Marshall’s quarterback is certainly well established heading into spring practice. Rakeem Cato has a firm grip on the starting job after finishing the 2012 season at the top of Conference USA’s passing statistics and was named league’s MVP.
Blake Frohnapfel is cemented as the backup quarterback and Gunnar Holcombe will be listed third on the depth chart. There’s no controversy, no quarterback battle, no new offense being installed, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be interesting to watch The Herd’s gunslingers this spring.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Rakeem Cato made tremendous strides physically and mentally from his freshman to sophomore seasons. He had more velocity on his passes and made better reads when throwing the ball and running the read option. Will he make the same improvements this season?
Cato was deadly accurate on the short to medium range passes last season. If he can develop a little better touch on the deep ball he will be a well-rounded quarterback that will make it nearly impossible for defensive coordinators to come up with a scheme to stop him.
WHO CAN LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION?
If it were not for Cato, Blake Frohnapfel would make a strong case to be The Herd’s starting quarterback. Frohnapfel has the size, 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, and the skill. When Cato was injured and knocked out of the season finale against East Carolina, Frohnapfel ran the read option offense nearly to perfection. He broke loose for a 51-yard touchdown run that nearly saved the season.
Frohnapfel may not be able to unseat Cato as the starter but can provide insurance should Cato ever get injured. He can also establish himself as the heir apparent for when Cato graduates following the 2014 season.
WHAT WILL WE LEARN DURING SPRING?
That Marshall is set at the quarterback position for the next few years. Cato is poised to be the starter for the next two seasons, then Frohnapfel and Gunnar Holcombe after that. When Holliday arrived on campus prior to the 2010 season it was slim pickings under center. In fact, the two leading contenders to be the starting quarterback in 2011 (Eddie Sullivan and A.J. Graham) are not even with the program any more.
Holliday and staff have done a good job of bringing depth and stability to the most important position on the field and that should continue in the years to come.