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Several QBs get comfortable in a new pocket

Coker at Alabama highlights this year’s class of transfer quarterbacks

There will be familiar faces playing quarterback at some not-so-familiar places this season.

Here are several quarterbacks who transferred and will be making debuts with their new teams this year:

Michael Brewer, Virginia Tech: A preseason back injury hindered Brewer’s hopes of emerging as Texas Tech’s starting quarterback last year, and he assumed a backup role upon his return. With Davis Webb entrenched as Texas Tech’s starter, Brewer headed to Virginia Tech. He has two years of eligibility remaining and can play immediately since he already has graduated. Brewer beat out senior Mark Leal for the right to start Virginia Tech’s season opener Saturday against William & Mary.

Jacoby Brissett, North Carolina State: Brissett made three career starts at Florida, but he fell behind Jeff Driskel on the depth chart and decided to look elsewhere. After sitting out last season because of NCAA transfer rules, Brissett will make his debut performance for North Carolina State on Saturday when the Wolfpack will host Georgia Southern. Brissett threw for 365 yards and two touchdowns in the spring game. He wants to rejuvenate a North Carolina State team that went winless in Atlantic Coast Competition competition last season.

Jake Coker, Alabama: Coker backed up Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston at Florida State for most of last year before undergoing season-ending knee surgery in November. With Winston back at Florida State this year, Coker returned to his home state when he transferred to Alabama. Coker has two years of eligibility remaining and can play immediately because he already has graduated. Coker, who attended the same Mobile high school as former Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron, is competing with senior Blake Sims. Alabama head coach Nick Saban still hasn’t declared a starter for Saturday’s opener against West Virginia.

Gunner Kiel, Cincinnati: Kiel, a former five-star recruit, hopes he’s finally found a home in Cincinnati. Kiel committed to Indiana and LSU in the recruiting process before signing with Notre Dame, where his uncle Blair had played from 1980 to 1983. But he spent only one year at Notre Dame before transferring. After sitting out the 2013 season because of NCAA transfer rules, Kiel went 17-of-22 and threw for 300 yards in the Bearcats’ spring game. Kiel will have to wait a while to make his Cincinnati debut. The Bearcats don’t open the season until Sept. 12, when they will host Toledo.

Wes Lunt, Illinois: Lunt was the first Oklahoma State true freshman to start a season opener since 1950. He started five games during that 2012 season and completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 1,108 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions. Lunt now is back in his home state, where he led Rochester High School to back-to-back Class 4A titles. After sitting out the 2013 season because of NCAA transfer rules, Lunt will be Illinois’ starting quarterback Saturday when the Illini will host Youngstown State.

Tyler Murphy, Boston College: Murphy got off to a hot start after replacing an injured Driskel at Florida last season, but he tailed off and eventually endured a season-ending shoulder injury. With Driskel healthy again, Murphy is using his final season of eligibility at Boston College and will be the Eagles’ starting quarterback Saturday against Massachusetts. Murphy, who already has graduated, completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 1,216 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions last season. Boston College head coach Steve Addazio is a former Florida assistant who helped recruit Murphy to the Gators.

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Other quarterback transfers competing or holding for starting spots include Fresno State’s Brandon Connette (Duke), Toledo’s Phillip Ely (Alabama), Massachusetts’ Blake Frohnapfel (Marshall), Miami (Ohio)’s Andrew Hendrix (Notre Dame), TCU’s Matt Joeckel (Texas A&M), Louisiana Tech’s Cody Sokol (Iowa) and Louisiana-Monroe’s Pete Thomas (Colorado State, North Carolina State).

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