We’re not putting the whole kit-and-caboodle in his wheelbarrow.”

Translated from Randy Walker’s Ohio jargon, that means the quarterback that takes over next year isn’t going to be asked to do much.

The Wildcats return Big Ten Freshman of the Year Tyrell Sutton, one of the top offensive lines in the Big Ten and an above-average receiving corps – and they’ll be at the very least a little improved on defense.

So, with all the drama surrounding who will replace Brett Basanez behind center, will it really matter?

Uh, yes.

Eventually the Cats will need a quarterback that can win games for them. And that was what this spring was about, finding out which of the three potential starting quarterbacks will be the future of NU football (Sorry Joe Mauro, you aren’t here yet so you aren’t in this competition).

Sophomore C.J. Bacher and redshirt freshmen Andrew Brewer and Mike Kafka have been battling all spring to take over the offense. While Walker and his staff won’t make the decision on the next quarterback until at least preseason workouts, I have to make my choice now.

There are two attributes I judged in the quarterbacks: talent and potential.

All three quarterbacks are talented enough to play quarterback at NU, but they’re at different levels.

Brewer is the best runner of the group by far, but his arm hasn’t shown the same ability. He eluded NU defenders with his legs the entire spring, but he also short-hopped too many receivers during scrimmages. From watching him throw in drills it’s evident he has the arm strength, but something changes when he’s live against a defense.

Kafka is an above average passer and runner, with signs of greatness thrown in every once in a while. At times it looks like he’s still shaking off the rust from sitting out an entire year, but you can still see how good he is going to be.

Bacher is the most talented quarterback at this point. He is the most polished, seems to know how to run the team the best and undoubtedly has at least a little better grasp of the playbook than the other two quarterbacks, as he has been here the longest.

Then I looked at potential, where there’s a different story.

Brewer has the most potential of the group. Few quarterbacks in the country match what he has been able to do on the ground this spring. His arm seems to be sufficient, so if he can put it together in game-type situations, look out.

Kafka isn’t far behind Brewer’s potential. He won’t catch up to Brewer’s running ability, but he will probably end up being the best passer of the group before the season starts.

Bacher played the backup role to Basanez and saw limited action last season. He obviously hasn’t reached his full potential yet, but I think he’s closest to being as good of a quarterback as he is going to be.

If the season started today, Bacher would be the starting quarterback. But the season doesn’t start until August. That time gives Kafka the time to catch up, and I think he will.

The Daily endorses Mike Kafka to be the next Northwestern quarterback. Sometime in the next four months or so we’ll see if Walker and Co. agree.

Spring football editor Abe Rakov is a Medill sophomore. He can be reached at [email protected].