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Schuessler Tigers Clear No. 2

Entering the spring Tigers co-offensive coordinators Jeff Scott and Tony Elliot new that everyone’s attention would be on the play of the quarterbacks battling for the No. 2 spot behind sophomore star Deshaun Watson. After the spring, the Tigers have their man in Nick Schuessler.

The spring game rested in doubts about who will be the Tigers back up when fall camp rolls around after an impressive performance in the Tigers annual Orange and White game this past Saturday.

Playing for both teams Schuessler completed 11-17 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns, however more impressive than the passing numbers was Schuessler’s ability to move the pocket with his legs adding 21 yards on the ground.

Schuessler got the scoring going with a 19-yard strike to Mike Williams for the Orange team and then went to work for the White team connecting on a 20-yard touchdown pass to Artavis Scott.

The true freshman duo of Tucker Israel and Kelly Bryant played well for their respective teams with Bryant completing 10-16 passes for 95 yards including a six-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams. Israel completed 8 of 16 passes for 110 yards.

Swinney told the media following the game that Schuessler had solidified his spot as the No. 2 man as spring practice closed down.

"He’s definitely the backup," Swinney said. "Solid spring. He’s been very consistent, and he has to prepare himself to be the starter, because if he’s not he’s cheating our team."

For Nick Schuessler he will continue to work hard because he understands he is always one play away from becoming No. 1.

"I think people expect if you are on the football team that the plays are just automatically downloaded in your head with no preparation," he said. "Like Coach says, we go out there every week preparing to be the starter. Yes, I’m not getting the reps, but I’m getting the mental reps. Yes, it is a lot easier to go out there when you are physically getting the reps, but our coaches do such a great job getting us mentally prepared that at any given moment you are ready to step out there and play."



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