What does Jared Barnett's leaving the program say about our young QBs?

**clonedude** · 01-12-2013, 09:41 AM

I've been thinking now for a while about what this all means that JB has decided to transfer?

Basically every year since JB's been here, there have been open competition's at the QB going into every spring and every fall camp. It's not as if Rhoads has not allowed every guy a chance at proving themselves both in practice and in games to win the job.

And I don't think this spring or fall would be any different. Rhoads has been more than fair, probably too much so in fact, at giving every guy a chance to win the job in practice AND even win the job in games. Rhoads has a pretty darn quick trigger for the starters when they aren't performing. Just look at how many chances JB has gotten in games over the last few years to show what he can do.

So... it's not as if JB is leaving because he doesn't believe he will get a fair shot at the job. That couldn't be further from the truth or reality IMO.

Ok, so maybe he just doesn't like it at ISU or in Ames? I don't think so. He would have left before now if that was the case, and everyone I've ever talked with says he really liked it here. So I don't think that's the reason either.

The only thing one can truly come up with is that he himself sees the writing on the wall and realizes that realistically he probably is going to go into next season 3rd on the depth chart. I think if he thought he was going to be 2nd on the depth chart, he might stick it out because you never know how Richardson is going to look, or if Richardson would get injured, etc... you'd be just one play away from being "the guy". But at 3rd on the depth chart, your playing chances dwindle to almost nothing.

So in a way, although we will miss JB and his positive leadership abilities, I think it's a HUGE positive sign for what the staff must think of Richardson and Rohach's abilities that JB feels the need to transfer. JB must feel that the "real" competition next year will be between Richardson and Rohach, with JB kinda on the outside looking in.

Although I feel for JB, I just think this is a great sign for what the coaches must think of Richardson and Rohach. It gives me hope that one of these two guys could be the real deal, or maybe even both of them. Is the true Richardson the cool, calm, efficient QB we saw against KU, or the sick and tired QB we saw against Tulsa? I think the true one is more of the KU game QB. And the staff must be REALLY high on Rohach if JB is deciding to transfer IMO.

So although it would be nice to have JB as a backup, I can see why he is deciding to move on at this point. If he feels deep down that SR and GR are both ahead of him, and he just wants to play football and not hold a clipboard, then he's making the right decision. Best of luck to JB, but also, I think this only can mean positive things regarding the QB position for us. Some on here are worried about our QB depth and experience next year, but it doesn't appear that the coaching staff is too concerned about it. Neither am I.

**KFitzy87** · 01-12-2013, 09:44 AM

Orrrrrrr he just wants to be guaranteed all snaps at the college he transfers to... Even if he WAS going to be second string or even on level playing field for the starting job.

**awd4cy** · 01-12-2013, 09:45 AM

Whoa, wait. Is this an optimistic post by clonedude? I've never seen one of these before.

**Cyclonepride** · 01-12-2013, 09:45 AM

This occurred to me while waiting for my wife in the make up aisle this morning. In much shorter form, but I would have had the time.

To me, it says Richardson and Rohach are 1 and 2

**Wesley** · 01-12-2013, 09:51 AM

Maybe JB was tired of all the qb drama. Perhaps he can transfer to a school in Texas.

**iowa_wildcat** · 01-12-2013, 09:53 AM

It means that Barnett does not care to play wide receiver or cornerback or special teams for ISU and wants meaningful snaps at quarterback somewhere.

**theyork** · 01-12-2013, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by awd4cy

Whoa, wait. Is this an optimistic post by clonedude? I've never seen one of these before.

that's about as likely as me saying something positive. his login must have been hijacked.

**Wesley** · 01-12-2013, 09:54 AM

Maybe JB was tired of all the qb drama. Perhaps he can transfer to a school in Texas.

JB had nice games 50% of the time, SR 40% of the time, and SJ 35% of the time. We need a qb in the 70% range next year.

**clonedude** · 01-12-2013, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Wesley

Maybe JB was tired of all the qb drama. Perhaps he can transfer to a school in Texas.

Yeah, could be. I don't like all the QB drama every single year either. But it's not like Rhoads hasn't given JB tons of opportunities to prove himself. JB hasn't been able to show that he deserves the #1 spot yet.

So I don't know how JB could think he wouldn't at least be in the mix this year. He might be just tired of the whole QB soap opera every year here?

But I also think it means that he's not very confident that he's better than either Richardson or Rohach either.

**clonedude** · 01-12-2013, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by Wesley

Maybe JB was tired of all the qb drama. Perhaps he can transfer to a school in Texas.

JB had nice games 50% of the time, SR 40% of the time, and SJ 35% of the time. We need a qb in the 70% range next year.

SR hasn't had the chance to really show us what he is yet IMO. He had one awesome game, one average game, and then the horrible bowl performance when he had the flu. I sure as heck am not going to say he's not "the guy" after only those 3 outings.

**clonedude** · 01-12-2013, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by iowa_wildcat

It means that Barnett does not care to play wide receiver or cornerback or special teams for ISU and wants meaningful snaps at quarterback somewhere.

Maybe... which only reinforces what I'm saying... he doesn't see himself being in the top 2 on the depth chart.

**Cyclonz** · 01-12-2013, 10:13 AM

I think it says JB has tasted playing and now wants to play every down with his last two years.

**Cyclone06** · 01-12-2013, 10:26 AM

Barnett played many meaningful snaps at ISU and he will always be remembered for it. There were many snaps where he was awesome and some that were less than desired. But yes if you read between the lines JB will not be the guy next year, or the year following, and he wants to be the guy. Good for him and good for ISU, but doesn't mean ISU wants JB to leave. Both move on and both are better for it, its a win win.

**CyCloned** · 01-12-2013, 10:45 AM

really like JB for his effort and dedication, and toughness but lets not sugar coated it based on a couple good games. He also had some games when if he was a slightly better QB ISU would have won the game. The KSU game was absolutely brutal this year. I agee with the OP, he just does not see beating out guys that are much better at throwing the ball, and ISU is just not going to make it by completing 50% of the passes and running the zone read.

The defense is going to take huge steps backwards, and the offense is going to have to double the point output to win games next year.

**Wesley** · 01-12-2013, 10:49 AM

He also lacked having a dynamic playcalling/game plan eun by two different OCs. A part of our qb non performance has been how lousy we were on first down.