As the focus inside football facilities across the country turns to fall camp, let us rewind to the summer months, a time coaches often cite as a championship-building window.
For the University of Toledo, a trip to Ford Field and the Mid-American Conference championship game hinges on the arm of whoever head coach Jason Candle and quarterbacks coach Robert Weiner tab as the starting quarterback.
Dequan Finn, a third-year sophomore, is one of four quarterbacks hoping to take August by storm and lead the Rocket offense onto the field for their first snap against Norfolk State Sept. 4.
“I’ve always appreciated Dequan’s work ethic,” Candle said. “He has a really good understanding that that position takes more effort. It takes more commitment. It takes more work, so to speak, when the lights aren’t on you and you aren’t at practice. He’s always understood that and always been good at that.”
His summer schedule is proof.
Finn worked out with teammates at UT, improving his timing with wide receivers, and then drove north to a personal trainer in Detroit. He wants the chemistry to become second nature so crucial third-down plays can be made with ease.
“It’s been a focused summer,” Finn said. “I’ve worked on what I need to do to become the starter — mechanics, recognizing defenses, making sure I’m better every day, and being mentally and physically prepared.”
The former player of the year in the state of Michigan has only attempted 13 career passes, completing six for 86 yards. Finn has played in seven games, including all four during the abbreviated pandemic season.
His legs have done more damage than his arm, rushing for 141 yards on 25 carries — 5.6 yards per carry. But Finn is trying to change the perception that he’s an athlete playing quarterback. He wants to become a true dual-threat who can put the football in tight windows to a bevy of playmakers that occupy Toledo’s skill positions.
It starts with Finn’s left foot.
“There are a lot of scientific methods with throwing that a lot of people don’t realize,” he said. “The smallest details like your feet, your eyes, your hand level, your shoulders have to be a certain way. I’m tweaking the smallest things in my throwing mechanics to make sure I’m consistent and throwing accurate balls.
“I feel like I’m way better than last year. A lot of accuracy comes with decision-making. Knowing the plays and recognizing defenses can really help you with being accurate with the ball.”
Candle is not shy about detailing what it’s going to take to become the starting quarterback.
“To play well at that position, you have to be accurate with the football,” he said. “That comes down to making great decisions. All the other stuff is a bonus, but if you can’t handle those two things, it’s going to be really hard to be the guy. And I know he wants to be the guy. But so do the other guys. Whoever consistently shows they are the most accurate and makes the best decisions, that will ultimately be the guy who leads the team.”
A trip to San Diego to see QB guru Tom House, best known for his work with Tom Brady, was considered a success. Finn not only worked with House, who also tutors UT quarterback Carter Bradley, but he was able to pick the brains of fellow college and NFL players at House’s compound.
“It was amazing,” Finn said. “I learned a lot of small details about throwing the ball, handling adversity and being mentally prepared, and making sure my nutrition and diet is right. He taught me a lot of stuff that I hadn’t been taught before. I really appreciated him.”
The previously-reticent Finn is opening up and becoming a more vocal leader. If he’s the alpha in the huddle, he wants the midnight blue-and-gold-clad players staring into his eyes believing every word that comes out of his mouth.
Finn is ready to seize the moment.
“I’m really excited, because I have something to prove this year,” he said. “I didn’t win the starting job the last couple years, so I feel like I really have a chip on my shoulder. I’m really excited for what this team has. We’ve been bonding a lot. We’ve been grinding in the weight room a lot. These guys are hungry to win a MAC championship. I'm excited to see what we have in store for the future.
“The [opposing] defense is really going to have to be true. They have to respect the run and respect the pass. We have so many weapons. It’s going to be scary. I can’t wait.”
First Published July 17, 2021, 12:00 p.m.
