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Football Season Preview: Quarterbacks
Posted: Aug 22, 2021

Football Season Preview: Quarterbacks

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant will have a mix of youth and veteran experience at the quarterback position heading into the 2021 season.

Today's quarterback preview is the first of eight positional previews as the Black and Gold get set to kickoff the 2021 season on Sept. 4 at Rhode Island.

Quick Outlook

Sophomore Ryan Clark entered camp as the incumbent starter following a solid rookie season in the spring. Clark played in relief in the first two games before starting each of the final two games, becoming the first true freshman to start at QB since Charles Granatell in 2004. Clark completed 27-of-50 passes (.540 percent) for 259 yards. He also showed an ability to create with his feet, rushing for 73 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries.

Bryant also brought in graduate student Gage Moloney to compete with Clark. Moloney played in 14 games during his career at James Madison, including an appearance in the 2019 FCS National Championship. Moloney carried the ball twice in the game, a 28-20 loss to North Dakota State.

Returners
Ryan Clark, So. | Harrison Easton, Sr. | Daniel Rennie, So. | Keith Ridley Jr., Jr.

Newcomers
Gage Moloney, Gr. | Zevi Eckhaus, Fr.

Notes and Notables

  • Clark became the first true freshman since Charles Granatell to start at quarterback when he started against Wagner in the spring.
  • Clark completed 18-of-26 passes (69.2 percent) for 183 yards and posted a 22-yard TD run in the contest.
  • Moloney appeared in 14 games during his JMU career. He completed 12-of-21 passes for 202 yards, three TDs and no interceptions. Moloney averaged 3.5 yards per carry on the ground.
  • Moloney was named 2016 South Carolina Mr. Football. He threw for over 6,700 yards and 71 TDs.
  • Easton has been a swiss army knife in his career, working as a QB and as a running back. He looks to bounce back after missing the spring with an injury.
  • Eckhaus enjoyed a record-breaking career at Culver City in California. He posted 137 TD passes and 10,210 passing yards in his career. Eckhaus had 15 games with 4+ TD passes, three games of 7 TD passes and had 59 TD passes in one season.

Up Next

The running back season preview will be released on Tuesday, August 23rd. Bryant will rely on the return of All-NEC First Team selection Daniel Adeboboye.