Photo: USA Today Sports
Times are tough for the Colorado football program, and for one key player the 2013 season is already done months before the first kickoff. Jordan Webb will miss the entire 2013 season due to a torn anterior cruciate in his right knee. The injury was suffered during a non-contact drill on Tuesday.
"This is very sad for Jordan," first-year coach Mike MacIntyre said in a school statement. "We all feel for him. He was doing well in practice, competing again for the starting job and for this to happen and to lose him for the season is just a shame."
Webb suffered a broken thumb last season and has undergone a pair of offseason surgeries. Talk about a guy who just can't catch a break.
Webb was to be a fifth-year senior this season. If he wishes to play one more year of college football he will have to apply to the NCAA for a medical exemption for a sixth year of eligibility. This is something the NCAA has generally been kind about under these sorts of circumstances, so hopefully for Webb's sake they come through with that approval if and when the application is sent in.
The Buffs starter for the majority of the 2012 season, Webb completed 54.3 percent of his pass attempts for 1,434 yards and eight touchdowns. He was also intercepted eight times in Colorado's woeful 1-11 season. Before arriving at Colorado Webb was a member of the Kansas Jayhawks, passing for 3,079 yards and 20 touchdowns in two seasons with Kansas.
As for the 2013 season, coach MacIntyre will now have to sort through a competition for the starting job under center in the fall. Two of the leading contenders, as suggested by The Denver Post's John Henderson, appear to be juniors Connor Webb and Nick Hirschman. Redshirt freshman Shane Dillon could also play a factor in the decision over time. Hirschman played a little bit last season, completing 59.1 percent of his passes for 589 yards and two touchdowns but he was intercepted seven times. Wood also saw some playing time, completing half of his passes for 265 yards and a touchdown, and was intercepted four times.
Colorado wraps up their spring practices this Saturday with their spring game. Look for the QB battle to take place under a brighter spotlight this weekend.
Kevin McGuire is the host of the No 2-Minute Warning podcast. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
Follow Crystal Ball Run on Twitter and Facebook. For more baseball coverage, visit Bloguin's The Outside Corner.
