Transfer Spotlight – Notre Dame QB Jack Coan
At CFB Saturdays we recognize that the landscape is always changing in College Football and the undeniable impact transfers have had on our beloved sport in recent history. Transfers have gone on to make College Football Playoff runs, win the Heisman, the National Championship, and become top NFL Draft Picks (Joe Burrow recently accomplished all of the above). In the Transfer Spotlight we take a look at the potential impact of top Transfers in 2021. Today we take a look at Notre Dame QB Jack Coan who previously started for Wisconsin.
A Great Run Undone
Jack Coan spen the past four years at Wisconsin. He saw action in 2017 and 2018 and played well down the stretch in 2018. Coan completed over 60 percent of his 93 pass attempts with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He played well enough to give him a leg up on the competition for the starting job in 2020 and would go on to win that spot.
The 2019 season was Coan’s first and only as the full time starter for the Badgers. He proved to be a good leader and led the team to a 6 – 0 start before back to back losses to Illinois and Ohio State. The Badgers won four straight to close the regular season, but lost to Ohio State again in the Big Ten Championship and then lost the Rose Bowl 28 – 27 against Oregon. Coan was a steady leader for the team all season, completing over 69 percent of his passes at 8 yards per attempt with an 18 to 5 touchdown to interception ratio.
It appeared as though Coan would build on that first season in 2020, but he suffered a preseason foot injury that required surgery. Graham Mertz started the season strong and though he did not close that well, it was evident he would be the starter for the Badgers going forward. Coan entered the transfer portal and found a new team in Notre Dame. With Ian Book moving on, Coan will attempt to win the starting job for the Irish and restart his career in South Bend.
Coan’s Game
Jack Coan has good size for the position at 6’3″ 221 lbs. He is a smart quarterback, who makes good decisions within the offense and keeps the team on schedule. Though he is an intelligent player, Coan is more than just a game manager. He has a good arm and has the ability to throw the ball downfield accurately to stretch the defense. He is particularly accurate on post and slant routes over the middle of the field, which work well off play action. Though he is smart and capable as a passer, Coan also has the athletic ability to threaten the defense.
He is a tough player who has some mobility and can make plays with his feet if needed. Coan has the burst to escape the pocket and pick up a key first down or sniff out the goal line in the redzone. He can surprise the defense with his running ability and make a big play. He is not a dual threat quarterback, but his running ability also cannot be ignored. He is tough to sack because of his mobility and able to get rid of the ball on time. Coan can make the plays needed to win his team a big game.
Outlook at Notre Dame
Notre Dame made it to the College Football Playoff in 2020 and will look to repeat that success in 2021. The Fighting Irish are one of the biggest brands in college football and have recruited plenty of talent to replenish the roster. The biggest losses for the Irish come at quarterback and on the offensive line. With Ian Book and four starters from the offensive line moving on to the NFL, Notre Dame has some holes to fill on offense. The hope is that with Coan joining the team and their traditionally strong offensive line recruiting, the Irish may have the answers they need.
Notre Dame will return star running back Kyren Williams and the explosive Chris Tyree, who showed flashes of his ability in 2020. If the offensive line is able to come together quickly, the running game will again be a strong point for the Irish. With a good running game the play action pass game and the downfield passing game will open up for the quarterback.
Michael Mayer is a star in the making at the tight end position. He has all of the tools to become one of the best tight ends in college football and will be an excellent safety valve for his quarterback. On the outside, Notre Dame does return big play receiver, Avery Davis, so there is some proven production there as well. The offense has some firepower returning and Notre Dame recruited some good weapons as well, led by Deion Colzie and Lorenzo Styles Jr. The new Notre Dame quarterback will have plenty of good options to throw the ball to in 2021.
Jack Coan has a proven track record as a leader who can quarterback his team to a successful season. He will ease the transition from Book, because he brings experience and a history of success that the other quarterbacks do not have. If he is healthy and learns the playbook quickly, Coan could have Notre Dame back in contention for the Playoff again in 2021.
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Notre Dame Pregame Image taken by Chad Kainz is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
