Count Gopher sophomore quarterback Philip Nelson as another in the long line of signal-callers being looked at for a solution to Minnesota’s problem under center.
In the history of the program, not many QBs can be considered much better than serviceable. When the question is posed ‘who is the best QB to ever where a Gopher uniform’, generally the answer you’ll hear (after a long silence of course) is Adam Weber, Bryan Cupito, or Asad Abdul-Khaliq.
The list is a sad and unimpressive group of men that have rarely, if ever touched an NFL field.
Now it’s Philip Nelson’s show to run, and expectations are not being set low simply because history dictates they should, Jerry Kill and company are looking to the underclassman to guide the younger quarterbacks as Minnesota heads into the 2013 season.
That being said, when discussing the quarterback situation at the ‘U’, coaches will not commit to having just Nelson under center. He’s looked to for leadership, but that doesn’t mean he’s untouchable, as is evident when the Pioneer Press’ Marcus Fuller asked QB coach Jim Zebrowski about a two quarterback system: “We scored 31 points against Texas Tech rolling through two (quarterbacks, MarQueis Gray and Nelson). I talked to coach (Jerry Kill) about that. He asked me if I felt comfortable doing it, and I said, ‘I do.'”
Nelson showed flashes last year in his first season with Minnesota, but consistency will be a must from the most important position on the field if the Gophers hope to finish above the cellar in the Legends Division this season.
