Pre-Spring 2024 Rundown: Quarterbacks
With the dust settled on the 2024 class, I’m going to take some time to breakdown the additions by position group. The format will be similar to these position breakdowns I’ve done in the past: key losses, what is returning, new additions, and highlight an important storyline for each group. This edition of the rundown is going to focus on a group that will undoubtedly be the most followed of the Spring and Fall, Quarterbacks.
Key Departures
Peewee Jarrett - 197/334 2989 yards 32 TD 7 INT 59.0% 8.9 YPA 128 carries 372 yards 3 TD
Top Returning Players
RS Junior - Michael Rich Jr - 7/13 60 yards 0 TD 1 INT 6 carries 16 yards
Sophomore - Marcus Stokes - 3/4 53 yards 0 TD 0 INT 6 carries 57 yards
New Additions
Mid-Year Transfers
RS Junior - Tony Bartalo (6’2” 215) - Charleston Southern - 20/40 213 yards 0 TD 3 INT
High School Signees
Ty’Ray Davis (6’3” 205) - Wekiva - 149/257 2777 yards 23 TD 8 INT 58.0% 10.8 YPA 30 carries 259 yards 2 TD
John Nicholas (6’2” 200) - West Florida - 133/213 2024 yards 25 TD 5 INT 67.6% 9.5 YPA 51 carries 233 yards 4 TD
New Additions Primer
The Argonauts have been extremely blessed in their history to have had the level of QB play they’ve experienced. Coach Nobles himself, followed by former UWF now Benedict assistant Mike Beaudry, then a couple years later we got two years of 2024 NFL Combine invitee Austin Reed, and finally the last two seasons with the always exciting Peewee Jarrett. Now they face the first QB battle of the Coach Nobles era ostensibly between primary 2023 backup and former Murray State QB Michael Rich Jr and super talented Sophomore Marcus Stokes. The Argos did bring in another experienced arm in the mid-year class, Charleston Southern’s Tony Bartalo, a Florida native and productive prep from Gaither in Tampa. Pensacola’s own TJ Wilson could also factor into this competition, after not seeing any action in the fall of 2023.
Bartalo has had a winding road of a college career, a non-football year at Bethune Cookman due to COVID, two seasons at Iowa Western playing 8 games, two seasons at Charleston Southern playing 10 games, now he will spend his final two seasons at UWF. The veteran originally hails from Tampa where he threw 45 TDs en route to 12 wins as a Senior in 2019.
Coach Nobles and QB Coach Tyler Phelps added two impressive QB prospects in the 2024 recruiting class as well, and while they wont be part of the Spring QB competition, they’re definitely going to factor into the future of that room. The two Floridians, big armed Central Floridian Ty’Ray Davis of Wekiva and local prep West Florida High School’s John Nicholas, will join the Argonauts ahead of Fall camp.
Wekiva star Ty’Ray Davis can really sling it and averaged over 340 passing yards per game last fall, playing some really good Orlando area competition. He definitely brings a running threat but is more dangerous with his feet when keeping the play alive and making a throw downfield.
Local signee Nicholas had a nice Senior bump after sharing time as a Junior. He threw for 2000 yards and 25 TD in 9 games as the primary QB for West Florida High School in ‘23 completing almost 68% of his passes.
Spring Storyline: QB Battle
UWF goes into the offseason with big shoes to fill for departed two year starter Peewee Jarrett and I wouldn’t say there is a clear successor in place going into Spring practices. Jarrett was an instant impact transfer from the JUCO ranks, and lead the Argos on a deep playoff run in his first season on campus back in 2022. He threw for over 5700 yards and 65 TDs in 26 games as the Argonauts signal caller. He was a big play machine and possessed surprising athleticism for a guy his size, making him a dangerous running threat especially when he got up to full speed. Coach Nobles and Company will now go into Spring in a wide open QB battle. There are two names we know should prominently feature in right away, Peewee’s two-year backup QB Michael Rich Jr. and Marcus Stokes entering his second college season. Those guys split backup QB reps last season, Rich the “backup” but Stokes making better use of his limited appearances, and figure to be heavily involved. I’d venture that Tony Bartalo was brought in to enter that mix right away as well, he will be the oldest, most experienced QB in the room. Pensacola native TJ Wilson should have a chance as well, after redshirting his first year on campus.
These guys bring a bunch to the table, so it’ll be really fun to watch how it unfolds. Rich was a D1 signee out of Southside HS (AL) back in 2021 before making his way to UWF ahead of 2022 Spring practices. He ultimately lost that QB battle to Peewee, but has been the primary backup each of the past two seasons and should be the most comfortable with the offense. He isn’t much of a runner and more of a pocket passer. As a Freshman, Stokes got a few opportunities and he made the most out of them. He should have had a 30+ yard TD run early in the year, but it was called back for a penalty and the Argos chose to run out the clock. He also connected on 3 of his 4 pass attempts last year. He’s got a ton of talent, he held numerous FBS offers in HS, and with a year in the system should be seen as a favorite in this competition. Bartalo has had his ups and downs so far, but could be a real threat in this battle. He was a prolific prep passer his Senior year, but hasn’t been given much of a chance to throw in a passer friendly offense like UWF’s tends to be. His 10 games at the FCS level and 18 total college appearances will be a welcome infusion of experience to the team. Finally, Wilson may be a bit of a dark horse, but has an intriguing skillset and has had the same chances to learn that Stokes has enjoyed. He’s got great size, at 6’3” 225, and was a true dual threat at Pine Forest HS, scoring 3- passing TD and 34 rushing TD in his Junior/Senior seasons. He is also a winner, accumulating a 22-3 record over those same two seasons.
Pre-Spring Projected QB Depth Chart
Position: 1st String / 2nd String
Quarterback: Marcus Stokes / Michael Rich Jr
