2019 Rocket Football Preview: The Quarterbacks

Key returners: Senior Mitchell Guadagni (1,053 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, 162.0 passing efficiency), junior Eli Peters (1,837 passing yards, 18 touchdowns)

Head coach Jason Candle named senior Mitchell Guadagni the Rockets' starting quarterback earlier this week. Guadagni won the QB competition that included a couple experienced signal callers and three talented freshmen.

Guadagni was Toledo's starter in seven games last year, missing six due to injury. He excelled when healthy, leading the MAC with a 162.0 passing efficiency. The Hudson, Ohio native threw for 1,053 yards and tallied 13 touchdowns, and also added 428 rushing yards as well.

Junior Eli Peters started six games when Guadagni was hurt, throwing for 1,837 yards and 18 touchdowns. He owned a 4-2 record as a starter and earned MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors after his performance in the win over Bowling Green.

Redshirt freshmen Carter Bradley and Cross Wilkinson saw limited action in 2018, but were heralded recruits coming out of high school. True freshman Dequan Finn, Michigan's "Mr. Football" recipient in 2018, will add another option for a talented quarterback room.

"I'm really happy with where our group is," offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brian Wright said. "They worked extremely hard this offseason."

A focus of the Rockets' quarterbacks this offseason was working on off-the-field skills that help improve on-the-field production.

"They worked on the mental approach," Wright said. "How to prepare, how to watch film, and how to identify their weaknesses. They've done a good job of applying what they've learned and translating it to their play on the field."

Wright continued: "We're not going to complete every pass. Not every play will be an explosive play. But if we can focus on those foundations and execute, then I think we'll be in great shape."

Of all the quarterbacks on the Rockets' roster, Guadagni did the best job of improving his mental approach to the game this offseason. In Wright's eyes, this helped him secure the starting quarterback job.

"Mitch took to heart the things he needed to get better at," Wright said. "And he took to heart the things that we are asking him to do. Mitch does a great job of moving on to the next play and being committed to what he has to do each play."

Wright had a lot of positive things to say about his quarterbacks. He praised their attitude, effort, commitment, their love of football and, most effusively, their competitiveness.

"Another positive trait of this group is that they're all competitive," Wright said. "They have to be. We have a lot of talent in that room. They all have great relationships and push each other to be great. It's a fun room to be a part of."

Toledo opens up its 2019 season at Kentucky on Aug. 31 before hosting Murray State in the home opener on Sept. 14. For season tickets or single-game tickets, go online or call 419-530-GOLD (4653).