The thing I would mention when projecting a new QB is looking at the depth chart around them, and one thing really sticks out.
Roy Helu
Quentin Castiille
Niles Paul
Mike McNeil
Dreu Young
Mike Smith
Keith Williams
Javario Burkes
What do all these guys have in common? 2 things.
First they figure to be integral parts of the offense in the next couple years and include both top halfbacks, both top tightends, a top wideout and 3/5 of the projected starting offensive line.
Second they are ALL Juniors in 2009, that means following the 2010 season all of them will have to be replaced. That is a significant portion of the offense to replace at one time.
NOW, throw in the current potential QB's into the eqation. Zac Lee is also a Junior in 2009, so if he gets the job not only are we replacing pretty much the entire offense around the QB in 2011, we are replacing the QB as well. Do we really want a new QB coming in with pretty much an entire new offensive unit around him?
If Patrick Witt gets the job then even though we are replacing most of the offensive talent in 2011, at least we will have a senior quarterback coming back to lead them while they get acclimated to starting roles, expecially while the offensive line gels as a unit.
That also projects us to have Cody Green as a red shirt junior come in with an experienced line and hopefully seasoned halfbacks and wide outs in 2012.
I know you can't base personnel decisions entirely on projections, but to me though Lee could possibly be the best choice for next season (and it's still debatable at this point), Witt is clearly the best choice for the future.