Jimbo Fisher: Young QB development more important than ever

Jimbo Fisher made some interesting comments on how quarterback development is more important with a loosening of the NCAA transfer rules.

One of the hot topics in the college football world of late has been the transfer of high-profile recruits to other programs when things did not unfold the way they were hoping at the school they originally committed to. The NCAA is loosening their grip on forcing players to sit out a year before playing, and Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher believes that is putting an emphasis on developing young quarterbacks faster.

You can certainly understand why the NCAA transfer rule is there in the first place. Without it, kids could just move from school to school and it would lead to all kinds of shady recruiting tactics.

However, it’s also unfair to hold college kids to a higher standard than coaches who actually get paid. Coaches can and could always move schools at their leisure with no penalty, unless you count a buy out which the new team would just pay off anyway. Hint: you shouldn’t count that.

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So the NCAA finally coming to terms with the unfairness of the transfer rule is a good thing. Kids should not be trapped by a decision they make when they are 17 and 18 years old. Not to mention, coaches make promises they cannot or will not keep all the time. Allowing kids to better their situation is the only solution in this instance.

Fisher was recently asked about the transfer portal rules and specifically mentioned how it’s on coaches to make sure their quarterbacks develop from day one. From the 247 Sports article:

"“It is hard” Fisher said. “It is a never ending purge now that we’re having that to figure out. I get that avenue of guys who transfer to play. It’s not like playing defensive end or linebacker. It’s a never ending question in my opinion. That’s what guys coming in now have to adapt and learn quickly. Most of your backups at big institutions are true freshmen, not redshirt freshmen, and after that you’re hanging on to your rear end. That’s just the nature of the beast. In the long run in this game, that’s going to affect championship teams in that if your guy gets hurt for a week is that backup truly ready to step up. That’s going to be a big part of quarterback development.”"

Not that it’s the same situation, but Fisher got a taste of quarterbacks transferring when Nick Starkel decided to graduate and transfer to Arkansas. Graduate transfers have always been allowed to play right away, but it puts the onus on Fisher to develop one of his young quarterbacks as Kellen Mond’s backup for 2019.

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The backup spot is a three-man race between three players with almost no experience. Fisher’s focus will be continuing to make Mond better but he will have to spend time with these young quarterbacks should the worst happen during the season. Hopefully it won’t come to that, but you never know.