FOOTBALL: Former Tennessee QB McBride commits to Lamar
Published 11:34 pm Wednesday, December 26, 2018
The quarterback race at Lamar just might have reopened.
Former Tennessee quarterback Will McBride announced Wednesday on Twitter he will transfer to Lamar after not playing a single game with the Volunteers this season. McBride (6-feet-1, 209 pounds) graduated from Clear Springs High School in League City and played in two games (including one state) as a true freshman in 2017.
“Excited to announce I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at Lamar University! #WeAreLU” McBride tweeted Wednesday evening.
His next tweet read: “Also want to take the time to say I REALLY APPRECIATE the support from EVERONE but specifically Vol Nation. Tennessee is a special place and the tradition is unmatched. I learned so much in Knoxville. I’m certainly going to miss my brothers repping the orange and white. #VFL”
I’m on a flight now🛩 pic.twitter.com/TWX0FfPj8H
— Will McBride (@willmcbride_) June 13, 2018
Lamar has not yet confirmed McBride’s transfer.
McBride will have three years remaining, since he is transferring from the Football Bowl Subdivision to the Football Championship Subdivision.
He spent the latter part of the 2018 season on the scout team as freshman J.T. Shrout moved into the No. 3 quarterback role behind Jarrett Guarantano and Keller Chryst, according to The Tennesseean of Nashville. His Twitter account includes a post dated June 13 of highlights from his only college start, when he threw for 139 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 63 yards in a 50-17 loss at Missouri.
McBride becomes the second incoming quarterback this offseason for the Cardinals, who finished the 2018 season 7-5 and lost to Northern Iowa in the first round of the NCAA Division I playoffs. Mesquite Horn QB Jermaine Givens signed with Lamar on Dec. 19, the start of the three-day early signing period for high schoolers.
Jordan Hoy played the most games (nine) of the returning Cardinal quarterbacks. Hoy completed 40 of 67 passes for 654 yards and six touchdowns with only two interceptions as a backup to Darrel Colbert Jr., who completed his eligibility.
The four returning Lamar quarterbacks — Adam Morse of Groves, Jack Dallas of Orange, Marcellus Johnson of Killeen and Shane Johnson of Houston — all redshirted in 2018 (although Morse and Dallas both played in the opener against Kentucky Christian).
Tennessee finished the 2018 season 5-7 and 2-6 in the SEC.