2013 Spartan Nation Football Profile: QB Andrew Maxwell

Expectation: Starting QB

Height: 6â€™3â€

Weight: 209#

2013 Eligibility: 5th year senior

EXP: 3 Letters

Status: Starting QB

Strengths: Andrew is a terrific young man and steady. He stays consistent. He is respected among his teammates and is humble. He is a great leader. Let me illustrate one amazing thing he did last year that I think is far underrated by the Spartan Nation.

In the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl there was 2:35 on the clock in the fourth quarter. He had just been benched for what would be the game winning drive and Connor Cook completes a pass to LeVeon Bell. There on the sideline was Maxwell cheering and rooting on Cook as well as helping signal in the next play. I could have picked many good plays from the season, but that one play shows you why his teammates love him. He is selfless.

Weakness: Frankly, the staff hurt Andrew. Even Dantonio admitted last month, â€œAndrew suffered greatly last year because of not playing in 2011 very much.â€ Spartan Nation said that during the entire season and since. On top of not getting any significant playing time I think coaching held him back as well.

To play QB you canâ€™t be afraid to make a mistake. Maxwell at times was so risk averse that he failed to capitalize on some opportunities because of the fear of making a mistake. If he is to keep his starting job this year he must now take the leadership skills off of the field and transfer them onto the field. He has to trust his arm and make quicker decisions. Let me illustrate that.

In the first quarter of the EMU game the Spartans had a 3rd and ten at their own 37 with 12:40 on the clock. Dan Roushar called a naked boot leg to Andrewâ€™s right. The initialÂ play designÂ was to Keith Mumphery downfield running an out route. Also on the play running essentially an under route (same as Mumphery, but â€œunderâ€ meaning one is several yards downfield and one closer) was Andrew Gleichert. Andrew sold the fake and the defense bit. Gleichert was wide open immediately. Mumphery was not. Maxwell could have made the immediate throw for a first and a big gain, he did not. He waited and threw the ball to Mumphery as he approached the sideline and the ball was not caught. It resulted in third and ten when it should have been 1st and ten down the field. He canâ€™t lock on and he has to make fast decisions and reads when they are there.

Final Analysis: I was accused by some last year as being a Maxwell slappy. Sadly in our culture, if you arenâ€™t attacking someoneâ€™s character I guess you get labeled a slappy. The Maxwell we saw in high school was athletic, mobile, accurate, and exciting. I have maintained that I think the reason we didnâ€™t see that last year rests a lot on coaching, but no matter the reason he is on a short leash. He is the starter and being a great young man matters, but in todayâ€™s college football world it doesnâ€™t mean playing time.

For Maxwell to keep his job he has to take sensible risks, make faster reads, and inspire his teammates. This team will go as far as the offense because the D will be the best in the nation. Dantonio believes, and I agree, that a QB has to make plays with his feet, throws and brain. Maxwell can do it. Will he?

Next up: MLB Max Bullough

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