Only three Big 12 starting quarterbacks have less experience than Iowa State’s senior (and they’re all freshmen).

Steele Jantz has only played 16 games of Division 1A college football.

Along with bouncing between the University of Hawaii and San Francisco CC prior to his enrollment at Iowa State, suffering injuries along the way (high school) and considering a position switch to safety (where Hawaii wanted to move him), Jantz has less than normal experience behind center for a 23-year-old.

As Paul Rhoads has said throughout the season, Jantz is learning to play QB at this level.

“Remember now, he’s been playing Division 1(A) football for only a year-and-a-half,” Rhoads said. “It takes time.”

Even though Jantz is a senior, only Trevone Boykin (TCU), Wes Lunt (Okie State) and Michael Cummings (Kansas) are current Big 12 starters with less major college experience than Jantz. All three of them are FRESHMEN.

After last week’s open competition to win the starting spot at ISU (his third full-scale trial in the last two years), Jantz emerged the starter and registered a record-breaking performance against Baylor.

Jantz tied school records for TD passes (five) and completions (36) while setting a personal-best for passing (381) and second-best for rushing (54) yards.

While many people seemed to be scratching their heads about Jantz’ performance Saturday evening, the head coach didn’t seem surprised.

“There is a reason he’s been our starting quarterback for the last two years,” Rhoads said. “He’s a physically gifted player.”

Now, he enters the stretch run of his final college season as a talented player with a big shot of confidence.

“Will we see it again next week,” Rhoads pondered. “I don’t know, but we sure saw it tonight (Saturday).”

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