Where else do you get your shot? He had his shot in spring practice, then again in fall camp. He did not win the job. That's all I was saying. And like I said, he may get another shot, too...in practice...next season...and the next...and hopefully the next. He may win out at some point.
As a recruit, I did not want to believe that Shepard would completely move away from QB. However, I believe he has looked at himself compared to the 3 other guys we have at QB & asked himself if he honestly could start there & decided his future is as a RB/WR. Apparently, he is no longer practicing as a QB, and I don't expect him to do so ever again except for the occassional trick play, etc.
It was part of the hype. He's a special player but if he was going to be a long term QB he should have redshirted and practiced as a QB all year. You cant serve two masters at this level especially as a true freshman. I said a few weeks ago the more he worked at other positions the less likely he will ever be a full time QB. You just cant play that position effectively unless you have the reps. Lets just enjoy his talent and attitude while he hopefully takes our Tigers on a good ride the next couple years.
It's a pity, because he has an arm. I saw him make every throw he needed to here in Houston. I didn't think he would advance enough to get any significant time throwing this year, but you have to think that eventually he will throw the ball from the wildcat formation, or they will have to stop using him there. I can only imagine how much more frightening a "throwing" Shepard would be to defenses. It may be a bit premature to write his QB days off. If any of you remember RP in '07, until he started in the SECC, how much did Crowton have him throw? And does anyone dispute that RP had/has a great arm? IF JJ leaves after next year, Shepard will be a junior. 2 years is a long time.
Im definitely not giving up on him actually playing QB. I believe he has an arm and to not use that part of his talent is a waste.
Does anyone think JJ leaving is even a remote possibility? It would take a herculean breakout year for him to be considered for the NFL. I'm not 100% giving up on him as a QB but it seems more and more unlikely. I find it hard to believe he can develop as a QB without getting reps. If QB was his future he should have redshirted.
I don't think JJ will leave early, he will be here all 4 years. Also, i don't see Shep being a starter at the Quarterback position. I think we have something special in Chris Garrett on the sideline, and when JJ is gone, Lee will be gone also, leaving Shep and Garrett, and maybe they can split time, but i just really don't see Shep being that guy. Unless we recruit some freaking Baller, i would think JJ would be your starter going into 2010, and 2011 if he gets injured Jarrett Lee will step in, unless he transfers after this season, and Garrett will be the 3rd string. Shep is situational.
I think they will eventually switch positions, which RS becoming the starting QB and JJ using his big frame and athletic ability at WR. RS will be a Pat White type of QB, which means lots of running and option, and people will begin to complain about JJ's lack of touches and how we would win more games if JJ got the ball at least 5-10 times per game. Jarrett Lee will transfer to a FCS school and get benched after throwing 5 INTs in the first 3 games.
