Kent State Football Quarterback Battle Heating Up as Fall Camp Continues

KENT, Ohio – The quarterback competition at Kent State is as wide open as offensive coordinator Clay Patterson has seen, with multiple players vying for the starting role as the Golden Flashes prepare for the 2025 season.

Neck-and-Neck Competition

According to Patterson, the battle between transfer CJ Montes and redshirt sophomore Dru DeShields has been particularly intense throughout fall camp.

"It's been a very, very competitive day by day; they both have grown tremendously, and they compete with each other, you know, not against and for each other," Patterson said. "It's interesting because one guy is a fifth-year guy, one guy that hasn't had much experience, so you know, to see them battle through their growth process and change their best every day. It's been awesome to see."

The competition remains close with both quarterbacks bringing distinct skill sets to the table.

What Each Quarterback Brings

CJ Montes, the Fordham transfer who threw for 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns with just one interception in 2023, brings veteran leadership and game management skills.

"CJ's maturity and his game experience show up. His knowledge of coverages. He's able to identify things and protections," Patterson explained. "We challenge him to be a fifth-year guy, right? So not to make the mistakes that a young guy would make. His biggest thing is in the pocket and getting the ball out of his hand."

Montes has adapted quickly to Kent State's system, benefiting from his experience in multiple offensive schemes at New Mexico and Fordham. Patterson praised his ability to value the football and make smart decisions.

Despite missing the last two seasons due to injury, Dru DeShields has impressed coaches with his athletic ability and leadership qualities.

"Dru has a little bit more speed when he gets on the edge; it's fun to watch him go," Patterson said. "The kid is very athletic, and he's very fast and explosive. He can generate big plays."

Perhaps more importantly, DeShields has used his time on the sideline productively, absorbing knowledge while signaling plays last season.

"When you sit in quarterback meetings for two years and can't participate, you learn a lot, right? You learn from other people's mistakes," Patterson noted. "He was signaling last year, so he knew the formations. He developed in his mind. Instead of getting down about his situation, he really grew."

Patterson emphasized DeShields' intangible qualities, particularly his leadership ability.

"The number one thing about Dru DeShields is who he is as a person. The kid is a fantastic leader because he never changes," Patterson said. "I've only seen him down one day, and that was the day he got hurt, and then he walked in the next day, and he was not. That's who he is as a person."

Devin Kargman's Role

Veteran quarterback Devin Kargman, who has started games for Kent State in previous seasons, remains in the mix as he recovers from injury. Patterson values his experience and leadership in the quarterback room.

"Devin's been in our system. We've got three talented guys who can play and have learned a lot along the way," Patterson said. "Devin leads in his own way all the time. He's there for our receivers and our other guys."

Kargman's game experience provides a valuable perspective for the younger quarterbacks, particularly regarding the intensity difference between practice and game situations.

Depth and Development

The Golden Flashes have significantly bolstered their quarterback depth with freshmen Nolan Good and Deonte Ruffin and returning redshirt freshmen Ruel Tomlinson and Jett Hilding.

Patterson has been particularly impressed with the development of his younger players. Despite being a freshman, Good has already shown the qualities Patterson values most.

"Getting Nolan, we're going to see what he can do, because the kid's a winner. He's proven that. He's tough. He gets after it. He's already shown leadership ability as a freshman," Patterson said. "So we're very excited about where he's at."

Ruffin's physical tools have caught the coaching staff's attention throughout camp. "Deonte Ruffin has extreme arm talent. He's a big guy who can throw the hell out of the football. So excited about him as well," Patterson noted.

Tomlinson brings valuable game experience to the room after seeing action in multiple contests last season, including a start. "You got Ruel, who started a game last year, now a redshirt freshman, who's been in the game. That gives you that guy that's been through it," Patterson explained.

The competition extends beyond just the top three candidates, with Patterson acknowledging the depth chart remains fluid. "Who's going to be 1-2-3-4-5-6, we're still trying to figure that out. And they battle every day," he said.

Hilding has earned praise for his work ethic and team-first mentality. "Jet's awesome. He comes to work. He does his job and helps us in any way he possibly can," Patterson said.

System Flexibility

Patterson believes Kent State's offensive system can accommodate any quarterback's skill set.

"I think we're multiple enough that whoever the quarterback is, we can fit them into our system," he said. "The cool part about this system is you can move the pieces as you need, and take care of whoever's the quarterback at the time."

Decision Criteria

When it comes to selecting a starter, Patterson has clear priorities.

"The number one for us in our program is the ball. Who values the ball, who helps us to possess the ball and not put our defense in bad situations," he explained. "Then it goes to who can operate right? Who operates our system, who doesn't beat ourselves."

The coach also emphasized the importance of getting playmakers the ball in space and the ability to extend plays when protection breaks down.

Looking Ahead

As fall camp continues, Patterson remains focused on developing depth and preparing multiple quarterbacks to contribute.

"We view it as you have to prepare them all to play," Patterson said. "Confidence comes through preparation, and preparing them to go, be confident, and to play fast. That's what we want from them."

With the season approaching, Kent State has multiple options at the most important position, setting up a fascinating competition as the Golden Flashes prepare for their opener versus Merrimack on August 30 at noon.

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