West Virginia did what many teams can’t do on National Signing Day – sign two quarterbacks.
The nation’s third-best dual-threat quarterback, Barry Brunetti, committed along with Texas high school star Jeremy Johnson to the Mountaineers as part of the 19-member recruiting class of 2010.
Brunetti is one of the best quarterback recruits this school has ever seen. He comes to WVU with even more hype than Smith did last year.
From what many have said, Brunetti – who started the U.S. Army All-American Game – is a talented passer with the ability to run the ball if needed.
WVU head coach Bill Stewart likes the fact Brunetti hasn’t lost a game in which he has started since the seventh grade. That’s the best aspect of him. He’s a proven winner.
While dealing with an injury that hampered him much of his senior season, the Memphis University High School quarterback threw for 2,257 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushed for 519 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Johnson, on the other hand, isn’t as highly touted and doesn’t have four stars beside his name. But he is from the great state of Texas – where football is king. He is a more prototypical West Virginia quarterback.
Stewart compared him to Pat White in a round-about way.
As a senior, Johnson threw for 1,675 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also rushed for 621 yards and nine touchdowns.
Brunetti and Johnson will vie for the backup quarterback spot behind projected starter Geno Smith, as backup Coley White will be moved to receiver, according to offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen.
But Smith isn’t exactly an experienced college player. While the Florida native saw action in five games in 2009, he isn’t by any means experienced enough to be considered a solid starter.
I’m not sold Brunetti or Johnson can’t take the job from him in the fall, either.
It should be a battle, if nothing more than to create competition.
It could be one of the best quarterback competitions across the country this fall, mainly because of the talent at the position.
Smith was an Elite 11 quarterback last year. Brunetti is one, as well. Johnson is more highly touted than either Pat White or Jarrett Brown was when they joined the program.
Not only that, but all three have proven to be dual-threats capable of winning the job.
West Virginia has had the luxury over the past three seasons of playing with a veteran starter in White.
In two of those, the Mountaineers also had a proven backup in Brown.
Now, White and Brown are gone.
WVU needs a quarterback to step up for the first time in five seasons.
"When they get here, they’re all going to have an opportunity to play. Geno’s not the favorite, he can’t be," Mullen said. "Clearly he’s the top dog because he’s been here, but we’ve got to win and we’ve got to win now. We’ve just signed two kids who can flat-out play."
Brunetti and Johnson will be so important to this team next year.
While Smith has been relatively durable in the time he’s played, including taking over for Brown against Marshall and Florida State in the Gator Bowl, Smith has injured his foot twice in less than a year’s time.
West Virginia is simply one more injury away from starting or playing a true-freshman significant minutes for the second year in a row.
Who knows, maybe Smith won’t progress as well because of that injury and it will be Brunetti or Johnson at the helm of the Mountaineer offense.
The development of Brunetti and Johnson during fall practice, then, will be more than crucial to this team’s success.
To have the luxury of picking between such talented and hyped players is something few coaches have the ability to do.
It’s a dream for many.
WVU has the chance to this upcoming offseason. The competition will only help.
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