Nevada starting QB 2024: Will Chubba Purdy start for Jeff Choate in Week 0?

The Nevada Wolf Pack are set to play the SMU Mustangs in Week 0, and coach Jeff Choate has named his starting quarterback. There was competition between Brendon Lewis and transfer Preston "Chubba" Purdy, the brother of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

Chubba transferred from Nebraska and was the favorite to win the job, but the quarterback dealt with a shoulder injury that limited his practices, so Choate has named Lewis the starter for Nevada's Week 0 game against SMU.

In spring practice, Choate said the quarterback competition was the most intriguing part of camp for him.

"That dynamic has been the most intriguing storyline in Spring Ball for us because of the cast of characters," Choate said, via NevadaSportsnet. "Whether it's guys that we went out and got or guys that were here, we know Isaiah World's going to play offensive line for us. Spencer Lovell is going to play some offensive line for us.

"But who the quarterback is will determine a lot of our identity."

During spring practice, Choate was impressed with Lewis while saying the injury to Purdy has been tough for him.

"I think Brendon has had a really strong spring," Choate said. "B-Lew has done a really nice job. The guy that's probably been a little bit hard on has been Chubba because he's coming off an offseason injury, and I know that he's been frustrated because he hasn't been able to go through team reps."

Nevada is a 27.5-point underdog in their Week 0 matchup against SMU.

Nevada starting QB 2024

Brendon Lewis will be the starting quarterback for Nevada for Week 0, but how long he lasts as QB1 is uncertain.

Lewis transferred to Nevada for the 2023 season after three years at Colorado. Last season, he went 131 for 236 for 1,313 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions.

Behind Lewis will be Chubba Purdy, who is entering his fifth season of college football. He was at FSU for two years before spending the last two years at Nebraska. Last season, Purdy went 31 for 57 for 382 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Nevada also has AJ Bianco and Anthony Grigsby Jr. on the quarterback depth chart.

Bianco is set for his sophomore season and second year at Nevada. Last season, he went 45 for 82 for 614 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions. Grisgby Jr., meanwhile, transferred to Nevada after two years in JUCO at the College of San Mateo.

The Wolf Pack vs. Mustangs matchup is set to kick off on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET at Mackay Stadium.