Despite the regular season beginning in just over a week for the FAU football team, a position battle could continue once the games start.
At quarterback, transfer Cameron Fancher is entrenched as the starter; as head coach Tom Herman announced he will get the nod against Michigan State. At Marshall, Fancher displayed a high level of athletic ability and quarterback potential. He has all of the talent, both as a runner and passer, to make a significant impact in Herman’s offensive scheme.
However, another quarterback, Tyriq Starks, is waiting in the wings. The presence of another talented quarterback is a welcomed twist for the Owls, who have struggled to find consistency at the position for years.
Who is Tyriq Starks?
Like Fancher, Starks is a dual-threat option who can make every play needed for Herman’s offensive scheme.
Attending Independence Community College in 2021, the quarterback consistently filled the stat sheet. Starks had 1,342 passing yards and 13 total touchdowns. He averaged 134 yards per game, held a passing efficiency of 158.8, and led the team to a 4-2 record. Those numbers did not include his summer season, in which he threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns.
At FAU, Starks has not had a chance to show off his skill set much in live-game action with the football team. However, he has shown it off in spades during spring and fall camp.
In the team’s spring game, Starks passed for 192 yards, 15 completions on 23 attempts, and three touchdowns. He continued to impress during August camp; he looked like one of the most explosive players on the field, moving around the pocket and running when pressured. As a passer, he demonstrated a strong arm and impressive touch. These performances put Starks directly in the mix for the QB1 role.
Final Verdict: Can Starks challenge for the job?
With Fancher firmly in the driver’s seat to begin the season, Starks will have to wait at least one week for his opportunity. Fancher is similar to Starks in many ways, mainly regarding his speed, ability to move around the pocket, and ability to throw on the run.
However, Fancher’s biggest pitfall might be Starks’s gain. The quarterback had 15 turnover-worthy plays at Marshall and took 29 sacks in 2023 alone. He likes to attempt to make plays down the field, which causes him to make ill-advised throws and hold the ball too long.
If Fancher falters or creates too many turnovers for the Owls, Herman and the offense have a ready-made replacement in Starks. He can do everything the Marshall transfer can, but possibly at a higher level. Additionally, he has more experience in the offense that Herman runs.
Starks did not win the job out of camp, but he made a genuine push throughout the whole offseason. If the cards break a certain way in the regular season, Starks could hear his number called quickly to step in and play quarterback for the Owls.
