Can a change of scenery allow FAU quarterback Cam Fancher to have a breakout season in 2024?
Sometimes a change of scenery can help get you right – ala Jalen Hurts, Bo Nix, Kyler Murray, and many more. It seems as though the opportunity and the stars are aligning for former Marshall QB (and current FAU QB) Cam Fancher to have one of these second chance successes.
Last season at Marshall was the epitome of highs and lows. Fancher reached career-highs in passing yards (2,161), TDs (11), completion percentage (65.4%), & rush TDs (4) but also in INTs (11) and sacks (29). Fancher also had to deal with a fan base that had turned on him. He also dealt with the firing of his OC Clint Trickett following the conclusion of the ‘23 season.
Comments by his former Marshall HC Charles Huff about Fancher’s decision to entire the transfer portal following the conclusion of Marshall’s season brings the situation full circle. “There isn’t enough NIL money at Marshall and the fans hated him…..the kid was miserable.” Yikes. Talk about a toxic relationship between a quarterback and fan base.
Cam Fancher wasn’t in the portal long before drawing interest from P5 schools like LSU & NC State despite the previous up and down season. Ultimately, Fancher committed to Florida Atlantic under head coach Tom Herman & OC/QB coach Charlie Frye.
The Former 3🌟 recruit from Dayton, OH brings his dual-threat ability to a wide-open QB room filled with inexperience. Last season’s QBs, Daniel Richardson & Casey Thompson, have both left for other schools – Florida A&M & Oklahoma, respectively. That leaves Tyriq Starks, Ben Ballard, Luke Rucker, & Carson Cruver, who have a combined 42 yards passing.
Charlie Frye has NFL QB experience, playing five seasons (including 13 starts) for the Cleveland Browns in 2006. Frye wasn’t a dual-threat QB, but was mobile enough to extend plays. HC Tom Herman has had success developing multi dual-threat QBs. It seems to be a perfect landing spot for Fancher
Tom Herman had success developing both Greg Ward Sr & Sam Ehlinger as dual-threat QBs. Ward tallied over 6,000 passing yards and ran for 1,800 with 70 total touchdowns at Houston. Ehlinger had success at Herman’s second head coaching job in Texas.
Herman would develop Ehlinger into a 6th-round draft pick for the Indianapolis Colts and is currently on the team. Ehlinger eclipsed 11,000 passing yards, almost 2,000 rushing, and over 120 total TDs in Herman’s offense at Texas. It seems like a no-brainer decision for Fancher and his future!
Tom Herman’s system (up-tempo style offense) and Fancher’s ability to work well in the pocket and his speed should be an instant hit. Cam Fancher doesn’t have the biggest arm (29.4% downfield) but he can make some down-the-field throws and he has some nice touch on his passes. Cam’s short & intermediate game is money in the bank (75% completion percentage)!
FAU also returns 75% of the offensive line that allowed only 14 sacks last season, compared to 26 for Fancher at Marshall in ‘23. A revamped WR room will also help Cam as he will have multiple different weapons. This includes his former teammate Caleb Coombs (310 yards, 2 TDs), UMass transfer George Johnson III (421 yards, 3 TDs), BYU transfer Dom Henry, Buffalo transfer Marlyn Johnson (494 yards, 4 TDs), & App State transfer Milan Tucker (305 yards, TD). Keeping Cam upright and clean with speedy playmakers that can create separation quickly will be a recipe for success.
Fancher’s ground game shows a lot of similarities to LSU’s Jayden Daniels. Their elusiveness and quick first step are eerily similar. As is the fact that both don’t like to slide – but the open field ability by both is elite. Can Tom Herman do for Cam Fancher what Brian Kelly did for Jayden Daniels? We shall see. But one thing is for sure Cam Fancher & FAU’s future is looking bright! #GoOwls
