Following spring practice, first-year East Carolina Head Coach Scott Montgomery and his staff indicated that the quarterback battle between Phillip Nelson and Kurt Benkert would be extended into preseason camp.
Shortly thereafter, Benkert surprised some—at least outside of the Pirates’ program—when he opted to take advantage of the graduate transfer rule and join former ECU head coach Ruffin McNeill at UVA.
Nelson, who has demonstrated excellent leadership qualities and developed a tremendous rapport with his teammates, was publicly named the starter as the team headed into summer workouts.
While there wasn’t any doubt about Nelson’s ability to direct the ECU offense, who would be the Pirates’ back-up signal-caller should the former Minnesota starter go down?