Quarterback Preview
It is fitting that senior Taylor Heinicke is leading Old Dominion into FBS and Conference USA, considering what he has accomplished in his first three years at ODU. The senior signal-caller will look to go out with a bang against the toughest schedule in school history.
Heinicke became the first Division I quarterback in the state of Virginia to pass for more than 10,000 yards in his career last season as he continues to move up the FBS ladder in QB categories. A native of Atlanta, Ga., Heinicke will begin the 2014 season as the FBS active leader in passing yards, touchdown passes, total offense, total offense per game, completion percentage, completions, attempts and touchdowns responsible for. Heinicke has passed for 11,483 career yards which ranks him 29th on the all-time list while his 102 career touchdown passes puts him in 16th place.
Heinicke threw for 4,022 yards last season, completing 340-of-486 passes and 33 touchdowns. He surpasses 300 or more yards nine times and 400 yards three times, throwing for a season-best 533 yards and four touchdowns in the victory at Idaho.
The Monarchs return backup David Washington, who enters his sophomore season. In six games last year he completed 22-of-31 passes for 259 yards and four touchdowns. He also carried the ball 29 times for 124 yards and a touchdown. Washington continued to develop during spring practice while Colin McElroy also enters his sophomore campaign.
ODU signed prized recruit Shuler Bentley out of Byrnes High School in South Carolina. A Parade All-American, Bentley was a two-time South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year and set a state single-season record with 71 touchdown passes as a senior. He also set career records with 13,245 passing yards and 177 TD passes.
Check ODUSports.com throughout the week as we take a position-by-position outlook at the football team.