Jackson Free Press

In 1997, singer Paula Cole asked "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone." Well, I am sure top men are working on finding out the answer to what could be the biggest question of our time.

This college football season in Mississippi could be a parody of that song called "Where Have All the Quarterbacks Gone." Nearly every team this season will have a different quarterback under center in game one this season, that didn't start game one last season.

Southern Miss is replacing record-breaking quarterback Austin Davis. The Golden Eagles will put their 18 straight winning seasons in the hands of an unknown commodity after Davis graduated as several quarterbacks battle for the job.

Mississippi State started Chris Relf to begin last season, but an injury forced MSU to replace him with junior Tyler Russell. Now Relf has graduated, and Russell will be the full-time starter as the Bulldogs move from a running-oriented offense to a passing offense.

Casey Therriault rewrote the Jackson State record books but, like Relf and Davis, exhausted his college eligibility. The Tigers could turn to former Akron Zips quarterback and Louisville, Miss., native Clayton Moore this season.

Alcorn State started Brandon Bridge, known as "Air Canada," at quarterback to begin last season but Bridge, the lone caller, left the team midway through last season. Sophomore Darius Smith took over the quarterbacking duties after Bridge left and will be the starter this season.

Tommy Reyer led Mississippi College as the starting quarterback last season, but he is now a student assistant because he is no longer eligible. The Choctaws' only quarterback with prior playing time is sophomore Jonathon Redd who saw limited action. Several players will get a chance to earn the starting job.

Southern Miss and Jackson State are not the only schools replacing a record-setting quarterback. Delta State must find a replacement for Micah Davis who led the Statesmen to the Division II playoff semifinals.

Ole Miss is starting over with a new coach and a new quarterback after Zack Stoudt left football due to "health related issues." Senior Randall Mackey replaced Stoudt last season, but he is now a wide receiver and out of the quarterback race. That leaves junior Barry Brunetti, who replaced Mackey, in the lead to start in 2012 but will be challenged by sophomore Bo Wallace. (Rebel fans might need a flow chart just to follow all the quarterback changes.)

Not every school is replacing a quarterback this season. Millsaps will have seniors Garrett Pinciotti and Konner Joplin back to quarterback the Majors. Belhaven is returning junior Alex Williams back under center for the Blazers. The Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State might be facing tough times but will have Garrick Jones back this season.

Mississippi State looks to be in the best position with Russell getting a lot of action on the field last season. Jackson State, Mississippi College, Southern Miss and Delta State could all see hopes of a winning season go up in smoke thanks to a new starter at quarterback.