Abundance of quarterbacks not shying away recruits

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The past six Mid-American Conference football champions have had quarterbacks ranked in the top 10 on most career passing statistics for the program.

Last year one of the top CMU recruits ranked by Rivals.com was Ithaca quarterback Alex Niznak. This spring Cody Kater, a junior college transfer quarterback from Grand Rapids Community College, will join the mix with Ryan Radcliff, A.J. Westendorp and Niznak.

“What I like about us is we’re all from the state, other than Radcliff from Ohio,” Kater said. “So we all know each other and what we’ve done.”

This fall, verbal commit Cooper Rush (Lansing Catholic Central) will join the crowded lineup to take snaps. It didn’t bother Rush that he was joining a large group of quarterbacks already in Mount Pleasant.

“Any big school you go to is going to have a bunch of quarterbacks,” Rush said. “It’s a tough position, you’re going to have three or four good players wherever you go.”

Kater did make his commitment after Rush did, though.

“There’s a lot of QB’s here and that will make everyone better,” Kater said. “Competition is great we’ll go to practice and have a good mentality and work hard.”

Head coach Dan Enos said he is expecting a competition for the starting position though.

Kater is coming off an impressive undefeated season in junior college and Niznak has had a whole season redshirted to learn the offense. For Rush beginning in fall camp he will be behind those three in terms of learning the offense.

Last year Niznak enrolled early to get a jumpstart learning the offense in spring ball, but he had to give up his last semester of his senior year, that’s something Rush didn’t want to do.

“It’s rare that people do that,” Rush said about enrolling early. “I wanted to finish up.”

He is currently playing forward for his high school basketball team and will enjoy the rest of his senior year of high school with friends.

CMU running backs coach Kort Shankweiler was in charge of recruiting Rush. Phone calls between the two and Enos, as well as on campus visits, helped the pocket passer make his decision.

Enos’ offense and seeing the success of Radcliff helped Rush make his decision even with the group of quarterbacks already in Mount Pleasant. He is a fan of the pro-style offense that the Chippewas run and that Enos calls the plays.

“He has a pro-style offense, but he can do anything he wants,” Rush said. “It felt like a good fit.”

The Lansing quarterback also felt Enos has all the support from the administration. He says that’s an important aspect for recruits.

Rush was also contacted by other MAC schools including Toledo, Bowling Green, Western Michigan and Miami (Ohio), as well as Michigan State and Cincinnati.

The incoming freshman likened himself with Radcliff for what the quarterback isn’t prone to do – run.

“We’re both not speedsters,” Rush said. “That’s what’s good about this offense, you don’t have to be Michael Vick.”