When Bolivar’s Rafe Peavey transferred from Arkansas to Southern Methodist University last offseason, without ever visiting the campus, he hoped to soon earn a starting role. After sitting out the entire 2016 season due to NCAA transfer rules, it appears Peavey is close to achieving his goal.
The redshirt junior absolutely thrilled at SMU’s annual Red-Blue Scrimmage Saturday in Dallas. The former 4-star recruit went 16-18 with 173 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 58-yard game-winning touchdown to tight end Corey Rau.
Incumbent quarterback Ben Hicks, a redshirt sophomore, was also impressive, going 11-17 with 114 yards and a touchdown. Hicks was one of five Mustang quarterbacks who saw action last season, but was the clear cut starter playing in all 12 games, going 234-422 with 2,930 yards, 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Head coach Chad Morris acknowledged that Hicks has a slight edge, but the competition is still open.
“I expect it to be a great quarterback challenge and controversy going into our first fall camp scrimmage.”
Hicks is considered the front-runner for the starting job, but many in the SMU football community believe Peavey has a good chance to earn the starting spot for a team that went 5-7 last season.
The Dallas News called Peavey the no. 1 candidate to breakout for the Mustangs this season.
“Peavey transferred from Arkansas to SMU last offseason but had to sit out due to NCAA transfer rules. With SMU having a wide-open competition at quarterback, Peavey could be in line to be the Mustangs’ new starter. Peavey did not throw a pass while at Arkansas, but he is a former four-star recruit and was ranked as the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback in the country. SMU head coach Chad Morris is known as a quarterback guru and should get the most out of Peavey this spring and moving forward.”
Peavey and Hicks aren’t the only option for head coach Chad Morris. Junior college transfer DJ Gillens is also in the mix.
There’s a long way to go before the season opener Sep. 2 at home against Stephen F. Austin, but if Saturday’s performance is any indication, Rafe Peavey, who never took a snap for the Razorbacks, will have a very good shot at starting at least at some point this season.
Peavey was ranked as high as the no. 4 dual-threat quarterback in the nation coming out of high school. He led Bolivar to an undefeated regular season as a senior, earning all-state honors after going 127-185 with 2,294 yard and 16 touchdowns to go with 1,557 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. He also received offers from FBS programs Auburn, Mizzou, Ole Miss and Kentucky.
