There was lots of hang-wringing following Nick Patti's request to get outta town, and for good reason: his departure left the Boise State quarterback depth cupboard rather bare. And then, as if Bryan Harsin heard our cries and read our blogs, junior college quarterback Thomas Stuart committed, and there was suddenly a Costco-sized box of Cheez-Its in the cupboard. Stuart comes with the Cam Newton pedigree of leading his team to the JC national championship and the Aaron Rodgers pedigree of going to Butte Community College. He is the prototypical Boise State quarterback in that most teams overlooked him because of his size. Some day, other teams will learn, but let's hope it's not until a few more Fiesta Bowls.
Vitals
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-1
Weight: 200 pounds
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland (Calvert Hall College HS), then Oroville, California (Butte Community College)
Other offers: Elon
- Scout.com says: NR
- Rivals says: NR
- ESPN says: NR
Non-vitals
Mark Johnson pseudonym: Stewart Thomas
Chris Berman nickname:Touchdown Tommy
(Actual nickname: Tommy Football)
Anagram: Asthma Trouts
Latest tweet:
Back from the gym just in time to see my dog still sleeping pic.twitter.com/4SPT79uzAb
— Thomas Stuart (@Tommyfootball1) January 15, 2014
Scouting report
This guy is a scrapper. What Stuart lacks in physical tools and ideal measurable standards he makes up for with savvy and heady competiveness. He is undersized for the BCS level, but plays in a shotgun spread scheme where his strengths can be maximized and weaknesses can be masked. Has very good feet and feel within the pocket. Knows the scheme and generally gets the ball out on time and in a quick manner.
Plays with a sense of urgency. He possesses terrific pocket awareness, feet and ability to keep plays alive out of the shotgun. Initial quickness to elude the rush is very good and he has a nice feel for when he needs to create and get out of the pocket not only to keep the play alive, but also to enhance his vision of the field. He is an accurate, touch and timing passer that throws a very catchable, soft ball to all levels of the field.
Boise State depth chart at quarterback
Grant Hedrick, senior
Ryan Finley, redshirt freshman
Richard Hoppe, redshirt freshman
* = presumed starters in italics
Chance that Chris Petersen flips him to UW
Small. Coach Pete is 1-for-1 in nabbing quarterbacks in Boise State's recruiting class (and 0-for-1 in keeping them for himself), but Stuart has no ties to Petersen unlike Jaylen Greene did.