Michigan State football: Katin Houser loses QB1 battle at East Carolina

Former Michigan State football starter Katin Houser has reportedly lost the quarterback battle at East Carolina.

It’s been an eventful offseason for former Michigan State football quarterback Katin Houser.

After looking like the starting quarterback midway through the 2023 season, Houser struggled a bit and a lot had to do with coaching staff uncertainties as well as having a horrid offensive line in front of him. Still, he stuck it out and didn’t transfer the second the season ended.

Jonathan Smith was named the head coach after the Penn State debacle at Ford Field and after meeting with him, it seemed like Houser was going to remain in town to see the next coaching staff through. Unfortunately, that notion was short-lived as he hopped in the portal shortly after.

Once considered to be the future of Michigan State, Houser transferred down to East Carolina.

Many expected the former four-star prospect to be the clear starter for the Pirates, but they had another former blue-chipper at quarterback giving Houser a run for his money. That former elite prospect at the high school level was Jake Garcia. He happens to be a former top-50 prospect who committed to Miami and then transferred to Missouri in 2023 where he served as the backup. Looking for more playing time, he hit the portal again and chose ECU.

And that’s where him and Houser have been battling it out for the starting job all spring and summer.

Unfortunately for the former Spartan, Garcia was named the starting quarterback over the weekend.

Jake Garcia has been named East Carolina’s starting quarterback, per Mike Houston.

— Stephen Igoe (@StephenIgoe) August 17, 2024

This is a tough blow for Houser who probably expected to transfer somewhere that he’d be the clear starter but Garcia was no slouch in the quarterback battle. This isn’t over, however, as the two will likely be pushing each other all season, but this can be demoralizing for a young quarterback.

Hopefully Houser sticks with it, because this battle was close enough to ensure that struggles by Garcia will signal at change.