Bryson Barnes

I don’t have anything to add to your analysis, but Barnes coming in at the end of the game against Ohio State and throwing a TD pass was a really cool thing to watch. As someone that came from a small high school like Barnes, it was fun to watch. Would have loved to see that game go to overtime.

You’re absolutely right. That last thread got out of hand in a hurry. Barnes has represented the university tremendously well, and has been loyal to the program. I understand why fans don’t want him to be the starter. Utah fans have had a rough go with “try hard” QBs in the past, and I think it is that PTSD that is being brought out by the situation. That being said, I love having a reliable back-up that can step in when needed. What everyone in the previous thread seems to be forgetting is that Whittingham and the staff are paid to win, not to lose “reasonably”. If Barnes is the one to take the field against the Gators then it is because the staff believes he has the best potential to deliver a win. I will be cheering for the Utes and all of its players regardless!

People expect Rose and Johnson to have worked hard during the offseason to gain some experience running the offense (at least on their own with teammates), and to have gotten stronger/faster and all that. I’ve got news for you: Bryson Barnes has been doing that too. If he is QB 2, it’s because he took the job away from two other scholarship D-1 quarterbacks.

I am excited to watch whoever lines up under center again Florida, and I’m confidant that Whittingham and Ludwig will done their best to set Utah up for success in that game and the season.

Bryson Barnes may or may not prove to be a high level starting QB. But I’d just like to point out that Georgia was having this exact same conversation about Stetson Bennet right up until he led them to a national title.

Bryson has some legit natural ability (state champ in multiple sports, set some state QB records, legit track times, decent size and strength, etc.), has proven he isn’t afraid of the moment (something many more talented QBs will never be) and for damn sure works his TAIL off to improve. Before we kill the kid as not being ready maybe we should give him and our coaches the benefit of the doubt and reserve judgement until we see him out on the field this year.

Will he be good enough? I don’t know. Will he be better than last year? I’d bet my life on it.

People probably forgot Barnes actually had better passing stats than Rising in the Penn State game. Defensively We didn’t do well that game (which is the reason why we lost the game imo) and Rising kept us in the game with his legs until he got hurt. I am totally fine if Barnes gets the QB2 job, it just means he is better than the others, and Rose and Johnson probably got overhyped a little. I love all Utah players as long as they play and work hard.

Nothing against Barnes — he’s a great kid and a good player. Just somewhat disappointing that our 4 star and 3 star QBs aren’t good enough to outperform our walk-on from Milford who was entirely ineffective in the Rose Bowl. Florida’s defense will be more similar to Penn State than Washington State (who Bryson beat).

Hey DT we’ve misfired at QB before. Remember Peter Costelli and Jack Tuttle and missing on Zach Wilson.

Well, all I can say is that he’s better than Jon Hays. I do think that he can go out and beat Florida in the first game if Rising can’t go. At this point, I’m not certain how many QBs Florida is preparing for. I imagine that they probably think Rising will start but have to have a sneaking suspicion that it might be someone else. Who that will be probably won’t be known until game time.

I think the main issue with Barnes is that he isn’t Rose or Johnson, and that isn’t a knock on him, it’s just irritating that we have two guys that were very highly regarded recruits that have been in the system for quite a while now that somehow aren’t good enough to supplant a guy who is not good enough to do what Rising has done, and Rising isn’t all that and a bag of chips either (but this isn’t about him).

The VAAAAST majority of our QB recruits, especially those we’ve recruited out of high school, have been disappointments or outright failures. Huntley is the only high school QB who has done well for us since Whitt took over. I know this is a misleading argument. I know Ludwig can develop a solid QB… but it’s in the back of the mind of every Ute fan. WHY CAN WE NOT RECRUIT GOOD HIGH SCHOOL QBs? Even when they are supposed to be good they aren’t. We keep signing guys like Costelli, Johnson, and Jackson (not out of HS) that haven’t the slightest clue how to throw a football. Even the ones that do allegedly throw a good ball have some sort of major flaw that makes them apparently unplayable. (keep in mind this is a back of the mind rant rather than factual information, thanks).

I love our Utes, but QB recruiting and development has been a serious weakness. I don’t believe we’ve consistently missed on our HS recruiting commits. But once on campus, the evaluation goes experience > football IQ/playbook > not turning the ball over > running ability. And coaching focuses on developing those attributes.

Everything else that comes after matters so little it doesn’t affect the depth chart. It’s why they started Brewer and kept injured Wynn in the rest of the season, even when he couldn’t throw more than 7 yards.

I don’t think the most talented National QB recruits would be any different and miraculously break through our process. If they did crack the depth chart (year 3+?), we’d coach them into game managers.

I’m disappointed to hear Utah fans bagging on a kid playing his heart out for our team. He’s playing because the coaches think he’s the best option at that moment. It’s not his fault that the coaches aren’t recruiting better players or developing the other qb’s or the other qb’s aren’t capable of doing the job. I’m thankful we have Barnes who gives his all every season regardless of the outcome. If they want to be critical they should direct it at the coaches.