Are we ready for the Jeff Minnerly era at EWU?

Remember when Erik Meyer graduated from Eastern Washington after winning the Walter Payton award and we had to struggle through a bundle of Chris Peerboom starts before Wulff finally went with Matt Nichols. By all accounts, Peerboom was absolutely terrible and the Eagles struggled through a three win season. Well now that Nichols is graduated, EWU now has to look to somebody new to play quarterback. With Nichols taking the majority of the snaps for the past few years, whoever steps under center is going to be largely new to fans. After scouring the Eagles' roster this year, here's who it looks like will be taking snaps this year.


1. Jeff Minnerly, Sophomore 
He's handled the holder duties this year for the Eagles and has seen playing time under center as well. Since he was such a fantastic player at Ferris, was named scout team player of the year in 2008 for the Eagles and is young (meaning plenty of years playing for EWU), I'd have to say he's the front-runner for the QB position.



2. Scott Burgett, Sophomore
Burgett was listed as a backup on the depth chart along with Minnerly, although I can't say we've seen a whole lot from him. However, considering he's a young guy I'd imagine he would battle Minnerly for the starting position.

3. Anthony Vitto, True Sophomore
He has one less year that Burgett and Minnerly so I'd imagine he'd be the dark horse in this race, but a young guy with potential means that if the other two guys struggle, he'll probably be given the ball.







4. Nick Gauthier, Senior
This senior quarterback was a junior college transfer but I can't see them using Gauthier unless they think he's the best option they have to win, and the team is good enough to make another run at the playoffs. If that is true then they'll hold off on the rebuilding at quarterback for one year.






5. J.T. Levenseller, Junior 
I believe that due to Levenseller transferring from WSU to EWU, he loses one year of eligibility and will be a junior this upcoming season after sitting out the 2009 season. He's the most interesting piece of the puzzle here. Beau Baldwin may think Levenseller is the most talented and experienced of the bunch (He did get recruited by a Pac-10 school and he did play for the Cougs in the 2008 season). Playing for the Cougars should mean he has enough grit and moxie (I mean I'm surprised Levenseller isn't permanently injured from playing behind that atrocity of an offensive line) to play in the Big Sky Conference.

One thing is for sure, the Eagles will have plenty of options to go to in 2010.