Let me preface this by saying that I don’t have any inside information from the UNT end of it on this one, but after some conversations with people outside of the program, don’t be surprised if there isn’t a quarterback in the Mean Green’s 2015 signing class.
UNT didn’t chase many this year. Chris Riddle out of Florida was about the only one we heard a lot about.
It looks like UNT will stick with the five it has heading into next year. UNT has three players who have started at least one game this year in Josh Greer, Dajon Williams and Andrew McNulty, who appears to be on track to start the remainder of the Mean Green’s games.
UNT also has Connor Means coming off a redshirt season next year and Caleb Chumley coming in.
That’s five guys. There was always some question as to whether or not UNT would add a sixth player to the mix.
It doesn’t look like UNT will head down that road.
That could change. The situation with scholarships is always fluid. UNT could have a top-ranked quarterback knock on its door tomorrow that that staff would grab in a heartbeat.
But let’s just assume for the sake of argument that UNT does in fact pass on a 2015 quarterback.
What will does that mean?
It essentially means head coach Dan McCarney is ready to roll the dice on one of a couple of scenarios playing out in UNT’s favor:
1. Andrew McNulty pans out
We have known for weeks that McCarney is high on McNulty in terms of his toughness and ability to take care of the ball. UNT is pretty conservative offensively. Could McMulty come back as a senior and approach the level of play Derek Thompson gave UNT as a senior while leading the Mean Green to the Heart of Dallas Bowl. UNT could be willing to wait and see.
2. Williams figures it out
The other possibility is that UNT has reached the point where it is confident that even if McNulty doesn’t work out, Williams will. The redshirt freshman is very talented, but has a lot going on off the field and has struggled with dedication issues. UNT has given Williams chance after chance. There could be a sense of confidence that Williams is ready to finally capitalize on his potential.
3. Means is the answer
Connor Means looked pretty impressive in spring practice at times. He has the tools. Has UNT seen enough in practice to be confident in the freshman taking over as a starter right off the bat as a redshirt freshman? There is always that possibility.
4. UNT believes the odds are in its favor
It’s not like UNT won’t have options next year if it stands pat. There are a lot of guys who are certain to return. UNT has a ton of holes to fill next season across the board, both the ones that have shown up this year and the ones that won’t be easy to plug after a series of key seniors, including linebacker Derek Akunne, four starting offensive linemen and key secondary starters James Jones and Lariamie Lee graduate.
UNT could come to the conclusion that it has too many holes to fill to spend another precious scholarship on a quarterback.
Like I said, nothing is official.
Just don’t be surprised if this is where this ends up going.