BOULDER — At the major-college level, it’s unusual for a walk-on quarterback to beat out two scholarship players after 10 days of camp. But Colorado coach Jon Embree all but handed the No. 3 QB job to freshman John Schrock following Saturday’s first scrimmage of August drills.
Schrock, a 6-foot-5, 215-pounder from Shawnee Mission (Kan.) East, drew substantially more action during the Buffaloes’ 148-play scrimmage than either of the other contenders for third-string quarterback, junior college transfer Brent Burnette and freshman Stevie Joe Dorman.
“John Schrock’s been great,” Embree said after the scrimmage. “He has good awareness of where to go with the ball. I’ve got to see the (scrimmage) tape, but I think he’s probably entrenched himself as the No. 3 guy. I think it would be safe to say that.”
When starter Tyler Hansen took a rest, Schrock was afforded more repetitions because of the absence of No. 2 QB Nick Hirschman, who is expected out for another week or so because of an ankle injury.
Schrock sent game tapes to CU during the winter and then called Embree. Embree already knew of him — Schrock is the grandson of Jack Mills, the Boulder-based sports agent who happens to represent Embree.
Schrock passed for 1,634 yards and 14 touchdowns last fall as a senior. He didn’t receive any offers from FBS programs.
“Coming here, I didn’t have high expectations for myself,” Schrock said. “But I also wanted to prepare as if I was playing.”
Footnotes. There is no practice today. . . . Memorable plays included a 51-yard pass from Hansen to Georgia transfer Logan Gray; a twisting, turning 22-yard TD run by senior tailback Rodney Stewart; and a big hit by freshman safety Kyle Washington when Stewart attempted to cut upfield on a sweep.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
