Wake Forest quarterback Tanner Price was thrown into a starting role as a true freshman last season on the road against a Stanford team that was one of the best teams in the country. Injuries forced the coaching staff to use all four of its quarterbacks last season, but Price was the one who led the offense for the majority of the season. Whether or not he does that again depends on how the competition unfolds this offseason. Price said in a recent interview that he’s come a long way since last season, when he completed 56.8 percent of his passes for 1,349 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions. Here are the highlights of our conversation: How much more comfortable are you with the offense right now? I can’t imagine what it was like being you at Stanford last year. How much have you grown since then?
Tanner Price: Last year definitely had its ups and downs, but I feel much more comfortable this year. Things are starting to slow down a bit more and I feel like I have a better understanding of the offense and the plays and the overall game.
How much more settled do you think the offense is? Lobo (offensive coordinator Steed Lobotzke) told me they threw about three different offenses at you last year.
TP: I think they’re a lot more settled this year. From what it sounds like, we’re going to be sticking with one offense, and I think that’s going to be really big for us, to be able to stick to one thing and get really good at that particular offense.
What about the players around you? What’s the talent like coming back and how comfortable are you with the guys who help make you look good?
TP: I’m really excited about the guys we have coming back. We’re losing three starters on offense, so we have a lot of guys returning and I’m excited about this season.
Lobo also told me it’s an open competition. Do you get the sense you’re being pushed for the job, or do you feel like it’s yours to lose?
TP: Football is a game of competition, so you’re always going to have to be competing for your job. You want to go out and show the coaches it is still your job. You have to come out every day ready to compete knowing someone is trying to get your job. I’m just trying to hang onto it.
Where did you feel like you needed to make the most improvements this offseason?
TP: I think just understanding the game and plays and defensive coverages. I’ve really been working on my footwork and pocket presence. Those were the main areas I’ve been focusing.
Where do you think you’ve made the biggest strides?
TP: I’d probably say overall knowledge of the game and defenses and our playbook.
How much have you been studying this offseason?
TP: We’ve been studying a lot. We started putting in our offense about a month ago. We’ve been working at it.
What do you feel like the team as a whole is capable of this year? I’m not quite sure what to make of the Deacs right now.
TP: I’m really optimistic about this team. We have a chance to make a bowl game, and I think it’s really important that we do make a bowl game and get back on track and show the nation we are a really good team and we can compete in the ACC.
Do you feel any pressure to help do that?
TP: There’s definitely pressure to get to a bowl game, but I’m excited about it, and I think the whole team will embrace it.
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/40358/qa-with-wake-qb-tanner-price
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