By Christian Vieyra – Managing Editor
Emmett Brown (left) and Walker Eget (right) have emerged as possible candidates for starting quarterback.
Leaders are emerging after three weeks of spring practice for San Jose State football, even in the question mark of a quarterback room.
After Chevan Cordeiro’s college career came to a close, his successor was a mystery.
The Spartans’ QB situation was even more cloudy when Brent Brennan left to coach at Arizona, which led to Chubba Purdy, brother of NFL Pro-Bowl QB Brock Purdy, to decommit from SJSU after he left Nebraska. Purdy would later commit to Nevada.
But SJSU’s quarterback competition is narrowing down with the spring game a few weeks away.
“At the top of the heap right now is probably Walker (Eget) and Emmett (Brown),” SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said.
Both have been getting more reps with the first team according to Niumatalolo.
Building a roster is not complicated for Niumatalolo. “Everything starts with the quarterback,” he said after his introductory press conference on Jan. 23.
Offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann co-signed Niumatalolo’s top two QBs stating Brown and Eget have become vocal leaders in the QB room.
Stutzmann also noted wide receiver Nick Nash, tight end Sam Olsen and offensive lineman Marist Talavou as leaders of the offense.
“He’s not a big speaker but when he speaks, a lot of guys listen,” Stutzmann said on Talavou. “He’s kind of a fatherly spirit out there.”
The other side of the ball has impressed Niumatalolo the most. Derrick Odum’s defense has had the upper hand at most practices this spring.
“I don’t want to name one guy in particular in defense, because I feel like there’s been a lot of guys playing really well,” Niumatalolo said.
Although the offense has been sporadic according to Niumatalolo, there have been glimpses of its potential, he said.
“Truth be told, I wish we had probably about three more weeks or four more weeks left of spring ball,” Stutzmann said.
Stutzmann said that the experience and speed of the defense has been challenging for his offense, but his offense has begun to slow them down and identify the defense correctly.
SJSU’s spring game is at 1 p.m. on April 27 at CEFCU Stadium.