Taylor Kelly Named Starter For Arizona State
It seems quarterback competitions are being settled all across the map this time of the year. Rightfully so with the season being almost a week away.
This time, it’s Arizona State who named Taylor Kelly to lead the Sun Devils under center this fall.
ASU first year head coach Todd Graham will most likely still use a heavy dose of Michael Eubank with his high-tempo speed speed speed offense. But it was Kelly who Graham chose to be the full-time starter.
Eubank is a redshirt freshman who is very athletic and good on the run. Kelly also beat out sophomore Mike Bercovici, who backed up Brock Osweiler last season. Osweiler now is Peyton Manning’s backup in Denver.
ASU takes on Northern Arizona on Aug. 30 where the redshirt sophomore will make his first start.
Kelly’s size (6-1, 203-pounds) along with his ability to make plays with his arm and feet is just what Graham wants in his system. Bercovivi is said to be the most developed at throwing the ball while 6-5 Eubank is raw with plenty of athleticism.
During a scrimmage on Saturday, Kelly was 6 of 10 for 162 yards with two touchdowns. But the most important stat of all was that he didn’t turn the ball over. Eubank threw for 96 yards with a touchdown and added 106 yards on the ground as well.
In order for Graham’s system to work, the quarterback must be able to make quick decisions and throw on the run. That was something he didn’t have while in Pittsburgh with Tino Sunseri.
Will Wilson is a writer for Rant Sports covering College Football and the Big Ten Conference.
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