Bears’ Quarterback Duel: Myers, Richesson in Tight Race

CONWAY, Ark. — The pressure in Central Arkansas’ quarterback room is probably as sweltering as the August heat these days.

For the first time in his eight years, Bears coach Nathan Brown finds himself facing a genuine quarterback conundrum, with no clear starter in sight and time ticking down before the season opener against Missouri.

“It’s a little bit uncharted territory here,” Brown said, a mixture of amusement and honesty coloring his words. “We’ve tended to have a returning guy and/or a guy that you knew was the next guy for sure.You’ve got two really talented kids, and who’s to say that, just like other positions, you aren’t going to have to rely on both of them.”

That uncertainty is the undercurrent running through UCA’s fall camp. It’s rare but not unwelcome for a program with conference title ambitions.

At the center of the debate are Austin Myers, the 6-foot-4 junior from Vilonia and Luther Richesson, a sturdy 6-foot-3 transfer from Middle Tennessee State with a reputation as a poised pocket passer and budding dual-threat.

UCA Bears coach Nathan Brown and quarterback Luther Richesson during fall camp scrimmage in Conway, Ark. | Ted McClenning-allBEARS+ Images

Both quarterbacks split first-team snaps during Saturday’s final scrimmage, offering glimpses of their skill sets but refusing to cede ground to the other.

Myers, who played sparingly in 2023 but impressed with his accuracy and composure, was the first to take the field. He capped his day with a crisp touchdown pass to freshman All-American receiver Malachi Henry, a connection that could become a regular occurrence if Myers wins the job.

“(The receivers) know, if they’re one-on-one, the ball’s probably coming to them,” Myers told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette after the scrimmage. “Malachi had to know he’s getting the ball. He sees himself one-on-one. We had a back shoulder called. I said forget that, I’ll just throw it for a touchdown.

“That’s just the kind of page me and Malachi are on. And I think I have that with all the receivers.”

Myers’ chemistry with Henry and other pass-catchers like Tyrell Pollard could be a deciding factor if Brown values continuity and familiarity with the offensive system.

Richesson, meanwhile, brings a different flavor to the offense. At 6-3 and 225 pounds, he’s not easy for defenders to corral, and his willingness to tuck the ball and run adds a dimension that offensive coordinator and play-caller Brown may find irresistible.

“It’s so funny, because growing up, I never considered myself someone that ran the ball,” Richesson admitted. “I always thought I was a pocket passer that could run if I had to.

“As I’ve gotten older and bigger, I guess other kids just stopped growing up. As I’ve gotten older, it’s just become more of an option for me to run, and this offense definitely utilizes that.”

The challenge, he said, is adapting fully to a dual-threat identity, something he’s still learning to embrace.

Richesson’s one blemish in Saturday’s scrimmage—a late interception under duress—didn’t seem to trouble Brown.

“He understood the decision as it came under heavy pressure from a defender,” Brown said.

That approach to mistakes is part of why Richesson started 2025 as one of the more highly touted FCS transfers in the region, having once been an Elite 11 finalist and led Lipscomb Academy to a state title in Tennessee.

Saturday’s scrimmage marked a turning point for the Bears’ offense. Brown, ever the perfectionist, acknowledged the marked improvement compared to the previous week’s effort, when the defense had dominated.

“This Saturday was a lot cleaner, offensively,” he said. “We got on our offense pretty hard at the last scrimmage. We did not perform very well. The defense last week really asserted themselves, had us on our heels on offense, I don’t want to say (they) shell-shocked us, but somewhat put us in a bind, and got us behind the sticks.”

That shift could be a positive for both quarterbacks, who thrive when the offense is clicking and the playbook is open.

A decision, though, remains elusive. With less than two weeks until kickoff against Missouri, Brown isn’t tipping his hand.

“It’s a day-to-day deal. I like them both,” he said. “(I’m) very pleased with both of their progression. Both of them, at times this camp, have pressed just because of the situation they’re in.

“When they relax, they’re both really, really good, and I don’t think we’ve seen exactly what both of them could do, because they wear a red (non-contact) jersey.”

In other words the true test may not come until live bullets are flying in Columbia.

Brown’s willingness to play both quarterbacks isn’t just coach-speak. He’s hinted repeatedly that Myers and Richesson could each see significant action in the early going.

“So no, not a lot of separation, but that’s a good thing,” Brown said. “It’s a good problem to have. Our offense has bought into both of them. Right now they’re both performing. We still got time to figure it out. Both of them are going to play a huge role one way or another this year.”

Quarterback isn’t the only position drawing scrutiny this August.

The receivers are still shuffling behind star Malachi Henry, with Tyrell Pollard, Arlie Lee, Triston Edwards, Ty Durham, and Eli Wisdom battling for snaps.

The running back room, too, is far from settled. After sophomore Landen Chambers, Southern Miss transfer Jalen Washington and Oklahoma import Chapman McKown are vying for carries.

Washington, a 5-8 redshirt freshman, had a big sideline catch-and-run during the scrimmage, earning a rare outburst of cheers from his teammates.

“Jalen’s got some upside,” Brown said. “He’s a unique talent, very speedy, very low center of gravity. (He) was a highly recruited kid out of high school, obviously signed with Southern Miss.

“You want that type of back behind Landen Chambers, because Landen is so physical, strong, can really make guys miss an open field. But Landen’s also not a guy that’s probably going to get an 80-yard touchdown. He just doesn’t have that electric blow-away speed.”

Beyond the skill positions, the offensive line, anchored by Bradley Clark at tackle, brings experience, but the rest of the defensive front is still in flux.

The same goes for special teams, where redshirt freshman Devin Jackson has the edge over classmate Caleb Jones for placekicking duties, at least for now. Jackson ended the scrimmage by drilling a field goal with the entire team surrounding him, hooting and hollering.

“If we had to go today, Devin would be our guy. But, again, it’s an open competition,” Brown said, a refrain that could apply to much of the roster.

Myers, a local player and lifelong UCA fan, carries the hopes of continuity and program culture. Richesson brings big-game experience and a fresh perspective, having competed at a high level in high school and learned under different systems at both Cincinnati and Middle Tennessee.

For now, the only certainty is competition. Brown, who will call plays this season after restructuring his staff, is looking for poise, adaptability, and leadership.

“We practiced well, now we have to get in the film room, focus in walk-throughs, we want to see that improvement from day one to day two,” he said at the start of camp.

That incremental progress, more than any single throw or scramble, may ultimately decide who takes the first snap on August 28.

As the countdown to Missouri continues, the Bears’ quarterback battle remains the story to watch in Conway. Whether it’s the measured confidence of Myers or the dynamic upside of Richesson that wins out, Brown insists he’s in no hurry to make a final call.

“The players, if we spin it the right way, they’re bought into what we’re doing, no question about it,” he said. “Both of them are going to play a huge role one way or another this year.”

The Missouri opener will offer answers, but also, perhaps, more questions. In a season where expectations are high and the margin for error is slim.

If Brown’s optimism is any indication, that’s not a problem at all. It’s an opportunity.