NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Dec. 9—Eastern Washington’s offense thrived this season while rotating two — and sometimes even three — quarterbacks, as the Eagles were one of the most effective groups in the FCS.
Heading into this offseason, it was clear the trio would become a duo with the graduation of Michael Wortham.
But as of Monday, when the transfer portal opened, that trio’s down to one.
That’s when Kekoa Visperas, who started 21 games as EWU’s quarterback the last two seasons, announced his intention to transfer with one year of eligibility remaining.
The move leaves the Eagles with a new de facto starter in Jared Taylor, who became a battering ram in the team’s rushing attack. As a redshirt junior he ran 137 times for 708 yards, second-most on the team behind running back Tuna Altahir (who had 718 rushing yards), taking direct snaps and following blockers behind a senior-heavy offensive line.
Taylor wasn’t asked to throw the ball much, but he was effective when he did, completing 38 of 51 passes for 320 yards last season, throwing six touchdowns and one interception.
Still, the departure of Visperas leaves the Eagles with a considerable void in their passing attack — and even in the rushing game. Visperas completed 202 of 272 passing attempts last season, the best competition percentage (74.3) in the FCS. He threw 17 touchdowns and three interceptions while also rushing 95 times for 375 yards and nine touchdowns.
But Visperas’ 2,171 passing yards, while accrued efficiently, ranked sixth in the Big Sky, a reflection of the Eagles’ play-to-their-strengths approach under third-year offensive coordinator Jim Chapin.
The Eagles still return three other quarterbacks: Nate Bell and Aidan Carter were both redshirt freshmen last season, and Jake Schakel, a three-star recruit from Emerald Ridge High School who signed with the Eagles at this time…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/eastern-washington-quarterback-kekoa-visperas-030100705.html
Author : The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Publish date : 2024-12-10 03:01:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
