Patrick O'Brien to enroll early. Odds he starts next year?

[ATLsker]

Patrick O'Brien ‏@oneandonlyPOB 2h2 hours ago
Just took my last summer class and I am know able to graduate early and ready for early enrollment

#GBR

I think it's 50/50. He'll know the playbook pretty well heading into fall camp, and will likely be a huge upgrade in accuracy over Tommy. He'll have to show that his skills make up for Tommy's seniority and leadership.

 

[scottym800]

Maybe you should give TA a game first...

 

[rrthusker]

IMO zero he starts over Tommy because of Tommy`s leadership and experience. Like it or not, this is Tommy`s team.

 

[Footballa58]

POB will RS and duke it out with Wilson for being a 4 year starter in 2017

 

[ATLsker]

I guess I'm thinking of Sean Mannion, who came in and threw for over 3,000 yards as a redshirt freshman. Enrolling early isn't the same as a redshirt year, but it does give you some extra time to learn the playbook and get into college football shape. It wasn't long ago that a freshman Taylor Martinez (recruited by the current staff at the time) beat out a senior Zac Lee (recruited by the old staff) for the starting QB job. Certainly there's a chance that POB could do the same.

 

[nebcountry]

Hard to tell at this point without any games under our belt in the new offensive scheme or whatever our offense evolves into as the season progresses.

 

[NikkiSixx]

POB will battle for the backup job like everyone else

 

[timnsun]

POB will battle for the backup job like everyone else

Agree. The biggest help with him enrolling early comes if Tommy gets hurt. Then he may see a lot more action than if he didn't come early...

 

[Husker.Wed.]

I'd like to say zero since I hope TA makes a quantum leap, but time will tell as this season goes along.

 

[canthesniffgetthekick]

Definitely not 50-50... more like 5-10%.

Tommy is going to surprise people this year.

 

[CC_Lemming]

1-2%

 

[jeans15]

Zero chance

Good grief elite ll means nothing. ..I would rather have the other QB anyways.

I'm just afraid he may bolt for Oregon.

 

[ATLsker]

I love Tommy, but if he throws in the 56-58% completion range this season, and POB comes in a looks like he's hitting in the 60s, I think he has a decent chance. I guess we'll see this year how much of Tommy's struggles were due to coaching and o-line play vs. talent.

 

[ATLsker]

Zero chance is a little dramatic don't you think... Even Stanton had more than a 0% chance until he transferred.

 

[studed]

I guess I'm thinking of Sean Mannion, who came in and threw for over 3,000 yards as a redshirt freshman. Enrolling early isn't the same as a redshirt year, but it does give you some extra time to learn the playbook and get into college football shape. It wasn't long ago that a freshman Taylor Martinez (recruited by the current staff at the time) beat out a senior Zac Lee (recruited by the old staff) for the starting QB job. Certainly there's a chance that POB could do the same.

mannion threw for over 3000 yards that season but he also threw 18 int to 16 td so it wasn't great.

 

[ATLsker]

I'm surprised at how many people are on the Tommy train. We've seen him for 2 seasons now. Sure, he'll improve, but probably to something like 58%. I'm not sure that's what Mike Riley has in mind long term.

Maybe I'll bump this thread after our first loss... hehe.

 

[jeans15]

Maybe cause we watched him win 18 games with a poor offensive line and a defense soft as tissue.

 

[ATLsker]

Maybe cause we watched him win 18 games with a poor offensive line and a defense soft as tissue.

I don't think 9 wins a year is that impressive. I don't think Tommy's arm is that impressive either. He's "just a guy". But a deceptively good runner.

 

[leodisflowers]

Tommy is going to light it up and be a Heisman candidate next year. Koolaid baby! Get some

 

[ReuniteGondwanaland]

Didn't O'Brien finish just outside the final Elite 11 in part due to lack of experience? He's only had a single year as a starting high school QB-- he has a LOT to learn before he's ready to compete for the starting job at a major conference college. Coming in will help him start that process and gives him a better shot at the starting job in 2017, but I don't think he'll be ready next year.

 

[nebcountry]

I'm surprised at how many people are on the Tommy train. We've seen him for 2 seasons now. Sure, he'll improve, but probably to something like 58%. I'm not sure that's what Mike Riley has in mind long term.

Maybe I'll bump this thread after our first loss... hehe.

I don't know how much TA will improve, that keeps me from ranting much. Martinez worked with Steve Calhoun, and it seemed like he increased his completion percentage by 3-5%. But, the offense will be different this year. Huddles, receivers running precision routes versus inaccuracy. I don't know what's going to happen.

 

[jeans15]

I don't think 9 wins a year is that impressive. I don't think Tommy's arm is that impressive either. He's "just a guy". But a deceptively good runner.

We see he has a chance to improve thus taking us past the 9 win seasons.

 

[rrthusker]

I don't think 9 wins a year is that impressive. I don't think Tommy's arm is that impressive either. He's "just a guy". But a deceptively good runner.

9 wins at Nebraska is not that great. 90% of all D1 schools can only dream of consistent 9 win seasons though. We need to get into the conference championship each year.

 

[blackhusker]

Terry Wilson isn't coming. So we can stop that talk now. POB may up end being pretty good. I mean he isn't even on campus yet. Give it a rest

 

[ReuniteGondwanaland]

And Jordan Stevenson wasn't coming either as soon as Alabama and Miami offered. Far from over there, especially if it's true that mom doesn't want him that far from home.

 

[Nebraska Fan]

I think it's 50/50. He'll know the playbook pretty well heading into fall camp, and will likely be a huge upgrade in accuracy over Tommy. He'll have to show that his skills make up for Tommy's seniority and leadership.

can/will O'Brien run for something besides out of bounds

 

[Lincoln100]

POB is going to have to be very good. Tommy has his warts, but he is a very good runner, is a gamer, and after a full year in the offense and with lansgsdorf coaching, I expect him to become a respectable passer. This goes for the other backups as well. If either true frosh next year is seriously contending for playing time, I will be concerned.

 

[headcard]

0.1%

 

[dockentwo]

POB is doing a super thing here and deserves respect - with very little experience he starred vs 4 and 5* guys in Calif and other camps; thats what got him to the Elite 11 competition. He did very well in some things there, still a top qb. If we recruited at every position in the top 18 in the nation on any organizations competitively gained camp ; how good would we be - this is what POB is. He really strengthens our qb corps by being available next fall imo. His own career also; he starts only if TA doesn't live up to his potential, but could still play a lot; or R S.
Someone posted comparisons of TA, Gill and another qb through their soph years; based on that I found, I would take TA going into the junior year. So with this coaching and this year; he could get special, we know his weaknesses.... Its good to hear HCMR call Fyfe "crafty ", and to see a battle for second team qb. Presentable second teamer's are a must, if TA has an injury or bad day. Its great news POB is here; he has shown tremendous potential, we are lucky. Hope Mr. Wilson makes it also. GBR

 

[c2o]

Tommy is going to light it up and be a Heisman candidate next year. Koolaid baby! Get some

I don't know how it gonna play out, but I'd be good with the Koolaid leodis is drinking.

 

[dockentwo]

I don't know how it gonna play out, but I'd be good with the Koolaid leodis is drinking.

Hope its a big punch bowl or cooler; would love to stand with you. What fun to be in every game and watch Blackshirts reemerge; while the O gives d- coordinators fits.

 

[dinglefritz]

Hope its a big punch bowl or cooler; would love to stand with you. What fun to be in every game and watch Blackshirts reemerge; while the O gives d- coordinators fits.

I'm looking forward to this year like no other since Crouch graduated. My expectations are tempered but this fresh start has me juiced.

 

[Footballa58]

I'm looking forward to this year like no other since Crouch graduated. My expectations are tempered but this fresh start has me juiced.

Preach!

 

[otismotis08]

Not seeing it. TA has some real potential for improvement this year, given a real coaching staff.

 

[TrueBigRedFan]

I think it's 50/50. He'll know the playbook pretty well heading into fall camp, and will likely be a huge upgrade in accuracy over Tommy. He'll have to show that his skills make up for Tommy's seniority and leadership.

In my opinion, his chances to start will be Slim to None.

 

[Archie Graham]

I'm surprised to hear so many people think he can't challenge for the starting spot. Put me in the camp that thinks the chances are around 25 %.

 

[otismotis08]

...and guys like Bush, Darlington, Fyfe aren't going to get any better?

 

[dockentwo]

...and guys like Bush, Darlington, Fyfe aren't going to get any better?

Your right there are no ceilings on a couple guys; one seems to just have rookie nerves. Fyfe may be flashing; but his eligibility has run some. POB dominating in a Calif camp and a few other places speaks to a very high ceiling coming in and once in a while you hit the mother lode - tOSU being the outrageous example. Just hoping all get lots of reps. Fyfe is an underrated runner; these guys are players, we are moving more towards; who can excel in the system mainly.

 

[suhnami]

I think it's 50/50. He'll know the playbook pretty well heading into fall camp, and will likely be a huge upgrade in accuracy over Tommy. He'll have to show that his skills make up for Tommy's seniority and leadership.

But how is he going to beat out Ryker Fyfe?

 

[jalockwood61]

I guess I'm thinking of Sean Mannion, who came in and threw for over 3,000 yards as a redshirt freshman. Enrolling early isn't the same as a redshirt year, but it does give you some extra time to learn the playbook and get into college football shape. It wasn't long ago that a freshman Taylor Martinez (recruited by the current staff at the time) beat out a senior Zac Lee (recruited by the old staff) for the starting QB job. Certainly there's a chance that POB could do the same.

A Zac Lee (who the coaches were miffed about in regards to how he approached treating an injury) is not Tommy Armstrong.