(Getty)
Cole Stoudt, a senior at Clemson, will be suiting up as the starting QB and seeing most of the action against Florida State, over true freshman Deshaun Watson.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. This is Not Necessarily a Quarterback Controversy for Clemson
Cole Stoudt vs Deshaun Watson pic.twitter.com/fUmoUElsHc
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 20, 2014
According to Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, Stoudt is the clear starter against FSU, despite true freshman Deshaun Waton’s impressive first two game performance. The most likely scenario will be a split in playing time between the two Clemson quarterbacks, with Stoudt seeing most of the time.
FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher stated: “Watson is a little more dynamic with his legs, but Stoudt is still a good runner, I think both guys can create a lot of problems in a lot of different ways. The way Tajh Boyd did.”
2. Stoudt Was the Backup for Tajh Boyd for 3 Years
The way coach Dabo Swinney sees it, Cole Stoudt has a leg up on Deshaun Watson. http://t.co/rZ5PK1Rm0Q pic.twitter.com/CRsYnB87jK
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 8, 2014
Stoudt spent most of his career at Clemson behind, sixth round New York Jets draft pick Tajh Boyd, before becoming the Clemson starter in 2014. Boyd was a former Heisman hopeful, ACC Player of the Year and set an Orange Bowl record for total yards in a game.
Stoudt has been with Clemson since 2011 and has thrown 86-119 passing for 742 yards and eight touchdowns, against one interception in 287 snaps over 22 games, completing 72.3 percent of his passes and has a 145.1 pass efficiency rating with 107 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries, second in school history in passing efficiency from 2011 to 2013 as Boyd’s backup.
3. Stoudt Was Chosen over Chad Kelly to Start
Stoudt took the starting spot for Clemson as quarterback, after Chad Kelly was dismissed from the team for what head coach Dabo Swiney described as, “He has had a pattern of behavior that is not consistent with the values of our program”.
Chad Kelly is now an FSU football recruit.
4. He’s Only Thrown for 1 Touchdown This Year
(Twitter)
Going into the game with FSU, Stoudt is 38 for 60, with 446 throwing yards, one touchdown and one interception. His current QB rating before playing FSU is 127.9.
5. In High School, Stoudt Threw for More Than 4,000 Yards
Stoudt finished with a Dublin Coffman High School record of 4,393 passing yards and 52 touchdowns, by breaking Brady Quinn’s previous record and was ranked as the 21st best pro-style quarterback recruit in his class, before going to Clemson.
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Cole Stoudt: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know