ASU quarterback competition heating up as spring football draws to close

The ASU quarterback competition has been the talk of Tempe since the departure of Jayden Daniels. The two guys vying for the lead role have been redshirt junior Trenton Bourguet and redshirt junior Paul Tyson.

Both quarterbacks are still working to grasp new offensive coordinator Glenn Thomas’ offense. Bourguet said the biggest difference between this year’s and last year’s offense is the verbiage. 

As the two redshirt juniors attempt to outduel each other on the field, there’s only a few days left of spring practice. 

“Personally, I’m just trying to be the best quarterback I can be,” Bourguet said. “Not worrying about the other quarterbacks in the room. Trying to get better each and every day. If I have a mistake one day, make sure to not do it again.”

Bourguet entered the spring session of workouts as the likely starter, given his time under head coach Herm Edwards in Tempe. With that said, Tyson, an Alabama transfer, has slowly grown more comfortable in Thomas’ scheme. 

In the early days of spring practices, Tyson was overthrowing his wideouts. Some of his passes would miss their mark entirely. As the weeks have added up, Tyson’s chemistry with the wide receivers has evolved with fewer passes hitting the ground.

Part of the strengthened relationship between Tyson and the other guys on offense is simply spending more time together. The other part of the growth comes down to Tyson’s ability to lead. 

“I think that’s a huge, huge deal at quarterback, especially,” Tyson said.  “I think leadership is something we can’t take lightly and I believe a lot of it is earned on the field actually. I think that’s when you get your respect and you build the relationships with your players where they trust you.”

Tyson may not boast all of the collegiate playing experience in the world, but he doesn’t necessarily have to do that. In the battle for the ASU starting quarterback spot, Tyson has something that Bourguet doesn’t — three seasons at Alabama.

While Tyson never really saw the field in Tuscaloosa, he had the pleasure of sitting behind a couple current NFL quarterbacks and a Heisman Trophy winner. Most of the on-field skills can be developed and taught, the years of experience Tyson received by sitting behind the Alabama greats can’t be. 

“I may not be the biggest rah-rah screaming, hollering guy but I will definitely be a leader through the mouth.” Tyson said.

If the few weeks of spring practices are any indication of this competition, then Tyson will continue to gain ground. While Tyson carries the size, arm talent and time as a member of the Crimson Tide, Bourguet won’t be throwing in the towel.

As spring workouts begin to wind down leading up to the spring game on Saturday, this David versus Goliath quarterback competition could be decided as the week comes to an end. With Tyson improving and boasting all of the intangibles, it feels inevitable that he’ll find his way to the starting spot. 

But in what’s sure to be an interesting end to spring football, Bourguet said he’s aware of what’s at stake, and he’s up for the challenge.

“At this position there’s only one guy on the field,” Bourguet said. “So we’re trying to push each other and make each other better. At the end of the day the best guy will play.”

Follow Anthony Totri on Twitter