At first Austin Wilson was shocked. The two-star quarterback from East Pennsboro, PA couldn’t believe Syracuse had just gotten another commitment from signal caller Zach Allen. It was just ten days after Wilson had decided he would wear the Orange. But as it was all unfolding, Wilson tells The Fizz Nate Hackett was in his ear reassuring him the Hill was still the right place for him.
“[He] called me and let me know what was going on, and how I still stood as their number one guy. He also reminded me [Allen] was a dual threat guy, and that I’m a pocket guy. It’s whoever really comes in and fits [Syracuse’s] offense better. And I feel like my style of quarterback is going to really help me in that situation.”
So¬†despite the commitment of Allen, Wilson insists he is still ‚Äú100% committed to SU.‚Äù While there’s clearly a role for athletes like Allen and the¬†Syracuse Slash Ashton Broyld,¬†it may not be predominantly under center.
“[Hackett] told me straight up they’re not going to change the offense at all.”
It would be more surprising if Hackett and co. did decide to change the offense from a West Coast/Pro Style to some sort of an option for slashers like Allen and Broyld. But there should be an interesting new dynamic with the versatile speedsters Marrone will mix in over the next handful of seasons.
One advantage Allen does have over Wilson is timing. Zach will be getting to Syracuse a semester early, as he plans to enroll in January ’13. Wilson tells The Fizz¬†he would also look into graduating from high school early to hopefully get on campus at the same time. How interesting would it be to see both QB‚Äôs battling alongside Broyld, Terrel Hunt and Jon Kinder during next year‚Äôs spring practices? East Pennsboro HS runs on tri-mesters and Wilson says he’s looking into it.
“I’ve been talking with my athletic director and counselor about seeing if I can do that or not, based on credits. Right now I’m weighing my options.”
Wilson knows what type of advantage Allen would have by getting on the Hill more than six months earlier. It‚Äôs what’s motivating him right now.
“He’s and early graduate which is going to help, but I’m going to be ready to come in and compete.”
Is it premature to already call it a budding quarterback rivalry? You‚Äôve got to like the drive and the attitude from Wilson just few weeks after SU coaches told him he could be ‚Äúthe quarterback of the future.” But right now, the ‘Cuse‚Äôs QB Carousel continues to spin faster than Orange Nation could have imagined.
Posted: Kevin Fitzgerald
