Why David Ash is Set to Breakout in 2013

2013 is a big year for David Ash. Definitely the biggest in his career. There is no doubt that he will move on to bigger moments and high pressure situations, but for now, this is it. This is his moment.

If you frequent our Facebook page or follow our Twitter account, you have probably witnessed some of  the negative sentiment surrounding the very talented Ash. Heck, you may be one of the people who are already counting this kid out before he even takes a regular season snap in 2013. I’m here to tell you … don’t count him out just yet.

(Also See: Key Positions: Texas Longhorns 2013 Depth Chart)

Because of an injury to Garrett Gilbert (he’s now a fifth-year senior at SMU), Ash became the starter of the Texas Longhorns as a true freshman. [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)] Like any young college quarterback, there have been bumps in the road … still, if you look at David Ash’s numbers from his sophomore campaign and compare them to Vince Young’s and Colt McCoy’s numbers from their sophomore seasons, it’s clear Ash is on the same kind of track. Will Ash dominate the way that V.Y. and Colt did? That question remains to be answered. However, I invite you to look at the numbers and then draw an educated guess.

Before he was an All-American or Heisman candidate, Colt McCoy also had some questioning whether he was the guy. As a sophomore, he threw four interceptions in a 20-point loss to unranked Kansas State, lost to Oklahoma then botched his second-straight start against A&M, throwing 18 picks on the year.

The following season, McCoy answered every doubt by setting school records for yardage and touchdowns in a season while leading the team with 561 rushing yards and completing almost 77 percent of his passes. All in a system nearly identical to the one which Ash will run in 2013.

David Ash has already shown great improvement from one year to the next. In his sophomore season, Ash finished in the top 25 in passer efficiency rating and increased that rating 45.9 points (from his freshman year). He had 15 more touchdown passes as a sophomore, threw for 1,620 yards and completed 10.4 percent more of his passes.

Has he been supremely dominate? No. But he has shown steady growth and is in position to make 2013 a very special year for all Longhorn supporters.

Hook’em, David! We’re rooting for you.

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