Gardner Mishew: Is he the new backup QB for the Jaguars?

After signing his rookie deal and participating in the Jaguars three-day rookie minicamp, quarterback Gardner Minshew is settling into his new role with the team.

The NFL Draft may not have played out any better for new Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew. After a journey through college and a final stop at Washington State, finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting and a cult-like following for a man with a super-cool mustache, landing in Jacksonville with the Jaguars gives the cerebral signal caller the chance to back up new starter Nick Foles.

It might be a match made in football lore.

The other quarterbacks in the room, Tanner Lee and Alex McGough will be given a chance to win the backup role, but it’s Minshew’s to lose.

Minshew has received plenty of praise for his football acumen and how his leadership skills on the field are rare. How he picks up football terminology and how he can identify opposing defenses is superior for a player of his age. As the neophyte gets acclimated to the NFL, the Jaguars are still brimming with excitement about having No. 15 on the roster with a chance to make an impact, should the occasion arise.

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The hope, as we all know, is that Foles leads these Jaguars back to the NFL playoffs and writes his own historical moments in black and teal. Minshew, who asked for a playbook immediately after being drafted, is here to soak it all in, learn from veterans and coaches and to be ready at a moment’s notice.

"“He’s very driven and passionate about football,” the Washington State Head Football Coach said of his former pupil when asked on Jaguars.com. “He’s fearless.”"

It’s that kind of fearlessness Minshew has to have given he is not the prototypical quarterback, who stands only 6-foot-1 and does not have a howitzer for an arm. Moxie and determination will win him a spot on this roster. Studying, hard work and an understanding of the NFL will keep him in the league for a decade.

"“It has been crazy the journey I have been on this past year,” Minshew said Saturday shortly after his selection by the Jaguars. “I am so blessed and so fortunate to be where I am now.”"

The journey to the NFL started at East Carolina for two seasons and then a plan to move on to Alabama where he would play behind signal-callers who were a bit more athletic. Then, a call from Leach changed all of that, and a chance to make an impression on scouts for his final year of college eligibility.

"“We told him, ‘Do you want to go hold a clipboard at Alabama or do you want to lead the nation in passing at Washington State?’’’ Leach said. “He dropped the clipboard and came to Washington State and led the nation in passing and was conference player of the year.”"

The rest is history and now, the man who should one day be an NFL coach will play here in North Florida.

Minshew is already under contract with the Jaguars, making it official before the team had its three-day rookie minicamp over the weekend. It was the start of his football education, one he was excited to start.

"“It was all worth it,” Minshew said. “Even the down parts were still a lot of fun. I’m getting to play football at this age. Anything past high school is a blessing. To be, here, it’s something I always dreamed of.”"