Fansided

30 college football players with big shoes to fill in 2017

By Brad Weiss

Apr 9, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) after faking the pass during the first quarter of the spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) after faking the pass during the first quarter of the spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Nic Shimonek (16) prepares to throw a pass in the second half against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Nic Shimonek (16) prepares to throw a pass in the second half against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nic Shimonek

Quarterback, Texas Tech

What can you say about Patrick Mahomes II. Not only was he one of the more prolific quarterbacks in college football last year, but he parlayed that into being a top-10 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He ran head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s offense perfectly, and left Texas Tech as one of the best quarterbacks in school history.

As the program turns the page, they will turn to Nic Shimonek, who got some playing time during Mahomes’ incredible 2016 season. Shimonek was once a furniture restorer, but will now be tasked with running one of the more high-powered offenses in college football. Kingsbury is not going to take his foot off the pedal just because he has a new quarterback, and Shimonek will be up to the task.

A one-time Iowa recruit, Shimonek passed up his scholarship with the Hawkeyes to walk on to the Texas Tech program. Now a junior, Shimonek will get the keys to the kind of car every high school quarterback would like to drive. The Red Raiders are a pass-first offense, and with an arm like Shimonek, he should be able to put up video game numbers of his own in 2017.

Shimonek appeared in a few games last season, but it was his effort against Kansas on September 29 that should have Red Raiders fans excited for 2017. He threw for 271 yards on only 15 completions, tossing four touchdowns against zero interceptions. He has had the time to learn this system, and Texas Tech is in good hands with Shimonek next season.

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