If the coronavirus pandemic hadn’t short-circuited 2020 and become the main driver of questions around college football season – mainly, will the season even happen – the top query for Virginia would focus on the quarterback position. After all, the Cavaliers have significant experience at most spots around the roster but they must replace Bryce Perkins after he set the school’s career record for total offense with 7,910 yards in just two years.
The Hoos opened preseason practice on August 10 and immediately started to sort out the quarterback competition. UVA coach Bronco Mendenhall and his staff prepared practices with significant chunks devoted to team settings to put the QBs quickly into the competitive fire.
“It started with reps close to being even. As many team situations as we could get in as fast as we could get in so again our practice structure has been a lot more team oriented with the quarterback decision being the main driver of that,” Mendenhall said. “We’ve constructed things really different not only COVID wise, but because of our quarterback position.”
The lead candidates to take the reins are Brennan Armstrong and Keytaon Thompson.
Armstrong served as the primary backup for UVA the past two seasons. The sophomore played in four games as a true freshman in 2018, but retained a redshirt under then new NCAA guidelines. Last season, he got into seven games and missed four games with an injury. He enrolled in January of 2018 so he’s been in the program for more than two years.
Despite limited action, Armstrong made the most of his chances. Among some of his highlights: a 34-yard run against Louisville, a 56-yard touchdown pass at Georgia Tech, a 9-10 day against William & Mary, and a fake field goal completion against UNC. His career totals add up to 17-25 passing (68%) for 258 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
That all gives Armstrong a familiarity edge with the program vs. Thompson, who joined the Cavaliers this summer as a graduate transfer from Mississippi State.
Thompson’s career at MSU was marked by coaching turnover and a diminished role. As a true freshman in 2017, he played in 10 games and posted 388 passing yards with 2 touchdowns and 446 rushing yards with 6 touchdowns. The next season, he played in 9 more games and compiled 458 yards passing with 6 touchdowns and 226 yards rushing with 4 touchdowns. Thompson had three 100-yard rushing games during that time. He got two starts during his career, including a bowl win against Louisville in 2017. Last season, however, he appeared in only one game and redshirted.
With Virginia currently slated to open the season at Virginia Tech on Sept. 19, there is still a lot of time left in the preseason but right now Armstrong leads the competition Mendenhall said on Friday. Junior Lindell Stone, another reserve quarterback that is essentially a player-coach, and true freshman Ira Armstead are also on the depth chart.
“As of today, Brennan Armstrong would have the lead at this point. Keytaon is an amazing athlete and can do a lot of things really well,” Mendenhall said. “A few other surprises I would say is how well Lindell Stone is managing the team and how quickly Ira Armstead is coming along. So I like our depth at quarterback. I like the possibilities of that position being the healthiest that it’s been since I’ve been the coach at UVA. Right now, the slight nod would go to Brennan Armstrong if I was choosing today but we’re four weeks out.”
With limited exposure to Thompson’s game and having seen Armstrong in the Virginia system already, the media has been asking players about the transfer’s time at UVA so far. He has made a quick impression with his speed and ability to make plays.
“KT is dynamic, explosive player. He can really turn a no-gain play into something big,” Cavalier safety Joey Blount said. “I like the way he can use his feet and he has good field vision not just in front of him, but cross-field looks. I think he’s getting good chemistry with the guys. There’s always places and things you can build upon. I think it’s really good competition. The QB spot is up for grabs, but I think this is really good not just for KT but for Brennan, two players that we’re going to need to be healthy that we’re going to need for any type of situation. I’m impressed with what I’ve seen from him so far.”
Keep in mind, that in-house scouting reports generally have a rosy tint. The Hoos missed spring practice due to cancellations related to the pandemic so there wasn’t an opportunity to see Armstrong in action as the projected starter. Still, he has taken a significant amount of No. 1 reps in his career, including last fall when Perkins nursed a preseason injury and during the extended time allowed during bowl preparation.
That combined with his successful cameos in game action left a positive impression with his teammates too. During the spring, former UVA cornerback Bryce Hall and Perkins each noted that Armstrong has a great feel for the game. Virginia linebacker Charles Snowden praised the QB too.
“Brennan Armstrong is as crafty as they come,” Snowden said. “He knows who he is. He’s obviously not as explosive as Perk, but he knows that and he’s okay with that. He’s still a gifted runner, gifted thrower. He’s shown great leadership qualities thus far. The meetings we have, he’s always the first one up there. He’s not an overly vocal guy, but he talks when he needs to. Guys respect him.”
Regardless of who comes out on top as the starter, the Cavaliers could need both this season. Mendenhall openly stated as much when the news of Thompson’s transfer was announced as he said “I simply don’t believe you can win the ACC Coastal or win the ACC or have a successful football program without two very good quarterbacks.”
That makes sense. Some of Armstrong’s most notable moments to date, for example, came because he got an opportunity while Perkins was briefly sidelined. The aforementioned run against Louisville and touchdown pass at Georgia Tech both fit that description. Plus, Armstrong missed four games last season. That limited some of the offense while he was out as the coaches conservatively tried to balance Perkins’ dynamic ability with the risk of injury with the primary backup unavailable.
If either or both get chances this season, an experienced offensive line is ready to help while they’re on the field. UVA has all five starters and the top six of the rotation back. The Hoos also have players returning from injury and promising youngsters in the pipeline.
“I think it does change just because of the dynamics of who Bryce was or is, but again I don’t think the emphasis on what we do offensively has changed at all,” Cavalier offensive line coach Garett Tujague said. “Coach [Jason] Beck has done an amazing job of putting quarterbacks in there that fit our system. So there’s a major emphasis maybe on a difference of when he escapes he’s going to try to escape to the left with Brennan then with Keytaon it’s yeah, he’s going to escape to the right. … Our offense is our offense. We’re fortunate enough to be in the situation that we are. Brennan can run. Now, he’s not going to be as dynamic as Bryce obviously but he can run and I would hate for someone to underestimate that ability.”
