With star playmaker Chuckie Keeton‘s eligibility set to expire at season’s end, it appears Utah State has landed a transfer who could potentially be Keeton’s successor and quarterback of the future.
While USU has yet to confirm his addition, Damion Hobbs told the Salt Lake Tribune Wednesday that he has decided to continue his collegiate playing career with the Aggies. Just 11 days ago, Hobbs’ announced his decision to transfer out of the Oregon football program.
There was a comfort factors with the USU coaches that played a significant role in his decision.
“I am thankful for the opportunity I had at Oregon, but things simply didn’t work out football wise,” the player told the paper. “I’ve been to Utah State and had a good rapport with the coaches so everything was in place and it just felt right.”
Hobbs will be forced to sit out the 2014 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules, but will then engage in a battle with, among others, Darell Garretson for the starting job. When Keeton went down with a season-ending knee injury last year, Garretson won six of his seven starts.
A three-star member of the Ducks’ 2013 recruiting class, Hobbs was rated as the No. 26 dual-threat quarterback in the country coming out of high school in Cedar Hill, Tex. He took a redshirt last season and exited spring practice this year at least fourth on UO’s depth chart, triggering his transfer.
Hobbs was the second Ducks quarterback to transfer in the month of May, joining former teammate Jake Rodrigues. Earlier this week, it was reported that Rodrigues would be moving on to San Diego State.