Posted by ESPN.com's Graham Watson
The search for Chase Clement's replacement at Rice began Monday when the Owls opened spring practice.
Clement, the program's all-time quarterbacking leader and an NCAA record holder, graduated leaving coach David Bailiff with the unenviable task of finding a replacement that will keep his team running at a high level.
Fifth-year senior John Thomas Shepherd, Alabama transfer Nick Fanuzzi and redshirt freshman Ryan Lewis all will be vying for a starting opportunity. Shepherd played in eight games last season, completed 8-of-15 passes for 78 yards, but each quarterback will have equal access at the job. Bailiff said each quarterback would get to run with the first team offense to see how they work with the starters.
"The challenge that jumps out at you is that we have to find a quarterback and get him ready to go," Bailiff said. "I think we have some good candidates at the position. John Thomas Shepherd has experience as a starter. Nick Fanuzzi and Ryan Lewis showed great ability last fall, but that was working off cards with the scout team. They will all get their time with the first team and get their opportunity. Hopefully, by the end of spring we will know who is No.1 and then he will get the majority of the reps."
New offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher, who spent the past three seasons as Purdue's offensive coordinator, has come up with a chart to make sure the reps are split evenly. The chart also will allow Zaunbrecher to evaluate each quarterback independently. Since Zaunbrecher has no prior history with any of the three quarterbacks, he'll be able to look at each one with an independent eye and truly pick the best candidate for the job.
Watson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Missouri Tigers and the Big 12 Conference for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She also covered college football recruiting for the Dallas Morning News.
