David Ash Cleared to Practice

Longhorn fans can finally exhale; their starting QB is cleared for offseason workouts and spring practice.

Junior QB David Ash, who missed all but three games last season due to a concussion, has been cleared by doctors to return during Texas’ spring practice.  According to head athletic trainer Kenny Boyd, Ash will be available for full participation.

Ash will also seek a medical redshirt, which will give him two more seasons in burnt orange.

After Ash sustained a concussion in the second game of the season, there was much speculation about the severity of the injury and Ash’s unknown future. Ash returned two weeks after the injury for the first half of Texas’ game against Kansas State, but was sidelined after experiencing a recurrence of his symptoms from his earlier concussion.

Despite a small sample size, and going 1-1 as a starter last season, his statistics from the 2013 season were that of an elite college quarterback.

Ash finished the season with 760 yards while completing over 60 percent of his passes. He also had seven touchdowns to just two interceptions.

Moving forward, Ash will be the presumed starter for the upcoming season after freshman QB Tyrone Swoopes was unable to show much in his limited playing time, and starting a true freshman in Jerrod Heard is highly unlikely.

Ash’s return gives the Texas football team a far sunnier forecast for next season, and undoubtedly increases fans’ expectations.