Prep Redzone WI Showcase: QB Standouts

The Prep Redzone Wisconsin Showcase at Carroll University was a blast to cover! We had a good sized turnout, and the level of talent that made up the group was very high. Talking with the coaches and other scouts in attendance I can tell you that dozens of kids were turning heads throughout the workout. Today I begin my coverage of the event looking at the QB position, and the players in it that caught my eye along with a few other eyes. From testing to one on one battles these six QBs had a good showing! Let’s get into each of their days, right now! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118354" first="Riley" last="Warzynski"], 2022- Stevens Point</strong> This was the second Showcase and third time overall that I have seen Warzynski in person. So, I had high expectations for Riley coming into the event as I expected him to be in the conversation for one of the best QBs in attendance. The 6’3" 200 lbs junior didn’t disappoint. Just looking at him among the other QBs there you could see that he had a very well put together frame, and when it came time to throw the ball he was able to transfer that size into velocity on his passes. Yesterday’s Showcase being outdoors added an extra element to the event as the wind was a factor at times. Thanks to his strong arm, that was never an issue for Riley. He was able to hit his receiver at all levels of the field with accuracy while cutting through the wind that, for the most part, was blowing right into the QBs’ faces. Very good day for Riley. I recommend taking a look at his film from the spring season! [embed]https://twitter.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1396567680673529856[/embed] <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31255" first="Robert" last="Bloom"], 2022- Brookfield Central</strong> I couldn’t wait to see Robert live again. Robert and Brookfield Central were apart of the first game I ever covered live for Prep Redzone Wisconsin. I believe it was Robert’s first career varsity start too. He caught my eye instantly, so I couldn’t wait to see if he could catch it again at Carroll University. Long story short, he did. The 6’2" 180 lbs pocket passer had a good day from start to finish. I got my first look at him during the individual drills portion of the Showcase. They started that portion off working through several different footwork drills, and Robert shined in it. His footwork is both smooth and quick, and when they started spinning out, and rolling out he showed off loose hips. In the 1 on 1s Robert won his reps exactly how he wins on game day. With his accuracy. Even with WRs that he had never worked with, Robert was able to put the ball right where he wanted and in spots where his receiver could go and get it. Robert already holds one roster offer from Ripon College. More will be on the way without a doubt. Check out his film! [embed]https://twitter.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1396567151646019594[/embed] <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31326" first="Jackson" last="Compton"], 2022- Greenfield</strong> Jackson was one of three QBs in attendance that I was able to watch live during their junior season. It’s always a great sign when you see these kids come to camps and show off the same strengths as they do on tape. It gives coaches a great look at who you are, and that is what Jackson did yesterday! Jackson isn’t the biggest kid as he came in around 6’1" 150 lbs, but you can’t deny what he shows on the field. He is a QB that wins with his timing, anticipation, and accuracy to all levels of the field. He also threw one of the prettiest spirals at the event. That ability to throw a tight spiral maximizes the velocity he can put on the ball. I have been following Jackson pretty closely over the last several months and it is very clear how much work he puts into his craft. That work really shined in his footwork. His drop looks automatic. It doesn’t seem like Compton has to even think about it as he goes through it, and then keeps his feet and eyes connected as he looks for his target. I was able to talk to Jackson for awhile after the Showcase and he filled me in on the camps he will be at this summer. He will be getting around, so keep an eye out for him! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141092" first="Tyler" last="Fikis"], 2023- Hampshire</strong> Tyler first caught my eyes during the testing portion. I was watching 40 yard dashes when he posted an impressive time of 4.69 seconds. Now that I am home I went to watch some of his film from the Illinois spring season, and the tape matches. The sophomore out of Hampshire is definitely a dual threat prospect as he can hurt defenses just as much on the ground as he can with his arm. Speaking of his arm, the 6’ 175 lbs QB showed off a nice arm on the reps I caught of him in 1 on 1s. It matches his tape too. The ball jumps out of his hand with sufficient velocity; even when he attacks deeper down the field. Tyler will be a kid to follow over the next couple of seasons as he continues to grow and develop as a QB. He is at a good place in his development, so far. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="147949" first="Carsen" last="Koch"], 2023- Madison East</strong> I loved seeing the Madison and Milwaukee athletes in attendance yesterday. Those kids got the short end of the stick as they haven’t been able to play high school football since the 2019 season. Seeing them find ways to get in some live action is great to see. This was the fourth showcase I have been to this spring and its the third one where at least one Madison or Milwaukee athlete came out and balled out. One of those kids yesterday was QB [player_tooltip player_id="147949" first="Carsen" last="Koch"] out of Madison East. The sophomore already has a good looking frame to build on as he came in around 6’2" 170 lbs. He also posted 40 times right around 5.00, which is plenty of athleticism at this point to maneuver, buy time, or scramble for yards on the ground when the play breaks down. Carsen had a nice showing in 1 on 1s too. I like to take note when an athlete is participating in his first event like this. Is he more reserved or does he step up and show off what he has? This was Carsen’s first showcase, and he showed off what he had as he delivered several accurate passes with some zip behind them. I hope we are back to our regular high school schedule this fall because I would love to get up to Madison for some Friday night action! Lots of talent to check out up there including Carsen! <b>[player_tooltip player_id="135719" first="Liam" last="Mickle"], 2022- Woodstock</b> Liam was another QB that caught my eyes. I was watching him while he was with the RBs throwing routes to them against the LBs. I was impressed with what I saw. Liam has a thick frame as he checks in at 6’ and 200 lbs. He used that to generate some force behind his passes. One of those strong passes was a roughly 37 yard corner route where he dropped it in right over the RB’s shoulder for the big play. The way he didn’t have to put much air under the ball on that throw tells me that he has a decent amount of arm strength because he didn’t have to float it out there. Mickle is also accurate. Whether you watched what he did yesterday at the Showcase or look at his film from last season where he completed 63.5% of his passes it is very apparent that he can put the ball right where he wants to. The Illinois resident represented his state well! [embed]https://twitter.com/jonmickle2/status/1396630971869540360[/embed]