New quarterback says he didn't transfer to Missouri State to be a backup

J.T. Granato didn't need to visit the Missouri State campus to know he wanted to jump in and compete for the starting quarterback job.

Granato confirmed to the News-Leader on Thursday he will transfer from Rice University in Houston, Texas, to Missouri State and be eligible to play immediately. 

The redshirt sophomore decided to leave the Rice football program Monday before visiting Abilene Christian on Tuesday. That night, Missouri State football coaches were on the phone to express their interest.

Before getting on a plane to Springfield on Wednesday night, Granato accepted Missouri State's offer.

"I just wanted an opportunity to play," Granato said. "This is the right opportunity — I just acted on it immediately."

With three years left of college eligibility, he wanted the chance to play. At Rice, he lost a quarterback battle and thought a transfer would be his best chance to get on the field.

Granato said Missouri State coaches told him he will compete for the starting quarterback job.

It is not clear how Granato's arrival will affect the ongoing MSU quarterback competition between junior college transfers Peyton Huslig and Anthony Monken.

Bears head coach Dave Steckel was noncommittal on a starting quarterback as recently as Saturday, when asked by a News-Leader reporter.

Granato said he's excited to learn the new offense and to be able to compete for the starting job.

"Let the chips fall where they may," Granato said. "I'm not here to be somebody's backup."

Granato threw for a season-best 56 yards against Stanford in the 2016 season finale and led the Owls on a 92-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter. 

He completed a physical evaluation in Springfield and got a playbook Thursday. He said he's going to spend some late nights studying the offense and begin practicing Tuesday.

"Once I learn the playbook, that's when I'll get going," Granato said. "It's no easy battle going to Mizzou for the first game."

Granato was the No. 48 pro-style quarterback in the Class of 2015, according to 247Sports.

Missouri State travels to the University of Missouri on Sept. 2.