It’s a two-horse race for the starting quarterback job during Navy football spring camp. Blake Horvath and Braxton Woodson, both of whom started games last season, are getting all the meaningful practice repetitions.
Woodson and Horvath will enter preseason practice first and second on the depth chart. At this point it’s just a matter of which one will be listed as the starter. Right now, both are learning how to operate the Wing-T offense being installed by new offensive coordinator Drew Cronic.
Cronic has proven in previous stops that he can adapt the offense to fit the strengths of the starting quarterback.
“We can be pretty versatile. There doesn’t have to be any one type of quarterback. We want to be as dual-threat as we can be at that position,” Cronic said. “I think what we do offensively gives us a chance to have open receivers in the play-action game and we’ve got to be able to hit those throws. That guy also has to be able to run and do some option stuff. We’re going to design some things to get [the quarterback] into open space because that’s a big weapon to have.”
From what Cronic has seen so far during spring camp, Horvath and Woodson can both be effective running the “millennial version” of Wing-T offense he is implementing.
“Those two kids have enough talent to execute our offense in this conference,” Cronic said. “Their heads are swimming right now because there’s a lot going on, but those two are smart kids and have some ability.”
Cronic said the biggest adjustment for the quarterbacks from the triple-option to the Wing-T involves footwork and timing.
“There is a lot of nuance with the Wing-T stuff. There are some steps, some angles and some timing with our motions,” he said. “There’s a lot of things [the quarterbacks] need to understand that have nothing to do with reading the defense. Just getting their bodies in the right place so they get the other players going in the right direction.”
Horvath is learning his third offense in as many years in the Navy program. As a plebe, the Ohio native was tutored in the traditional “flexbone” triple-option. As a sophomore, Horvath had to learn a much different style of triple-option offense developed by Grant Chesnut, who lasted just one season as Navy offensive coordinator.
Horvath said last week he’s enjoying the challenge of learning the Wing-T and credited Cronic with telling the quarterbacks what he expects out of them.
“I really like Coach Cronic. He has a very clear vision of what he wants and it’s easy to execute when he’s telling you exactly what he wants,” Horvath said. “I’ve come into spring camp ready to learn and working hard to pick up as much as I can. It was a challenge in the beginning, especially with the timing piece of things. There are a lot of moving parts and you have to hit everything exactly.”
Cronic has incorporated triple-option elements into his offense and Horvath said there are “slim pickings” from what the Midshipmen did offensively last season and in 2022. Of course, there’s all sorts of new schemes that represent the core elements of Cronic’s Wing-T and Horvath likes all the misdirection plays that confuse defenses.
“I really do feel like I fit this offense; I came in expecting to run the triple-option all four years and there’s been some circumstances that have changed that,” he said. “I think this offense fits our personnel really well and fits me really well.”
Horvath appeared in four games with one start last season and showed flashes. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound rising junior rushed for 88 yards on 18 carries in his first career start against North Texas and threw two touchdown passes, including a 68-yarder to slotback Eli Heidenreich, versus East Carolina.
Horvath’s season came to a premature end when he suffered a thumb injury toward the end of the North Texas game on Oct. 7. Once cleared to start throwing the ball, Horvath worked hard on improving as a passer with both Cronic and quarterbacks coach Ivin Jasper saying he has done so.
“Blake’s biggest thing is that when the lights come on he has to show up,” Jasper said. “There were times last season when he would have a great week of preparation then get into games and be like a deer in the headlights sometimes.”
Woodson also appeared in four games with one start and flashed great potential. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound plebe amassed 104 rushing yards against SMU and showed tremendous arm strength in tossing a dart across the middle to Heidenreich for a 69-yard touchdown completion at Charlotte.
Judging from a somewhat limited sample size last season, Horvath is the better runner while Woodson is the better passer. Both are focused on changing that narrative this spring.
“Braxton’s got that big arm mentality and tries to force a lot of throws,” Jasper said. “He throws the football really well, but needs to understand that he’s got to use his legs as well. Don’t force the football; pull it down and run with it.”
Woodson also believes he can execute the Wing-T offense with some triple-option elements that Cronic plans to employ in 2024.
“I feel like I can do all the things he’s asking the quarterback to do. I don’t think it’s far out of my reach. It’s just a matter of understanding it and knowing when to do what,” Woodson said. “I think it’s going pretty good so far. It’s definitely a work in progress and we’re getting better every day.”
Jasper has emphasized to both young signal callers the importance of being a leader at all times, whether on the field or in the locker room. Woodson talked about becoming “fully engaged” in becoming the Navy quarterback.
“There’s always work to be done as far as the leadership aspect,” Woodson said. “It’s a trust thing. You’ve got to get the guys to trust you before they’ll follow you. Once I build that trust and get them on my side, we’ll be ready to go.”
Navy is doing some different things in the passing game, which previously was primarily play-action in the triple-option. Cronic likes to get the quarterback on the move so he becomes a running and passing threat. That means Horvath and Woodson are learning a lot of new techniques with Jasper saying both need to make better decisions passing.
“The biggest thing is being mechanically sound as far as throwing the ball and making sure the footwork is concise. Everything is calibrated as to when the ball should be out of their hands,” Jasper said. “It all comes down to understanding the offense and making good decisions. They both have the ability to execute. Good football players can fit into any offense. It’s just a matter of coaching them up on what they need to do and getting their technique precise. There have been some growing pains here and there.”
Navy has two other freshmen — Luke Hutchison and William Ingle — getting limited practice repetitions at quarterback. Ingle is a combination quarterback-fullback with the coaching staff trying to determine where best to utilize him.
“The biggest thing with Luke is turning the football over. He’s having a rough time right now,” Jasper said. “William Ingle is promising [because] he’s so athletic and wants to learn.”
