QBWON Workout: Top Performers

<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Overview</strong></span> On Sunday, August 2nd, I attended the QBWON workout in Wilmette, hosted by former college quarterback Byron Dawkins. I’d say around 50 kids showed up and the talent was most certainly abundant. Multiple division one prospects were in attendance and showed off their ability through multiple passing and pass-catching drills. The event also hosted multiples college players who were back in town to train for their next season, whenever it comes. Here were the top performers from yesterday’s drills. <hr /> <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>QB’s</strong></span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20215" first="Athan" last="Kaliakmanis"], 6’3, 185, Antioch, SR </strong> The longtime Minnesota Gopher commit showed up to the workout and balled out. I was so impressed by his deep ball accuracy and his ability to throw on the run. I had never seen him in person prior to this event, but he’s every bit of 6’3, with a muscular frame he’s easily going to put weight onto. He was the best quarterback in attendance and showed why he’s a bigtime division one recruit. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20227" first="Blake" last="Ellingson"], 6’2, 215, Libertyville, SR</strong> We have Ellingson right now as the #14 best QB in all of Illinois and after seeing him workout in person, he may have a case for breaking into the top 10. Blake has phenomenal footwork and was poised throughout drills when asked to make off-schedule throws. His release is tight, with no wind-up issues and he’s got serious zing on his ball. <img class="alignnone wp-image-40593" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/90BE629C-A9F3-464E-8BF6-A16A4BCB170D-e1596466086891-196x300.png" alt="" width="290" height="444" /> <strong>David Crane, 6’1, 170, Highland Park, SR</strong> Going into this event, Crane was not on my radar at all, but after an impressive showing, he definitely is now. David showed great touch on his intermediate throws and had great anticipation/timing. He’s a true pocket passer who can sit in there and work through his progressions, however, he is more than capable of extending plays with his feet. <strong>Tyler Hardin, 5’11, 195, New Trier, SR</strong> If you look at Tyler Hardin in person, you may think he’s built like a safety, well that’s because he was a safety for half of the year! This kid is rocked up and showed such athleticism throughout the workout. He’s a smaller quarterback, but he’s got a ton of talent, and I was shocked by how strong his arm was. He’s a very intriguing prospect and I’m excited to see his development now as a fulltime quarterback. <strong>Jalen Cunningham, 6’4, 205, Thornwood, SR</strong> When I talked to QBWON’s founder Byron Dawkins, he told me he calls this kid Cam Newton. I was impressed by how big of a kid Cunningham was and his overall build. This kid has a rocket of an arm but also has exceptional accuracy. He’s a kid who could see his stock rise very quickly, with a big senior campaign. <strong>JT Thomas, 6’, 190, Loyola, SR</strong> Thomas is a true pocket passer who can make all the throws. He was solid throughout the day during all of the drills and looked comfortable making throws on the move. He’s a bit of sleeper right now, but he could see his stock rise very quickly, from what I’m told he’s now the go-to guy at Loyola. With more tape, Thomas could end up entering our quarterback rankings very shortly. <img class="alignnone wp-image-40592" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/7A334F03-A27D-4339-A405-C1D919990B61-e1596465893328-194x300.png" alt="" width="288" height="446" /> <strong>Chris Perez, 6’3, 200, Grant, JR</strong> Perez will be a three-year starter when it’s all said and done and he’s showed a ton of growth heading into year two. This kid is built for someone who’s only going to be a sophomore and I wouldn’t be shocked if he could play other positions on the field as well. He’s got solid arm strength and on-film showed great scrambling ability to pick up yards once the pocket broke down. &nbsp; <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Skill Players</span></strong> <strong>ATH: Ryan Mann, 6’, 200, Vernon Hills, SR</strong> I’ve heard so much about this kid over the last few months, and when you see him in-person you see why. Mann is a weight room freak I’m told and looked filled out at 6 foot and 200 pounds. He’s got soft hands and catches the ball away from his body. He’s got good solid speed and was outstanding during every drill. This kid is going to be a star in 2021, you heard it here first! <strong>WR: [player_tooltip player_id="20253" first="Dino" last="Kaliakmanis"], 6’2, 190, Antioch, SR</strong> Athan’s fellow twin and fellow Golden Gopher commit Dino showed up and flat-out balled. This kid is a tremendous route runner and catches everything in sight. He’s got solid acceleration and can stop on a dime at the top of his route. He certainly lived up to the division one billing. <img class="alignnone wp-image-40586" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/3AB026A0-5DF2-45D6-8412-6FFC19299EB8-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="322" height="429" /> <strong>WR: Jake Pieper, 5’8, 170, Vernon Hills, JR</strong> A true slot receiver who can do it all. What he may lack in height he more than makes up for in speed and shiftiness. This guy understands the game and knows how to properly leverage linebackers and defensive backs. To me, he’s one of IL’s best receivers in the 2022 class, and don’t be shocked when he enters our Top 20 rankings as a senior. <strong>WR: Luke Jones, 5’11, 170, Deerfield, JR</strong> If you’re looking for a future Divison one receiver look no further! Luke is the brother of Iowa wide receiver Charlie Jones and is most certainly on a similar path. This kid was an absolute technician of a route runner and showed good burst and solid build up speed. He’ll need to add a little weight, but I don’t foresee that being an issue. I’d be shocked if he didn’t have any offers this time next year. <img class="alignnone wp-image-40587" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/C88C82EB-CD4B-4E0F-80E6-E62531452E8E-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="333" height="444" /> <hr /> <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Others Who Stood Out</strong></span> <strong>QB: Dylan Buckner, 5’11, 170, Glenbrook North, SR</strong> <strong>QB: Philip Hird, 6'2, 200, Warren, SR</strong> <strong>QB: Anthony Martinez, 5’10, 170, Depaul, JR</strong> <strong>QB: Brock Paluch, 6’3, 205, Mundelein, JR</strong> <strong>QB: Rowan Keefe, 6’2, 180, Maine South, JR</strong> <strong>QB: Nate Kraus, 6’2, 195, Yorkville, JR</strong> <strong>WR: Avery Burrow, 6’1, 200, Glenbrook North, SR</strong>