You know what they say: if you love a quarterback let him transfer to Arizona, and if he comes back he is yours forever.
A four-star recruit out of Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Ariz., Connor Brewer signed with Texas as its quarterback for the 2012 class. He was then-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin‘s hand-picked selection for that class, if you want to know just how far back in ancient history we’re talking.
Brewer redshirted that 2012 season and, seeing the writing on the wall that the Texas quarterback job belonged to David Ash for the 2013 and ’14 seasons and in no way would he ever possibly get hurt, Brewer transferred to nearby Arizona. He sat out the 2013 season and did not see action in 2014 as a pro-style passer in Rich Rodriguez‘s quarterback-run heavy offense.
With Anu Solomon entrenched in Tucson, Brewer is again on the move. He was granted his release on Wednesday and, as a graduate transfer, will have immediate eligibility with two seasons still left to play.
Reached by the Austin American-Statesman on Thursday, Brewer’s father didn’t shut the door to his son’s return to Austin. In fact, he kicked the thing wide open.Father of former Texas QB Connor Brewer says Brewer “would absolutely entertain a return to Texas.” Brewer is leaving Arizona.
— Ryan Autullo (@AutulloAAS) January 15, 2015
There is the question of whether he would be a fit at Texas and if the new regime of Charlie Strong and offensive coordinator Shawn Watson would be interested. Brewer has been beaten out at two different schools, and hasn’t thrown a pass in a competitive situation since 2011. Is that really the guy Strong wants to entrust his critical 2015 season to? And then you remember Texas heads into spring practice with redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard, 2015 commit Zach Gentry on the way and an incumbent in Tyrone Swoopes coming off consecutive losses to TCU and Arkansas in which he completed 33-of-59 passes for 257 yards with two total touchdowns, six turnovers and 17 total points produced. There’s a good chance Strong would consider 1980’s quarterback Robert Brewer if he had any eligibility left. The Longhorns can’t exactly afford to be picky.
Of course, had Brewer never transferred in the first place there’s a greater than zero chance he’s heading into the 2015 season as an entrenched starter with two seasons of experience to his credit. Maybe these two really are meant for each other after all.