Big shoes to fill

Quarterbacks Byrd, Bryant battle to replace CSU's all-time passing leader

Time for a test. As quick as you can, name the quarterback who replaced Roger Staubach? How about Terry Bradshaw? Dan Marino? Fran Tarkenton?

Fact is, few people remember the player who replaces a legend, especially at the all-important quarterback position.

At Charleston Southern University this fall, two virtual unknowns are finding out about the pressure that comes with replacing a quarterback legend. Redshirt junior Sidney Bryant and redshirt sophomore Eli Byrd are locked in a preseason battle to take over the reins of CSU's offense, an offense that was run by Collin Drafts for the last four years.

All Drafts did while under center was set nearly every passing and total offense record in CSU and Big South Conference history. In four years, Drafts passed for 9,768 yards and 73 touchdowns, completing 62 percent of his career passing attempts. He finished his career with 10,571 yards in total offense.

Try this for career stats: Byrd has completed eight of 13 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. Bryant, in two full seasons as Drafts' backup, completed nine of 15 passes for 106 yards.

"I really don't see it as pressure because this is a new season and this is a new team," said Bryant on Friday afternoon at CSU's annual media day. "We're all working for the same thing here. It's all about winning. We're not trying to break any records, we're trying to win a conference championship. Collin was an incredible player and a great leader. The biggest thing I am trying to do is try to be as good as a leader as he was for us."

Byrd obviously does not feel any pressure to replace Drafts. In fact, he has changed his jersey number to seven, the same number that Drafts wore at CSU.

"It was my number in high school and Collin asked me if I was going to take it when he left and I told him yes," said Byrd. "It's a great honor to wear his number but I'm not trying to fill his shoes. There may never be anyone like him around here again and the records he holds may stand forever.

"Our system is built for the quarterback and coach Mills is the best around at developing quarterbacks. He is the reason I came here. Both Sidney and I know that coach will prepare us for every game. It's up to us, whichever one is on the field, to execute and do the job."

CSU head coach Jay Mills admits to being more than a little concerned about the position at the conclusion of spring practice. However, he has been pleasantly surprised during fall camp.

"Neither was ready to play when spring practice ended," said the coach. "But, it was evident to me when they showed up for camp this fall that both had been working very hard over the summer. They've both come a long ways in regards to understanding the scope of our offense."

So, has either quarterback nailed down the starting job? Mills won't say just yet but the coach says both will likely see action.

"To me, quarterback is like any other position on the field," said the coach. "When you have two guys worthy of playing, you play them. Both young men are earning the right to play. It's a very healthy competition and it really is making both players better."

Byrd agrees with his coach's assessment.

"We're very supportive of each other and we're great friends," says Byrd. "I'm 100 percent behind Sidney and I know he totally supports me. We're both willing to do whatever it takes to win. Winning really is the biggest thing with both of us. The program has come a long ways in the last few years and we both really want to see it continue."

Having an extra year of experience, Bryant holds a slight edge in terms of experience. He was the backup in each of the last two years, meaning he was always an injury away from being in the game with the pressure on his shoulders.

"I prepared for every game as if I was going to play and that mindset really helped me a lot," said Bryant. "I learned a great deal from working with Collin everyday and watching how he ran a game. I feel I am ready for the challenge, but at the same time, I think Eli is ready too. We can win with either of us at quarterback and that's a good position to be in from a team standpoint."

After spending the summer playing in the AF2 arena league, Drafts has returned as a volunteer assistant at CSU, working with the quarterbacks. Byrd says it feels like old times, except he and Bryant know that Drafts won't be suiting up.

"No question, having Collin here this season is going to help both of us," said Byrd. "He's someone we respect because he's done it. We'd be foolish not to listen to him. At the end of the day though, it's on us — me and Sidney. We're both excited to get the opportunity."