With the football season just over two months away, we at the William & Mary Sports Blog return to our quarterback profile series. This week, we are profiling Christian Brumbaugh, a 6’4” Junior from McDonald, PA.

To begin, Brumbaugh had a very decorated high school career. During his time at South Fayette, he finished his career as the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League’s all time passing leader with 7,164 yards and 72 total touchdown passes.

He led his team to back-to-back undefeated regular seasons and won the WPIAL AA Championship in his senior year. He was a two time all state selection, league MVP twice, and was selected as a captain in both his Junior and Senior years. On top of excelling for the football squad, Brumbaugh was also a starting forward on South Fayette’s basketball team that won the PIAA State Championship his Junior year.

Coming out of high school, Brumbaugh received scholarship offers from schools such as Robert Morris, Duquesne, and St. Francis. He also received interest from Ohio, Bucknell, William and Mary, Richmond, and some Ivy schools.

He would of course commit to William and Mary after receiving a scholarship, and hit the ground running. In his Freshman year, Brumbaugh was named the W&M QB Club Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year. Although not seeing game action during his Redshirt Freshman and Sophomore years, he has truly lived up to the bill of a “Scholar Athlete” off the field, being named to the Dean’s list (3.6 GPA or higher) during his freshman year and earning the CAA Commissioners’ award both his Freshman and Sophomore years (3.2 GPA or higher).

Now in his Junior season, Brumbaugh is fighting for the starting quarterback job and the right to start in the season opener at Lane Stadium against Virginia Tech. Going into the Tribe Spring Game, Brumbaugh took most of the reps with the 1’s. It is important to note that Raphael Ortiz and Jhalil Mosley did not participate. But although Brumbaugh botched a handoff with Mikal Abdul-Saboor that resulted in an early fumble, he bounced back and excelled in the two-minute drill at the end of practice, going 6 for 8 with 38 yards.

In an interview this spring, Brumbaugh commented on what part of the game he most improved from last season. He answered that it was his understanding of the offense. He has been able to utilize what are perhaps his two biggest strengths: command of the huddle and football smarts (smarts in general, judging by his GPA accolades!). Both of which were on full display during the 2-minute drill to finish the Spring Game.

Although he may not have the biggest arm or fastest 40 yard dash time, Brumbaugh is still an imposing figure at 6’4” 215 pounds and obviously has intangibles that are off the charts. His greatest asset is without a doubt his football smarts and command of the huddle. These intangibles may be just what the Tribe needs this season to get over the hump and make the FCS playoffs, but only time will tell as the QB battle is just barely under way this early in the Summer.

Brumbaugh will be battling for the starting QB job with Redshirt Freshman Jhalil Mosley, Sophomore Steve Cluley, and Senior Raphael Ortiz leading up to the much anticipated match up at Virginia Tech to get the season started. Read the rest of our QB profiles here! The QB competition, although gut wrenching, will be very excited to track this offseason.

Odds of Brumbaugh Starting @ Virginia Tech on August 30: Medium

-Kyle & Davey (mostly Kyle!)