Throw it Deep Top Performers

On Saturday, I headed out to Oak Brook to watch Throw it Deep’s QB/WR workout, led by coach Jeff Christensen. The group had a load of talent, led by Purdue commit [player_tooltip player_id="20207" first="Sam" last="Jackson"]. Prospects ranging from the FBS-Division III level were in attendance and were very impressive. They even had quarterbacks from both Indiana & New York in attendance. Here’s who stood out! <hr /> QB’s Aidan Lucero, 6’2, 205, Carmel, JR A poised gunslinger who is entering his second season as the Corsair’s varsity quarterback. Lucero is an accurate pocket passer with active feet. He can fit the ball into tight windows and can take off with his legs to pick up a first down. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how I missed Aidan in our initial rankings, but after seeing him in person, I think he’s got tremendous potential and could easily end up as a top 5-10 quarterback in the state of Illinois. <img class="" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/En7iR4RXUAIJ2On?format=jpg&name=large" alt="Image" width="319" height="239" /> [player_tooltip player_id="65705" first="Jack" last="Lausch"], 6’2, 185, Brother Rice, JR I talked about Jack the other day, and man, is this kid a special athlete. He’s got, Division I offers from pretty much every top baseball program in the country, but the kid wants to play football too. He’s go the tools to do so. He shows great touch on his intermediate throws and impressive timing with random wide receivers. He does a good job of squaring his shoulders on the move and can make throws off multiple platforms. He played safety for almost all of 2019 but has developed into one of the state’s top QB’s this off-season. He’s a likely MLB draft pick, so the future should be very interesting for Mr. Lausch. [player_tooltip player_id="66108" first="David" last="Dorn"], 5’11, 180, Wheaton Academy, JR A smaller QB prospect with a lightning-quick release and can get the ball out against the blitz fast. Dorn showed great footwork in the pocket and can improvise against free rushers. He threw well on the run and consistently hit his targets in stride. He was a varsity starter as a sophomore; look for him to take big strides in year two. [player_tooltip player_id="20207" first="Sam" last="Jackson"], 5’10, 175, Naperville Central, SR I had heard a ton about Sam and had seen his film multiple times. However, I had never once seen him in person. The one thing I now know, this kid can play quarterback. The ball jumps out of his hand and has some serious velocity behind it. His arm strength is there, as is his deep ball accuracy. I have no doubt this kid can play quarterback at the collegiate level. Purdue is getting a freaky athlete with, great pocket presence and a young man who is a silent competitor. <img class="alignnone wp-image-77145" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/3DEF9E1E-7A52-4FB2-8732-C3AB08ED95F4-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="322" height="242" /> [player_tooltip player_id="65081" first="Vincenzo" last="Meschi"], 6’2, 195, Bolingbrook, SR Meschi is constantly looking for ways to improve. As a thrower, he does a great job of transitioning his weight and driving the ball downfield. He’s a true pro-style quarterback that can sit in the pocket and go through his progressions. He split time as a junior at Batavia, and now it’s his turn. I think he’s progressed a ton this off-season and could reel in some more offers this winter with a big senior season. Luke Neidy, 6’, 180, Lake Central (IN), JR Neidy is at his best on the move, throwing from outside the pocket. He flashed as a sophomore on varsity and showed the ability to drive the football over the middle. In-person, he showed clean footwork in quick game and the ability to get the ball out of his hand fast. He threw a tight spiral and dropped the deep ball right into the wideouts breadbasket. Definitely, a quarterback to know in the state of Indiana. Owen Lansu, 5’11, 135, Naperville Patriots, 7th Grade I put Owen on here because I think the sky is the limit for this young man. Only in seventh grade, but the kid throws on the run like a polished veteran, has clean footwork in the pocket, and a compact release to go with it. He’s still growing and developing, but I have a feeling he’ll be a name a lot of people will know three years from now. WR’s Grant Larkin, 6’, 170, Neuqua Valley, SO Is he a wide receiver, or is he a defensive back? I’m not sure, but he impressed on Saturday at wide receiver. The kid can stop on a dime at the top of his route and catches everything in sight. He’s a miss-match in the slot running against linebackers and can make you pay on vertical concepts. The kids a playmaker on either side of the football and shows Division I potential. Cristian Lager, 5’11, 185, Willowbrook, JR Lager has shot up since his sophomore season and has put on 40-45 pounds this off-season. His out cuts were very clean and showed no wasted steps. He's got solid speed to run under the deep ball and overall good body control. I’m curious to see how he looks in his first varsity action. Charles Miles, 6’, 170, TF South, FR Man, am I glad I saw Miles for the first time. Only just a freshman, but he runs routes like a polished veteran. He sinks his knees & hips to get out of his breaks and will accelerate coming out. He’s already six feet tall but has a frame he’ll continue to grow into. Miles has good top-end speed and can create separation on the go ball. Keep an eye on this kid over the next four seasons. <img class="" style="font-size: 1rem;" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/En7pjrjXYAAoOJq?format=jpg&name=large" alt="Image" width="315" height="236" /> Andrew LaPlant, 5’10, 210, Wheaton Academy, SR LaPlant is built more like an H back but runs his routes like a wideout. He does a good job working back to the football at the top of his route and is fearless when catching in traffic. He showed soft hands and looked the football in all day long. Keep an eye on his senior tape; he could be a breakout kid this winter.