Joshua Jones has the popular vote heading into North Carolina Central’s quarterback battle, but it does not guarantee anything.
Jones was named preseason All-MEAC first-team quarterback, a nod that reflects the expectations around the veteran signal-caller.
The selection was a notable one, considering Jones was the primary backup MEAC Offensive Player of the Year Walker Harris and only appeared in nine games and attempted seven passes for 36 yards.
Still, NC Central coach Trei Oliver said the competition is wide open as the Eagles work through fall camp with Jones, The Citadel transfer Cobey Thompkins and Nelson Layne among others all pushing for the job.
Oliver said Jones and Topps, a transfer from The Citadel, have similar skill sets to former NCCU standout Davius Richard, with all three quarterbacks bringing mobility and the ability to extend plays.
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Oliver was especially impressed with Layne, the North Carolina A&T transfer, who ripped off a 98-yard run in the Eagles spring game in April.
But he said each must continue to prove he can consistently operate from the pocket and protect the football.
Quarterback is competition is a “wide-open” race
“The quarterback position is still a wide open deal,” Oliver said on The Bluebloods Coaches Corner
Topps and Lane have also impressed the staff with their athleticism. Lane, who transferred from North Carolina A&T, showed that playmaking ability in the spring game when he broke loose for a 98-yard zone-read touchdown run.
Oliver said the key for whichever quarterback wins the job will be limiting mistakes and keeping the offense on schedule. He said turnovers are the biggest concern, while also emphasizing that the Eagles can manage the game without forcing extra risk.
Fit for the offense
Oliver said NCCU’s quarterback plans will depend on how defenses choose to play them, and he suggested the Eagles will tailor their approach accordingly. He pointed to past seasons, when NCCU was able to use the quarterback run game effectively against defenses that failed to account for the position.
Following the departure of offensive coordinator Matt Leone to Tennessee State, North Carolina Central hired ex-Alabama State offensive coordinator Chris Barnette to orchestrate the attack. Oliver said the offensive philosophy will not shift much as the unit attempts to establish who the starter will be at quarterback.
For now, though, Jones’ preseason honor is only part of the picture. Oliver made it clear that the Eagles still have a real competition on their hands, and that fall camp will determine who gets the nod when the season begins.
“We got 24 more practices to figure this out,” he told The Ride. “I truly don’t know. It’s going to be an exciting battle.”
