MOBILE, Ala. -- Playing time can be tough to come by when 55 players are squeezed into 60 minutes of football at the Reese's Senior Bowl, but North squad coach Mike Smith has devised perhaps the only fair way to split time among his quarterbacks, Clemson's Tajh Boyd, Miami's Stephen Morris and Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas.
Each will play one of the first three quarters, and the hottest hand will take the fourth quarter, getting not only the chance to win the game late if it's close, but an extended audition for NFL scouts.
"We'll try to get them an equal number of snaps," Smith said. "We haven't determined who will play the fourth quarter. We'll try to play each one for a quarter, then make a determination who will play the fourth quarter."
Boyd, the former Clemson star, has been the most impressive of the three North quarterbacks in practice this week. It wouldn't be a surprise if he gets the start Saturday.
And the finish.
"I'm impressed with Tajh Boyd's athleticism," Smith said. "He's very athletic, he can extend plays. In an all-star game like we're playing this week, we'll get an opportunity to see that, because I anticipate we'll have some breakdowns simply because we've only been together a week. He'll get an opportunity to show his athleticism."
Smith said his quarterbacks represent three styles, with Boyd being the most mobile, Thomas (6-6, 250 pounds) being the classic pocket passer and Morris bringing a skill set somewhere in between.
"He can throw the ball, he can spin in," Smith said. "And he has some athleticism and can run the ball as well."
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