BLOG 3: Competition at quarterback position is a positive for Ferris

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State offensive coordinator Matt McCarthy instructs quarterbacks Kyle Foster (far left), Eric Grozenski (middle) and Tom Schneider (right) during spring practice on Thursday afternoon at Top Taggart Field. (Photo by Sandy Gholston)

Big Rapids - - Competition at the quarterback position – a critical spot in most if not all offenses at any level of football – happens to be a positive for Ferris State University as its gridiron team began spring practice, in Big Rapids at Top Taggart Field, Thursday afternoon.

In recent seasons, the Bulldogs have relied heavily on C.J. Van Wieren (who rushed for 1,015 yards and passed for 1,835 last in 2007) and, before and with him, Ryan Kaul, to run the offense. This spring, Ferris is beginning its evaluation of the stable of signal callers in the running for the starting quarterback spot this fall. Quarterbacks already on Ferris’ roster (such as Eric Grozenski, Tom Schneider and Kyle Foster), and participating in spring drills, naturally gain an opportunity to enter the fall with perhaps an advantage over the newcomers – a group that now includes recently-signed junior college quarterback Kyle Parrish of Garden Grove, Calif.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Parrish, a player the coaching staff thinks highly of, competed during his first two years of college football at Compton Junior College in Southern California. Pierce believes Parrish brings a strong combination of passing talent with physical skill to maneuver in and out of the pocket to also make things happen with his feet. And, to be honest, the Bulldogs want to have multiple options at the quarterback position. Grozenski may have the early edge largely due to his experience, but Pierce wants several players capable of stepping in and running the show.

Ferris State quarterback Eric Grozenski roles out in a drill to prepare to throw a pass during the team’s first spring football practice on Thursday at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids. (Photo by Sandy Gholston)

“(Parrish) is a kid I think can come in and be competitive” Pierce said of the newly-inked and highly-touted quarterback who brings great athleticism to the Bulldogs’ offensive backfield. “With our offense, we need to have more than just one guy who will be back there. We feel confident we’re going to have a few guys who are going to be in the mix for playing time at that position and that will be a good situation for us to have in the fall.”

In addition to Parrish, the Bulldogs already had commitments from Robert Banaszak, a native of nearby Rockford, as well as David Freeman, a Detroit-area product who is a native of Westland. That trio joins Grozenski, Schneider and Foster – the returning veterans. Replacing Van Wieren will be no easy task and could, at times, be achieved by committee with Grozenski, who played in seven of Ferris’ 11 games and completed 8-of-16 passes with an interception, in the lead role to begin.

Thursday afternoon, Ferris offensive coordinator Matt McCarthy ran his quarterbacks (Grozenski, Schneider and Foster) through a series of drills during the team’s first spring practice. The Bulldogs have options this spring and will have even more when the players return to campus to begin preseason training camp in August.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com