EDMONTON - Julian Marchand has all the tools to be a top ranked quarterback in the Canada West conference.
With those tools, come both expectations and pressure for the new Alberta Golden Bears quarterback.
"Honestly, I feel no pressure. I expect a lot of myself, but by no means do I view myself as a big hero," said Marchand.
The Cochrane, Alberta native isn’t a new face to university football. He started in CIS career in 2004 as a red-shirt for the University of Calgary Dinos and suited up for three games during the 2007 season before moving to the Calgary Colts of the Canadian Junior Football League where he smashed CJFL records in both pass attempts and completions and took home Prairie Conference Football MVP honours in 2008.
The Golden Bears offence struggled last season, completing just six touchdowns through the air, while throwing a conference-worst 16 interceptions.
Its expected that Marchand will take over behind centre for Quade Armstrong, who has went through some ups and downs as the Bears No.1 quarterback the past three seasons.
With his previous experience at the CIS level, the transition for Marchand has come much easier than if he were coming straight out of high school.
"I am learning a new offense, and I am trying to get comfortable with my new receivers as much as I can, and its coming along, but whether I am ready for Week 1 of the season or Week 3, it remains to be seen," explained Marchand.
"I play hard, and I want to win and be successful and I still feel I need to find where I fit in yet."
The Bears' offence should be more polished under second-year offensive co-ordinator Jeff Stead, who implemented many new schemes and different philosophies in his first season at the helm during the '08 campaign.
"One of the things I am seeing this year is there is a lot more competition at many positions, and its made us as a group better and the players have embraced it," said Stead.
The quarterback position is no different. If Marchand isnt ready to start the 2009 season, Stead feels completely comfortable putting in Armstrong, who is the Bears most seasoned veteran pivot.
"Quade has come into camp in the best shape of his life, and he's shown me the type of character, that every coach wants to see," said Stead.
"He (Armstrong) could have folded and just gone through the motions, but he didn’t. He wants to play, and he’s shown the maturity. He and Julian are pushing each other in a positive way. There is no animosity and they are working together to help be key components in us becoming a winner."
Stead loves the pedigree that Marchand brings both on and off the field through the early stages of training camp.
"He brings that swagger, and I am seeing it with many of the new recruits that we’ve brought in," said Stead.
"Julian is a leader, and even though he’s still trying to find his mark, he’s one of those guys that doesn’t need to say much, but the guys listen and follow him."
If Marchand wins the job, the Bears offence will need to use every minute of training camp to gel offensively. They will boast a very young receiving corps, as well as a few new faces on the offensive line.
Seeing what the Bears accomplished from an outsiders perspective the past couple of years, Marchand feels that even though many feel the Bears are in a rebuilding phase, he isnt one to see it that way.
"All the pieces are together to allow this team to be successful," said Marchand.
"We just have to all gel together, and it may take some time, but it will happen."
There may be a few bumps during the first couple weeks of the regular season, but both Stead and Marchand are ready.
"Baby steps are something we preach every day," said Stead.
"We are only going as far as these guys will take us, and so far we've seen nothing but a huge progression."