Quarterback adjusting to Northern Colorado

When Bryan Waggener finished playing two years of football at Citrus Junior College in California and accepted a scholarship to the University of Florida he assumed he was going into a good situation. 

He was correct.

After all Florida had just won a National Championship under new coach Urban Meyer and Waggener would be transferring in as a academic junior and compete against a sophomore who was a part time running back and part time quarterback.

“When I committed to Florida after my freshman year at
Citrus, Tim Tebow was still in high school,” said Waggener. “Even though they signed Tim I wanted to keep my commitment to coach Meyers.”

Little did Waggener know that this high school quarterback
from St. Agustine, who was home schooled but played for Niece
HS, would win the starting job and win the Heisman Trophy a year later.

“Unfortunately I broke my foot on the first day of spring
practice and eliminated myself from even competing as a backup,” added the California native.

Seeing the handwriting on the wall with Tebow, and the Gators signing two highly touted high school quarterbacks in Cameron Newton and John Brantley, Waggener decided to transfer.

After researching and talking to other schools, the criminology major chose the Bears.
Waggener’s biggest adjustment has been seeing snow on the practice fields at UNC. 

“I grew up and played in Southern California and Florida so this will be an adjustment” said the 6’3, 228 pound Waggener.

As a freshman at Citrus he threw for 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns and had a 60.8 completion percentage.

He drew interest from Oregon St, Auburn, and Washington St, but verbally committed to the Gators who had just won the
National Championship.

Waggener will compete with last year’s starting senior quarterback Mike Vlahogeorge.
  
Colorado Football Insider recently sat down with Waggener and had a Question and Answer session following practice
in Greeley.

CFI:  What made you decide on UNC instead of other schools?

Waggener:  I considered Delaware, Youngstown St, Sacramento State but decided UNC would be the best place for
me after meeting coach Downing.

CFI:  What was it specifically about coach Downing?

Waggener: He is very easy to talk to and has an excellent background and is very committed to making this program very successful.

CFI: What is the biggest difference between the coaching style of Urban Meyer and Coach Downing?

Waggener: Coach Downing is very easy to talk with and Coach Meyer is very intense all the time and sometimes hard to read.  They are both great coaches.

CFI: Is the UNC playbook very different from Florida’s?

Waggener: Actually it is kind of mixture of what I had in junior college and Florida. It is not a problem learning the different terminology. 

CFI:  Now that the Florida experience is behind you do you feel you made the right choice?

Waggener:  Absolutely, it was a great experience being in the SEC with the intensity of their fans. Also knowing that one play in the SEC can be a difference maker so quickly was exciting.

CFI: Opinion of UNC and Greeley so far?

Waggener: I started here in January and it has been great so far.  I can’t wait for the start of the season.

CFI:  How are the practice facilities here?

Waggener: The two artificial turf practice fields are great and that is something we did not have at Florida.

Who would’ve thought? Let’s hope Waggener can make a splash for the Bears this season.