Consistency, efficiency and urgency — three qualities Kim Dameron wants in his starting quarterback.

“It’s as simple as that,” the first-year Eastern football coach said.

But is it really that simple? Considering Jimmy Garoppolo is the quarterback that is being replaced, doing so is anything but simple.

Yet, Dameron’s definition of the 2014 quarterback still remains simple.

“The guy who is consistent and gets the ball where it needs to be, gets us in the right play,” he said. “He will end up putting the ball in the end zone a lot more than the other guys. He’ll turn it over less because he’ll execute.”

Eastern will have six quarterbacks on its roster come August, four of which will be freshmen, which is why red-shirt senior Andrew Manley is the best candidate for the job, as he is the most seasoned candidate.

He has all the aforementioned qualities Dameron is looking for, and then some.

Before Eastern, Manley was the starting quarterback at New Mexico State as a sophomore.

The Wahiawa, Hawaii, native started all 12 games for the Aggies in 2012 at the FBS level in the Western Athletic Conference, where he amassed 2,764 passing yards and 18 touchdowns, sixth and seventh on their single-season passing list, respectively.

“I’m smart with the football,” Manley said. “I have a lot of football knowledge, playing for six different offenses. I’ve played against some tough competition at New Mexico State. My experience helps me a lot.”

But Manley left New Mexico State after his sophomore season because the head coach DeWayne Walker left to become the defensive backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Like Eastern this season, a new coaching staff flooded into New Mexico State — so did a new offense — and despite being there for the entirety of spring practices, Manley was no longer the man for the job in the Aggies coaches’ eyes.

“They wanted more of a running quarterback,” Manley said. “It just wasn’t really working out for me there, so that’s why I decided to transfer here.”

June 2013 is when Manley, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound transfer, began his journey at Eastern.

Manley is coming off of a season where he was an understudy to Garoppolo, whose quick release is marveled by NFL scouts.

“I just tried to pick his brain,” Manley said. “I watched his quick release, which sped mine up, too.”

Manley made just five appearances last year behind Garoppolo and junior Ben Krol.

However, already having the experience of a starter at an FBS stop leads Manley to have a chip on his shoulder, regardless of who he may have to replace.

“It’s pretty big shoes that Jimmy left, but I’m excited to fill them,” Manley said. “It’s going to be a great opportunity. I’m confident I’ll win the job. I’ve got a strong arm, I’m accurate and smart. I’m just trying to make a name for myself.”

If Manley does make a name for himself at Eastern, one thing is for certain, it will be easier for reporters to spell and pronounce than Garoppolo was.

Anthony Catezone can be reached at 581-2812 or ajcatezone@eiu.edu.