2024 USU FOOTBALL SPRING BALL: The Quarterback Battle

El Sapo · Post by **El Sapo** » April 4th, 2024, 10:46 am

brian5562 wrote: ↑
April 3rd, 2024, 12:00 pm
My question is which qb is processing the defense the best and can go through his progressions quickly. Something that was a struggle last year.

great point

Hillstead was fine with his timing in the pocket until he took that vicious double helmet to the head shot. I hope he's fully recovered. Hard for me to believe that any of our other QB's has a better arm. IMHO, Coop has had the yips. He loses confidence and you can see him double clutch his throws. It throws off the timing of the play and we had a bunch of interceptions last season. Another big focus this season at QB should be ball control. Don't turn it over.

GameFAQSAggie · Post by **GameFAQSAggie** » April 4th, 2024, 11:02 am

El Sapo wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 10:46 am

Hillstead was fine with his timing in the pocket until he took that vicious double helmet to the head shot.

Aggie84025 · Post by **Aggie84025** » April 4th, 2024, 11:29 am

GameFAQSAggie wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 11:02 am

El Sapo wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 10:46 am

Hillstead was fine with his timing in the pocket until he took that vicious double helmet to the head shot.

that was cheap shot by the UCONN defender.

Post by **aggies22** » April 4th, 2024, 12:04 pm

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 11:29 am

GameFAQSAggie wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 11:02 am

El Sapo wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 10:46 am

Hillstead was fine with his timing in the pocket until he took that vicious double helmet to the head shot.

that was cheap shot by the UCONN defender.

And no replay for leading with his helmet on that punk a$$ linebacker either.

Aggie84025 · Post by **Aggie84025** » April 4th, 2024, 12:12 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 12:04 pm

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 11:29 am

GameFAQSAggie wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 11:02 am

El Sapo wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 10:46 am

Hillstead was fine with his timing in the pocket until he took that vicious double helmet to the head shot.

that was cheap shot by the UCONN defender.
And no replay for leading with his helmet on that punk a$$ linebacker either.

For sure should have been targeting. Hillstead was never the same the rest of the year after that hit.

dirtnsnow · Post by **dirtnsnow** » April 4th, 2024, 12:56 pm

Fantastic throw, though.

Aggie84025 · Post by **Aggie84025** » April 4th, 2024, 2:22 pm

dirtnsnow wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 12:56 pm
Fantastic throw, though.

Awesome throw, takes some cajones to stand in there and make that throw and then get absolutely drilled.

Fan4AggieballAZ · Post by **Fan4AggieballAZ** » April 6th, 2024, 1:00 pm

For now it would seem:

Coop and/or
Petras
Hillstead

Barnes

Petras/Hillstead process field easily the best and make quickest and best reads and use the entire offense.

Negative; Hillstead size is limiting whereas Petras quite tall and sees field nicely! Also Hillstead throws by far the best and most catchable ball….Petras has a cannon but a lot of WR’s been dropping balls because of rhythm for now and he throws almost too dang hard; so touch can improve….I do hope Hillstead stays on if they decide to RS him after spring ball…

Coop still hesitates at times/double clutches…and locks in on one target too much but such a competitor and super-athlete for sure.

Barnes is distant 4th option; maybe a “wildcat” option or short yardage or goal line role…

Hoot · Post by **Hoot** » April 6th, 2024, 1:26 pm

Fan4AggieballAZ wrote: ↑
April 6th, 2024, 1:00 pm
For now it would seem:

Coop and/or
Petras
Hillstead

Barnes

Petras/Hillstead process field easily the best and make quickest and best reads and use the entire offense.

Negative; Hillstead size is limiting whereas Petras quite tall and sees field nicely! Also Hillstead throws by far the best and most catchable ball….Petras has a cannon but a lot of WR’s been dropping balls because of rhythm for now and he throws almost too dang hard; so touch can improve….I do hope Hillstead stays on if they decide to RS him after spring ball…

Coop still hesitates at times/double clutches…and locks in on one target too much but such a competitor and super-athlete for sure.

Barnes is distant 4th option; maybe a “wildcat” option or short yardage or goal line role…

I can’t help but notice you didn’t mention Zeke Payne…

Post by **aggies22** » April 6th, 2024, 4:06 pm

Petras has definitely closed the gap on Coop.

bigblue32 · Post by **bigblue32** » April 7th, 2024, 12:12 am

Fan4AggieballAZ wrote: ↑
April 6th, 2024, 1:00 pm
For now it would seem:

Coop and/or
Petras
Hillstead

Barnes

Petras/Hillstead process field easily the best and make quickest and best reads and use the entire offense.

Negative; Hillstead size is limiting whereas Petras quite tall and sees field nicely! Also Hillstead throws by far the best and most catchable ball….Petras has a cannon but a lot of WR’s been dropping balls because of rhythm for now and he throws almost too dang hard; so touch can improve….I do hope Hillstead stays on if they decide to RS him after spring ball…

Coop still hesitates at times/double clutches…and locks in on one target too much but such a competitor and super-athlete for sure.

Barnes is distant 4th option; maybe a “wildcat” option or short yardage or goal line role…

Which everyone saw coming with Barnes, why wouldn’t he go to a big sky school or something and ball out? Is he dating a volleyball player also lol

Post by **aggies22** » April 7th, 2024, 10:00 am

bigblue32 wrote: ↑
April 7th, 2024, 12:12 am

Fan4AggieballAZ wrote: ↑
April 6th, 2024, 1:00 pm
For now it would seem:

Coop and/or
Petras
Hillstead

Barnes

Petras/Hillstead process field easily the best and make quickest and best reads and use the entire offense.

Negative; Hillstead size is limiting whereas Petras quite tall and sees field nicely! Also Hillstead throws by far the best and most catchable ball….Petras has a cannon but a lot of WR’s been dropping balls because of rhythm for now and he throws almost too dang hard; so touch can improve….I do hope Hillstead stays on if they decide to RS him after spring ball…

Coop still hesitates at times/double clutches…and locks in on one target too much but such a competitor and super-athlete for sure.

Barnes is distant 4th option; maybe a “wildcat” option or short yardage or goal line role…
Which everyone saw coming with Barnes, why wouldn’t he go to a big sky school or something and ball out? Is he dating a volleyball player also lol

Utah State offers the graduate program he wanted.

bigblue32 · Post by **bigblue32** » April 7th, 2024, 10:30 am

aggies22 wrote: ↑
April 7th, 2024, 10:00 am

bigblue32 wrote: ↑
April 7th, 2024, 12:12 am

Fan4AggieballAZ wrote: ↑
April 6th, 2024, 1:00 pm
For now it would seem:

Coop and/or
Petras
Hillstead

Barnes

Petras/Hillstead process field easily the best and make quickest and best reads and use the entire offense.

Negative; Hillstead size is limiting whereas Petras quite tall and sees field nicely! Also Hillstead throws by far the best and most catchable ball….Petras has a cannon but a lot of WR’s been dropping balls because of rhythm for now and he throws almost too dang hard; so touch can improve….I do hope Hillstead stays on if they decide to RS him after spring ball…

Coop still hesitates at times/double clutches…and locks in on one target too much but such a competitor and super-athlete for sure.

Barnes is distant 4th option; maybe a “wildcat” option or short yardage or goal line role…
Which everyone saw coming with Barnes, why wouldn’t he go to a big sky school or something and ball out? Is he dating a volleyball player also lol
Utah State offers the graduate program he wanted.

And that’s a perfect answer lol my bad Barnes. Get that degree playa

LarryTheAggie · Post by **LarryTheAggie** » April 7th, 2024, 10:55 am

aggies22 wrote: ↑
April 7th, 2024, 10:00 am

bigblue32 wrote: ↑
April 7th, 2024, 12:12 am

Fan4AggieballAZ wrote: ↑
April 6th, 2024, 1:00 pm
For now it would seem:

Coop and/or
Petras
Hillstead

Barnes

Petras/Hillstead process field easily the best and make quickest and best reads and use the entire offense.

Negative; Hillstead size is limiting whereas Petras quite tall and sees field nicely! Also Hillstead throws by far the best and most catchable ball….Petras has a cannon but a lot of WR’s been dropping balls because of rhythm for now and he throws almost too dang hard; so touch can improve….I do hope Hillstead stays on if they decide to RS him after spring ball…

Coop still hesitates at times/double clutches…and locks in on one target too much but such a competitor and super-athlete for sure.

Barnes is distant 4th option; maybe a “wildcat” option or short yardage or goal line role…
Which everyone saw coming with Barnes, why wouldn’t he go to a big sky school or something and ball out? Is he dating a volleyball player also lol
Utah State offers the graduate program he wanted.

Because finding an FCS school with a... *checks notes*... MBA program is pretty hard.

But seriously, good for him.

Aggie84025 · Post by **Aggie84025** » April 7th, 2024, 11:05 am

bigblue32 wrote: ↑
April 7th, 2024, 12:12 am

Fan4AggieballAZ wrote: ↑
April 6th, 2024, 1:00 pm
For now it would seem:

Coop and/or
Petras
Hillstead

Barnes

Petras/Hillstead process field easily the best and make quickest and best reads and use the entire offense.

Negative; Hillstead size is limiting whereas Petras quite tall and sees field nicely! Also Hillstead throws by far the best and most catchable ball….Petras has a cannon but a lot of WR’s been dropping balls because of rhythm for now and he throws almost too dang hard; so touch can improve….I do hope Hillstead stays on if they decide to RS him after spring ball…

Coop still hesitates at times/double clutches…and locks in on one target too much but such a competitor and super-athlete for sure.

Barnes is distant 4th option; maybe a “wildcat” option or short yardage or goal line role…
Which everyone saw coming with Barnes, why wouldn’t he go to a big sky school or something and ball out? Is he dating a volleyball player also lol

How many teams have 4 capable QB's on the roster? There is always drop off from the top 2. Not huge on Barnes but he is a backup that has played a lot. Seems like a hard working guy.

FeartheFro · Post by **FeartheFro** » April 7th, 2024, 12:02 pm

Aggies22, is this the year Otto breaks out??? I’ve been hoping since he committed out of Northridge. Let’s go baby!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Post by **aggies22** » April 7th, 2024, 4:17 pm

FeartheFro wrote: ↑
April 7th, 2024, 12:02 pm
Aggies22, is this the year Otto breaks out??? I’ve been hoping since he committed out of Northridge. Let’s go baby!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm not sure. I think once Micah Davis returns that will push Otto to third on the depth chart.

slcagg · Post by **slcagg** » April 8th, 2024, 6:55 am

AGGIEinIOWA wrote: ↑
March 19th, 2024, 8:02 pm
I'm really interested to see how Petra adjusts to BA's system. If our Oline can step up and protect the QB, Petras has the arm, smarts, and ability to really make this offense hum. He’d also get the TE’s involved like we haven't seen in years. With his arm, experience, and at 6'5", he has the ability to really survey the field and then stand in there and deliver strikes all over.

Petras seems to be emerging as potential starter.

Roy McAvoy · Post by **Roy McAvoy** » April 8th, 2024, 12:33 pm

I'll bet my money that Petras is the starter.

mike1126 · Post by **mike1126** » April 8th, 2024, 1:10 pm

Roy McAvoy wrote: ↑
April 8th, 2024, 12:33 pm
I'll bet my money that Petras is the starter.

Agreed. Coop has a hard time during live games, and Blake will have a very short leash on him. Can't see coop being the starter all season.

flying_scotsman2.0 · Post by **flying_scotsman2.0** » April 8th, 2024, 1:10 pm

I’d bet anything legas does not start

TrueAG · Post by **TrueAG** » April 8th, 2024, 1:12 pm

I am excited for Petras. Coop is a gamer but has major weaknesses that limit our upside.

El Sapo · Post by **El Sapo** » April 8th, 2024, 1:31 pm

Fan4AggieballAZ wrote: ↑
April 6th, 2024, 1:00 pm
For now it would seem:

Coop and/or
Petras
Hillstead

Barnes

Petras/Hillstead process field easily the best and make quickest and best reads and use the entire offense.

Negative; Hillstead size is limiting whereas Petras quite tall and sees field nicely! Also Hillstead throws by far the best and most catchable ball….Petras has a cannon but a lot of WR’s been dropping balls because of rhythm for now and he throws almost too dang hard; so touch can improve….I do hope Hillstead stays on if they decide to RS him after spring ball…

Coop still hesitates at times/double clutches…and locks in on one target too much but such a competitor and super-athlete for sure.

Barnes is distant 4th option; maybe a “wildcat” option or short yardage or goal line role…

Evaluating QB's at this point in the off-season you probably just want to see that the ball is going to the right place and that it's coming out on time. It takes a little time for the WR's to get "in sync" with a QB and the different velocity they each throw with. I think if I was Petras and I'm in practice and competing for the QB position I'd want to show off my arm. I'd fire "catch it or wear it" passes until I had the position.

"Hey, there were 3 incompletions! True, but the 3 passes hit the WR in the face or the chest.

Post by **aggies22** » April 8th, 2024, 1:38 pm

Roy McAvoy wrote: ↑
April 8th, 2024, 12:33 pm
I'll bet my money that Petras is the starter.

I wonder if his shoulder will hold up?

Aggie84025 · Post by **Aggie84025** » April 8th, 2024, 2:26 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑
April 8th, 2024, 1:38 pm

Roy McAvoy wrote: ↑
April 8th, 2024, 12:33 pm
I'll bet my money that Petras is the starter.
I wonder if his shoulder will hold up?

Was it his shoulder that was injured at Iowa or a different injury?

Aggie84025 · Post by **Aggie84025** » April 8th, 2024, 2:29 pm

mike1126 wrote: ↑
April 8th, 2024, 1:10 pm

Roy McAvoy wrote: ↑
April 8th, 2024, 12:33 pm
I'll bet my money that Petras is the starter.
Agreed. Coop has a hard time during live games, and Blake will have a very short leash on him. Can't see coop being the starter all season.

Cooper has limitations but his stats last year were really good. He had 65% completion rate, 1800 yards, 19td's to 8 int's and a QB rating of 158. Those are damn good numbers.

Hoot · Post by **Hoot** » April 8th, 2024, 3:24 pm

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑
April 8th, 2024, 2:29 pm

mike1126 wrote: ↑
April 8th, 2024, 1:10 pm

Roy McAvoy wrote: ↑
April 8th, 2024, 12:33 pm
I'll bet my money that Petras is the starter.
Agreed. Coop has a hard time during live games, and Blake will have a very short leash on him. Can't see coop being the starter all season.
Cooper has limitations but his stats last year were really good. He had 65% completion rate, 1800 yards, 19td's to 8 int's and a QB rating of 158. Those are damn good numbers.

Most importantly, he won games.

Post by **aggies22** » April 8th, 2024, 4:05 pm

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑
April 8th, 2024, 2:26 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑
April 8th, 2024, 1:38 pm

Roy McAvoy wrote: ↑
April 8th, 2024, 12:33 pm
I'll bet my money that Petras is the starter.
I wonder if his shoulder will hold up?
Was it his shoulder that was injured at Iowa or a different injury?

Yes, Petras sat out last season with a shoulder injury.

breadysmith · Post by **breadysmith** » April 8th, 2024, 11:13 pm

Aggie84025 wrote:
aggies22 wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 12:04 pm

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 11:29 am

GameFAQSAggie wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 11:02 am

El Sapo wrote: ↑
April 4th, 2024, 10:46 am

Hillstead was fine with his timing in the pocket until he took that vicious double helmet to the head shot.

that was cheap shot by the UCONN defender.
And no replay for leading with his helmet on that punk a$$ linebacker either.
For sure should have been targeting. Hillstead was never the same the rest of the year after that hit.

I was one of the 5k…maybe less…in attendance at that game and was VERY vocal about what I thought about that dirty play. The UConn fans around me were quite surprised to see someone give a d@mn to that degree. I got a lot of people looking at me but no one seemed to disagree

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

dyedblue · Post by **dyedblue** » April 9th, 2024, 6:28 am

I guarantee you that Petras starts, Hillstead redshirts, and that Barnes regrets his decision to come to Utah State.

Legas has never been wanted by BA, and he should have just transferred. He may play this year, but only when injuries leave no other choice. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him leave after Spring ball.

Aggie84025 · Post by **Aggie84025** » April 9th, 2024, 8:21 am

dyedblue wrote: ↑
April 9th, 2024, 6:28 am
I guarantee you that Petras starts, Hillstead redshirts, and that Barnes regrets his decision to come to Utah State.

Legas has never been wanted by BA, and he should have just transferred. He may play this year, but only when injuries leave no other choice. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him leave after Spring ball.

Why would Cooper leave after spring ball? He has not quit once on the Aggies. When Petras and Barnes transferred in he knew the QB battle would be an open one. I love Cooper and hope he doesn't transfer. He just does not seem like the guy to quit and move on when he has had multiple chances to leave in the past.

SLB · Post by **SLB** » April 9th, 2024, 9:09 am

Coop's struggle is that he does not the following: a strong arm, read the field at a high level, size, and very fast legs. He is elite against weaker teams, but he folds against tougher teams.
Hillstead got rattled in 2023, and he lost his groove that he had against Air Force and James Madison.
Petras did not do well at Iowa, but it sounds like Petras is doing well here.
Barnes is a third string quarterback that can help Hillstead to keep a redshirt season.

2004AG · Post by **2004AG** » April 9th, 2024, 1:07 pm

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑
April 9th, 2024, 8:21 am

dyedblue wrote: ↑
April 9th, 2024, 6:28 am
I guarantee you that Petras starts, Hillstead redshirts, and that Barnes regrets his decision to come to Utah State.

Legas has never been wanted by BA, and he should have just transferred. He may play this year, but only when injuries leave no other choice. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him leave after Spring ball.
Why would Cooper leave after spring ball? He has not quit once on the Aggies. When Petras and Barnes transferred in he knew the QB battle would be an open one. I love Cooper and hope he doesn't transfer. He just does not seem like the guy to quit and move on when he has had multiple chances to leave in the past.

He would transfer for the opportunity to start at another school.

cval · Post by **cval** » April 9th, 2024, 1:26 pm

Wouldn’t surprise me to see Barnes transfer after Spring Ball, but Coop would be a surprise.

Aggie84025 · Post by **Aggie84025** » April 9th, 2024, 1:33 pm

2004AG wrote: ↑
April 9th, 2024, 1:07 pm

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑
April 9th, 2024, 8:21 am

dyedblue wrote: ↑
April 9th, 2024, 6:28 am
I guarantee you that Petras starts, Hillstead redshirts, and that Barnes regrets his decision to come to Utah State.

Legas has never been wanted by BA, and he should have just transferred. He may play this year, but only when injuries leave no other choice. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him leave after Spring ball.
Why would Cooper leave after spring ball? He has not quit once on the Aggies. When Petras and Barnes transferred in he knew the QB battle would be an open one. I love Cooper and hope he doesn't transfer. He just does not seem like the guy to quit and move on when he has had multiple chances to leave in the past.
He would transfer for the opportunity to start at another school.

But why would he wait until after spring ball. If he was going to transfer it seems as though he would have entered the portal as soon as Petras was announced. To transfer after spring ball to a new team and be named the starter for this upcoming season would seem unlikely IMO.

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