Ryan Burns Named Stanford Starting QB vs. KSU: Latest Comments and Reaction

Stanford has named redshirt junior quarterback Ryan Burns the starter for its season-opening game against Kansas State on Friday, Sept. 2, per the school's director of athletic communications Alan George on Wednesday. 

Burns won the job from redshirt sophomore quarterback Keller Chryst, who was widely regarded as the program's future toward the end of the 2015 season. 

With the departure of Kevin Hogan—who was taken by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2016 draft—on the horizon last season, both Burns and Chryst were able to see some time, albeit limited.

While Burns had been with the program for one more year than Chryst, the redshirt sophomore was given slightly more playing time:

Burns	Stat	Chryst
5	Games	4
1	Attempts	9
1	Completions	5
21	Yards	59
0	Touchdowns	1
0	Interceptions	0

It was Chryst who was also receiving more of the buzz back in December 2015, per Tom FitzGerald of the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Wide receiver Michael Rector said that "he's amazing," while Hogan added that he "has all the talent in the world."

But as the spring turned to summer, both Burns and Chryst remained in a stalemate for the starting nod. As recently as Aug. 13, FitzGerald noted that "neither Burns nor Chryst seemed to take a step ahead of the other" at an open practice. 

Even though Burns is starting, George did mention Chryst will "see action" against Kansas State in the season opener. 

Both quarterbacks are pro-style passers, which fits right into the style of the Stanford offense and ensures the unit wouldn't be affected too much if a change were to occur. 

With the way George mentioned that Chryst will also play in the opener, it doesn't sound like Burns' starting status is too safe. That could heap some pressure on him to make a statement come Sept. 2, as Chryst is waiting in the wings. 

Stats courtesy of Sports-Reference.com.