But hope springs eternal, at least in that department, with new head coach Eric Kjar and his track record coaching quarterbacks at Jordan High School and Corner Canyon, with record-setters, FBS recruits and NFL draft picks.

Now it’s time to see how that translates to a college football field. Kjar has brought in one of those record-setters in Devin Brown for what starts as a three-man race for Weber State’s starting job when spring camp begins Monday.

Brown, a senior from Ohio State and Cal, leads the group into camp with two returners in sophomore Cash McCollum and redshirt freshman Kingston Tisdell.

Brown hitches back up with Kjar following his travails as a career Power Four backup, interested in rekindling his 2021 high school senior season in which he threw for 4,875 yards, a Utah single-season record, and 57 touchdowns after moving from Arizona.

Robert Casey, WSU Athletics

Tisdell, barely 18, played in four games in the 2025 season, totaling 442 yards through the air. He led WSU to a win over ranked Northern Arizona to cap the 4-8 season, going 26 of 38 for 277 yards and two touchdowns.

McCollum, a redshirt transfer from North Texas, appeared in the opener at James Madison but later injured one of his hands and was unavailable for most of the season.

“I think there’s a lot of assumptions that it’s just Devin’s (job), but it’s not. I love the other two guys that are here right now already and felt strongly about them both from watching last year,” Kjar said. “Cash, I thought, had a great spring when I came up here and watched three or four practices and scrimmages. I thought he was lights out. So I think he’s going to be very good and he’ll push, and have a chance. He’s getting a legitimate shot. It’ll be a three-way competition.

“Kingston, the way he played in the games he had … as a true freshman, and the way he handled himself — and just the way he handles himself in workouts, and around his teammates — has been awesome. … I think he’s got something to him that’s special, for sure.”

There’s a clear top three, to be certain, but junior college transfer DJ Duran, a Washington native who spent a year each at Garden City (Kansas) and Laney College (California), will also be in the mix as a walk-on.

Julio Cortez, Associated Press

“Has a good throwing motion, good frame, and a good athlete, too. He’ll be a really solid piece for us,” Kjar said about Duran. “I’m excited to see what he does just because for me, I’m open to anything. If he comes into spring and starts doing a good job, he can end up in the competition. I’m not so closed off here, and I don’t think we can be, to really put the best team out on the field. We have to be open to some of that.

“Being able to create enough reps is where that becomes tricky for all four of those guys.”

WSU signed two Utah throwers for the 2026 freshman class; Nate Dahle of Ridgeline will join the team for fall camp, while Corner Canyon’s Bronson Evans will first embark on missionary service.

Dahle threw for 12,464 yards over four seasons, second-most in Utah preps history.

“I think he’s really, really special and probably should have got recruited to more schools than what he did,” Kjar said.

Robert Casey, WSU Athletics

But for now, an expected three-man race begins.

“I feel pretty lucky to have three really, really good quarterbacks that I feel like we could win with heading into the spring,” Kjar said. “It’s one of our best position groups for sure. That and our running back group.”

BROWN’S DECISION

Brown spent three years at Ohio State and one at Cal, totaling 379 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in spot duty, including a start for Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.

What did it take to get him to Weber State?

He had to turn down some cash, for starters.

“His story to come here is probably the opposite of what you’re seeing in the modern era of college football,” Kjar said.

Simply put, Brown has banked almost all the money he’s earned at those big schools. He could drive a better car than some coaches but instead moves around in “an average car,” in Kjar’s estimation. Offers of $500,000 or so for this season were compelling, but Brown knew he was drawing interest as insurance for big programs, not to be the guy.

“He turned that down and wanted to play, wanted to be back in a scheme where he felt like it’s a lot of fun to be a quarterback in, and just build something,” Kjar said. “He and I sat in here and went back through our offense for a little while when he was on his official (visit), and I think that helped.”

The new head coach said good quarterbacks, especially, face decisions every year to consider money versus playing time.

“They’re making decisions where they’re putting themselves in positions — they may be set up in a better situation for life, which is great. It’s a good avenue, and that’s not a wrong choice,” Kjar said. “But also, they’re basically going into a place to be a backup and a depth piece and a scout piece, but they need that body. And that’s just what it is. I mean, you’re basically going to a situation where you’re not going to compete for playing time, you’re not going to play unless something bad happens. And that’s a hard thing to swallow for a kid who’s competitive and cares about football.

“It’s tough, but it’s what it is … like, crazy. It’s a weird environment that I just jumped into, but I like it. I’m here for it.”