National Preps Showcase Top Performers: Quarterbacks

<em>In-depth look into some of the top QB's from the National Preps Showcase at Arizona Christian. </em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="42890" first="Jackson" last="Akins"], 2023, Desert View</strong> Akins has continued to show improvement since I last saw him person at the Las Vegas BCS Showcase in July 2020.  Show good pocket mobility and awareness. Smooth footwork and mechanics in the drop back and in the pocket. He’s an accurate passer with developing arm strength, good touch on the deep ball but would like to see more velocity at the intermediate level and to the sideline. Clean, tight, and compact release that allows him to get the ball out quickly. With two years of development left he could be an interesting prospect as he progresses. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="100732" first="Reilly" last="Garcia"], 2022, Campo Verde</strong> Strong frame at 6’2” 200 lbs. Possesses good feet and does a good job getting into his drop quickly to go through his progression. Confident in the pocket he stands tall with a good balanced platform ready to drive off his back foot to deliver an accurate ball. Holds the ball high and has a quick release, doesn’t take him long to gather and throw. Showed good instincts with his ability to feel/avoid pressure by stepping up in the pocket or escaping to either direction while keeping his eyes downfield for an open target. Does a great job manipulating defenders with his eyes and shoulders. Expect an uptick in his recruiting with a strong senior year. [caption id="attachment_133967" align="alignleft" width="154"]<img class=" wp-image-133967" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/AZ-NP-Showcase-Giordan-Hanks-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="154" height="154" /> Photo: National Preps Showcases[/caption] <strong>Giordan Hanks, 2024, Mountain View</strong> Hanks was one of the most talked about players amongst scouts and coaches after the camp. He has a great feel for the position and it shows with his timing and anticipation. The ball jumps out of his hand with high velocity on short/intermediate routes but also shows he can mix up velocities and throw the deep ball with touch. Very calm presence and demeanor in the pocket with smooth mechanics and footwork. Surprisingly under recruited at this point with his D1 talent and ability. <strong>Hunter Kronengold, 2022, Sunrise Mountain</strong> [caption id="attachment_133969" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/AZ-NP-Showcase-Hunter-Kronengold-crop-322x212-1619055965.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-133969" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/AZ-NP-Showcase-Hunter-Kronengold-crop-322x212-1619055965-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: National Preps Showcases[/caption] Great height and length at 6’4”. Possesses a lot of natural ability and arm talent in addition to this high football IQ. Great arm strength and velocity that displayed his ability to attack the defense at all levels. Shows he can stretch field vertically with touch or zip it in a tight window at the short and intermediate levels. Has a smooth over the top delivery but also showed he can make strong accurate throws from different arm angles when necessary. Arm talent allows him to throw off different platforms or on the run to either direction. Transferred from Saguaro to Sunrise Mountain for his junior year where he flashed his high ceiling and potential as a college level QB. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="100701" first="Cael" last="Stewart"], 2022, St. Johns</strong> [caption id="attachment_133973" align="alignright" width="163"]<img class=" wp-image-133973" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/AZ-NP-Showcase-Cael-Stewart-1-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="163" height="163" /> Photo: National Preps Showcases[/caption] Impressive multi-sport athlete that transferred into St. John’s from New Mexico. Ideal size and length for a college level QB at 6’4” 210 lbs. He flashed great arm talent with a smooth and fluid over the top release. Good footwork and mobility in the pocket and showed he can throw on the run to either direction without sacrificing accuracy. Coaches love his high football IQ and ability to use his athleticism to improvise and make something out of nothing. <strong>Cassell Wiggins, 2021, Gila Ridge</strong> The lefty is a fluid athlete with a good frame at 6’3” 175 lbs. He’s a playmaker that can create and has a great ability to improvise. Quick and snappy throwing motion that allows him to get the ball out quickly with just a flick of the wrist. Live arm that can drive the ball into a tight window but also shows he can mix up velocities to throw a catchable ball. Good all-around QB and athlete who’s recruiting might look different given a normal recruiting cycle where he can showcase his skillset and ability at college camps. [caption id="attachment_133977" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/AZ-NP-Showcase-Demond-Williams-2-crop-322x212-1619056404.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-133977" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/AZ-NP-Showcase-Demond-Williams-2-crop-322x212-1619056404-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: National Preps Showcases[/caption] <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="115519" first="Demond" last="Williams"], 2024, Basha</strong> The top 2024 QB prospect in the state with seven D1 offers to his name so far. He’s an exceptional athlete that can make plays both through the air and on the ground. Great footwork and throwing mechanics with a live arm capable of making high velocity throws at any depth. He has a great ability manipulate the pocket, avoid pressure, and make accurate throws on the run to either direction. Similar playing style to Kyler Murray, he’s an exciting player to watch. <strong>Ethan Young, 2022, Liberty</strong> The transfer in from Oklahoma was another guy that caught the attention from coaches and scouts. He’s a natural QB and passer that shows great instincts and feel for the position. He’s a technician that is precise and confident in his throwing mechanics and footwork. Great balance and fluidity in his drop back and movement around the pocket. Demonstrates good anticipation by being on time and accurate all over the field. Has the size and talent to be a quality D1 recruit and will be an exciting player to watch in the high caliber Liberty offense in the 2021 season. <strong>Other Notable Performances:</strong> <strong>Jacob Brooks, 2022, Campo Verde</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="42697" first="Jaylen" last="Elliott"], 2021, Valley Lutheran</strong> <strong>Cameron Hackworth, 2024, Sabino</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="42935" first="Max" last="Martin"], 2023, Liberty</strong>