MSU-N's Lear tops best QBs in the league

When it comes to offense, the Frontier Conference as a whole knows how to put up big numbers. Sometimes it's the passing game, or in the case of 2011, the league was chalked full of premier running backs.

The quarterbacks had their moments too, but many teams broke in new signal callers in 2011. Usually, that means the following year there will be a plethora of great QB's returning, but as the 2012 season approaches, the quarterback position in the new-look Frontier could still be a little helter skelter.

There's some good players returning to lead their team's respective passing teams, but a few top-tier programs in the league will be breaking in new QB's this season, which could make for yet another interesting year on the offensive side of the ball.

The top returning quarterback in the Frontier, and perhaps a front-runner for offensive MVP this season, is Montana State University-Northern junior Derek Lear. The Fairfield native now has two years of starting at the Frontier level under his belt, and he's coming off a stellar 2011 campaign in which he led the conference in passing and was second in total offense. Lear's unique ability to make all the necessary throws, as well as use his athleticism to keep opposing defenses guessing makes him the prototype quarterback for what college football teams want in the modern era.

And what makes him even more dangerous entering 2012 is that he has the full command of Northern's playbook and, though only a junior, there's already nothing he hasn't seen or faced at the college level.

In 2011, Lear was named Frontier First-Team All-Conference while totaling 2,521 yards passing and throwing 19 touchdowns. Lear also was among the NAIA leaders in pass efficiency, committing just 11 interceptions on 317 pass attempts. Lear also started every single game in 2011 as Northern went 5-5, and he returns for his junior season with a bevy of talented receivers, a great running back behind him and a solid offensive line. And with his play making ability and Northern's talented offense, Lear isn't just one of the top returning QB's in the Frontier, he's one of the most dangerous signal callers in all of NAIA football.

"I think Derek had a great year last year and was rewarded for it, but I really believe he has the chance to be a lot better this fall with the improvement he has shown last spring and this summer," said Northern offensive coordinator Kyle Samson. "Just having the experience he has now is a huge thing for a quarterback. I fully expect him to be the best QB in this league and one of the best in the nation.

"He has really mastered our offense and really become a coach on the field. I think he has really improved as a leader and there is no doubt in anybody's mind when he steps into the huddle that he is going to be successful," he added. "We are very excited about the potential for our offense this fall and Derek is obviously a big factor in the type of season we are going to have. He is a great student of the game and his best attribute in my mind is his competitiveness and passion for winning."

Behind Lear, the top offensive threat at the quarterback position to return is Rocky Mountain College's Bryce Baker. For years, the Bears ran a fun-and-gun style passing attack, but breaking in Baker last year, they dialed things back a little. However, Baker, another outstanding athlete, seemed to flourish, throwing for 1,572 yards and rushing 300 yards. And at 6-3 and 200 pounds, Baker is strong, tough and quick, and with a year of experience under his belt, don't be surprised if the Bears turn Baker loose this season and he gives Frontier defense fits because of it.

When it comes to breaking in new quarterbacks this season, it's not something new to any team, but both Carroll College and Eastern Oregon University, the top two Frontier schools from a year ago, will have to do it.

In fact, Carroll is actually doing it for a second straight season, though starter Dane Broadhead had plenty of experience when he took the reigns from Gary Wagner last fall. Broadhead guided the Saints to another Frontier title, but he graduated and now it's junior Dakota Stonehouse's turn. Stonehouse has been the heir apparent for some time, having learned behind greats like Wagner and Broadhead. And at 6-0 and 215 pounds with blazing speed, he got on the field anyway the last two years, playing some receiver for the Saints. Stonehouse was recruited by the University of Montana coming out of high school in Colorado, and he's been touted as a can't-miss quarterback. Still, he attempted just 11 passes last year and has never started a Frontier game at quarterback. And once again, the Saints have national title aspirations, so Stonehouse will be asked to perform at a high level right away.

EOU's situation is even more up in the air. The Mounties have had three-time All-American Chris Ware for seemingly ever, but the best QB to ever play at Eastern has moved on and the QB situation is certainly up for grabs this season. In fact, Eastern graduated four of its top five receivers last season as well as an All-American running back, so whoever takes the helm in the backfield is going to have his work cut out for him this season.

Montana Tech and University of Montana-Western have solid returning quarterbacks this season. Though Western graduated starter Zach McRae, 205-pound senior Jeff Logan has started games in each of the past three seasons for the Bulldogs. At Tech, Brian Schwarzkoph (6-2, 205) got his first year as a starter last year. He racked up 1,465 yards passing and showed plenty of athletic ability outside the pocket. However, Schwarzkoph may have competition when fall practice begins as Tech signed Butte native and Montana transfer Matt Berg. Berg (5-9, 180) returns home after a redshirt year in Missoula. As a Butte Bulldog he was a prolific passer, and he could give Shwarzkoph competition for the starting job in August.

Finally, the two new teams in the league both return starting quarterbacks with plenty of talent and that should help both Dickinson State and Southern Oregon universities' transition into the Frontier.

DSU returns senior Dale Velasquez (6-1, 215). Velasquez is a Missoula native and an excellent option quarterback. He was also the Blue Hawk's leading rusher last season. SOU brings back 6-2, 205-pound junior Austin Dodge at quarterback. Dodge threw for over 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore and has a strong arm and good mobility. In fact, Dodge is an extreme talent and may be one of the top unknown commodities coming into the 2012 season.