be back in the transfer portal looking for a QB in the off-season unless the new coach can flip someone.

How about Arch Manning? He had a 3.5 in high school. Austin Simmons at Ole Miss? AD's honor role, grad w/ bachelor's degree, 4 star in high school, redshirt soph this year, backed up Jaxson Dart, has had multiple clutch relief appearances.

Gaston Moore (backup at Tennessee, 2x member of SEC Academic Honor Rol.

Chase Griffin, backup at UCLA, multiple Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll

Beau Pribula Penn State

Jaylen Henderson, one of the best backups, Texas A&M

Davis Beville, backup at Oklahoma (prev. w/Pitt and SoCar), Academic ALl Big 12

Chubba Purdy, Nevada, was Nebraska/Florida State, Academic All Big Ten.

[fullmetal]

If someone ponies up the NIL money, sure.

[fullmetal]

If someone ponies up the NIL money, sure.

[PalmTree]

Also worth noting that Stanford has no QB committed for the class of 2026 (perhaps understandably given that prospects don't know who the coach will be). All of the top 50 HS QBs are already committed to other schools. Stanford will probably be back in the transfer portal looking for a QB in the off-season unless the new coach can flip someone.

Based on a tip from BobK in the WBB recruiting thread, we just got a commitment from Devin Mignery, 6', 205# dual-threat QB from Cardinal Mooney H.S. in Sarasota, FL.  A 2025 season preview said he threw for 1,637 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 1,199 yards and 9 TDs in 2024.  Otherwise, besides a self-reported offer from Cornell, there's precious little info on his recruiting profile or his play this season to date available on-line.  Given the sparse info, the commitment news is what it is, but welcome Devin, nonetheless.

https://www.instagram.com/devinmignery14/
https://x.com/devin_mignery?lang=en

[PalmTree]

Also worth noting that Stanford has no QB committed for the class of 2026 (perhaps understandably given that prospects don't know who the coach will be). All of the top 50 HS QBs are already committed to other schools. Stanford will probably be back in the transfer portal looking for a QB in the off-season unless the new coach can flip someone.

Based on a tip from BobK in the WBB recruiting thread, we just got a commitment from Devin Mignery, 6', 205# dual-threat QB from Cardinal Mooney H.S. in Sarasota, FL.  A 2025 season preview said he threw for 1,637 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 1,199 yards and 9 TDs in 2024.  Otherwise, besides a self-reported offer from Cornell, there's precious little info on his recruiting profile or his play this season to date available on-line.  Given the sparse info, the commitment news is what it is, but welcome Devin, nonetheless.

https://www.instagram.com/devinmignery14/
https://x.com/devin_mignery?lang=en