The earlier a beginning quarterback is recognized, the higher.
That was one of many first tenets Marshall Faulk shared when he turned the Southern football coach. Following his group’s spring showcase April 4, which performs a major half within the decision-making course of, the first-time head coach mentioned then that he needed to assessment the movie to talk authoritatively on his quarterbacks.
Almost three weeks for the reason that public apply, Faulk mentioned Tuesday that one participant has an edge within the battle between returning quarterback Ashton Strother and Long Beach City College switch Wyatt McCauley.
“Right now, Ashton did a great job, and I would put him ahead of Wyatt right now,” Faulk advised The Advocate.
Faulk mentioned his football group on the golf course after he participated within the Zurich Classic celeb shootout in New Orleans. The Pro Football Hall of Fame working again gained the charity golf occasion with associate Tyler Shough, the New Orleans Saints’ beginning quarterback. They held off the group of ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman and former LSU and NFL quarterback Matt Flynn, and the group of Saints security Justin Reid and linebacker Pete Werner.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough rides on a golf cart with Marshall Faulk through the Zurich Classic Celebrity Shootout at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
As simple as Faulk’s reply was in regards to the quarterback place, he additionally is aware of there are 4 months earlier than the season kicks off and never all of his signal-callers had been with him within the spring.
While Faulk had eyes on Strother, McCauley and returner Dillon Compton, who didn’t get any recreation motion as a freshman final yr, he didn’t have two different quarterbacks: freshmen Vashaun Coulon from St. Augustine and Mario Litmer from Highlands High School in Kentucky.
“We got a couple other guys coming in in the fall,” Faulk mentioned. “There’s just more competition to come. Like I said, we’re gonna put the best talent that we have out there on the field to try to win games. And that’s what we’re doing. We’re trying to get better everywhere.”
Faulk plans on utilizing the very best participant no matter grade at each place. In the case of beginning quarterback, Strother’s edge because the top possibility was largely due to his expertise.
“I just think it was kind of unfair,” Faulk mentioned. “You know, Wyatt’s a redshirt freshman and Ashton’s a senior. Obviously, Ashton being able to manage the game, to deal with the things that you want a quarterback to (do), just looked the part. He did that better. But all in all, I still like where Wyatt is.”
Strother was one of many group’s two predominant starters final yr beneath former coach Terrence Graves. In 10 video games, he accomplished 89 of 171 passes for 1,111 yards, 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He additionally rushed for 94 yards and 4 touchdowns on 50 makes an attempt.
Faulk isn’t fixated on solely his quarterback. He is locked in on each side of the ball.
“As I continue to tell the players,” Faulk mentioned, “practicing, that’s how you’re gonna play better. If you practice bad, you’re gonna play bad. There’s a correlation to it, and getting them to understand that, you know. There was some jobs up for grabs and some guys solidified some spots.”
When the emcee of the golf occasion requested whether or not Faulk plans on competing extra on the greens, he mentioned he’s too busy. While he has gamers concentrating on offseason coaching to organize for August camp, he received on the golf course to convey consideration to the college.
“Anytime I can come back to the city and show some love, support and bring some attention and awareness to what we’re doing up in Baton Rouge is always great,” Faulk mentioned.
