I appreciate the thought that went into this. Every analyst I read/listen to about recruiting says the better players on our recruiting board need to see this staff notch solid wins before they will commit. The staff has to know this just like they have to know they will not succeed here if recruiting does not pick up. I think they’ll do whatever it takes to win games. Pitt was a swing game, one of a few. The margin for error is now tighter.
Here is my take on Bailey and his chances or lack there of --- as well as other comments regarding some of the other things mentioned.
First I think Hooker should start Saturday.
Bailey can play quarterback at this level in college - he would be starting right now at say South Carolina, Colorado, Texas A and M and quite a few other places.
He completed 71% of his passes last season with a 155 qb rating - with a patchwork offensive line and.....
- he did this largely while "not" working with either the number 1 or number 2's for most of the year. Those are remarkably good numbers all things considered, so he is capable of starting and playing quarterback for a number of schools. He seemed to have very good touch, goes through progressions, seems to understand and feel the pocket well, has a nice high release so very few passes blocked or knocked down and he didn't suffer a large number of sacks. He also was much more mobile and athletic than anticipated and I believe he ran or scrambled a few times.
Is he the perfect qb for this offense ..... I wouldn't cast Peyton as being the perfect model for this offense ... so Bailey is also probably not perfect for it, but I am also sure that he can execute it and be successful.
Bailey is in a great position - he will either start here one day, or he can enter the portal and select among a number of schools that would love to have him.
Good luck to all our QB's as the season progresses.