WORCESTER — From the start of last year’s spring practice, the Holy Cross football team had its starting quarterback for 2024.
Senior Joe Pesansky played well filling in for Matthew Sluka the season before, he knew the offense and had the most experience of any QB on the roster.
“There was a big gap,” HC coach Dan Curran said before a recent practice.
This spring is much different, with four quarterbacks, Austen Frattura, Josh Jenkins and Cal Swanson, all rising juniors, and Braden Graham, a rising sophomore, vying to be the Crusaders’ starter.
“There’s no complete separation yet,” Curran said. “They’ve all had their moments of making plays. I think it’s probably going to be something that’s going to work itself out through the spring and into the summer, which is a good thing. You want all those guys to have an opportunity.”
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Jenkins, who is a mobile threat, last season attempted one pass, which resulted in an interception. Jenkins has the most experience in the HC offense.
Frattura, 6-2 and 215, and Graham, 6-1 and 215, have not played in any games for the Crusaders. The 6-3, 205-pound Swanson is a transfer from the University of Illinois. He did not appear in any games during his two seasons with the Fighting Illini.
“Josh and Austen have more experience in the offense,” Curran said, “and Cal and Braden are doing a good job picking it up.
“It’s a competition,” Curran said. “They all have different strengths and weaknesses, and I think it’s on the coaches to continue to develop these guys and see how it works itself out over the next two weeks and into the summer as well.”
