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Preston knew nothing about Winona State University before he started his search, the result, he joked, of not following NCAA Division II basketball.
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Winona State quarterback prospect Greg Preston, left, drops back for a pass Thursday during a practice scrimmage at Maxwell Field. (photo by Katie Derus/Winona Daily News) |
The Warriors men’s basketball team, of course, has made a name for itself nationally the past three seasons with a pair of national championships and a runner-up finish.
Preston’s presence at quarterback with the WSU football team, he hopes, will help it achieve similar success.
“We’ve set the bar high here,” Preston said Friday following the Warriors’ practice. “Our first goal is to win the conference championship, but we want to get to that national championship level.”
Preston, listed at 6-foot-3, and 210 pounds, could be the type of player capable of helping WSU reach those high aspirations.
For now, though, Preston simply is focused on trying to win the starting quarterback job. He’s locked in a battle with Amir Ross, a redshirt sophomore who backed up Drew Aber last season.
“We both want to start, but all we can do is just come out here and compete every day,” Preston said. “If we work hard, we’ll make each other better each day.”
Preston certainly has more experience than does Ross, who appeared in eight games last year and threw 27 passes.
In three seasons at Tennessee-Martin, Preston played in 14 games. He was a starter for part of the season in 2006, leading the Skyhawks to a 9-3 record and an Ohio Valley Conference championship.
Preston threw for 837 yards and six touchdowns that season. A year ago, he appeared in just two games, going 5 of 9 for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Following the season, he started his search for a new school where he could play football and focus on his engineering major.
“There’s not a lot of schools that have a competitive football team and a good engineering school,” Preston said. “It’s a little farther from home than I initially looked, but I’m glad I expanded that out. I found a good place here.”
Preston came to WSU during the second semester last season and went through spring drills with the Warriors.
In the annual spring game, Preston completed 9 of 15 passes for 114 yards. He had a touchdown and was intercepted.
WSU coach Tom Sawyer said the spring proved a valuable learning period for Preston.
“He has what we’re looking for — a guy who can win and win big games. That’s been proven,” Sawyer said. “He has a big arm and can throw any ball we need. He has all the physical attributes you need, plus he’s a smart kid.”
Preston said Sawyer made no promises regarding playing time, opening it to competition as he does with all positions.
Both quarterbacks played well in the spring and both have looked solid this week during practice.
Ryan Abbott, a senior receiver, said the offense can succeed with either playing quarterback.
“(Preston) came in last year and everyone was talking about how good of a quarterback he is,” Abbott said. “He’s showed that and proved it. Everyone knows what he’s capable of.
“Amir is a good quarterback, too, and played last year for us. We have depth and a lot of talent at that position.”
The Warriors in the past have played multiple quarterbacks, finding success in doing so. Sawyer said he wouldn’t be afraid to play both Preston and Ross this season.
As for the competition, Sawyer is looking for one of them to step up during game situations set forth in practice.
For instance, the team will scrimmage a couple times, including the most important one Thursday night as they prepare for their season opener Aug. 30 at Michigan Tech.
Preston said he’d accept whatever decision is made. Whatever happens, he’s done what he can to ready himself to play for WSU.
“I feel comfortable out there and might find it hard stepping into the starting spot if I hadn’t been there before,” he said. “This is my fourth year of college football. I feel I have a pretty good understanding of the game and defenses and that sort of thing.
“I’m confident in what I’m doing and in my ability. We’ll see how it goes.”
