BUILT THROUGH FIRE
8/3/2024 12:29:00 PM | Football
QB competition bringing out the best in Finn, Robertson
By Jerry Hill
Baylor Bear Insider
In the middle of a competition with Toledo transfer Dequan Finn for Baylor's starting quarterback position, Sawyer Robertson believes that "competition breeds excellence."
"DQ is awesome to have around, because I know I'm becoming a better quarterback, just learning from him and watching him," Robertson said after Friday's Day 2 of fall camp. Instead of worrying about any outside noise, "I would say I'm just putting the blinders on and looking at myself and saying, 'Okay, what I do need to do to help the team?'''
Similarly, Finn said Robertson and the other quarterbacks, "we sharpen each other up."
"We're asking questions of each other, were just talking ball and stuff like that. Just chopping wood," said Finn, the Mid-American Conference MVP after leading Toledo to an 11-3 record while passing for 2,657 yards and 22 touchdowns last season.
"Just keep my head down, going straight to work, not worrying about outside noise. Having tunnel vision, just keeping everything sharp. That's all I care about right now."
A transfer from Mississippi State who was 1-3 as a starter last season for the Bears, Robertson said he learned from "failure." As a redshirt sophomore, he completed 66-of-117 passes for 864 yards and two touchdowns with four interceptions.
"I think failure is important, especially in a day and age where everybody wants instant success," he said. "I'm super happy that my faith is my foundation, because if it wasn't, I don't know where I'd be after the failure and everything last year. I've grown as a person, through my faith, and that's made me a better football player."
Even in the midst of the competition, Robertson and Finn have developed a strong relationship off the field.
"There's no type of animosity and stuff like that," said Finn, who was named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list for the third-consecutive year. "We know, when it's time to play football, it's time to play football, and that competitive side comes out. But after football, we're all smiles and giggles and messing around."
With a fall camp schedule that is all football until classes start, "we're basically together all the time," Robertson said. "So, it's kind of cracking jokes here and there, but just continue to develop that relationship. It's been really good."
While the Jake Spavital spread offense is "really pretty much the same thing" that Finn ran for five years at Toledo, Robertson said he became more comfortable in the offense through the offseason and spring training.
"Reps are the best way to learn something," Robertson said. "Obviously, the spring you're kind of getting used to it. And now, it's just fine-tuning everything from the spring and summer now that we're in fall camp. It feels good, I feel comfortable in it. Just got to keep getting better day by day."
Including the additions of transfers Ashtyn Hawkins from Texas State and Jamaal Bell from Nevada, the quarterbacks have a talented pool of receivers to work with this year. Former Arkansas transfer Ketron Jackson Jr. was Finn's host on his official visit back in December and "that bond has just carried over ever since then. We're real close," Finn said.
In the summer, the quarterbacks and receivers were getting together "multiple times a week," Robertson said, "just getting the timing down and everything."
"They look great, obviously. Every single one of them is doing some good things," Robertson said. "I'm super excited to play with them. They make me look good as a quarterback, so I love the receivers."
After starting a trio of redshirt freshmen for most of last season – Coleton Price, Alvin Ebosele and Kaden Sieracki – the offensive line was bolstered with transfer additions Omar Aigbedion (Montana State), Sidney Fugar (South Carolina), Colton Thomasson (Texas A&M) and Colin Truett (Chattanooga).
With all the new additions on both sides, Robertson said they have spent a lot of time building relationships, "whether it's going to play paint ball or going to Coach (Dave) Aranda's house, just hanging out."
"The relationships with the new guys have been easy. They're easy to talk to, fun guys," Robertson said. "Colton and Sidney, they're doing great, they're learning the offense, Colin, too, he got here later even than they did. They're all doing great."
The Bears are back on the field Saturday afternoon. All practices are closed to the public. The annual "Meet the Team" event will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Allison Indoor Practice Facility.
For football season tickets, mini plans or single-game tickets, go to the link at 2024 Football.
Baylor Bear Insider
In the middle of a competition with Toledo transfer Dequan Finn for Baylor's starting quarterback position, Sawyer Robertson believes that "competition breeds excellence."
"DQ is awesome to have around, because I know I'm becoming a better quarterback, just learning from him and watching him," Robertson said after Friday's Day 2 of fall camp. Instead of worrying about any outside noise, "I would say I'm just putting the blinders on and looking at myself and saying, 'Okay, what I do need to do to help the team?'''
Similarly, Finn said Robertson and the other quarterbacks, "we sharpen each other up."
"We're asking questions of each other, were just talking ball and stuff like that. Just chopping wood," said Finn, the Mid-American Conference MVP after leading Toledo to an 11-3 record while passing for 2,657 yards and 22 touchdowns last season.
"Just keep my head down, going straight to work, not worrying about outside noise. Having tunnel vision, just keeping everything sharp. That's all I care about right now."
A transfer from Mississippi State who was 1-3 as a starter last season for the Bears, Robertson said he learned from "failure." As a redshirt sophomore, he completed 66-of-117 passes for 864 yards and two touchdowns with four interceptions.
"I think failure is important, especially in a day and age where everybody wants instant success," he said. "I'm super happy that my faith is my foundation, because if it wasn't, I don't know where I'd be after the failure and everything last year. I've grown as a person, through my faith, and that's made me a better football player."
Even in the midst of the competition, Robertson and Finn have developed a strong relationship off the field.
"There's no type of animosity and stuff like that," said Finn, who was named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list for the third-consecutive year. "We know, when it's time to play football, it's time to play football, and that competitive side comes out. But after football, we're all smiles and giggles and messing around."
With a fall camp schedule that is all football until classes start, "we're basically together all the time," Robertson said. "So, it's kind of cracking jokes here and there, but just continue to develop that relationship. It's been really good."
While the Jake Spavital spread offense is "really pretty much the same thing" that Finn ran for five years at Toledo, Robertson said he became more comfortable in the offense through the offseason and spring training.
"Reps are the best way to learn something," Robertson said. "Obviously, the spring you're kind of getting used to it. And now, it's just fine-tuning everything from the spring and summer now that we're in fall camp. It feels good, I feel comfortable in it. Just got to keep getting better day by day."
Including the additions of transfers Ashtyn Hawkins from Texas State and Jamaal Bell from Nevada, the quarterbacks have a talented pool of receivers to work with this year. Former Arkansas transfer Ketron Jackson Jr. was Finn's host on his official visit back in December and "that bond has just carried over ever since then. We're real close," Finn said.
In the summer, the quarterbacks and receivers were getting together "multiple times a week," Robertson said, "just getting the timing down and everything."
"They look great, obviously. Every single one of them is doing some good things," Robertson said. "I'm super excited to play with them. They make me look good as a quarterback, so I love the receivers."
After starting a trio of redshirt freshmen for most of last season – Coleton Price, Alvin Ebosele and Kaden Sieracki – the offensive line was bolstered with transfer additions Omar Aigbedion (Montana State), Sidney Fugar (South Carolina), Colton Thomasson (Texas A&M) and Colin Truett (Chattanooga).
With all the new additions on both sides, Robertson said they have spent a lot of time building relationships, "whether it's going to play paint ball or going to Coach (Dave) Aranda's house, just hanging out."
"The relationships with the new guys have been easy. They're easy to talk to, fun guys," Robertson said. "Colton and Sidney, they're doing great, they're learning the offense, Colin, too, he got here later even than they did. They're all doing great."
The Bears are back on the field Saturday afternoon. All practices are closed to the public. The annual "Meet the Team" event will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Allison Indoor Practice Facility.
For football season tickets, mini plans or single-game tickets, go to the link at 2024 Football.
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