On Tuesday, San Diego State football through an article via GoAztecs.com (and an appearance by head coach Brady Hoke on KUSI TV’s Prep Pigskin Report) officially announced the addition of Virginia Tech transfer, Braxton Burmeister. The San Diego native, and former La Jolla Country Day star, threw for 1,960 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions with the Hokies last season.
Aztec fans will have differing opinions on the matter. Why?
For starters, a large majority of fans have a soft spot inside of them for current freshman, Will Haskell. They have been daydreaming about where Haskell could take the program because of his natural athleticism. Many expected him to compete only against Jaylen Mayden this spring and eventually become the starter at the QB position for years to come. With a recent history of not so physical QB play on the Mesa, fans have hoped that Haskell would solve the Aztec’s problem of a one-dimensional offense.
Also, it seems that Burmeister had been holding out on SDSU to wait for a better option to arise. Some, including coach Brady Hoke, appeared to have blamed this on the current NIL landscape in the FBS. It furthers the gap even more between P5 and G5 programs when it comes to recruiting. Now it isn’t just about playing football and winning—it’s also about money.
This has already given some fans a sour taste in their mouth because they believed the Virginia Tech QB1 thinks he is above SDSU program. We don’t exactly know why Burmeister waited so long to enroll—we can only assume. But he is here now.
So what can Sons of Montezuma say to all the Anti-Braxters among us?
This is simply an emotional dilemma. As much as we’d like to see Haskell be “the guy” without question, it is extremely beneficial to have an experienced quarterback on the roster. Ultimately, that is why Hoke added him. Starting and leading a team to a bowl game at the P5 level holds a lot of weight. Hoke always talks about competition and that the best guy is going to play.
Just this past 2021 football season all of Aztecs Nation’s minds were prepared for the Georgia Tech transfer and San Diego native Lucas Johnson to take the helm at the starting spot. But it was the former 3rd string and Junior College transfer Jordon Brookshire who won the position instead. A program all-time best 12 wins is a pretty good indication of how Hoke & staff managed through it.
Could this scenario play itself out once again, in the form of the underclassmen upstaging the experienced veteran—possibly. But three things we know for sure at this point. One, the quarterback room as whole has been elevated with it’s 2nd former 4-star recruit with the addition of Burmeister. Two, that Will Haskell isn’t afraid of competition . And three, iron sharpens iron.
Haskell had shown a tremendous disposition in his freshman year becoming a part of this quarterback room taking in all that seniors Lucas Johnson and Jordon Brookshire had to pass on. With a redshirt season under his belt at the FBS level, it is not completely unrealistic to expect another season of development at the most important position on the field. Though from what we’ve seen, there’s no doubt the budding star is ready to compete with the best.
So now with Spring football coming early for SDSU Football this year, the offense under coach Hecklinski’s command, has some very interesting scenarios at play.
Scenario 1: Will Haskell earns the the QB1 spot. All of Aztecs Nation will rejoice at the opportunity to see the young freshman perform full time in the Red & Black. Everyone’s cup will run over and satisfy their desires right?
Scenario 2: The SEC former 4 star transfer Jalen Mayden earns the starter’s spot and carries on from the successful drive in the later stages of the MW Championship game.
Scenario 3: Braxton Burmeister earns the QB1 spot for the one year of eligibility he has remaining and he continues to show all local quarterback recruits in San Diego County that sometimes the long journey towards college football success is just a short trip up the Mesa.
At the end of the day, Haskell, Burmeister, and Mayden will each get a fair shot at the starting role. May the best QB win.
Watch below Braxton Burmeister’s 2021 Season highlights available on YouTube.com.
