STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Tyquell Fields continues to lead the Stony Brook football team at quarterback as the spring season opener approaches on March 6 against Villanova.

The Seawolves also boast a pair of former Boomer Esiason Award winners at the position — marking the first time in the award's nearly two-decade history two recipients have simultaneously been on the same college roster.

Former Northport quarterback Ryan Walsh, the 2017 Boomer Esiason Award winner as Suffolk's top quarterback, has joined Stony Brook as a transfer from fellow CAA member Maine this semester.

Walsh joins 2019 Boomer Esiason Award winner Drew Guttieri, a freshman with the Seawolves, who previously starred at Connetquot.

Walsh and Gutteri have been on the same field before, having played for conference rivals in high school.

As a senior, Walsh led Northport to a 24-7 win against Connetquot on Oct. 21, 2017. Walsh was 8-for-15 for 111 yards and had a passing and rushing touchdown in that game. Guttieri, only a sophomore and yet to assume the starting quarterback role, had one rushing attempt for six yards.

Guttieri went on to face Walsh's successor at quarterback, his brother Sean, two years later. Guttieri led Connetquot to a 13-7 win — a tape Walsh watched while attending school at Maine.

"I remember he definitely looked like one of the better players on the field," Walsh said about Guttieri. "He just controlled the offense. It was impressive the balls that he was throwing."

Said Guttieri: "What I remember about playing Ryan was that he was a natural-born leader, a very poised pocket passer, and also very accurate with the football. From the short time I have known him I can already tell he's a great guy."

"It was definitely a huge honor," Walsh said about winning the prestigious award, which current Notre Dame transfer Jack Coan captured the previous three years. "It was something growing up I always strived to achieve. For a while, it was a big goal of mine to get that award. When I did, it was a huge honor."

Esiason was unable to attend Walsh's award ceremony, but they did speak when the ex-Jet attended the Empire Challenge High School All-Star Game sponsored by Esiason's foundation.

"I remember he mentioned it on his radio show," Walsh said, referring to WFAN. "That was cool. And then I met him at the Boomer Esiason game later that year. We had a quick, good convo. He congratulated me and wished me luck with my future endeavors."

Walsh's highlights at Northport include a 22-21 quarterfinal playoff win against Sachem East as a senior. He engineered a 52-yard drive that included an 8-yard touchdown pass to current Cortland lacrosse player Matt Fuggini with no time remaining on the clock. After a pair of flags on extra points, one that gave Northport new life after a miss, the team won on a two-point conversion.

At Maine, Walsh made his collegiate debut as a freshman against Yale in 2018, handing the ball off in the waning moments. The following week, with the starting QB held out, Walsh made his first collegiate start and handled the first series against Villanova, completing both attempts.

He sat out the following season after undergoing surgery that September to reposition a nerve in his throwing elbow — a surgery more common with baseball pitchers.

At Stony Brook, where he decided to transfer for this semester, Walsh will study marketing.

"I loved the idea of having a great academic experience and a great athletic experience close to home," Walsh said. "The CAA is one of the best conferences in the FCS."