Class 6A QB’s to Watch

<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20215" first="Athan" last="Kaliakmanis"], 6’4, 200, Antioch, SR</strong> One of the states best quarterback prospects and a longtime Minnesota commit. Kaliakmanis is exceptionally athletic and can outrun defensive backs. He’s a natural at moving around in the pocket when facing pressure. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20203" first="Tyler" last="Macon"], 6’, 185 East St. Louis, SR</strong> This kids stats were absurd in 2019; 4241 yards passing and 39 touchdowns through the air, he also ran for 827 yards and 17 TD’s. He can air out the long ball or take off and run if need be. The Missouri commit is expected to have yet another big season as both his top two WR’s return in 2020. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20862" first="Eli" last="Reese"], 6’3, 200, Rock Island, JR</strong> Reese excelled in designed quarterback runs and gave defenses fits in 2019. He loves zone read situations and turns into a running back in the open field. Reese has FBS level speed, and it was not uncommon to see him take runs 50 yards plus last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20223" first="Kaleb" last="Garner"], 5’11, 170, Kenwood, SR</strong> This is a smart QB prospect who understands coverages and what the defense is giving to him. Garner understands mismatches and gets the ball to his playmakers on the perimeter. For a guy his size, he has an usually strong arm and throws a field comeback with relative ease. To me, he’s a natural fit in an air raid type offense. <strong>Darius Beckum, 6’2, 185, Peoria, SR</strong> This left-handed QB has a lightning-quick release and does a great job of getting the ball off when noticing potential blitzers. He has good speed and can turn the corner on a defense. Beckum led an offensive explosion in 2019, as his team scored 96 &amp; 78 in separate games last fall. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20233" first="Kevin" last="Conway"], 6’2, 200, Providence, SR</strong> Conway is a pure pocket passer, with great touch on his deep ball. He has clean footwork and naturally climbs the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield. Conway has sneaky running ability and can add another dimension in the QB run game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20858" first="Rashad" last="Rochelle"], 6’, 180, Springfield, JR</strong> Rochelle, to me, is one of Illinois’ most exciting ball players and has that Johnny Manziel type escapability. Rochelle is a dual-threat in every sense of the word and one of IL’s most heavily recruited quarterbacks in the 2022 class. He’s a natural fit in a wide-open spread offense and can make things happen once he gets outside the pocket. <strong>Camron Fulton, 6’, 170, Morgan Park, SR</strong> Fulton is a dynamic athlete who can line up pretty much anywhere on offense. He has exceptional vision and burst for a guy lining up at Quarterback. He is at his best when throwing vertical off play-action and drops the ball right into his wideouts hands. <strong>Jackson Pearre, 5’11, 175, Lake Forest, SR</strong> This kid does a great job of going through his progressions in the pocket. He’s skillful in quick game and gets the ball out almost effortlessly. Lake Forest did a great job of moving the pocket for him and having him throw on the run. This guy has a ton of potential, and I think he could be a breakout star in 2020. <strong>Nicholas Fish, 5’11, 160, Grayslake North, SR</strong> Fish loves the RPO and can get the ball out in a hurry. His deep ball accuracy is on point, and he consistently hits his wide receivers in stride. Fish is calm and composed in chaos and always seems to make something happen when things go wrong. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20865" first="Justin" last="Kowalak"], 6’, 180, Crystal Lake South, JR</strong> This left-handed QB played very well as a sophomore for the gators. He’s got an uncanny ability to keep plays alive and always seems to find wide receivers behind the defense. He has an elite ability to throw on the run, whether it be short, intermediate or vertical routes. <strong>Leo Rugai, 5’9, 170, St. Ignatius, SR</strong> A smaller, triple option quarterback with good arm talent. Rugai loves midline and speed option plays and does a great job of putting linebackers in conflict. He is one tough kid and refuses to go down in the open field, often lowering his shoulder on linebackers and safeties.