Team Report: Inside Slant
Charlie Weis is keeping an air of mystery surrounding one of the most intriguing position battles in all of college football.
He kicked the tires on four inexperienced quarterbacks this spring; one of them will get a chance to replace golden-armed Brady Quinn. But first, Weis wants to pare the list to two.
After spring ball, Weis had recruiting to attend to, but he identified his top three candidates at the end of May. The decision doesn't mean the others are history, it's just that he wants to give the position focus ... and, hey, somebody has to end up getting the majority of the reps in the fall.
"You just set up an equal plan, very logistically laid out, and let everyone know this is what the plan is going to be," Weis said.
The odd man out in the four-man battle royale was Zach Frazer, who redshirted last year and announced in early June that he planned to transfer, likely to an East Coast school.
Junior Evan Sharpley is the only contender who has taken snaps in college; he had been the little-used backup to Brady Quinn. His strength: He has been in this system the longest.
Demetrius Jones also was a redshirt last year after arriving with loads of prep press clippings. Jones is the best athlete of the group, but doesn't lack for confidence.
Then there is Jimmy Clausen, considered in some circles as the top recruit of the class of 2007. Weis kept him off-limits to the media this spring and Jimmy Clausen underwent an undisclosed procedure on his right elbow in June which may, or may not, impact him in the fall.
"The first thing is as a head coach is you don't create prima donnas. That's very, very important," Weis said.
The field has been reduced. Eventually, one of these guys will become a very big man on campus.
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