For the first time in a few years, K-State has a true quarterback competition as redshirt sophomore Daniel Sams and junior college transfer Jake Waters are fighting it out this spring to take the job vacated by Heisman Trophy finalist Collin Klein. Wildcat coach Bill Snyder says that neither Sams nor Waters has differentiated himself through the first 10 practices of the spring, not unlike any other position on the football team. Waters is considered the better thrower, but Sams is entering his third year in the program.
“(Sams) really has developed the capacity to get the ball snapped,” Snyder said. “Meaning to get in the huddle, get the plays called, get to the line scrimmage, identify what’s in front of him, make the changes that he has to make, and then get the ball snapped. That’s a real task, and is not an easy thing to do.”
The back and forth between Sams and Waters will likely go into fall camp, and could very well continue into the 2013 season. The atmosphere though between the two signal callers though has been amicable.
“I can never take a day off,” Sams said. “With Collin it was a grind, and with Jake, it’s the same thing. We’ve really just been trying to help each other out as we’ve both been taking reps with the ones. It’s not a dog-eat-dog competition, it’s really just trying to get better as a team.”
One big advantage both Sams and Waters will have is an experienced receiving corps with senior Tramaine Thompson and junior Tyler Lockett back as starters, and junior Curry Sexton and senior Torrell Miller both returning as well. That quartet of pass catchers has 158 combined career receptions and 14 touchdowns.
“Me and Jake really got the easy part,” Sams said. “Once they get open, all you got to do is throw it to them. Lockett and Tramaine as far as being inside in the slot, are a hard matchup for safeties and linebackers.”
Sams and Waters will get their first chance to show they deserve the #1 quarterback job in the annual Purple/White Spring Game on Saturday, April 27th at 1:00pm at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Powercat Gameday will start at noon on SportsRadio 1350 KMAN and 101.5 K-Rock.
Listen to the full Bill Snyder press conference from Thursday afternoon and comments from Daniel Sams:
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