This is the final story of a seven-part series breaking down position groups on the University of Toledo’s roster entering the 2024 season.
Winning hasn’t been the only constant in recent years for the Toledo Rockets.
Starting quarterback Dequan Finn has been another guarantee. Not anymore.
The three-year starter transferred after last season’s loss to Miami in the Mid-American Conference championship game. Finn, the 2023 MAC MVP, is the all-time leading rusher among UT quarterbacks (1,837 yards) and his 24 career rushing TDs are tied with Jim Kelso (1980-83) for the most ever by a Toledo QB.
The Rockets were 23-9 in Finn’s 32 career starts.
Another trend for Toledo? Tucker Gleason rescuing the Rockets while Finn was injured. It happened in 2022 and 2023.
Now, as he replaces Finn as the starter, Gleason will attempt to add his own name to the record book.
“The art of Tucker is that he’s been extremely consistent, not only in his approach to football but in the way that he genuinely develops relationships,” quarterbacks coach Robert Weiner said. “And obviously you know from me when I say that he’s been consistent, I’m not just looking over a several-year period, I’m looking over a long time.
“Even back to his high school days, he had someone encouraging him to be this real demonstrative, sometimes obscenity-laced leader. And then I’d grab Tucker aside and I’d say, ‘Tucker, be yourself.’ This is a young man with some special traits that I think naturally and organically draw people in and draw people to want to cheer for him and work with him.”
2023 in review
Toledo only ranked 69th nationally in passing offense, with 220.6 yards per game, but the Rockets were 34th in QB rating (147.82).
Finn led the conference in passing efficiency (151.04), completion percentage (63.4 percent), passing yards (2,657 yards), touchdown passes (22), and total offense (247.7 yards per game). He was the leading rusher among QBs and part of a select group in the country that threw for 2,000 yards and ran for 500 yards.
Position coach
Weiner is entering his fifth season as quarterbacks coach after winning four state championships at powerhouse Tampa Plant High School in Florida. He was Gleason’s high school coach, a prior relationship that helped Toledo land the Georgia Tech transfer.
Weiner was instrumental in Finn’s development and contributed to the growth of Eli Peters and Carter Bradley. He’s also been an asset in recruiting.
Probable starter
Gleason. The first thing Toledo fans think of when they hear Gleason’s name is actually not one thing — it’s two: Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan.
In 2022, Gleason engineered a 12-play, 74-yard fourth-quarter touchdown drive that won the MAC West for the Rockets. He had a 36-yard strike to Devin Maddox on fourth-and-10 and then connected with Lenny Kuhl on a 2-yard pass for the game-winning points in a thrilling 27-24 come-from-behind victory over Eastern Michigan.
Last year, after Finn was carted off against the Broncos, Gleason completed 6 of 10 pass attempts for 109 yards and two touchdowns in another comeback.
“Tucker is a guy that everybody on our team — coaches, players, and staff — have all seen every single day,” Weiner said. “And that’s where even as outstanding as DQ was last year, there was never a worry or concern that if something were to happen and Tucker was to play there was going to be a drop off.”
Gleason has completed less than 50 percent of his career attempts, but there is belief from Toledo’s coaches that he can be a 65 percent completion QB. A high percentage is a good trait, but avoiding turnovers (and sacks) is even better.
Most intriguing newcomer
Kalieb Osborne. The three-star recruit is a strong redshirt candidate in 2024, but he brings an exciting style to the field. He completed 73 percent of his passes for 3,532 yards and 34 touchdowns, rushing for an additional 1,865 yards and 25 TDs. At one point in the season, he led the nation in total offense.
“Everybody in the building, from medical staff to strength staff to academic staff, there is no one who doesn’t sing the praises of this kid,” Weiner said. “We know what kind of talent he’s got.”
Unanswered questions
Can Gleason be an effective QB1 for an entire season? It’s a legitimate question with an answer that’s not a huge mystery — yes. There are enough examples of his ability to come through in the clutch, rally his teammates, and be a force in the locker room to not have any doubts about his season-long trajectory.
The biggest question is, what’s behind him? This is an era of football where backup quarterbacks have never been more important. They are relied upon frequently, so Toledo needs someone if Gleason is lost for any period. The odds-on-favorite is John Alan Richter.
The Georgia native has only thrown four passes in his brief college career. Still, he was a record-setting QB in Georgia, throwing for 5,330 yards and 53 touchdowns as a junior and senior.
“John Alan and RJ [Johnson] have certainly earned the trust of our team, but they’re going to have to get in there and get some game experience as well at some point,” Weiner said.
What to expect this fall
Toledo’s offense will be good. The Rockets will score points and Gleason will be effective through the air. The offensive line and rushing attack might not be as stout as this season, but there’s an embarrassment of riches at wide receiver and tight end.
“There is no lessening of expectations,” Weiner said. “It’s actually the opposite. There is a full belief and there is a full expectation that we’re going to take this to a whole other level as we go into this season. And that’s not solely on the quarterback — that is on the entire offense.”
First Published August 2, 2024, 6:39 p.m.
