Top 5A QBs

Before the 2020 season gets here, we wanted to take a look at three of the top returning QBs in 5A. Each have varying play styles, but are all effective and looking to have big seasons. <strong>Darius Ragland (Carbondale HS)-</strong> Solid height and weight with a slender frame. A dual-threat QB, who is at his best when on the move. Shows good footwork both in and outside the pocket, and maintains base. Very good pocket presence to sense pressure, and move in the pocket to elude. Very good vision while inside and outside the pocket, shows discipline to continue scanning downfield as pressure is closing in. Displays good ability to square shoulders to targets. Good release, quick snap at the throw point. Possesses solid weight transition and hip torque to generate enough power to make throws from the middle of the hashes to the numbers, and push the ball downfield to the short side. Very good mobility, has the ability to run the zone read offense, and be effective as a passer and runner. Good burst and acceleration when getting outside the pocket to extend or pulling the ball and running. Good speed, vision, and processing to see/anticipate holes, and use good speed to get in and out quickly. Shows good core torque out of the pocket to generate enough power to drive the football off platform. Overall, a unique athlete that has the ability to beat you in a variety of ways. He shows very good potential to be a playmaker at the next level. <b>[player_tooltip player_id="20362" first="Darius" last="Wilson"] (St. Laurence HS)-</b> Good height and solid weight with a developed frame. A dual-threat player, who out of the zone read offense shows the ability to win with both his arm and feet. Good footwork in the pocket, maintains base, and can square feet/shoulders to target. Displays good pocket presence, and uses small movements inside the pocket to elude. Good motion and release, shows a short, tight motion with a quick snap at the throw point. The ball comes out of the hand clean. Good hip and lower leg torque to generate zip on the ball. Shows the ability to make throws in all areas of the field. Very good speed and mobility to be effective outside the pocket as both a runner and passer. As a runner, very good vision and burst to locate and get through hole. Once into the second level, he possesses home run speed. As a passer, he shows enough lower half power to make throws off platform. Overall, a very good prospect who has a ton of potential. If he can continue to improve his ability to get through reads while in the pocket, he will be a very good player at the next level in a zone read heavy offense. <b>Elisha Morris (Amundsen HS)- </b>Good height and weight with a developed frame. A run first QB who’s best ability comes from the zone run game. Very good vision when reading and anticipating holes. Good burst, acceleration, and play strength to get through hole clean. Shows good lower half strength to get through trash and arm contact. Possesses home run speed once into the second level, while maintaining his physical running style. His mechanics as a QB would need work, with a lack of discipline when it comes to footwork, and decision making. He would also need to revamp his motion, as it is very long and he likes to dip the ball and sling it from his waist. Overall, he is a very good athlete and his best position at the next level would be RB. He possesses the size and RB traits to be successful at the collegiate level.