Nick Stevens, 2015 starting quarterback for the Colorado State Rams, second-team all-conference and Mountain West leader in passing touchdowns (21). 2016, enter Faton Bauta, the “new kid in town,” graduate transfer from the University of Georgia, and long time Mike Bobo affiliate who’s gunning for Stevens’ job.
Stevens will be a redshirt junior in fall, and after beating Coleman Key for the starting position last season, he is once again amidst a quarterback competition. In most situations, the graduate transfer would be behind in the system, giving the original starter the advantage. Unfortunately for Stevens, Bauta has been in the system even longer, and head coach Mike Bobo as well as offensive Coordinator Will Friend have known Bauta for over half a decade.
After Friday’s first practice — the first of the Rams’ 15 in spring — Stevens seemed like a guy that is ready for the challenge and excited to get back to work.
“I was really excited today,” Stevens said. “I think that it’s been a long offseason, a little bit too long, and all of us on the team have been chomping on the bit to get out there again.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2le6xlijeaA
“We all have a really good opportunity this year to show everybody what we’re made of, and what we can do, now that we have had a year under our belt in this offense and defense, and with this coaching staff,” Stevens continued.
Where Stevens holds the advantage is familiarity with the surroundings and his teammates. Cohesion and on-field chemistry plays a large role in the success of any football team. Stevens has been in the program for three years, leading the team to a bowl game. That fact will not be discounted by his teammates or coaches.
“I think I have a really good relationship with the guys from last year, and also, incoming guys,” Stevens explained. “I’m able to build those relationships with anyone that comes in, and anyone I’ve played with, that maybe a new guy doesn’t have that relationship with.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enJHpFncMtE
However, there is no love lost on the gridiron, and at this level, the coaching staff will play who they think best gives the team the best chance to win. The quarterback is the leader of the football team. Great ones do not just receive respect, they command it. If Stevens is going to continue to be the starting quarterback of the team, he will have to earn it with the work he puts in this spring and summer, both on and off the field.
“I’m able to take stuff from the film room and apply it out on the field, and kind of learn that way, so that I don’t make as many mistakes out on the field,” Stevens said. “Not to say that those guys (Bauta and Collin Hill) don’t, but I feel like that is what’s especially applicable to me.”
The offensive line returns four starters from 2015, so whoever is leading the Rams this fall should have a chance to succeed. “I think the o-line is going to be great this year,” Stevens told the media Friday. “I think we all definitely had our struggles last year together, and it made us stronger as a unit and brought us together. I think this year it’s going to be something special with those guys.”
CSU lost a lot of key weapons on the outside. Rashard Higgins, Joe Hansley, Kivon Cartwright and Steven Walker were all players that contributed significantly in the Ram offense over the last few years. Luckily for both Stevens and Bauta, there will be a litany of pass-catchers trying to make a name for themselves this spring. Stevens had high praise for his teammates efforts in the offseason.
“I think Bisi (Olabisi Johnson) has had a great offseason, he’s going to do a great job. Xavier (Williams), (Deionte) Gaines, they all have made strides this offseason,” the quarterback explained. “I think that as a whole offensive unit, we have something that could be definitely really special.”
Quarterback competitions can be really difficult for players to handle, especially if they linger and become a controversy. Stevens has handled it with grace in the early stages.
If he goes out and continues to put in the work on and off the field, his teammates will respect him, no matter the outcome. The following few months will do a lot to determine whether he keeps his starting position or not. In this writer’s opinion, Stevens seems like a guy that is ready for the task.
