Who Will Start at QB For Cougars in Apple Cup vs. Huskies?

Earlier this week, coming off a disastrous 59-10 loss at North Texas, Washington State Cougars coach Jimmy Rogers announced that the team would open up a quarterback competition between Jullian Dugger, Zevi Eckhaus and Jaxon Potter leading up to the 117th Apple Cup against the Washington Huskies.

Potter, who has started the first three games for the Cougs, led Washington State to victory in his first two career starts. He really struggled in his third start in a loss at North Texas, however, completing 16 out of 23 passes for 139 yards and three interceptions. It is important for Washington State to settle on a quarterback as they move forward in the season.

Here are some pros and cons for all three signal callers competing for the job:

Zevi Eckhaus

Eckhaus, who lost the QB competition to John Mateer last year, was expected to be the starter this year but ultimately lost the competition to Potter. Eckhaus was fine in roughly a quarter of action against North Texas, going 7-10 for 72 yards and a rushing touchdown. The fifth-year senior does have some mobility, and if he were to be the guy starting on Saturday, he would be able to make plays outside the pocket. With a quick release and being accurate on short throws, he would be able to move the ball. The concern with Eckhaus has always been the lack of arm strength and accuracy on the deep ball. If he were be the guy against the Huskies, you should expect a little more movement from the quarterback and some plays to get him throwing out of the pocket to match his strengths.

Jaxon Potter

Potter has flashed solid arm talent through the first three games, making a couple of really impressive throws along the way for the Cougars as a first-time starter, but he has struggled with his mobility and making the right read consistently from the pocket. He was the surprise winner of the QB competition in fall camp, but he won it due to his accuracy and decision making in spite of his lack of experience. If the staff goes with Potter in the Apple Cup, then that means that he has showed them enough on film and in practice that they believe he can take better care of the ball and demonstrated improved work through progressions against a tough opponent.

Julian Dugger

Although he is definitely the most mobile quarterback of the three options, Dugger has struggled orchestrating the offense in the limited time he has played this season, going 0-3 on pass attempts and carrying the ball 13 times for negative five yards. He also has been sacked three out of the four times a Wazzu quarterback has been sacked this year. If the Cougars were to go with Dugger, though there would be significant questions regarding his passing ability, you should expect some more RPO concepts moving forward with him under center to play to his athleticism and running skills against the Huskies.