Jones or Hampton?

By Drew Champlin

Published: October 31, 2007

Just some of my personal thoughts on backup QBs Tanner Jones and Jamie Hampton, since both have a chance to play a lot Saturday if starter Omar Haugabook can’t play because of a hamstring injury.

TANNER JONES

6-foot-2, 200 RS Freshman
Right-handed
5-15-0-59 yards, 1 TD pass
7 carries, 20 yards, 1 TD rush

Jones has a strong arm and can make a lot of throws on the field, but has struggled with accuracy. He also has a year in the system - last year’s redshirt year - and was the most impressive backup quarterback in the spring. Jones isn’t as mobile, so accuracy is a key.

JAMIE HAMPTON

6-foot-2, 193 True Freshman
Left-handed
1-4-10 yards
15 carries, 117 yards

Hampton’s ability to run the ball makes him able to run the offense better if the arm strength is there. It’s not as good as Jones’ but Hampton does have nice touch. You can say he has more potential, but every true freshman has potential. One thing Hampton has going for him in the future is that he is a Tony Franklin recruit (who was once committed to Purdue), whereas Jones was not, but he’s been around the program a year less than Jones.