There’s not a Cam in CFB this year. Tbh there’s not many good options or sure things. So either you out your eggs in an unproven transfer with big upside or take a safe option of a quality starter with a low ceiling.
We need another arm in the room regardless. Can’t have 3 scholarship QBs. I’ve always felt Mendoza was that safe option especially if the price tag is reasonable. Put the money elsewhere in the roster. Especially when you look at the playoff QBs last summer going into this year as you said:
-Howard: Great roster, but not really cream of the crop. Wasn’t our top option last cycle and was avg at KSU
-Gabriel: Great roster now and he was nearly pushed out by Oklahoma
- Rourke: We would loose our mind if we took an Ohio QB
- Riley Leonard: his 2023 was ugly (injury)
- Klubnik: up until this year, people probably considered him a bust
- Jennings: didn’t even start the year as the starter
- Ewers: lost a step this year, great roster.
- Beck: similar situation ^ great roster
-Arizona State: RS Freshman that didn’t even really play the year his true freshman year
Think it’s clear, you don’t need Cam Ward to have the success. The rest of the roster is the most important thing. Cam covered up a lot of holes here. Money might be better suited addressing those holes if you have a qb with a solid floor.