Witt ready to step in at QB if needed
Patrick Witt understands better than anyone how the path from No. 3 to No. 1 can quickly skip No. 2.
That’s why Nebraska’s true freshman quarterback is prepared for anything.
When longtime backup Joe Ganz officially became Nebraska’s starting quarterback Monday, Witt gave his older brother a phone call to discuss the situation.
Jeff Witt, a junior quarterback at Harvard, was No. 3 on the fall depth chart in 2006. Before the season began, Harvard’s starter was lost to injury, and Jeff moved to No. 2.
He wasn’t there long.
“Sure enough, first game, the guy went down. He was the starter,” Patrick Witt said. “From his experience there, I realize how fast things can happen.”
Witt prefers his depth-chart journey takes a slower route … and has a better ending. Jeff, after assuming the starting role, was also injured.
Witt hopes the injury to Sam Keller doesn’t start a similar trend. If Ganz remains healthy, Witt maintains his redshirt season.
If not …
“I’m ready to go,” Witt said. “At the drop of a hat, they just give the word, I’m ready to go.”
Coaches, though, say they’ll do everything possible to keep Witt from playing. If Ganz suffers a minor injury and is expected to return, it’s likely junior Beau Davis will enter.
If Ganz is out for an extended period of time, and there’s an opportunity to start a couple of games, Witt is willing to play.
And what if Nebraska needs a starting quarterback for only the season finale against Colorado?
“That’d be something I’d have to talk to coaches about at the time,” Witt said. “I’d let them know as of right now, if there are any starts left in the year, I’d like to go in the game.
“That’s what I came here to do. I came here to play, and if the opportunity presents itself, I want to play.”
Witt, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound native of Wylie, Texas, enrolled in classes in January and participated in spring football, giving him an important jump start in learning Bill Callahan’s West Coast offense. As a high school senior, Witt threw for 1,846 yards and 17 touchdowns, while completing 57 percent of his passes.
“He’s a smart kid,” Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. “He knows what he’s doing with the football. He’s a good passer. And for his age, he knows as much as any of our veteran quarterbacks and always has. He’s a good student of the game.”
Witt has been groomed as the No. 3 quarterback throughout the fall. When Keller was injured in the fourth quarter against Texas last Saturday, Witt, who was charting coverages, dropped his clipboard and began signaling plays in place of Ganz, who entered the game.
Witt will continue that signal-calling role Saturday when Nebraska (4-5, 1-4 Big 12 Conference) plays at No. 8 Kansas (8-0, 4-0).
Count Witt among those who has confidence in Ganz. When asked who he turns to with questions regarding the offense, Witt said either Watson or Ganz.
“I have a lot of respect for Joe and his knowledge to the point where I’d be willing to ask any questions about the offense, because he knows it that well,” Witt said. “He’s been here since Coach (Callahan) has been here, so he knows it very well.”
With the starter taking at least 70 percent of the practice repetitions, Witt “kind of gets the scraps.” But he said he’s driven himself mentally and continues to work with coaches on fundamentals.
“I’ve got confidence in him,” Callahan said. “He’s a smart young man. He’s bright. He’s quick on his feet. He’s alert. He’s a guy who can manage the system and do well.
“In the same breath, Beau Davis can do the same types of things.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
That’s why Nebraska’s true freshman quarterback is prepared for anything.
When longtime backup Joe Ganz officially became Nebraska’s starting quarterback Monday, Witt gave his older brother a phone call to discuss the situation.
Jeff Witt, a junior quarterback at Harvard, was No. 3 on the fall depth chart in 2006. Before the season began, Harvard’s starter was lost to injury, and Jeff moved to No. 2.
He wasn’t there long.
“Sure enough, first game, the guy went down. He was the starter,” Patrick Witt said. “From his experience there, I realize how fast things can happen.”
Witt prefers his depth-chart journey takes a slower route … and has a better ending. Jeff, after assuming the starting role, was also injured.
Witt hopes the injury to Sam Keller doesn’t start a similar trend. If Ganz remains healthy, Witt maintains his redshirt season.
If not …
“I’m ready to go,” Witt said. “At the drop of a hat, they just give the word, I’m ready to go.”
Coaches, though, say they’ll do everything possible to keep Witt from playing. If Ganz suffers a minor injury and is expected to return, it’s likely junior Beau Davis will enter.
If Ganz is out for an extended period of time, and there’s an opportunity to start a couple of games, Witt is willing to play.
And what if Nebraska needs a starting quarterback for only the season finale against Colorado?
“That’d be something I’d have to talk to coaches about at the time,” Witt said. “I’d let them know as of right now, if there are any starts left in the year, I’d like to go in the game.
“That’s what I came here to do. I came here to play, and if the opportunity presents itself, I want to play.”
Witt, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound native of Wylie, Texas, enrolled in classes in January and participated in spring football, giving him an important jump start in learning Bill Callahan’s West Coast offense. As a high school senior, Witt threw for 1,846 yards and 17 touchdowns, while completing 57 percent of his passes.
“He’s a smart kid,” Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. “He knows what he’s doing with the football. He’s a good passer. And for his age, he knows as much as any of our veteran quarterbacks and always has. He’s a good student of the game.”
Witt has been groomed as the No. 3 quarterback throughout the fall. When Keller was injured in the fourth quarter against Texas last Saturday, Witt, who was charting coverages, dropped his clipboard and began signaling plays in place of Ganz, who entered the game.
Witt will continue that signal-calling role Saturday when Nebraska (4-5, 1-4 Big 12 Conference) plays at No. 8 Kansas (8-0, 4-0).
Count Witt among those who has confidence in Ganz. When asked who he turns to with questions regarding the offense, Witt said either Watson or Ganz.
“I have a lot of respect for Joe and his knowledge to the point where I’d be willing to ask any questions about the offense, because he knows it that well,” Witt said. “He’s been here since Coach (Callahan) has been here, so he knows it very well.”
With the starter taking at least 70 percent of the practice repetitions, Witt “kind of gets the scraps.” But he said he’s driven himself mentally and continues to work with coaches on fundamentals.
“I’ve got confidence in him,” Callahan said. “He’s a smart young man. He’s bright. He’s quick on his feet. He’s alert. He’s a guy who can manage the system and do well.
“In the same breath, Beau Davis can do the same types of things.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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