UWF Football: Acclaimed quarterback part of intrigue for Argos season opener

As Byron Jarrett searched for his future, weighed all the varied quarterback opportunities from other college football teams, the Iowa native opted for a winter visit to check out the University of West Florida.

He was easily convinced.

“It just felt like home,” he said, after shining in 2021 as a first-team National Junior College All-American at Iowa Central Community College.

The faith shown has been quickly reaffirmed the past three weeks in Jarrett’s convincing performance to earn being the Argos new starting quarterback.

“From day one, he’s shown that,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick. “He said he wanted to get here in early June, start early lifting and throwing with guys on his own. (Coaches) were not around. And then from our first practice (August 8), until now, he’s just gotten better and better.

“In terms of understanding our offense, seeing what he needs to do, working on his feet, working on everything, he’s been outstanding. “I think you are going to see what he can do in game one and then I think you will see him continue to progress.”

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Jarrett, a 6-foot-3, dual-threat quarterback from Des Moines, Iowa, takes the first step Saturday at 6 p.m. when the Argos face Warner University to begin a new era of playing all home games on campus at Pen-Air Field.

“(UWF) took a chance on me out of the (NCAA Transfer Portal), and for me it was never about going Division I,” Jarrett said. “I had Division I offers, but when I came here, I just felt it. All the coaches accepted me, the players accepted me.

“And just being here, being now able to be the starting quarterback is just a huge blessing. I am loving it. Every day it’s something new and I love it.”

Jarrett passed for 2,704 yards and 30 touchdowns in 11 games last season. He rushed for another 575 yards and 13 TDs.

He will be the fourth new starting quarterback in UWF’s six seasons. The Argos quickly scrambled after two-year starter Austin Reed transferred to Western Kentucky, where he passed for 280 yards and four touchdowns in the Hilltoppers season-opening win last Saturday against Austin Peay.

When UWF began practice, Jarrett was part of a six-player competition at quarterback. By the second scrimmage, he was running the first team offense.

He also adjusted to a climate change from Iowa. The daily practices at UWF in heat and thick humidity common in summertime along the Gulf Coast did not faze him.

“I feel like my body is in the best shape it has ever been in,” Jarrett said. “I have dropped like 20 pounds since I’ve been here, so I feel great. But it is different for sure. If it is not raining, it is hot.”

How Jarrett’s plays in the season-opener presents one of the interesting elements with UWF’s opener.

Here are five other things to watch.

Opening Proficiency 

The opponent, the Warner Royals, a Florida NAIA level school, finished 3-7 last year against similar small school teams. They are located in Lake Wales, which is between Orlando and Lakeland.  This main intrigue is how UWF plays, how quickly the Argos can seize control and begin to utilize their depth for future games against stiffer competition.

Because of how difficult it’s been for the Argos to land non-conference games, this season’s schedule is only 10 games. Texas A&M Commerce, which was to play at UWF in mid-September, dropped out to join the NCAA’s FCS (formerly Division 1-AA) level.

Also, the Argos will play Mississippi College twice in a home and away matchup four weeks apart. It was part of the Gulf South Conference decision to move to an eight-game conference schedule for all teams, because of the difficultly for GSC teams finding non-conference opponents.

Dandy Durden

David Durden returns as UWF’s top receiver. Saturday’s game should showcase the Argos other talented receivers. Larry Rembert from Mobile has been notable in scrimmages. Shinnick named five others in the mix, led by Caden Leggett, a transfer from Texas Tech. The group also includes Mystikal McGhee, former star at Booker T. Washington.

Rushing Leader 

Shomari Mason returns after becoming UWF’s first 1,000 yard rusher in 2021 and led Division II with 8.5 yards per-carry.  Ra’veion Hargrove has impressed the coaches. He was injured in the fourth game last season.

Among the newcomers are Niceville High grad Deonte Sheffield, who transferred from Florida State where he played in a combined 13 games in 2019-2020 before sitting out last season.

Defensive Star

Sharod Oliver, a fourth-year junior, takes over as a defensive leader and top secondary player. The Argos now have a former star defensive back D’Anthony Bell, as their first NFL player. Bell signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent and overcame long odds to win a position and be an NFL player.

“How exciting is that?” Shinnick said. “I could not be happier for him. If there is a guy who has put in the work, it is him. From day one, that was a goal of his. Lot of guys say that, but they don’t put in the work to do it. He put in the work to do it. That is just a great compliment to what this university stands for and where this program is headed.”

Game Atmosphere

Saturday is a new beginning.

The Argos are now playing home games on the same field where they practice. The venue has been transformed with portable bleachers and chairback stands on either side. There will be five food trucks and two other concession areas, along with a rented video board.

The big change will be how close the fans will be to the action on the field, after playing in converted Blue Wahoos Stadium.

“I’m excited for it,” said defensive lineman Aidan Swett. “I think we’ll have a better showing from our student body. The game we had (last year) against  Southwest (Missouri) was a great environment. There will be people right behind our stands yelling at us, so it is a little more exciting. It’s kind of fun. It brings a different aspect.

Bill Vilona is a retired Pensacola News Journal sports columnist and now senior writer for Pensacola Blue Wahoos. He can be reached at bvilona@bluewahoos.com.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: UWF Football: Acclaimed QB Byron Jarrett leads intrigue for Argos opener