Stone Saunders to the portal

[Jaxcat]

Never saw anything of him, but had an outstanding HS career in PA. Kind of surprised he signed in the first place as there was a lot of young QB competition on the roster.

Had several P4 offers so he should find a good landing spot. Hurts our depth. Only Boley and Ward on the depth chart and wouldn't surprise me if Ward transferred, also. Really have to have at least 3 QBs, imo. Boley and Ponatoski are almost assuredly going to be on the roster. Beyond that, who knows?

[bthaunert]

He had an awesome offer list out of HS. Georgia, Miami, Michigan, A&M. He signed when Coen was the OC. It's going to be really hard for programs to keep seasoned backup QB's in the new era. Almost need to go the route of a Beau Allen or Deuce Hogan. Hoping Ward stays and I wouldn't be surprised if Stein goes looking in the portal too.

[Matt Dillon]

I always hate to hear of a player leaving, especially one who signed out of h.s., somehow it just seems kind of sad to me. I guess when Ward got playing time ahead of him he could see the writing on the wall. Perhaps he has reason to think Ward is staying as well.

[blueheretic]

I think that was expected. Can't keep all of them.

Three in the room and Stein may bring someone in of his own.

[Jaxcat]

I hope so re: Ward. I know it was a very limited exposure, but I though he looked very poised and in command. Has a pretty good arm, from what I saw.

[dencat]

Losing Saunders hurts. I had high hopes for him. It is not surprising though. I would guess Stein will look for a seasoned QB in the portal. Ponatoski already has a relationship with Stein. If he is as good as everyone says, Ward would be pushed back to QB3 or QB4. If we pick up a decent QB early in the portal, it would not surprise me to see Boley leave as well.

[Jaxcat]

Losing Saunders hurts. I had high hopes for him. It is not surprising though. I would guess Stein will look for a seasoned QB in the portal. Ponatoski already has a relationship with Stein. If he is as good as everyone says, Ward would be pushed back to QB3 or QB4. If we pick up a decent QB early in the portal, it would not surprise me to see Boley leave as well.

Especially if we don't pick up a potential starting QB in the portal (picking one up would be seen as a slap in Boley's face or an indication of a lack of confidence in him, imo), I think Ward will play some this coming year, whether due to injury, ineffectiveness, one-sided game, etc. Unless he's truly somewhat of a unicorn, I'd be surprised to see Ponatoski on the field except in limited, mop-up duty and less than 4 games to preserve his RS.

We're sort of in limbo re: QB and the portal. If we pick up a player who will fight Boley for QB1, does that increase the chance that he leaves and we're in the same, short-handed situation we're in now? I can't imagine bringing a transfer QB on just for depth. If we don't pick up a QB, we'll have Boley, a still very green Ward and a true FR in Ponatoski. That's risky. I don't know of any solution, however, that doesn't include a bit of risk - either Boley transferring or we're awfully thin at the most important position on the field.

[Matt Dillon]

If Boley and Ward stay and Ponatoski plays fb, I expect that to be QB's 1, 2 & 3 in that order. If that happens, I expect Stein and Co. to go after a serviceable QB from the Portal for insurance but not someone who necessarily expects to start. From all I've read it seems as if Stein and Sloan are very high on Boley.

[Pete Hogwallop]

I don't feel like it's going to be difficult to pick up a QB who would potentially be better than Boley. I like him and want him to succeed, but he didn't exactly light the world on fire this year. I'd say he's an average SEC QB at best. Hopefully he takes a big leap forward next year.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't feel like it's going to be difficult to pick up a QB who would potentially be better than Boley. I like him and want him to succeed, but he didn't exactly light the world on fire this year. I'd say he's an average SEC QB at best. Hopefully he takes a big leap forward next year.

I'm not saying this is going to happen but with a new HC and OC and if the oline is respectable we may be surprised at what Boley may blossom into.

[Jaxcat]

^Since now we have zero returning starters on the OL with Farmer declaring for the draft, having a 'respectable' OL at this point seems like a pipe dream.

I feel much the same as PH above about Boley. He had some very solid outings and a few complete stinkers. Not confident, yet, in his decision making ability or his ability to go through the progressions to throw to the right guy. He's shown flashes of being a good QB, but he's also looked completely lost.

If we're counting on him to boost us to mid tier SEC, I believe we will be sorely disappointed. Surround him with some well-coached talent and he could be just fine, though.

Only 3 QBs on the roster for next year with 2 having basically no experience is a big concern. But, we can't spend big on a QB and rebuild the OL, replace losses on RB, TE and WR rooms and get a player or two to shore up the D. It promises to be a very interesting portal season.