QB Brandon Dawkins to IU

[mamasa]

 

Former #Arizona starting QB Brandon Dawkins joining #Indiana as a graduate transfer, he tells me tonight. Also visited #FAU. "I'm fired up to learn a new offense and go win some games."

 

 

 

 

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[mamasa]

Graduate transfer QB Brandon Dawkins going to Indiana


ADAM RITTENBERG
ESPN Staff Writer
9:38 PM ET2 Minute Read
Indiana is adding former Arizona starting quarterback Brandon Dawkins as a graduate transfer, Dawkins told ESPN.com on Tuesday.


Dawkins, who started most of the 2016 season and the start of the 2017 season for the Wildcats, picked Indiana after visiting campus two weeks ago. He also took a visit to Florida Atlantic, and several other FBS programs expressed interest. Dawkins will graduate from Arizona next month and be eligible immediately with one year to play.

"I didn't see a better fit for me," Dawkins said. " I could have committed there two weeks ago. There were other schools, but at the end of the day, Indiana definitely showed that they're interested and they wanted me, they made that clear and apparent. I really respect that about them. They weren't going to dance around. They genuinely wanted me."

Dawkins appeared in 22 games for Arizona, passing for 2,418 yards with 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while adding 1,582 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. He opened last season as the top quarterback before being overtaken by Khalil Tate, who has two years of eligibility left. Dawkins looks forward to competing for Indiana's starting job and learning from offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan, who played for Rich Rodriguez, Dawkins' coach at Arizona, while both were at Michigan.


Brandon Dawkins lost the starting quarterback job to Khalil Tate last season.
Casey Sapio/USA TODAY Sports
"I don't think you can coach quarterback if you haven't played it at a high level," Dawkins said. "And coach DeBord, some of the quarterbacks he's had, he had Tom Brady, Brian Griese, just to name a few. Everything's there from a mental standpoint. I know I'm not going to be able to walk in and start, but i'm fired up to get in a new competition with a new group of guys."

"I'm fired up to learn a new offense and go win some games."

A native of Oxnard, Calif., Dawkins said he has never been east of Arizona and looks forward to a fresh start in a new league and in a new part of the country. He expects to bring a dynamic run element to Indiana's offense. Sophomore quarterback Peyton Ramsey, who started four games last season, competed this spring alongside incoming freshman Michael Penix Jr. and redshirt freshman Nick Tronti.

"A big thing for them is fitting the system to their quarterback," Dawkins said. "That's huge. If the fit isn't right, you can't just force it. Obviously, I'm going to be learning a whole new system, but they're not going to make me do things I'm not comfortable doing. They know my skills and talents and assets. They're going to push me, and I'm ready to give it my all."


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[WayneFleekHoosier]

Sounds Fantastic!


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[CSP]

Watched some highlight film of him just now.. he's very Joshua Dobbs (ish), who was the QB that DeBord had at UT. Dawkins is a big time athlete. There basically was no way we could pass on him. Idk what this will mean for Ramsey, but we just found our QB in Dawkins. 

[Hoosierfan2017]

Does he become the favorite to win the starting job?

[CSP]

2 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

Does he become the favorite to win the starting job?

I don't think there is any question, especially after I watched his highlights. Multiple times he pulled away from a power 5 conference defense when he got to their secondary. Kellen Lewis like. 

[Hoosier116]

Very very excited. And while yes there is a “competition” I would assume it’s his. Can’t imagine choosing iu without feeling like he is the guy


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[ThompsonHoosier]

As of now I would say Ramsey has the edge. I don't know how long it will take for Dawkins to learn the playbook and he lost the starting job at Arizona for a reason; he was prone to turning the ball over. Great for competition though and great backup to have instead of throwing Penix or Tronti out there.

 

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[rebelhoosier848891]

Great pickup! Whether he is first or second string—our QB depth just got better. With all the injuries we have had recently—depth is good. At a minimum we could see him in Wildcat situations if Ramsey wins the job. Competition is good! I do hope we end up with one starter and no more 50/50 quarterback split situations. May the best quarterback win. Welcome to Hoosier Nation Brandon!


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[Old Friend]

1 hour ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

Does he become the favorite to win the starting job?

I don't think a grad transfer would come if he weren't.   

Ramsey is simply not the guy, and others are too young or too inexperienced.   IU can win 7-8 games next season, but needs a QB to do it.  I think a lot of the DeBord haters will eat crow if he stays healthy.

[CSP]

7 hours ago, Old Friend said:

I don't think a grad transfer would come if he weren't.   

Ramsey is simply not the guy, and others are too young or too inexperienced.   IU can win 7-8 games next season, but needs a QB to do it.  I think a lot of the DeBord haters will eat crow if he stays healthy.

I agree this kid is going to start.. but why is Ramsey simply "not the guy"?

[Brass Cannon]

I would caution people on getting too excited he and Lagow have similar QB ratings and while I hate that stat players with similar ones are usually fairly close. 

[HoosierSadaseci]

Very excited to see us add an experienced QB to help mentor the young guys on the team.

[CSP]

1 hour ago, Brass Cannon said:

I would caution people on getting too excited he and Lagow have similar QB ratings and while I hate that stat players with similar ones are usually fairly close. 

Lagow hadn't played any D1 ball... and Lagow couldn't run. These two aren't even close to comparable. 

[Brass Cannon]

Just now, btownqb said:

Lagow hadn't played any D1 ball... and Lagow couldn't run. These two aren't even close to comparable. 

His stats at Arizona are comparable to Lagows at Indiana they literally are comparable in ability to impact a game. 

[CSP]

Just now, Brass Cannon said:

His stats at Arizona are comparable to Lagows at Indiana they literally are comparable in ability to impact a game. 

he ran for 1600 yards and 20 TDs.... they have no similarities on a football field besides the fact they play the same position. 

[lucel15]

1 hour ago, Brass Cannon said:

I would caution people on getting too excited he and Lagow have similar QB ratings and while I hate that stat players with similar ones are usually fairly close. 

Yeah because Lagow made plays outside of the pocket and knew how to feel pressure. The kid ran for over 1500 yards and had 20TDs rushing. He made plays. Might not be most accurate guy but he can open the game up in different ways.  Nobody ever said that this guy was the bomb or quick fix to 10 wins. It’s another QB on scholly that we have who had success at a power 5 school. We only have 3 QBs on scholly which is extremely low if you didn’t know. 

[Brass Cannon]

1 minute ago, lucel15 said:

Yeah because Lagow made plays outside of the pocket and knew how to feel pressure. The kid ran for over 1500 yards and had 20TDs rushing. He made plays. Might not be most accurate guy but he can open the game up in different ways.  Nobody ever said that this guy was the bomb or quick fix to 10 wins. It’s another QB on scholly that we have who had success at a power 5 school. We only have 3 QBs on scholly which is extremely low if you didn’t know. 

Snarky comments because of a  lack of sunshine pumping. Gotta love it. IU football fans might learn one day. 

[CSP]

3 minutes ago, Brass Cannon said:

Snarky comments because of a  lack of sunshine pumping. Gotta love it. IU football fans might learn one day. 

what is your point with all this? I agree his passing numbers aren't eye popping, but we can't have a pure pocket passer, we have to have a guy that can make a play with his legs and this guy can do that in bunches.You are unbelievably negative in almost all of your posts, I simply do not understand. 

[Brass Cannon]

3 minutes ago, btownqb said:

what is your point with all this? I agree his passing numbers aren't eye popping, but we can't have a pure pocket passer, we have to have a guy that can make a play with his legs and this guy can do that in bunches.You are unbelievably negative in almost all of your posts, I simply do not understand. 

The lack of optimism is not negativity. 

I was called negative when I said we would miss a bowl in TAs first year. Turns out I was just being realistic. In the land of blind optimism.