Arizona State announces starter at quarterback for season-opener
Emory Jones will be QB1.
The former Florida Gator was expected to ultimately win the job — which he was battling Alabama transfer Paul Tyson and Trenton Bourguet for — when he committed to transfer to ASU this summer. Things were made official on Thursday with an announcement from the program.
QB1.@eXjones6 /// #ForksUp #O2V pic.twitter.com/HCqtEeJkMi
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) August 18, 2022
At the outset of fall camp, coach Herm Edwards told reporters he wanted to make a decision on the quarterback spot sooner rather than later. Jones, a starter for the Gators last season, was always the favorite to win the job, but things were apparently closer in fall camp than maybe some expected.
Reports from fall camp suggested that accuracy was a bit of an issue for all three quarterbacks. Jones has been said to have the best arm, and his mobility offers a dynamic piece the other two can’t quite match, but he also threw 13 interceptions last year and ended the season completing just 39% of his passes in an ugly bowl loss to Central Florida.
But Jones has the most experience and the highest upside of the bunch. A true dual-threat quarterback, he threw for 2,734 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 67.5% of his passes last season and he also ran for 758 yards and an additional four rushing scores. He led the Gators in rushing yardage and paced all SEC quarterbacks in that category as well.
According to Sun Devil Source, Jones has also been named a team captain for the new year, along with junior offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson, senior linebackers Merlin Robertson and Kyle Soelle, junior fullback Case Hatch, and junior defensive end Michael Matus, who will miss the season with a knee injury.
With the quarterback spot officially settled, Jones can turn his full attention to the season-opener. Arizona State begins on Thursday, Sept. 1, against Northern Arizona at home. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT.