QB Battle Update: Coach's Take | August 2026

Fall camp is grinding into its dog days, and the competition under center is heating up. On Saturday, quarterbacks coach Mitch Stewart met with the media to give the most detailed update yet on the battle to be QB1. Hoping for a definitive answer on a starter? You’re out of luck. But if you want to know exactly who’s taking the first-team reps, who’s surging, and what the coaching staff is looking for before Week 1, this is the breakdown you need. Stewart walked into the presser with that classic coach’s poker face, but his words carried the weight of a decision that’s getting closer by the day.

The energy in the room was palpable as reporters fired off questions about rotations, red-zone efficiency, and the growing buzz around the true freshman. Stewart didn't shy away from the tough stuff, but he also made it crystal clear that this isn’t a democracy - it’s a meritocracy. The clock is ticking toward that season opener, and every single rep in the August heat is a job interview. Buckle up, because the QB room is officially the most compelling storyline on campus right now, and Stewart just gave us the clearest picture yet of how this thing is going to shake out.

The State of Play: Reps, Rotation, and Rising Stock

Coach Stewart didn't dance around the biggest question on every fan's mind: who is taking the majority of the snaps with the ones? While he kept the door open for a continued rotation, his comments revealed a clear shift in momentum. The battle is no longer a three-man race; it’s settled into a two-horse duel, with a third name still lurking for situational packages.

• The First-Team Surge: One quarterback has clearly separated himself in the last five practices, earning the lion’s share of work in 7-on-7 and full-team drills. Stewart praised his “command of the huddle” and his ability to “process the defense pre-snap,” noting that he’s stopped “thinking and started playing.” Expect this QB to take the field first in the upcoming scrimmage. The coaching staff’s body language during drills has reportedly shifted, with more head-nodding and less red-pen correcting when this guy is under center.
• The Veteran Chaser: The other contender isn't going away quietly. Stewart highlighted his improved deep-ball accuracy and pocket presence under pressure, saying he’s making “NFL-caliber throws” in red-zone drills. However, his tendency to hold onto the ball a tick too long remains a point of emphasis. That split-second hesitation is the difference between a chunk play and a sack in this league, and the coaches are hammering it home every single day.
• The Wildcard: The true freshman, once thought to be a raw project, has reportedly "blown away" the staff with his athleticism during the final period of practice. While he’s not a threat to start, the coaches are actively designing a handful of "special packages" to get his legs on the field, specifically in short-yardage situations. Think designed zone reads and bootlegs that put defenders in conflict - this kid is a cheat code waiting to be unlocked.

Stewart made it clear that the schedule is turning up the heat. "The volume of reps is starting to tighten," he said. "We're getting to the point where you have to show us you can do it consistently, not just in flashes."

📊 14-of-18 in team drills - The leading QB's completion rate over the last two full-squad practices, per Stewart's own count, a number that has the staff buzzing.