QBs.JPG

Cole Kotopka, left, and Matt Crable are new quarterbacks at Grand Valley State

(File photos)

ALLENDALE, MI - The competition to replace Heath Parling as the next starting quarterback at Grand Valley State got a little more interesting Wednesday.

The Lakers' recruiting class included two quarterbacks in Matt Crable from Moeller High School in Cincinnati and Cole Kotopka from Plainfield East (Ill.). They join in the mix with unproven redshirt sophomore Bart Williams and redshirt freshman Ollie Ajami.

It will be a battle to fill the top two spots on the roster vacated by Parling and Isiah Grimes. Parling, who was with the program five seasons, started in 2011, 13 and 14. Grimes, who joined as a redshirt in 2009, saw extensive action the past four seasons.

MORE:

• A look at the Grand Valley State newcomers

• Coach Matt Mitchell discusses recruiting process, and why the emphasis on offense

Coach Matt Mitchell said shoring up the quarterback position was a priority. Last year, the Lakers did not bring in a quarterback. They lost out late on Brenan Kuntz of Simon Kenton (Ky.), who opted for Western Kentucky in the final days (and ended up at Thomas More College).

"That was big for us," Mitchell said of landing the two this year. "You don't want to have gaps (in class). Talking about Bart Williams and things are going well, but you want to have competition and we need depth in that position."

When the Lakers begin spring practice March 14, the 6-foot-5, 200-pound Williams, out of Grand Blanc, is expected to be the frontrunner ahead of Ajami (6-1, 190). How much Crable and Kotopka can learn from afar and catch up in the fall remains to be seen.

"It will be those guys' time to get the bulk of the reps in the spring and in the recruiting process I was honest with them (Crable and Kotopka) about that," Mitchell said. "Those guys will get reps in fall camp, and they will be behind both from physical development and from an experience-type thing. But we'll see how it goes. We'll certainly push them."

Both are ready to go.

"I want to compete," said Crable, who's 6-4, 205. "It's what I'm here for. Whether they signed 50 quarterbacks or whether it's just me and Cole."

"They want me and Matt to come in and compete and that's great. That's the way it's supposed to be," said Kotopka, who's 6-5, 230.

Here's more on each:

MATT CRABLE

Crable had one full season as a starter, completing 207 of 383 passes for 2,673 yards with 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions on a Moeller team that went 10-4 last season.

He committed to Grand Valley in December and never wavered.

"I established such a great relationship with coach Mitchell and (quarterbacks) coach (Matt) Vitzthum, and I really liked the school and realized this was a great gift for me," Crable said. "I knew even if schools were going to come, it wouldn't be until mid-January or later, and at that point, I wouldn't have time to establish a relationship like what I already felt I had at Grand Valley."

Mitchell's thoughts on Crable:

"You're talking about a nationally-ranked program with a lot of pressure and expectations at that position. It's big-boy football and he's used to playing against great competition."

It's notable that Crable also has a football pedigree. His father, Bob, went to Notre Dame, was a former first-round pick of the New York Jets and later coached at Moeller for eight seasons until 2008.

Proud to officially call myself a Laker #LakerNation pic.twitter.com/6ykaOAMPxq — Matt Crable (@mcrabes6) February 4, 2015

Here is highlight video of Crable, courtesy of Hudl.com:

COLE KOTOPKA

Kotopka threw for 3,300 yards and 33 touchdowns in two seasons at Plainfield East.

Kotopka visited University of Illinois a year ago, was offered by Indiana State but visited Grand Valley in September - during the Ohio Dominican game - and left knowing his choice. He later cancelled a visit to University of Indianapolis.

"They compete every year," said Kotopka, who had Williams as a host for his visit. "When I went there, the whole place (Lubbers Stadium) was filled and the atmosphere was just unbelievable. I loved every second of it."

Said Mitchell:

"I hate to compare players but for the sake of ease, he is like Isiah Grimes - a big kid with a huge arm who can make any throw, Probably not as mobile as Matt, but another kid we identified early and he comes from pretty big-level, too, in Illinois."

Likewise, Kotopka has a football background. His father was a defensive lineman at the University of Toledo.

Here is highlight video of Kotopka, courtesy of Hudl.com:

Pete Wallner covers sports for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at pwallner@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.