Stanford football: Former Syracuse QB’s transfer to The Farm could be important step for Cardinal
Justin Lamson is battling Ari Patu, Ashton Daniels to start, but his arrival was a significant portal move
SAN FRANCISCO – Stanford football’s transfer portal has been mostly one-way traffic, with 17 key players leaving just this offseason.
In contrast to previous years, there is an influx of new players this year, including offensive linemen from Penn and Harvard, linebacker Gaethan Bernadel from Florida International, and quarterback Justin Lamson from Syracuse.
Lamson’s arrival, in particular, could be a watershed moment for the Cardinal.
Unlike at some other schools, football transfers at Stanford must meet the same academic standards as all other students.
Stanford may be at a competitive disadvantage if it is unable to retool at a critical position such as quarterback through the portal. Every other Pac-12 team could start the season with a transfer quarterback. This includes defending Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams (USC), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), Bo Nix (Oregon), DJ Uiagalelei (Oregon State), and Cameron Rising (Utah).
However, Lamson’s arrival at Stanford after two years at Syracuse is significant. The redshirt sophomore competed immediately with Ari Patu and Ashton Daniels to replace Tanner McKee, who was drafted in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Troy Taylor, the Cardinals’ first-year head coach, has yet to name a starter for the Sept. 1 opener against Hawaii, and has stated that he would not be opposed to playing multiple quarterbacks, as he did at his previous stop, Sacramento State.
Taylor is acquainted with Lamson. When he first scouted Lamson, a Top-50 prospect in California, he was at Sacramento State, and Lamson was 25 miles away at Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills.
“I know he’s really competitive, and I know he’s really mentally tough, and I knew that coming in just from watching him play in Sacramento as a high school player,” Taylor explained. “He picks up on things quickly, is intelligent, accurate, and works well under pressure.”
After being unable to play for Syracuse, Lamson stated that transferring to Stanford was a “no-brainer” once Taylor arrived.
“It’s two and a half hours from home, I have a prior relationship with the staff, and there’s a great culture here,” Lamson said.
Despite missing spring practice with Patu and Daniels, Lamson said he has benefited from Taylor’s up-tempo practices, which put the players through more reps than a standard practice.
“Obviously, those guys have a spring under their belt, which gives them a slight advantage,” Lamson said. “But I did a good job of studying the playbook, and the coaches did a good job of catching me up.” This camp, I’ve gotten a lot of reps.”
Lamson has also worked with a hurry-up system. He stated that when he arrived, Syracuse’s motto was “no huddle, no mercy,” and that the team was implementing more high-tempo schemes last spring.
Lamson is also coming off a knee injury that was reported last spring, but Taylor said he is moving well and isn’t in pain. The dual-threat quarterback will compete with Patu, a junior with 25 career pass attempts, and Daniels, a freshman with 25 carries and six passes.
“I’ve competed in quarterback competitions before at Syracuse, so I’m used to it,” Lamson said. “My main focus is on myself, getting better, and being ready when my name is called.”
