MarQueis Gray will be a quarterback for the Gophers next season and will not be moved to wide receiver.
Coach Tim Brewster made that clear during an interview when he discussed Gray and Adam Weber. Weber won the No. 1 quarterback assignment during an open competition this spring, prompting speculation that Gray, an athletic sophomore with some experience last season at wide receiver, might move into a receiver’s role for the Gophers.
“It will be very situational with MarQueis,” Brewster said. “He pushed Adam extremely hard. He’s one play away from being our starting quarterback. The lion’s share of his work is going to be at the quarterback position. We think he’s got a chance to be an outstanding quarterback, but that doesn’t preclude us from also using him in some situational things, possibly throwing a ball to him. Letting him do some things, but he’s going to be a quarterback.”
Brewster said Gray, who saw limited time at quarterback last season but never started, must devote a “tremendous” amount of time to his preparation as a backup. His “mindset” must be that of a starter.
Fans saw Gray frequently come in for one play in a series last year, replacing Weber, and often running the football. That sort of rotation won’t be the policy next fall, Brewster said.
Weber, a senior who has 38 consecutive starts, is definitely the No. 1 quarterback. “We go into the season with the utmost confidence that Adam Weber is going to have his best season as a Minnesota Golden Gopher,” Brewster said. “He’s 1,700 yards from being in the top five in passing in (the) history of the Big Ten. I find it really unfortunate that he’s not looked upon in a more favorable light.”
Weber was frequently criticized for his performance last season but Brewster doesn’t expect him to carry the team’s offense, simply do his job including leadership. Brewster believes Weber will be comfortable in the Gophers’ pro-style offense next season.
“Adam Weber was recruited to run this style of offense,” Brewster said. “Adam was not recruited to be a spread quarterback. He was recruited to be a pro-style quarterback. …He’s doing an outstanding job of leading, which is most important.”
Still, there are no guarantees about Weber’s performance next season and if he falters then Gray will have an opportunity. “Adam knows he needs to perform and we need to win,” Brewster said.
And if Weber comes through all season, then Gray might be seen a few times catching a pass, or even throwing one as a second quarterback in the lineup. “His talents are considerable and so we want to take advantage of his talents,” Brewster said.