QB1: 2021 Dual-Threat Sleepers

<p style="text-align: left">The evolution of the dual-threat quarterback has changed the way the game of football is played over the past few years. The game is played at a much faster pace, points are filling up the scoreboard, and it’s become the new norm to have a QB who can move like a running back while still having the ability to pick defenses apart through the air.</p> <p style="text-align: left">With that being said, here are five 2021 QB1’s to watch for this upcoming season.</p> &nbsp; <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Eric Franklin, 5’11, 170, <em>Zion-Benton</em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left">Franklin is electric, exciting, and a natural-born playmaker with the skills to carve up a defense with his arm as well as his feet. He’s slippery in the pocket with Russel Wilson-like escapability, and once he breaks the pocket, he’s usually off to the races. He gets the ball out quick and consistently hits his receivers in stride, not mention, he has one of the prettiest deep balls you’ll ever see.  Eric Franklin is poised to have a breakout season barring any catastrophic setbacks—book it!</p> &nbsp; <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Joe Ayala IV, 5’10, 180, <em>Palatine</em></strong></p> Quick and shifty, Ayala IV routinely puts defenders in uncomfortable situations once he’s in space, but he’d much rather make you pay with his arm. This kid is surgical from the pocket. It’s impressive to see a high school QB move the defense with his eyes and have such an effective pump fake. What stands out the most after watching Ayala IV, is that he’s not afraid to sit in the pocket and take a hit after he releases the ball. Tough, skilled, and competitive are the words I would use to describe Joe Ayala IV. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_22299" align="aligncenter" width="240"] (Photo Credit- David Toney; For Shaw Media)[/caption] <p style="text-align: center"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20230" first="Alex" last="Moeller"],  5’10, 175,<em> Prospect (Mt. Prospect)</em></strong></p> After accounting for 34 total touchdowns as a junior, Moeller is primed to have an even more impressive senior season. Defenses have to respect that Moeller can hurt you through the air as well as on the ground, which allows him to run the RPO to perfection. He keeps plays alive with his feet and consistently throws catchable balls to his targets; as for his deep ball, it is as accurate as they come. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_22301" align="aligncenter" width="213"] (Photo Credit- Steve Lundy; Daily Herald)[/caption] <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Phillip Hird, 6’2, 190, <em>Gurnee (Warren)</em></strong></p> Phillip Hird is a winner. He’s been on varsity since a sophomore and has a 23-3 record as the signal-caller. Now in his final year, he brings a ton of experience and leadership to a Warren team who fell short in last year’s Class 8A State Championship game. His footwork is second to none, and it allows him to set his feet quickly and precisely hit his targets down the field. But don’t sleep on his scrambling ability, as much of a threat as he is with his arm, he can be just as dangerous when he takes off to run. &nbsp; <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Luke Jessie, 6’5, 205, <em>Schaumburg</em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center">Luke Jessie without a doubt passes the QB eye test. At 6’5, the senior out of Schaumburg has the height and skills of a traditional QB at the next level. He’s pretty mobile for his size, and when he decides to run, he runs with a purpose and welcomes any contact from opposing defenders. Jessie has a strong arm and can let it fly with the flick of a wrist. On the run and on rollouts is where he’s the most dangerous and the most accurate.</p> <p style="text-align: left"></p>