Cast of Characters

Zach Collaros (Junior 2010)
Chazz Anderson (Junior 2010)


What’s the Scoop?

Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour dominated the MAC the past four years under the tutelage of head coaches Brian Kelly (2006) and Butch Jones (2007, 2008, 2009).  Kelly and Jones utilized LeFevour’s mobility to make him one of the top dual threats in NCAA history.

Fast forward to 2010 where Zach Collaros takes over the quarterback job at Cincinnati.  His head coach the past two years?  Brian Kelly.  His head coach in 2010?  Butch Jones.

Much like LeFevour, Collaros is a dual threat under center.  Collaros is smaller than Thunder Dan (6’1 208 vs. 6’3 235) but does possess more speed.  In relief of an injured Tony Pike last fall, Collaros racked up 1,434 passing yards and another 344 on the ground.  He accounted for 14 touchdowns (10 passing, 4 rushing).

On paper, the Jones-Collaros marriage seems like a match made in heaven.  The talent matches the system.  The surrounding talent is in place.  All that is left to do is execute -- which, of course, is always easier said than done.


Who’s Gone from 2009?

QB Tony Pike graduates and is off to play on Sundays.

All-America WR Mardy Gilyard takes his 87 catches, 1,191 yards and 11 touchdowns to the NFL.  He will be missed.  But if there is one position where depth isn’t a problem, it’s at wide receiver.


Who’s Back?

Collaros’s primary back up is sophomore Chazz Anderson.  Anderson started two games in 2008 when Pike was out with an injury.  He passed for 520 yards and a couple scores.

At RB, last year’s leading rusher Isaiah Pead returns along with John Goebel.  They will be complimented by the smaller, shiftier Darrin Williams who could see some time in the slot.

Despite the loss of Gilyard, the Bearcats are loaded with receivers.  Armon Binns (61-888-11) is back, along with D.J. Woods (51-640-4).  Marcus Barnett, the team’s leading receiver in 2007, is back in the fold after a stint on the defensive side of the ball.  Perhaps the team’s biggest addition this fall will be USC transfer Vidal Hazelton.  The uber-recruit from a few years ago dazzled on the scout team last fall and should make a big impact this season.  At tight end, Ben Guidugli (27-364-3) also returns.


The (Brief) Resume

Collaros made the most of his opportunity last fall.  Here are the stats from the four plus games he played once Pike was sidelined.

If Your Fantasy Draft was Today…

Zach Collaros will be a hot fantasy commodity on draft day.  He’s got the a lot going for him.  The offensive system fits him to a "T".  The wide receiving corps are the best in the Big East.  Outside of a home game against Oklahoma, the schedule isn’t terribly daunting.  Collaros figures to be drafted as a Top 10 fantasy QB in All-120 leagues.