BOULDER — J.T. Shrout is familiar with quarterback competitions, but he says that this one is different.
“I think this is the first time I’ve really been given a legitimate chance,” he told reporters Saturday during his first media availability of fall camp. “At UT the last few years you kind of had a starter every year, so you’re going into it playing for a backup job.”
That gives this competition a different vibe.
“It definitely gives you a boost of confidence because you know you legitimately have a shot out they’re you’re not gonna just be on the bench on game day regardless,” Shrout said. “At the same time you always try to have the mindset of ‘I gotta prepare like I’m going to be the guy,’ no matter what so that when you’re number is called you’re ready to go.”
Shrout, who transferred from Tennessee to Colorado over the offseason, brings the most experience into the Buffs’ battle for the starting quarterback job. He started one game but appeared in seven others over the past two seasons for the Volunteers, completing 37-of-69 passes for 494 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He has three years of eligibility in Boulder.
“Every little bit of experience you get out in the real game, because you can’t simulate it in practice, is always helpful to have under your belt,” Shrout said. “The more and more you get out there, the more comfortable you get. Things start to slow down.”
If you haven’t seen Shrout play football, this game against Texas A&M—he subbed in during the second quarter—sums up just about everything: some really incredible throws, some baffling misses and more athleticism than you may have realized.
A lot is new for Shrout in Boulder.
“Obviously you learn a lot with what I’ve gone through,” Shrout said. “This is my third coordinator, now third quarterback coach, so you get to learn a lot from different coaches and obviously you get learn from the players around.”
On top of having a new coaching staff, Shrout also has new teammates.
“We’ve got a great running back room, Jarek (Broussard), Alex (Fontentot), everybody. We’ve got four or five guys who can go run the rock if we need them,” Shrout said. “And then, obviously, we’ve got some great receivers and weapons to throw to outside and our tight ends are a good room, too.”
And don’t forget about the new playbook.
“You can relate football to learning a new language,” Shrout said. “Conceptually, everything can be pretty similar. Wherever you go football is football, but you learn new terminology, so it’s like learning a new language whenever you get to a new place.”
Shrout, a Southern California native, is happy to be back in Pac-12 territory.
“A plane flight is a plane flight but it’s definitely better than a seven-hour travel day for an hour-and-a-half,” Shrout said. “It’s definitely nice to see the family a little more.”
If all goes well for Shrout during camp, his family will have plenty of opportunities to watch him play this fall.
