Bryce Perkins will lead the University of Virginia football program one last time next Monday (Dec. 30), when the Hoos take on the Florida Gators in the 2019 Orange Bowl. Redshirt freshman Brennan Armstrong appears poised to take over for Perkins as starting quarterback in 2020. The returning depth behind the promising lefty signal caller is a major question facing head coach Bronco Mendenhall and staff.

Mendenhall recently shed some light on next season’s quarterback depth chart during his December 18 press conference, mentioning seldom used redshirt sophomore Lindell Stone and true freshman R.J. Harvey as possible options behind Armstrong. Harvey, who is 5’8” and has been recognized by UVA coaches for his “dynamic” playmaking potential, will spend the offseason at quarterback to give the coaches a clearer sense of his capability at the position.

“So [true freshman RJ Harvey] will — our hope is that he’s capable at quarterback,” Mendenhall said. “That’s why we brought him to the University of Virginia. He will go through the entire offseason and spring in that position, and that will be a chance for him to demonstrate the competency and readiness for not only himself, but for us as to is he and how close is he to being and capable of being Brennan’s back or providing depth there.”

Mendenhall didn’t mention fellow true freshman quarterback Luke Wentz, who at 6’3” has the size and athleticism to translate to other positions. A position switch for the Germany native would not be a surprise in light of Mendenhall’s comments during the season, in which he essentially indicated the learning curve to American football was proving to be steep for the standout athlete.

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