Kurt Hess realizes that this is it.  The senior QB has had a storybook career through his three seasons as a starter.  If Hess can put up the numbers he did two seasons ago as a sophomore, he may get serious consideration to be drafted into the NFL.

In his most productive season, 2011, Hess was a statistical machine.  It was in that season that he threw for 26 touchdowns and completed his passes at a clip of  64.8%, both school records.  In fact, Hess could break the all-time yardage mark this season, needing just under 1,000 yards, to pretty much own the YSU record book in passing categories.

Ron Jaworski played at YSU before playing quarterback in the NFL.  Jaws had a nice professional stint before moving on to television.  Jaworski was good, but Hess is better.  So does that mean that Hess gets a free pass into the NFL?  No.  But it is certainly the beginning of a good argument.

When asked about the possibility of playing on Sunday afternoons, Hess downplayed the question in an unselfish way.

“My sophomore year was very productive.  We put up some big stats that year.  The thing that the NFL people look for is a winner.  It will be that much harder coming from the FCS.  If we go 6-5 like we did my sophomore year, there is no chance.  Coach Montgomery has experience with guys who have made it and he knows what it takes. Him and I have talked and the success of the team this year would be the biggest thing I would have going forward.  I think there is an outside chance and I am proud to have an opportunity to be in that discussion.”

Offensive coordinator, Shane Montgomery, has had Hess as his starting quarterback ever since the day he put on his first Penguins Under Armour shirt.  This will be the final season of that marriage where Montgomery does not have to look for a new quarterback to lead his offense.

“He will get a look from the NFL.  He has the size, he runs well, and is in an offense that throws the ball.  Some people want a big arm quarterback, some want a West Coast offense-type”, remarked Montgomery.

“He has to be more consistent this year. At this level, one of the most important things is to take care of the football, and Kurt has done a pretty good job of that throughout his career.  He is a guy that the younger guys will look at because he not only leads vocally, but also by example.  We have 100 players, and you always worry about some of the guys off of the field.  Kurt Hess has never been a problem off of the field, he is on time to everything he is supposed to be at, he doesn’t get into trouble.  He is a hard worker, and when he is on the field, we know we can count on him.”

Hess may get more chances to throw the ball this season with the departure of Jamaine Cook.  Hess and Cook were a nice 50/50 run-pass mix last season.  Torrian Pace and Adaris Bellamy will pick up a lot of slack left behind by Cook this season, but with the game on the line, expect Hess to be the individual making the plays to win the games in crucial situations.

“He {Hess} has been here a long time.  He is a great quarterback, and if he stays healthy this season, he has a chance to rewrite the record books.  He is the leader of this team and he has a good supporting cast this season.  We might not have the experience, on paper, but our offensive line is very athletic and very strong.  I think he will have a huge year at the quarterback spot for us this season.”, said Eric Wolford.

Hess has an arsenal of weapons he can throw the ball to this season.  The two that stand out the most are Jelani Berassa and Christian Bryan.  Expect bigger offensive production from senior TE Carson Sharbaugh this season also.

The unselfish Hess is now a senior and cannot use the “we will want to involve our seniors” excuse anymore, since he is finally one himself.

You will not meet a more likable guy, it is hard not to root for Kurt Hess, who epitomizes the words student and athlete like few else.