By: Nolan Alexander
KENNESAW, Ga. – Two is better than one.
When it comes to quarterbacks for Kennesaw State football, two might be a necessity as opposed to a choice.
Quarterbacks coach Chandler Burks knows the demands of the position as well as anyone. He finished his career with 2,813 rushing yards and 56 rushing touchdowns. During his three-plus seasons as the signal caller for the Owls, he threw for 3,638 yards and 33 touchdowns, which tops the Kennesaw State record book.
Burks is blessed with the leadership, talent, and experience of Tommy Bryant and Jonathan Murphy.
"Their leadership capabilities to rally a team, grab the younger guys and show them the way we do things at Kennesaw State and within our program sticks out. That whole team comradery and being around one another is crucial to really any program, but being able to place a lot on those guys and be able to ride them has stuck out to me."
In a year where leadership may matter more than any, he's seen it from Bryant in addressing the program's COVID-19 protocols.
"Tommy Bryant has been making sure everybody's filling out their questionnaire (on daily COVID-19 symptoms), making sure everyone's masking up, social distancing and following guidelines. He's making sure we're mitigating the spread and all the stuff right. Tommy actually took it upon himself to grab other leaders of position groups and say, 'This a checklist we need to send our group every single day that we are doing off the field as well as what we do on the field.'"
Bryant finished the 2019 season with a team-leading 16 touchdowns to go along with 683 rushing yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. The senior finished second in the nation in rushing touchdowns among quarterbacks. He enters this spring with 873 career rushing yards and 544 passing yards, including an average of 21.7 yards per completion.
"For him, it's to continue to build off those things and making sure he is in the right headspace to handle an entire offense within what we ask them to do within that position - seeing their keys, seeing fronts, IDing, declaring certain things with certain plays, getting us into the right play, things like that. I think for him is to take a step further and take on the ownership of that leadership role stepping into a season where he is the starter. 'How do I manage building on the things on the field, off the field and take care of the team and make sure we're going in the right direction?' He does well running the ball, getting under his pads, gets his first downs, being able to pitch and catch, that's an area he has grown a ton in, being able to pitch and catch with the wide outs and with our slots; things like that. I don't have anything negative to say about that guy, he's Kennesaw State through and through."
Murphy had one of the most remarkable stories of any college football player in 2019, coming off the bench and leading the Owls to a victory at No. 11 Wofford in the opening round of the FCS Playoffs with a record-breaking performance. He registered 206 rushing yards and three touchdowns in two and a half quarters of action and set the Big South Conference playoff record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with three, rushing yards with 206 and longest rush from scrimmage at 61 yards. The Los Angeles native also set the KSU program record for rushing yards by a quarterback against Wofford, where Burks saw it firsthand as an assistant for the Terriers.
"The thing about him is he is always pushing the envelope, always loving the opportunity to compete when he gets on the grass. He is a guy we count on and look forward to putting in the game this year. Last year he was making plays and able to operate our entire offense as well. He's a guy that loves the game of football, he's smart, intelligent and he is a playmaker with the ball in his hands. He is a playmaker with being able to put the ball in the air as well.
He is an all-around quarterback, but the biggest thing I'd say that sticks out is his personality, being a great teammate, not afraid to speak up and address things as well when it comes to that leadership role. He is a phenomenal human being and I look forward for him to build on that knowledge of our offense and us having that one-two punch for our opponents to have to deal with two dynamic players in one game."
The depth chart is deep with Xavier Shepherd, Ladarius Clardy, DeAngelo Hardy, and Arendez Fedd all growing in their understanding of the offense.
"Xavier is another guy who continues to build within his craft and his game. He continues to build in his knowledge with understanding our offense and understanding concepts what we're asking him to do within the position. He is a guy that is a great teammate, phenomenal person and human being. He is a playmaker on the field."
Burks also oversees the B-backs, which in KSU's spread option attack line up in a three-point stance a few yards behind the quarterback. The quarterback and B-back can be defined as ones that "coincide with one another."
"On 90 percent of the snaps, there is some kind of mesh or something going on between the two positions."
This spring, Kyle Glover is set to build on a 2019 season where he made three starts, had 59 carries for 211 yards, and scored two times. The running back has been a consistent presence in the program since switching from linebacker early in his career.
"When he goes to practice, weight training, the classroom, his head is down, and he is going to work. Kyle is probably in the top echelon in the type of players that work hard. I'm looking forward to him building off his game experience. KG has had a ton of game experience. I'll never forget in 2018 he steps into the role against Jacksonville State and five overtimes with over 50 snaps without a break or anything. He's embraced the role and taken leadership."
Preston Daniels played in four games and received a redshirt after a heralded high school career at Washington County. He was a four-year starter and a three-time all-state honoree.
"He's had a ton of reps in practice, and the position is very rep-oriented. He's a very intellectual athlete. He will do anything you tell him to with his best ability and a purpose. I'm excited about what he is going to bring to the table."
Cole Gilley, Brandon Simmons and Cade Radam all bring unique skill sets to the table.
"Depth is crucial at the position. Cole and Brandon have been here with experience in the position knowing what to do or where to go. There's not anything in the offense they won't be able to handle."
"I'm very fortunate position and blessed to be the position coach in this room. I'm ready to see them attack it and put cleats to the grass Saturday afternoon."
