Mims confident in role as ETSU starting quarterback

Mason Mims has put up big numbers in his first three weeks as starting quarterback for the East Tennessee State football team. The redshirt freshman transfer from Louisville has completed 69-of-93 passes for 793 yards. His 74.2 completion rate ranks third in the country, and his passing yards are ninth. With the Bucs set to host West Georgia in their final non-conference game of the season on Saturday at noon, Mims feels right at home running the offense. "I'm very confident in my abilities and confident in this offense," Mims said Monday at the team's weekly media availability. "We have a chance to be really good. I still have a lot to improve on. I think we will be a really good offense this year." ETSU coach Will Healy is well satisfied with the decision to go with Healy over Michigan transfer Jadyn Davis and returning player Jake McNamara in early August. The timing of it gave Mims a chance to get the right timing with the offense. "We made the right decision as who our starting quarterback is, and we made it at the right time," Healy said. "Getting him those reps the last two and a half weeks of camp, being the guy where there was no question going into the season, has been invaluable to him." Mims is soft spoken, especially for someone in the quarterback position, but he has a quiet confidence and strong work ethic. His teammates quickly embraced the decision when it was announced the Bucs were going with Mims. "He's got a persona and a consistency where he didn't need to be validated," Healy said. "He's going to work his rear end off. But, it was good for us as a message to the team. I thought he was great Saturday and he's been great the first three games. He's had adversity, and he's had success. He's been steady as all get out, and he's played at an extremely high level." Mims hasn't been shy about spreading the ball around. Virginia transfer Suderian Harrison is the team's leading receiver with 15 catches for 214 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Charlie Browder has 11 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Winton and Trey Weary each have 10 receptions. Overall, a dozen players have caught passes in the first three games. "They've been great. The receivers and the guys up front make my job a lot easier," Mims said. "We have a bunch of different playmakers on offense. That's what makes us so good — we have a ton of guys who can make plays all over the place." Mims grew up a New England Patriots fan and was thrilled to go up against legendary coach Bill Belichick in the Bucs' 35-3 loss at North Carolina last Saturday. While Mims completed 23-of-31 passes against the Tar Heels, he was frustrated with an interception he threw in the game. "I need to eliminate putting the ball in jeopardy," Mims said. "If all 11 guys can do their jobs, we can be really good. We watched the tape, and there were a lot of plays where I didn't do my job or someone else didn't do theirs. We're really close to being a really good offense." The interception allowed Mims to experience what makes Belichick the most successful coach of all-time with six Super Bowl titles as head coach of the Patriots and two as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants. While he feels prepared under the leadership of offensive coordinator Brian Blackmon and quarterbacks coach Neal Posey, who are both from his area in Alabama, there was a wrinkle thrown at them early in the game. "They ran a coverage that we really didn't see much on film," Mims said. "The safety made a great play. I was hoping to hit Sudi on that little glance route, thought he was going to be able to wrap around the linebacker. Watching it, I should've progressed to B Wint on the slant. I've got to take what the defense gives me, not force the ball in there."