Charlie Strong's Complicated Quest at Texas for His Next Teddy Bridgewater

Since first stepping on the Louisville campus, Teddy Bridgewater was a weapon for Charlie Strong's offense. The numbers don't lie.

In three years, Bridgewater completed 72 touchdown passes and threw for more than 9,800 yards. Per Louisville athletics, Bridgewater in 2011 was the first freshman quarterback to start a game since Stu Stram did it in 1976. He played three seasons before entering the NFL draft early and becoming a first-round pick in 2014.

In short, Bridgewater was a gem for Strong at Louisville. Now Strong is at Texas, and he’s looking for a quarterback with Bridgewater's playmaking skills.

Or, at least, someone close.

In Strong's first year as Texas head coach, the Longhorns finished the season 6-7 and with a loss to Arkansas in the Texas Bowl. That loss included one of the Longhorns' worst passing performances in the school's modern history, as Tyrone Swoopes threw for 57 yards and an interception.

As Strong and the Longhorns prepare for the spring, fans are expecting changes—primarily at quarterback. Options are slim as of today, but with recruiting and transfer speculation, could Strong be in a much better place by the start of the 2015 season?

Here are six options who, if luck runs their way, the Longhorns could go with at quarterback. All six would be available to start Texas' first game Sept. 5 at Notre Dame.

Jerrod Heard, Texas Redshirt Freshman

Credit: 247Sports

Is Jerrod Heard the Answer?

When Tyrone Swoopes struggled, Texas fans were hoping Strong would put in Jerrod Heard, a freshman with tons of accolades and even more hype out of high school. Heard was a 4-star quarterback in the Class of 2014. He was the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 10 player in Texas.

Heard didn't play this year, as Strong didn't want to burn his redshirt. When asked about Heard, Strong never addresses him as the chosen one—although there are fans who believe otherwise. Strong recently told Richard Tijerina of the Austin American-Statesman that Heard will be monitored during spring football:

"When we get to spring ball, they're all going to compete. The thing about Jerrod is when you come and have to face it each and every day, and it moves so fast for you sometimes, you've got to slow him down. We're just continuing to coach him."

Heard's high school resume is impressive. He won two state championships for Guyer High School in Denton, Texas, and he led his team to three finals appearances. In addition to being a U.S. Army All-American, Heard also participated in the Elite 11 and The Opening.

Tyrone Swoopes, Texas Sophomore

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Will Tyrone Swoopes get another shot at QB for Texas?

Let's say that, even with the ups and downs from 2014, Tyrone Swoopes is still considered the long-term answer for Strong.

Swoopes had his struggles throughout the season but finished with 2,409 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. Strong would love to see the touchdowns go up and his interceptions—11 last season—go down.

Physically, you get what you get with Swoopes. He's 6'4" and 243 pounds, and he's a truck when he chooses to run the ball. Working as a pocket passer and overall decision-making will be the primary bullet points of spring ball.

In December Strong told Stefan Scrafield of The Dallas Morning News that Swoopes has his full support. The main question now: Is Swoopes the quarterback of the future? Or can he be more serviceable at another position? Tight end, perhaps? That decision belongs solely to Strong and his coaching staff.

Kyler Murray, 5-Star Texas A&M Commit

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Kyler Murray: future Aggie or future Longhorn?

Here's where the fun starts.

Kyler Murray is a 5-star Texas A&M commit and has been since May. An unofficial visit to Texas last week—drew a huge stir between the Texas and Texas A&M fanbases.

Is he staying with the Aggies? Or will he flip to the Longhorns? That's been the question and will be a topic of discussion until he signs on Feb. 4.

As the nation's top-ranked dual-threat quarterback, Murray has been the poster child for success in Texas high school football. He finished his career with a 42-0 record and won three consecutive state championships. Murray was an Elite 11 competitor, and he also participated in The Opening.

During a recent Dallas banquet honoring high school football players, Murray told The Dallas Morning News that he's "still committed to A&M." Murray's attire, however, garnered more attention than his words. He wore an orange tie to the event because, as he said, "it goes with brown."

Murray isn't expected to flip, but if he does, consider it the biggest recruiting snag for Strong since...well...some guy named Teddy Bridgewater. Murray has shown himself to be an immediate game-changer.

Matthew Merrick, 3-Star Texas Grayshirt

Looking for a sleeper? Ask Kyler Murray's father about Matthew Merrick.

A product of Kevin Murray's Air14 Football quarterback academy, Merrick is a 3-star talent with a high ceiling. Merrick currently has a grayshirt offer from Texas, but that could change with 4-star Zach Gentry flipping from Texas to Michigan.

Kevin Murray would love to see Merrick's grayshirt upgraded to a full scholarship. The former Texas A&M quarterback can be brutally honest with the potential of quarterbacks, and when he speaks of Merrick, a 6'3" 185-pound gunslinger from Cistercian Preparatory School in Irving, Texas, you can hear the optimism.

Kevin Murray additionally described Merrick as "sneaky athletic." In addition to playing quarterback, Merrick was a contributor for the Texas Titans, one of the premier AAU basketball teams in the country.

"The kid has played and competed at the highest AAU level for years, which has helped him make the transition, particularly athletically," Murray said. "The transition from little-old Cistercian to major college football will all depend on how quickly he can adjust to the speed of the game.

"There's no question the physical ability is there, which is why UT pulled the trigger. The kid's a sleeper from the standpoint that not many people know much about him—and that's not a surprise. I like his upside."

If Merrick can be the guy Murray believes in, watch out, Longhorns fans.

Kai Locksley, 4-Star Florida State Commit

Credit: 247Sports

Kai Locksley to Texas? Possibly.

The Florida State quarterback inn is pretty full, and Kai Locksley may be shopping for a new home. If he isn't, at least others are trying to persuade him.

Locksley, a 4-star dual-threat quarterback also considered an athlete, is a Florida State commit—but so are 4-star quarterback Deondre Francois and 3-star early enrollee De'Andre Johnson.

Per 247Sports, Zach Gentry's decommitment gave Locksley "something to think about." Locksley is expected to announce on Feb. 4, but one person who is hoping he will flip is 4-star wide receiver John Burt, who recommitted to the Longhorns on Monday.

You can bet that Burt is doing his part to get Locksley to flip to Texas. Longhorns fans, however, won't know anything for sure until national signing day. If Locksley flips, the Longhorns will get an elusive, athletic player who can line up at quarterback and wide receiver comfortably. Locksley's versatility may be his strongest asset.

Braxton Miller, Ohio State Senior

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Braxton Miller? To Texas?

Ready for a wild card? A "jokers are wild" kind of what-if?

Braxton Miller.

The Ohio State quarterback situation became even more crowded when Cardale Jones announced at a press conference that he would return to Columbus for his junior season and not declare for the NFL draft. That means Jones, Miller and J.T. Barrett will be competing for starter's minutes.

A healthy Miller could run Charlie Strong's offense. He's an athletic player with a good arm and even better feet. 

Wescott Eberts from Burnt Orange Nation discussed some of the potential candidates who either are or are considering transferring. If Miller were to leave Ohio State for Texas, he'd have a way to play immediately. Miller will be a graduate transfer, meaning he'll be eligible to play the minute he gets on campus.

Miller has been connected to a few other schools for potential landing spots upon transferring, according to 247Sports' Adam Rowe and the Palm Beach Post's Tom D'Angelo (h/t CollegeFootballTalk's John Taylor). You can bet Strong and his crew wouldn't turn Miller down—if he's interested in coming to Austin.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were retrieved firsthand unless otherwise noted. Player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports composite ratings. Follow Damon on Twitter: @DamonSayles