GREENVILLE, S.C. — Furman boasts a long line of outstanding quarterbacks who have contributed significantly in the program's Southern Conference leading 14 league championships and winning tradition.  After just one season at the controls, Tyler Huff (6-1, 216, Gr.) appears poised to join the fraternity.

Huff, who arrived at Furman in the summer of 2022 after graduating from Presbyterian, adjusted to his new environs in solid fashion — just how well is remarkable when considering the Orange Park, Fla., product had undergone surgery after suffering a torn ACL in the fall of 2021.  Throw in the fact that his first practice as a Paladin also paralleled the debut of first-year offensive coordinator Justin Roper, and what was quickly apparent is the combination had the makings of something special on the way to a 10-3 season and two rounds of FCS playoff action.

"Tyler had a terrific year (in 2022)," said head coach Clay Hendrix.  "I was watching some stuff from August a year ago when he hadn't been here very long.  A lot of people don't remember he was coming off a knee injury.  Now he's completely healthy, has put on some good weight, and is about 215 pounds.  He's continued to evolve and is now one of our captains."

The fact that Huff's leadership skills have been recognized and proved key to the program's success a year ago should come as no surprise.  After all, he's a commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves, a graduate of PC's  ROTC program.

When asked what makes the Paladin field general so good, Hendrix said, "It's a combination of things — he's smart, physically very strong, and tough; he's mature (he's married); and he's a leader.  He's a confident guy, and our players have confidence in him.  There are a bunch of good ones around, but I wouldn't trade him for anybody."

Playing in 12 of Furman's 13 games, missing only the Samford contest (34-27 loss) due to injury, Huff completed 199-of-292 passes (68.2 percent) for 2,199 yards and 15 touchdowns — production he combined with equally impressive rushing statistics (school QB rushing record 694 yards, 6.6 ypc, 8 TDs) to establish himself as a true dual threat quarterback that can give defenses ulcers, as Chattanooga (24-20 win), Mercer (23-13 win), and Wofford (63-28 win) can attest. 

 Against the then-FCS sixth-ranked Mocs, Huff ran for 132 yards and a touchdown while throwing for 203 yards and a score.  He rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown while passing for a season high 297 yards and touchdown versus then 11th-ranked Mercer, and against Wofford he scored a pair of TDs while connecting on 21-of-22 passes for 295 yards and a two touchdowns.  In the Paladins' 31-6 thrashing of Coastal Athletic Association member Elon in first round playoff action, he ran for 93 yards and passed for 140 yards while accounting for two touchdown responsibilities.

"I've heard Tyler say that last year, especially early on, he felt like he had to make a few too many plays himself before understanding he had some good players around him that he could count on.  He realizes that now, which I think makes him even more effective. He's a guy who can hurt your with his feet and his arm." 

While Huff is squarely in the spotlight and a major reason the Paladins are a consensus No. 6 in both Stats Perform and AFCA FCS Preseason Top 25 Polls, the prospects behind him are bright, according to Hendrix.

"Carson Jones (6-2, 198, R-Fr.)) has solidified himself as the backup.  He's maybe one of those guys who has come as far as anybody since the beginning of spring practice, including a really good offseason in our strength and conditioning program and solid preseason.  We've gotten him in there a bunch with those older guys.  Carson has a calm personality, a really good arm, and came from a great program at Maryville (Tenn.).

Competition is present for the No. 3 quarterback position between California product Nehuel Garcia (6-3, 197, Fr.) and Charles Watson (5-8, 172, R-Jr.).

"We've been very pleased with Nehuel.  He's a bright player with a lot ability who will be fun to watch develop, and Charles has been in our program for four years.  He will handle holding duties for us this year."

Other signal callers in the program include Luke Hedrick (5-11, 190, R-So.), David Renard (6-1, 185, R-Fr.), Dixon Massingill (6-3, 180, R-Fr.), and Walker Wood (6-0, 185, Fr.).