Cincinnati Bearcats Football: Munchie Legaux Front Runner for Backup QB Job

With Zach Collaros fully entrenched as the Bearcats starting quarterback, if everything goes as planned, the backup quarterback will not see the field for any meaningful snaps in 2011.

Chances are that will not happen, and the departure of senior Chazz Anderson has left coach Butch Jones and his squad in a bit of a bind.

Anderson was entering his fifth year in the program and had experience playing in Big East games. His decision to transfer will mean the Bearcats backup—whomever it may be—will not have much experience under center.

The three vying for the job are sophomores Munchie Legaux and Jordan Luallen, and junior Brendan Kay. 

Kay has been in the program the longest. He will be entering his fourth season and played in six games last season as the third-string quarterback.

He has thrown eight passes total but has battled knee injuries the past few years.

Luallen is a transfer from Georgia Tech. He was a four-star recruit out of high school, but has not thrown a pass since 2008.

He may be the most talented quarterback of the bunch, but will need time to learn the system, and not played in three years will not help his case.

Legaux came to Cincinnati last season from New Orleans. He was expected to redshirt, but the injuries suffered at the receiver position forced Legaux into action at wide receiver.

He is extremely athletic and has great size.

At 6-foot-5 and 197 pounds, Legaux has more raw talent than almost anybody on the Bearcats roster. He is not only quick, but has an excellent arm.

While Jones has not said Legaux is the front runner, early indications are he may have a slight edge.

With is big-play ability and potential mean, Legaux could easily win the job as Zach Collaros' backup. 

If that happens, Legaux would be called upon as a backup next season, but could be the starter in 2012 and help lead the Bearcats into the future.