A More Mature Fowler-Nicolosi Ready for Act II

Throughout the season, his first as a starter, tons of adjectives were thrown around about Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi.

Some were obvious (young, inexperienced). Others leaned toward the physical (strong arm, athletic, mobile). Alternatives aimed at the mental (aggressive, anxious).

Colorado State coach Jay Norvell rolled them altogether and put them in a tidy little package.

"He's got a little banty rooster in him. He kinda runs hot sometimes, and he just needs to slow down and really see things," Norvell said. "He's pretty aggressive, so you have to pull the reigns in on him and slow him down a little bit."

That was new to Fowler-Nicolosi. Truth is, the Rams want Fowler-Nicolosi to keep pecking away, strutting around, being aggressive. They just want him to read the barn yard. Time and place. Down and distance. See things clearly.

He had an entire offseason to contemplate it all, and the staff felt he used his time wisely. In the film room, then in spring camp. Back in the film room, working on timing with his receivers, a handful who are new to the system. Fall camp was time for more polish.

No matter who you ask the fall-camp version of Fowler-Nicolosi was different.

He was more mature.

"Really in both ways, outside of football and on the field," wideout Dylan Goffney said. "Really more in football, because he's just grown into that leader role as a quarterback, how they should be. He is taking control, taking charge, making sure were all right and putting in the work he needs to.

"It's confidence. He's more confident, more in charge, taking that leader role. He's taken his place; he's filling his shoes."

His 2023 season was a mixture of head scratching and excitement. He threw for 3,460 yards and 22 touchdowns, but he was also intercepted 16 times. He led some clutch drives, helped kill others. He was still learning the offense and yet found ways to make it work, even if he didn't fully understand.

Those 12 games were a lot for him to absorb, but they were all experiences he valued.

"College is a different beast, especially between those white lines on a Saturday. It felt like last year, those first couple of games felt a million miles an hour," Fowler-Nicolosi said. "Toward the end of the season, seeing the game slow down and being calmer with my mind helped it slow down. This offseason has been huge for me. The constant watching of film and getting reps with my receivers and understanding where they're going to be exactly where they're going to be on certain routes have kind of given me that confidence I needed and will translate on Saturdays."

Knowing his place has already helped. He's QB1, which isn't in dispute. When fall camp began last season, he was third on the depth chart and getting few reps. Then two games into the season, he was thrust into the starting role.

That's a gigantic leap in a short amount of time. Growing pains were expected, and doing so as a redshirt freshman didn't make it easy for him to just assume the role of offensive leader just because he was the starting quarterback.

That, as much as a deep ball, quarterbacks coach Matt Mumme knew, requires a feel. It's something the mentor feels Fowler-Nicolosi has gained.

"Definitely the maturity. He's stepped it up with his teammates," Mumme said. "He's powerful, more communicative. That's a huge piece. He feels his confidence and the game's slowed down for him. That's a big deal for him. You look at last year and we had some ups and downs, which it's going to be with a redshirt freshman. This year, it's like he feels the game is slower to him. He's seeing the field better, seeing good throws.

"Along with that is all the repetition that's he's gotten in a game. He can build off the snaps he's taken in the past and the reps he's gotten, and he'll be a different guy this year. I'm excited to watch him. I told him, "I said, 'Brayden, if you excel this year and improve from where you were last year, you're going to be a big-time guy.'"

To be that guy, Fowler-Nicolosi knows he has to protect the ball better. His touchdown-to-interception ratio has to improve. The Rams, who threw an average of nearly 42 attempts per game, would like at least a 3-to-1 ratio. Higher is preferable.

He also has to be true to who he is, which is a bit of a banty rooster. They don't want him to hide from that side of his personality. His arm talent allows him to make certain throws others cannot. His maturity will direct him to the when and where.

"It's trusting my guys and putting faith in my guys because I know they've prepared just as hard as I did. Being surrounded by the athletes I have this year is rare," Fowler-Nicolosi said. "The amount of weapons we have this year is unbelievable, so understanding all five guys on the field who can catch the ball will make something happen with the ball in their hands. Just get them the ball.

"I don't need to act like a superhero, I don't have to do anything insanely special, just make my plays when the opportunity comes and understand how to play quarterback in all aspects. I don't have to be the center of attention on plays, I just need to run the offense and be the field general and get the ball to those guys who can make special things happen."

Do so, and the adjectives are sure to change.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results