Philadelphia Catholic League: Standouts At Quarterback

The Philadelphia Catholic League season has commenced, providing fans with a flurry of great games, plays, and prospects performances all throughout the fall. In today’s piece, we will highlight the quarterback position in the PCL and shine some light on standout prospects who are either new to the football scene or have continued their reign in the league.

Quarterbacks

Name: Nick Lamey

Measurables: 5’8", 160lbs,

School: Archbishop Carroll C/O 2021

Hudl/Twitter: https://www.hudl.com/profile/9488096/Nick-Lamey, @Nicklamey_

Stats: 71/134, 1157 passing yards, 10 TDs, 4 Ints ( 5 games )

We start off with senior defensive back Nick Lamey who served as Archbishop Carroll’s quarterback for five games in what was a shortened fall season for the majority of Philadelphia Catholic League teams. Anytime an out of position player is thrust into the quarterback spot, not much is to be expected because of the difficulty and reps needed to excel at the position. Nonetheless, major props to Lamey for producing at a high level in five games for Carroll this season. Lamey, who is a stud defensive back, logged 4 interceptions and 22 tackles on the year. He looks natural playing safety and his reps at quarterback this season only served him better to understand where to be as a defensive back. He displays solid range, good enough ball skills, and great overall athleticism, helping him run down defenders and break up deep balls with good straight-line speed. At quarterback, his athleticism and ability to escape the pocket is on constant display. Gameplanning against him, it’s obvious a team would want to keep him in the pocket and force quick decisions, Lamey proved that’s harder than it may seem. Lamey isn’t just an athlete at QB, the kid has real arm talent, consistently hitting teammates downfield, in stride, for big gains. The tape lacked timing/rhythm throws. The footwork, arm-mechanics and decision making wasn’t on display, not to say the kid isn’t capable, again we have to remember he’s a DB/WR at heart. Lamey is a big play waiting to happen thanks to his reps at safety, he can read opposing safeties so well and knows when he has someone open downfield. He showed a consistent ability to keep eyes downfield even when avoiding defenders behind the line of scrimmage. He doesn’t have the prototypical size to continue playing QB at the next level, but he really showed his versatility as a player for Archbishop Carroll. His productivity can’t be ignored, averaging 250+ yards a game through the air, along with 2 TDs per game.

Name: Nick Santo

Measurables: 6’3", 175lbs

School: Bishop McDevitt Wyncote C/O 2021

Hudl/Twitter: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11184319/Nick-Santo, @nicksanto111

Stats: 44/81, 714 passing yards, 8 TDs ( 4 games )

Again, context needs to be laid as Santo only started 4 games for Bishop McDevitt. The numbers look pretty good in just 4 games, with three of the four being PIAA Tournament games. There’s a lot to like when watching Santo’s tape. He has great height, standing at 6’3" but is a little slight in weight, would really like to see him put on 10 or so pounds to really fill out his frame. The somewhat slight frame doesn’t affect Santo in the pocket. He displays great poise and the ability to stand in the pocket and take big hits without said hit affecting the throw. My favorite trait is his timing and decisiveness on throws. McDevitt doesn’t love to throw downfield too often, rather settling for quick/intermediate throws that require chemistry between quarterback and wideout. The chemistry is there. as Santo does an excellent job hitting slants and crossers in-between zones and delivering the ball accurately. He displays a solid initial drop back, however, said drop back tends to get shaky on the back end. He doesn’t always plant his feet and square up to his target. He tends to get happy feet and drift back on throws. These are tendencies that a focused offseason can correct. His throwing motion is solid but there is work to do here as well. The inconsistencies show, the throwing motion can be crisp and efficient with a clean pocket but is also seen to be a little choppy and awkward when facing potential pressure, which is a common trait among QBs at this level. There isn’t much athleticism to speak of with Santo. He does his best to avoid defenders in the pocket but there isn’t much elusiveness in his game. Would also like to see him put more on his deep balls, the hip flexibility isn’t great so he tends to float deep balls at times. Overall, I really liked what I saw in four starts at BM. Would absolutely love to see him get a shot at playing at the next level despite the lack of reps at the high school level.

Name: Kyle Lazer

Measurables: 6’2", 185lbs

School: Bonner & Prendie Catholic C/O 2021

Hudl/Twitter: https://www.hudl.com/profile/10376799/Kyle-Lazer, @kylelazer7

Stats: 39/65 641 passing yards, 11 TDs ( 4 games )

Kyle Lazer may be the most intriguing prospect of this bunch. Watching his tape, he shows promising traits that make him a candidate to possibly play quarterback at the next level. I’d say it’s more than likely seeing his skill set. His height/weight combination is where you want it to be at this moment. We’d like to see him grow just a little but can’t complain too much standing at 6’2". 185 is a solid weight to be at and he carries it well. The tape shows a ton of easy reads and targets being open from the start, that isn’t a detriment to Lazer’s ability to make reads on time. Open or not Lazer showed the ability to deliver accurate balls to open receivers on time. Lazer classifies as a true dual-threat quarterback, displaying the ability to escape the pocket and still make dime throws on the sideline while on the run, or taking off and gaining yards with his legs. The athleticism combined with arm talent is what sets him apart from Santo and Lamey. Lazer is the full package. He displays a good deep ball and good overall velocity. His accuracy is here you want it to be but can always be improved. His throwing motion is clean for the most part. There isn’t a high school quarterback in the nation that doesn’t have areas to improve, with good coaching and continued off-season work, Lazer can potentially grow into a serious quarterback prospect for a D2/D3 program.

Name: Kyle McCord Kyle McCord 6'2" | 207 lbs | QB St. Joseph's Prep | 2021 State PA

Measurables: 6’3", 205lbs

School: St. Jospeh’s Prep C/O 2021

Hudl/Twitter: https://www.hudl.com/profile/9509173/Kyle-McCord, @kylemccord16

Stats: 99/153 1582 passing yards, 21 TDs ( 6 games )

There isn’t much to say about that hasn’t already been said. McCord has set the standard for quarterback play in Philadelphia for years to come. The senior has led St. Joes Prep to yet another state title, beating Central York while going 20/27 for 318 yards and 4 TDs. The man can make every throw on the field with awesome accuracy. He can make said throws from off-balanced platforms, while retreating, or even when on the run. Terrific prototypical build that allows him to absorb big blows from defenders. His eyes are always downfield and are hardly deterred from pressure in the pocket. An underrated part of his game is his athleticism. The future Ohio State star knows the competition is only going to get bigger, stronger, and faster in the BIG 10 but we at Prep Redzone are confident that he and his tremendous supporting cast will do what it takes to continue his illustrious career once at the next level. Much props from us to one of the best quarterbacks Philadelphia and Pennsylvania has ever seen. We wish him nothing but the best!