Next Man Up: QB’s

The 2021 season is going to see a lot of new faces step up and fill big roles at the QB position. Whether it’s from graduation or transfers, the only thing that matters to these guys is that they’re going to get a shot to show everybody what they can do. It is also important to note that Chandler High has a 6 man QB competition at the moment, so whoever wins the job at Chandler will have some big shoes to fill as well. Here's a look at some new names to take over the QB1 role in 2021: <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-136931" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/PRZ-Generic-Helmets-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" /> [player_tooltip player_id="42865" first="Zach" last="Wren"], <em>QB, 6’1" 185lbs, Pinnacle HS ’22</em> The QB room at Pinnacle has been stacked for a long time. Brian Lewerke, Spencer Rattler, JD Johnson, then now with [player_tooltip player_id="42902" first="Devon" last="Dampier"] transferring to Saguaro, it is [player_tooltip player_id="42865" first="Zach" last="Wren"]’s offense. He comes in with a lack of big varsity experience, but is on the track to prove himself to everyone in the state. The pro-style signal caller displays a smooth and fluid release and looks poised and collected in the pocket. He seemed to do a good job at identifying coverages and matchups with the film he has, and will have a big target in [player_tooltip player_id="42949" first="Duce" last="Robinson"] next season. Wren holds numerous intangibles and has the players around him to put up big numbers and surprise a lot of people, and projects to have a strong senior campaign. [player_tooltip player_id="42800" first="Jalen" last="Daniels"], <em>QB, 6’5" 220lbs, Red Mountain HS ’22</em> With the departure of senior [player_tooltip player_id="42631" first="Evan" last="Svoboda"], Daniels will look to step in and lead Red Mountain to make a run for the playoffs. Despite entering his 1st year with the labeled QB1 role, Daniels already holds D1 offers from Morgan State and Howard University. He sizes up with a tremendous frame and possesses a natural arm talent. He’s shown the ability to throw off-platform and throw with different arm angles. He can use velocity or touch, and shows his arm strength often as he likes to drive the ball downfield. He projects to take a big leap in terms of maturity and production from his junior to senior year, and looks a like a big time prospect to blow up in 2021. <strong>Hunter Kronengold</strong>, <em>QB, 6’4" 180lbs, Sunrise Mountain HS ’22</em> Kronengold will enter as the QB1 for sunrise Mountain, after seeing some action last season alongside senior Travis Ward. The 5A state champ sizes up with a slender frame with room to put on weight. Consistency is key with Kronengold. He’s had numerous throws that are FBS level throws with excellent placement and timing. If he can be consistent with his accuracy/placement and timing, he’s going to be a tough kid to stop. He delivers with a clean release and has the arm strength to air it out to stretch the field vertically. I’ like to see him step into throws a little more and not throw off-platform if he doesn’t have to. Sunrise Mountain runs a lot of designed rollouts where he has proved to throw well on the move. Expect the game to slow down for Kronengold his senior year, as he projects to have a breakout 2021 season.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-66713" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/IMG_4689-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> <strong>Braden Wells</strong>, <em>QB, 6’2" 170lbs, Notre Dame Prep ’22</em> Wells saw limited action last season when he had to fill in for senior [player_tooltip player_id="42698" first="Tyler" last="Schweigert"] during the Campo Verde game. Wells sells play action from under center well and has shown the ability to deliver accurate throws on the move. He’s flashed the ability to use velocity to fit in tight window throws, and shows excellent ball security as he does a good job hitting checkdowns or shallower routes to not force throws. Ball security for a young QB who doesn’t have a ton of experience is crucial, and will be a good tool to keep for Wells. He could improve pocket fluidity and consistency, and I expect him to take more shots down the field his senior season with the big play WR in [player_tooltip player_id="42803" first="Gavin" last="Smith"]. [player_tooltip player_id="110157" first="Adam" last="Damante"], <em>QB, 6’2" 160lbs, ALA-Gilbert North ’23</em> Damante is a 3A kid that flashed big time potential when the highly touted [player_tooltip player_id="42744" first="Jack" last="Ricedorff"] was injured and Damante had to take over in the playoffs. He’s a dual-threat QB with excellent top end speed and big play ability when he decides to take off. He’s dangerous in space and runs the read option very well. He’s shown what he can do as a passer against Snowflake in the semifinals, where he displayed excellent touch on deep balls, and flashed the ability to hit intermediate routes with velocity and timing. He’ll have some big time weapons around him including ’22 WR [player_tooltip player_id="100674" first="Johnny" last="Bellino"] and ’24 WR [player_tooltip player_id="115533" first="Brandon" last="Phelps"], as Damante is prone for a breakout season in 3A ball, and ALA-Gilbert North looks like a powerhouse. &nbsp; &nbsp;