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Smithwick-Hann Battling for UM Starting QB Job

By Beacon Staff

Four quarterbacks are battling for the University of Montana’s starting position this spring, with Glacier High School graduate Shay Smithwick-Hann in the thick of the race. Meanwhile, it appears another recent Flathead Valley graduate, former Braves star Brock Osweiler, has safely secured the starting position at Arizona State University as a junior.

Smithwick-Hann played well in the Grizzlies’ second spring scrimmage on April 16, as did the other three candidates for the starting position: Gerald Kemp, Nate Montana and Jordan Johnson. Smithwick-Hann, a redshirt freshman, threw for 57 yards and a 16-yard touchdown on 3-of-5 passing. He had a 39-yard touchdown pass called back because of a blocking penalty.

When head coach Robin Pflugrad talks about Smithwick-Hann, he keeps using the word “intelligent.” After the scrimmage, the Missoulian quoted Pflugrad as saying:

“Shay is such an intelligent quarterback – he does some really good things.”

The Billings Gazette examined each of the prospects earlier this month, looking at their respective strengths and weaknesses. Give it a read.

It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.