GREENVILLE, S.C. -- After a spring season that saw Furman forced to compete with one signal caller, the Paladins have begun to address the position's needs heading into the fall campaign.

"We have a little more depth now at quarterback and some competition that we didn't have last season," said head coach Clay Hendrix earlier this week.

The competition involves returning starter Hamp Sisson (6-0, 190, Jr.) and newcomer Jace Wilson (5-11, 176, Fr.), along with Luke Shiflett (6-2, 201, R-So.), who recently made the switch from wide receiver following the early preseason departure of newcomer Colt Minson.

Sisson, the Paladins' signal caller who took virtually all of the snaps in the spring, passed for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns in the seven-game season, helping Furman to a 3-1 start before three late season losses put an overall damper on the campaign.

"Hamp is a little bigger and stronger now.  We've watched him do some things we do with more confidence, and it's helped him that our offensive identity has evolved a bit.  He's a great leader and a captain again.  He's our leading candidate to start the season for us."

Wilson, a product of Texas' Mayde Creek High School, where he passed for 1,680 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior, gives Furman a viable option at the position that it didn't possess in the spring.

"Right now Jace has solidified himself as our second guy," said Hendrix.  "Missing a little bit of the preseason (illness) hurt him, but he's a really good athlete with a quick release and a strong arm.  He's also elusive, throws wells well off the run, and understands what we're trying to do.  He's got a good disposition for the position and is only going to get better."

Stepping into the third spot is Shiflett, who joined the program in 2019 as a quarterback following a year at Middle Tennessee State.  Moved early to wide receiver, he saw limited duty during inaugural Furman season and sat out the entire spring campaign.

"Luke's a guy who originally came here as a quarterback, though he hasn't played a whole lot there.  He's a bigger guy and a solid athlete who had a great high school career as a quarterback, when we originally recruited him."

Behind Shiflett is Charles Watson (5-8, 172, So.).

"Charles has been in our program for a little over a year.  He's smart and a good athlete, and continues to get better."

"Those guys — Hamp, Jace, Luke, and Charles — are our top four, but we'll focus on our top two as we head into the season."

Other quarterbacks in the system and expected to provide depth include Preston Thelemann (6-0, 183, So.), Gabe Johnson (6-5, 205, Fr.), Trey Wainwright (5-11, 175, Fr.), and Luke Hedrick (5-11, 190, Fr.).