RYAN COLBURN

The Bulldogs’ junior lefty quarterback has thrown only five passes in his collegiate career, but that could change dramatically if he wins the starting signal caller job over Ebahn Feathers, Matt Faulkner and Derek Carr. Ryan talked with George Takata about what it’s going to take to be the person who will succeed Tom Brandstater, his high school days at Visalia’s Central Valley Christian (where he went 31-5 as a starter), and the media hype surrounding the quarterback position this spring.

GEORGE TAKATA: What are your goals entering the spring season?

RYAN COLBURN: My goals really are to become consistent. Develop chemistry with the ones (first teamers), get that timing and rhythm with all of our wide receivers. We have a couple new additions to the coaching staff that have been great. We’re really trying to develop our passing game, our deeper passing game to be a threat. My job is to continue to see personal growth in the weight room, in the classroom, on the field- in every aspect.

GT: This is the opportunity you’ve been longing for since you came here from Central Valley Christian. Talk about the challenges and excitement you have to try and get this job.

RC: I think you used a good word and that’s excitement. Like you said, I’ve been waiting a long time. I’m very excited about the chance to possibly be the guy this coming season. I’ve done everything I feel that I can in the last four years to become prepared and now it’s time to go play and relax and enjoy my time.

GT: Do you feel you have a leg up on the competition because you’ve been here longer than everyone else?

RC: Yeah. I mean I don’t know how four years of experience couldn’t be an advantage (laughs) but at the end of the day you still have to come out, you have to prepare and perform consistently. And the guy who does that the best is going to be the starter.

GT: Would you say it’s a friendly competition?

RC: No question. We’re all friends and we all want to see each other improve but we all want the job. It’s hard because I want to see them improve, I want to coach them up and help them, but at the same time I’m competing against them. So it’s a tightrope you try to walk. But definitely friendly.

GT: Talk about having Jeff Grady as your coach and play-caller this year.

RC: Very excited about it. I’ve known Jeff since I’ve been here, one of the few consistencies for me since I’ve been here. Jeff actually coached me quite a bit in 2006 when coach (Steve) Hagen was really focused on Sean (Norton) and Tommy (Brandstater). I know him really well. I know the system that he likes. I know the teaching points that he’s coaching us and he’s very good with quarterback fundamentals. He knows the game of football very well and I think he’s going to do a great job.

GT: You have that winning background from your CVC days. Have you kept that mentality since you’ve been here and have continued to build on that here?

RC: I’d like to think so. I consider myself a pretty fierce competitor. The past is something you try not to dwell on but you definitely pull from it. And you say I’ve done this. I do know how to play. Since I haven’t played for so long you pull back and you really use that and say I know how to compete and I know how to win. Just go out and play and have confidence in yourself.

GT: Does the media overhype the quarterback story at Fresno State or is it justified?

RC: It’s one of the two guys on the field that touch the ball every single play. So it’s in the spotlight. There’s a lot of competition out here at a lot of positions that won’t get talked about as much. But at the end of the day the quarterback is the leader of the offense. And the success you have on offense is going to be pulled from how well your quarterback position is performing. So no, I don’t think it’s overhyped, but at the same time you can say we get too much credit and too much blame But it’s part of the position.

GT: Let’s say you had to interview for the job. If you were to sit in Coach Hill’s office and he says, ‘why should I make you my starting quarterback?’ What would you tell him?

RC: I’m going to do everything in my power to prepare and to help us win.

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