Redshirt freshman Clayton Thorson named Northwestern starting QB

Northwestern’s quarterback competition has come to an end.

Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald announced Thursday that Clayton Thorson will start the team’s opener against Stanford on Sept. 5.

Thorson, a redshirt freshman, beat out fifth-year senior Zack Oliver and redshirt sophomore Matt Alviti for the starting role.

Thorson was a highly decorated four-star recruit coming out of Wheaton, Ill., and was rated No. 136 nationally by Rivals.com in the 2014 class. Additionally, Rivals tabbed Thorson as the sixth-best dual-threat quarterback and seventh best player from Illinois in his class.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Thorson redshirted the 2014 season while Trevor Siemian played out his senior year. Oliver and Alviti both saw action behind Siemian last season, but Thorson was able to overcome their edge in experience and win the job.

Northwestern has typically used a two-quarterback system in recent years, but Thorson has the mobility to run the zone read, a play often utilized in offensive coordinator Mick McCall’s offense.

For more Northwestern news, visit WildcatReport.com.

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