Former UCF QB Confirms Transfer to Pitt
Bo Schneider, a 6’4″ 225 lb freshman QB from the University of Central Florida has decided to transfer from the program citing a change in the coaching staff and offensive system. New UCF head coach Scott Frost(former Oregon Offensive Coordinator) will employ a offense similar to the Oregon offense. A dual-threat QB is better suited for the system than the pro-style Schneider.
Schneider began the 2015 season as the primary backup QB, he was forced in to action after UCF’s starting QB sustained a hand injury. Bo saw action in six games for the Knights starting five games. In those contests he completed 54 passes in 105 attempts for a 51.4 completion percentage, 534 yards, 2 TDs, 7 INTs and a QB rating of 87.1. Unfortunately for Schneider the team around him wasn’t very competitive. The Knights were 0-12 (0-8 AAC) in 2015. Things went from bad to worse when Knights Head Coach George O’Leary resigned after only eight games.
Once Schneider arrives on Pitt’s campus after his spring semester at UCF has completed, he will be forced to sit out the 2016 campaign under NCAA transfer rules. Bo will be eligible to compete for the starting QB job in 2017 with other QBs on the roster. The previously announced transfer of former Pitt starting QB Chad Voytik and impending graduation of current starter Nate Peterman has created a need for experienced players to rely on post Peterman’s eligibility.
Schneider was a three-star recruit coming out of Jesuit College Prepatory School(Dallas, Texas). Bo held offers from the likes of UCF, Colorado State and Oregon State among others. Taking a look at his Hudl highlights from his 2014 senior year, you can see what these schools liked about his game. Standing 6’4″, Bo possessed prototype size for a pro-style QB. He had clean, hitch free arm mechanics. While not possessing dual-threat ability, he had good footwork and the pocket presence to avoid the pass rush and still deliver a catchable ball. Most impressive to me was his awareness to change velocity and trajectory of his passes. This awareness was evident by taking a little velocity off his passes on post-corner and fade routes leading the receiver releasing the ball before the receiver was out of his break. It was also obvious there is above average arm strength shown on deep-out routes outside the numbers and slants. He was able to quickly release the ball and complete the pass in the CB-S window on slant routes.
Taking a look ahead to the 2016 roster’s potential QBs. As it stands now Nate Peterman rSR,Manny Stocker rSR, Adam Bertke rSO, Ben DiNucci rFR, Bo Schneider rFr(ineligible) and Thomas MacVittie FR. Assuming the staff signs a 2017 prospect and Schneider ends up on scholarship there would be five scholarship QBs in 2017. While possible, I see it as highly unlikely to not see attrition at the QB position.
