Several Texas schools had quarterback uncertainty heading into the 2018 season. Few expected there would be any at Baylor.

But with just days to go until the opener against Abilene Christian on Saturday, Baylor coach Matt Rhule has still declined to choose a starting quarterback between incumbent sophomore Charlie Brewer and senior graduate transfer Jalan McClendon.

“I probably won’t name a starter until Friday night,” Rhule said. “I think both guys have been awesome. Both guys have played at such a high level throughout camp and if I have to alternate snaps and run out a new quarterback every play, I have no issue with that.”

Rhule later clarified he was joking about switching every play, but he said the battle really is that close. Both will play meaningful snaps against Abilene Christian. That Brewer hasn't clinched the job comes as a surprise. 

Brewer was terrific to end the 2017 season, even if it doesn’t show up on his win-loss record. The true freshman completed 69.5 percent of his passes and averaged 282.4 yards per game after Rhule inserted him as a the starter against Texas. In his third start, against Texas Tech, Brewer set a Baylor record with 43 completions.

McClendon only arrived on campus in June after graduating from North Carolina State. He’s never thrown double-digit pass attempts in a college football game. Don’t blame him too much, though.

The senior sat behind NFL quarterback Jacoby Brissett to start his career. North Carolina State’s incumbent starter, Ryan Finley, is also projected as a high NFL draft pick.

McClendon has a strong arm and great mobility. He would have played at many other Power 5 schools.

Freshman Gerry Bohanon has fallen behind the two more experienced quarterbacks in the camp battle, but Rhule still expects him to play. The new redshirt rule means Bohanon can play up to four games without burning his redshirt.

“I think that position’s competition has been one of the best things about our camp,” Rhule said. “It’s really pushed our team forward and we’ve embraced the challenge of trying to be our best every day.”

Long-reaching implications

The politics of picking a quarterback is more difficult now than ever. Just look at last season.

Rhule had a similar decision to make in 2017. Zach Smith showed plenty of promise to end the 2016 season, but grad transfer Anu Solomon surprisingly won the job. Ultimately, Solomon and Smith both got hurt, which opened the door for Brewer to win the job.

Solomon completed his eligibility, and Smith ultimately transferred to Tulsa. Before McClendon committed late, Baylor was prepared to head into the season with just two scholarship quarterbacks. Rhule’s decision will have long-reaching effects on the future of the position and program.

Rhule did say that the quarterback battle might not end Week 1. The Bears play Abilene Christian and UTSA in the first two weeks of the season, so there is some time to evaluate. However, Baylor lost to an FCS team last season, so Rhule does know he has to make a good decision soon. 

“I think both are certainly deserving to play,” Rhule said. “These are the kinds of things that keep me up at night. At the end of the day I always want to be fair to everybody. But as we all know, life isn’t fair, and competition isn’t fair.”

The Bears haven't started the same quarterback for a complete season since Bryce Petty in 2013. Regardless of who takes the field during Week 1, the other will almost certainly still play an important role heading forward. 

Baylor opens the 2018 season against Abilene Christian University at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday at McLane Stadium in Waco.