Chris Andrews has not wasted much time asserting himself with the Morgan State football team.
In less than a week of training camp, the transfer quarterback from Wagner College overtook sophomore Khalil Trotman on the team's depth chart and ran the first-team offense. Andrews is still adjusting to the accelerated progression, but he is fully embracing the opportunity to lead the Bears offense.
"It's real good for me," said Andrews, a graduate student who is pursuing an MBA. "I know I've just got to keep learning the playbook. I know my first couple days, it was just me learning and coming out here and performing so that I can play better with the ones."
Andrews, Trotman, freshman DeAndre Harris and sophomore Randolph Norwood are vying for the chance to line up under center when Morgan State opens the season Sept. 3 against Holy Cross at Hughes Stadium in Baltimore. The program, which is just two years removed from capturing a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and representing the league in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, was picked to finish seventh out of 11 in the conference's preseason poll.
Perhaps the biggest concern regarding the stable of quarterback candidates is that none has taken a snap in a regular-season game for the Bears. Moses Skillon started every contest last fall, totaling 2,036 passing and rushing yards and 12 combined touchdowns.
But with the return of three potential featured tailbacks — seniors Orlando Johnson and Herb Walker Jr. and redshirt senior Lamont Brown III — and five offensive linemen who started every game last season, interim head coach Fred Farrier said there is no pressure on the quarterback to put on a display.
"We just want to make sure that guy doesn't make a ton of mistakes," Farrier said. "We're not going to ask him to do stuff he's not ready to do, and the rest of our team should be able to keep us in a position where we're ready to compete and be in the game in the fourth quarter."
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Trotman entered camp atop the offensive depth chart after a strong showing in the spring. At a recent practice, he dropped a deep pass over a cornerback and into the arms of sophomore wide receiver Brian Gentry for a 90-yard touchdown.
"Going against our defense, they're a pretty tough defense," Trotman said. "So I feel as though if I can make plays against our defense, I can make plays against any team in the MEAC."
The 6-1, 225-pound Andrews' dual-threat ability (he threw for 1,251 yards and eight touchdowns and ran for 684 yards and five scores in three seasons with the Seahawks) is intriguing. At the same practice, he fired some balls into narrow windows and demonstrated the most confidence among the four quarterbacks in running the option.
Perhaps Andrews' biggest asset is that he started 10 games at Wagner.
"I'm used to starting," he said. "I've played in more games than I've seen. So I just know how it feels to be out there. But I know that this is a different conference, and I've just got to get accustomed to this conference and how people run things over here and just keep getting accustomed to it."
Andrews' familiarity with game action is an important factor, according to Farrier.
"Now we actually have a guy who has played a game at this level," he said. "It gives us more experience and command at that position, and it should hopefully force Khalil to grow up a little bit and kind of take it seriously to see if he's ready to step in and take command of this team. We're very excited about Chris. He's been successful as a quarterback, and we want to see if he can come in and learn what we do and give us a chance to be successful."
Trotman sounded unfazed by ceding his position to Andrews.
"I feel like it doesn't matter where I am on the depth chart," Trotman said. "I'm confident that I can compete and do what I need to do to win the job. When I saw the depth chart, I didn't really think much of it. I'm just trying to stay on top as far as working for the spot."
Senior wide receiver Thomas Martin acknowledged that he was surprised to see Andrews line up with the first offense.
"Chris Andrews, he came in, and he's performed pretty well, especially for his first few days," Martin said. "He's adapted to the offense. Khalil, he's remained consistent and picked up right where he left off last year. So they're both doing pretty good, and that's a really good competition."
Farrier emphasized that much can change before next month's season opener and said Trotman understands that he must be ready to take the reins if Andrews slips. Andrews also understands that his job security will not be cemented until Farrier is satisfied enough to identify the starter.
"Me and Khalil are going to keep battling it out until the end, and I feel like we're going to have a great competition ahead of us," Andrews said.
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