Ted Stachitas, a redshirt sophomore, emerged as the front runner to be the next starting quarterback at Wake Forest.
Coach Jim Grobe said Stachitas remains ahead of true freshman Tanner Price at the position.
"He has earned the right. Good competition," Grobe said. "(Stachitas) just needs game experience. None of our guys have game experience right now. ... I like what Ted did. I like what Tanner did. There's a couple other guys we like as well but I think Ted and Tanner are our two guys."
Wake Forest begins its season against Presbyterian on Sept. 2.
Grobe's system of redshirting most players when they enter the program is being tested with Price's talent. Price has made a strong pitch to play this season, and his arrival further disrupted the pecking order at quarterback.
In part because of spring injuries to Stachitas and Brendan Cross, Skylar Jones was atop the depth chart coming out of spring. But Jones, who had been a quarterback before spending last season learning the receiver position, hasn't maintained a grip on the top spot.
In the team's final scrimmage, Stachitas completed all four of his pass attempts for 100 yards. Price was 3-for-4 for 41 years and also ran for 32 yards on two carries. Jones threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
"Ted has to continue to practice well," Grobe said. "We don't ever want guys to think that practicing well doesn't get rewarded."
Aside from his talent, part of the intrigue involving Price was the comfort level the Demon Deacons developed with four-year starter Riley Skinner. Grooming a quarterback from that early stage (Skinner was a redshirt freshman when he first played) had benefits that superseded some of the inexperience issues that were present.
So while the coaching staff won't want Stachitas looking over his shoulder, it's too early to tell if he's the long-term answer to the quarterback question.
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Wake Forest Demon Deacons
