Top Three Opposing Players: Quarterbacks
This is the fourth and final part of the preseason Top Three Opposing Players feature. We have already taken a look at Offensive and Defensive skill positions, as well as the LoS, leaving only the QBs. UWF will face some talented signal callers this year, but to me these are the clear top three.
Patrick Shegog Delta
Delta State QB Patrick Shegog has had a long and storied career with the Statemen dating back to 2018 when he was named co-GSC Offensive Freshman of the Year. Heading into his final season as the reigning GSC OPOY, expectations are through the roof. In 2022 Shegog finished the season averaging 214.5 YPG passing with 22 TD to 9 INT, on the ground he compiled 60.8 YPG on 5.2 per carry adding another 17 TD. He ended up 10th in rushing in the GSC, 2nd in rushing TD, 2nd in passing TD, 1st in passer efficiency, 1st in completion %. His 8.5 yards per passing attempt was best in conference by almost a full yard. Always a dangerous runner, he had at least 10 attempts in 8 of 13 games in ‘22, Shegog can run by you (5 attempts of at least 25 yards) or break tackles with his thickly built 6’0” 200 frame. On top of the high level play, he brings tons of experience to the field this fall, having appeared in 34 games in four seasons for the Statesmen. Last fall he torched Valdosta State with a final stat line of 26-29 346 yards 4 TD 0 INT 9 carries 65 yards 3 TD, and had a total of five games with at least 250 yards passing. Shegog will be replacing a number of his offensive weapons, but look for the veteran signal caller to be one of the top QBs in D2 this fall.
Dylan Ramirez NGU
Ramirez was one of the biggest surprises in the GSC in 2022, when as a True Freshman he finished 3rd in completion % (59.5) and passing yards per game (230.9) in the conference. The 6’2” 215 pound Sophomore returns as the incumbent starter for the Crusaders this fall, and with the departure of Harrison Frost and Ivory Durham, should squarely in the battle for top 3 QBs in the GSC. He started the final 10 games of the season after only attempting two passes in the season opener against Furman. His best outings of the season came against Newberry (314 yards 65.2% 3 TD 0 INT) and Valdosta State (342 yards 62.5% 3 TD 1 INT), he also had a solid game against UWF (299 yards 56.1% 3 TD 2 INT). Ramirez finished his first season in Tigerville with six multi-passing TD games, and added another 7 rushing TD. He should have won the GSC Freshman OPOY award that went instead to John Henry White of MC, but enters his second year as one of the most promising young players in the GSC.
Jeremy Moussa FAMU
The Rattlers had a very good 2022 season and that was in large part thanks to the emergence of Jeremy Moussa as their QB1. In his first season in the Capitol he earned 2nd Team All-SWAC honors after finishing the season with 2732 yards 21 TD 10 INT while completing 57% of his passes. With the departure of Jackson State’s Shadeur Sanders, as well as his famed father Deion, to Colorado, Moussa is poised to be the top signal caller in the SWAC this fall. This is further evidenced by the preseason accolades that pundits have placed on Moussa: 1st Team Pre-Season All-SWAC and Preseason SWAC OPOY. Last fall he started out the season with a bang, going 28 of 38 for 279 yards 2 TD 1 INT vs P5 opponent North Carolina, and really only had three down games, sub 50% completion outings against JSU (11-27 102 yards 0 TD 1 INT) and South Carolina State (17-38 266 yards 2 TD 2 INT) and a three INT game against Alabama State (25-49 277 2 TD 3 INT). While Moussa loses his top target from last season (Xavier Smith), he has a really good veteran who should step right in (Jah’Marae Sheread), so expect a big season from the former Vanderbilt QB.
