2012 senior class photos
2012 West Carrollton graduation
Home of the Week
Home > Blogs > Flyer Connection: University of Dayton sports > Archives > 2011 > April > 12 > Entry
UD’s Chamberlin likes choices at QB
The Dayton football team will have a new quarterback after two prosperous seasons with Steve Valentino under center.
Four candidates are vying for that spot: Third-year sophomore Zach Splain of Brookeville, Md.; redshirt freshman Will Bardo of Ft. Thomas, Ky.; fourth-year junior Jared Phillips of Aplena, Mich.; and redshirt freshman Jake Voigt of Solon, Ohio.
Coach Rick Chamberlin said the competition is close but the edge right now goes to Bardo and Splain. The Flyers will have their annual spring game at 1 p.m. Sunday at Welcome Stadium.
Bardo “is a bigger quarterback, more athletic, and does great things with the football both throwing and running,” Chamberlin said. “But the first night (of spring practice), I was talking to his dad, and he said, ‘I think Will found out it’s a little faster in college than in high school.”
Of Splain, Chamberlin said: “He’s a leader. He knows the system. He was third string last year. He prepped every week and did a nice job when he was in. That edge of being in the offense already helps.”
One of the biggest surprises of the spring has been third-year sophomore receiver Nik Gillum. He appeared in six games last season without making a catch, but Chamberlin expects big production this season out of the Vandalia-Butler grad.
“He’s one of those receivers who have been stuck behind those great guys we’ve had and plugged along. … It’s happened every year. A receiver comes in during spring and stands out. We’ve been very, very pleased with what he’s done,” Chamberlin said.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment |
Tweet
Comments
By Duke
April 12, 2011 11:31 PM | Link to this
Whoever the QB is he is gonna have a pretty strong test right away with Robert Morris on the road as our first game. I am excited already about the season and we are just in Spring Ball. Go Flyers!