Hunter Johnson named Northwestern starting quarterback
Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald typically waits until the last possible moment to name his signal caller, but on Tuesday he announced he has named former five-star recruit Hunter Johnson his starting quarterback for the 2021 season.
Going into camp, the battle for QB1 was between South Carolina transfer Ryan Hilinski and senior Andrew Marty. Fitzgerald spoke highly of all three options at Big Ten media days last month.
“As I look at our quarterback situation I think we got really good depth and I think we have got really good talent,” Fitzgerald said. “Andrew and Ryan and Hunter, all three have game experience. Hunter with us, Andrew with us and then Ryan in the SEC. So all three of those guys are going to compete here as we start camp, we’ll make a decision, finalize that decision some time during camp, but all three guys had I thought, solid spring practices and we have got younger guys behind them too. So I think we got really good depth there at the quarterback position.”
While Fitzgerald did not hint at what his final decision might be, Hilinski was considered the favorite based on recent performance.
An Indiana native, Johnson returned to the Midwest in 2018 after spending his freshman year at Clemson. He sat out his first season in Evanston because of NCAA rules and had a disappointing 2019. He was 50-for-108 with 432 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Johnson can evade pressure well; he had one touchdown on the ground and 64 rushing yards in 2019.
In 2020, Indiana transfer Peyton Ramsey beat Johnson for the starting job. Johnson threw zero passes while Ramsey led the Wildcats to a 7-2 season that included a Big Ten Championship Game appearance, a Citrus Bowl win over Auburn and a No. 10 ranking in the final AP Poll.
Northwestern opens their season with a Friday night game on Sept. 3 against Michigan State, the team that spoiled their perfect season last year.
The Clemson quarterback room lacks depth following multiple transfers
Clemson has a Heisman contender at quarterback in D.J. Uiagalelei, but should the sophomore get hurt, the Tigers might be in trouble.
In addition to Johnson’s move to Evanston, former Clemson and Duke quarterback Chase Brice is now at Appalachian State, and former Clemson and South Carolina signal caller Zerrick Cooper is now at Jacksonville State.
If something happens to Uiagalelei, Taisun Phommachanh, who is recovering from an Achilles’ injury, would likely step in. Phommachanh was a four-star recruit, but there is a noticeable talent gap between the two quarterbacks.