BLOG 3: Quarterback race continues to evolve for Ferris

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – Entering fall preseason camp, Ferris State University knew it had four quality quarterbacks capable of stepping in and becoming a starting quarterback. It was just a matter of which of the quarterbacks was going to seize the moment.

Ferris State quarterback Tom Schneider throws a pass as running back Paris Holloman carries out his fake during a practice in Big Rapids on Wednesday. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

Eric Grozenski, a junior; Tom Schneider, a redshirt freshman; and Kyle Foster, a sophomore, already were in the program. Added to the mix has been junior-college transfer Kyle Parrish, who joined the race this fall. To the credit of the coaching staff, primarily head coach Jeff Pierce and offensive coordinator Matt McCarthy, the top quarterback spot was placed in the air and up for grabs. Coming out of the battle, Schneider and Parrish have performed particularly strong so far and have put themselves in solid positions on the depth chart – along with Grozenski, who entered preseason camp with the most on-field Division II playing experience. But, the emergence of Schneider and Parrish give the Bulldogs flexibility at that critical position to fill in the shoes left behind by C.J. Van Wieren.

Foster recently left the team, according to the coaches, but the Bulldogs remain in a strong position with three healthy quarterbacks in Schneider, Grozenski and Parrish. The coaching staff could be in a strong position – as they were a few years prior – when they had Van Wieren and Ryan Kaul as a pair of capable quarterbacks. Van Wieren and Kaul complemented each other well, and the Bulldogs could find themselves in a similar position as they prepare to head down to Tiffin ( Ohio ) this weekend to open the season against the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference newcomers, the Dragons, at 2:30 p.m.

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