Ponder Wins FSU’s Starting Quarterback Job

After weeks of speculation Jimbo Fisher named Christian Ponder as Florida State’s starting quarterback for the season opener against Western Carolina. Ponder beat out fifth year senior Drew Weatherford and fellow sophomore D’Vontrey Richardson for the starting job.  The reason Fisher won the starting job was as follows:

Consistency. Consistency. And ability to make plays with his legs, I think. And very accurate with his throws, very good decision making process… And he’s also very athletic and makes plays with his legs and he makes ‘em with his arm. And I’ve always said I think Christian is a big time player. I think others are but I think over the long period of time, [he was] the most consistent and the most consistency with the most big plays.”

Also, unlike in past seasons where the starting quarterback had a short leash, Jimbo Fisher indicated that things would be different this year. He stated that:

I think he’s the definitive guy and he’s the guy right now and the other guys will continue to push and he’s got to continue to play well. I mean, any job you get, you got to continue to do well at the job you have or someone replaces you. But I’m not a short leash guy either. I think it’s hard to play when you’re sitting there looking over your right shoulder and your left shoulder. He’ll play and if the other guys continue to improve, we’ll see how things go.”

Fisher also noted that auditions for the starting quarterback role were closed during the first two games against the Catamounts and the Mocs.  This should allow Ponder to play without having to constantly worry if he will be yanked after one bad pass.   

The selection of Christian Ponder indicates that the appointment of Jimbo Fisher as head coach in waiting consisted of more than just slapping a new title on Fisher’s door. Prior to Fisher’s appointment I do not believe Bobby Bowden would have given a sophomore the nod over a fifth year senior and it illustrates that Fisher has been given a substantial amount of decision making power.

I am now very excited for the upcoming season. I hope that they truly do allow Ponder to make mistakes and grow as a quarterback. I have no illusion that the Seminoles will make a run for the National Championship this year, but I do believe that this can be the season where things finally begin to turn around, and the ‘Noles begin the long journey back to becoming one of college football’s dominant programs.