Spring Preview: Backup Quarterback Competition Heats Up for YSU

Walter Payton Award Winner

Following a remarkable season, quarterback Beau Brungard became the first player in Youngstown State Football history to win the Walter Payton Award. Combining for 4,748 yards and 54 touchdowns, Brungard showcased his legitimate dual-threat capabilities and became the centerpiece of the YSU offense.

In the buildup to the 2025 campaign, questions remained about Brungard’s ability to develop an effective passing game and limit interceptions. He answered those questions emphatically, going 277-of-403 (69%) for 3,230 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Brungard has already secured the starting quarterback job, but the backup job is up for grabs, with several players vying for it.

Frontrunners

Despite spring ball just getting started, there is buzz surrounding two players expected to compete for the backup role.

Returning player Malachi “Bubba” Lewis is the first name to look out for. Lewis boasts a three-star quarterback rating and had a successful high school career.

As a senior, Lewis was recognized as an All-Dade County nominee and was selected to play in the 2024 Miami All-Star Game. He also won most accurate passer at the Miami Elite 11 and was named MVP at the Rivals/Wilson QBX Camp in Miami.

A Montclair, N.J. product, Lewis is a decisive passer with a smooth dropback. His production at multiple stops backs up that assessment, as he threw for 2,220 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior at Montclair (N.J.) High School and then followed that up with a standout season at Homestead (Fla.) High School.

In the 2024 247Sports recruiting rankings, Lewis was rated as the No. 205 quarterback and No. 324 player in Florida. Composite rankings boosted him to the No. 198 quarterback.

Having familiarity with Mike Yurcich’s offensive system will give him a slight advantage over Zebulin Kinsey, but the competition is far from over.

Kinsey transfers in from Cincinnati, carrying with him a distinguished high school résumé. Before redshirting last season with the Bearcats, Kinsey was a top-30 quarterback recruit and ranked No.16 in the state of Ohio according to On3. ESPN also recognized his talent, rating him as the 21st best dual-threat quarterback prospect.

Kinsey’s numbers at Toronto High School are incredible: he totaled 4,201 passing yards and 38 touchdowns, and 2,412 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns. He holds several school records, including touchdowns and yards in a single game and single season and career.

During his senior campaign, Kinsey was named Ohio Division VI Co-Offensive Player of the Year, passing for 2,653 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for 833 yards and 12 touchdowns.

A legit dual-threat quarterback, Kinsey will be a prime contender to secure the backup quarterback job.

Dark Horses

Three other players will compete for the No. 2 quarterback role.

Colin Seibert (Soph.) was the backup for YSU last season, earning reps against Murray State and attempting one pass. At Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Seibert was a Second Team All-Northeast Lakes District nominee after throwing for 2,108 yards and 16 touchdown passes during his final high school season.

Shane Cole (Fr.) joins the program from Centerville High School, where he led Centerville to the Division I state semifinals as a junior, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities with 1,460 yards passing and 857 yards rushing. Cole will look to turn some heads this spring and put his talent on full display.

The final piece in the quarterback room is Cason Diiulio, another freshman coming to YSU. Diiulio understands what it's like to be in different offensive systems, as he had stints at four different high schools. His sophomore season at John Marshall was a crucial step in his development. He was the Cleveland Senate Athletic League MVP after throwing for 1,900 yards and 29 touchdowns.