Charlie Strong names David Ash as Texas’ starting quarterback
David Ash was given full medical clearance on Monday and Texas head coach Charlie Strong said at Big 12 Media Days on Tuesday that he will enter fall camp as the Longhorns starting quarterback.
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Ash battled concussions last year when he was limited to three starts and was ruled out for the season after the fourth game of the year. He started the season off on a strong note when he threw for 594 yards with six touchdowns in the first two games for Texas last season with 125 additional yards coming on the ground with one rushing touchdown before injuries took a toll.
"“David Ash was cleared the other day, and when Ash is healthy he played very well, Strong said. I’m very pleased with the way Ash played when he was healthy.”"
Complicating matters even more was a fractured foot suffered in April that kept him from solidifying his status atop the depth chart and opened the door for true sophomore quarterback Tyrone Swoopes to swoop in and make his case for the starting job.
Swoopes took the reps in spring ball with Ash sidelined after undergoing surgery to correct the fracture in his foot, but while he is a talented prospect, he only only saw action in five games last year as a true freshman for the Longhorns, completing only five of his 13 passes for 26 yards and running for an additional 79 yards.
“He had a chance this spring because (David) Ash went out with an injury to get a lot of reps, Strong said. The thing about him is it’s still all about developing him and developing him as a person. You look at him, he’s very athletic, he can throw the football but also he can run with the ball. We have to be smart about it in how we use him.”
If Ash were to suffer another injury, Texas has a competent, albeit inexperienced option in the athletic Swoopes, but the best chance Strong has at a 10-win season is with a healthy Ash under center.