The Stage: Top wide receiver and quarterback performances

Earlier this month a group of highly skilled players went out to DePaul College Prep and tested, did positional work and then finished their groups with 1v1 reps. The coaches were fantastic (EFT / Edgy Tim, QBWON, and Boom) leading the athletes through their respective activities. I’ve already looked at the best <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/05/the-stage-top-ol-dl-performers/">lineman performers</a> and here were the top wide receivers and quarterbacks from the event. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147559" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/63CE82B0-8584-42EC-8996-36BE644EE6C1-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Simeon WR [player_tooltip player_id="20843" first="Malik" last="Elzy"] (6’3” and 198lbs) @elzy_malik Physically one of the best looking prospects in attendance, Elzy is an absolute monster. He uses his frame very well to shield off defenders, but what really stands out is his route running. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1395150475188744192?s=21 Technical in his movements with a massive catch radius, Elzy makes plays that have you think how did he do that. Already getting D1 interest and offers, Elzy is going to explode in the fall. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147560" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/0FEBF6C2-E0B7-47E7-965F-9009C6FDBB68-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Neuqua Valley WR [player_tooltip player_id="131532" first="Grant" last="Larkin"] (6’ and 180lbs) @GrantLarkin1 Another technician, Larkin puts in a lot of work on his route running which really shows at events like these. Constantly beating defenders on his breaks, then making the catch always using his hands, never letting the ball get to his body. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1395149592916865024?s=21 Seeing Larkin before, I knew what to expect, but he was so much more polished than the last time I saw him. Fantastic showing and he poised to have a big season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147561" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/744EF90D-4EA2-4D85-BBD8-3ABAEBE9D184-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Lyons Township WR [player_tooltip player_id="119388" first="Noah" last="Pfafflin"] (6’2” and 175lbs) @noahpfafflin A varsity performer as a freshman, Pfafflin has added a bit of weight to his frame and that has really helped him shield off defender. He’s got a great catch radius and runs routes well. As he continues to get older, he’ll just get better. Pfafflin was one of the favorite targets by the quarterback group. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147563" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/A8D49F82-03B0-4EC4-AE15-0F15D695080E-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 WR Nazareth WR Justin Taylor (6’ and 185lbs) @__justintaylor What impresses me every time I see Taylor is that he gets incrementally better. It’s the little things that he does well, hand work, dropping his hips and using his body to catch the ball. Unfortunately I was unable to see him take some reps at cornerback, but he’s got the skill set to play on that side of the ball as well. He’ll continue to get stronger and faster and should be a standout this fall. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147564" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/23C8E70D-2403-4DD6-ADF7-BACB410AAB2A-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Morgan Park WR Chris Durr Jr (5’9” and 130lbs) @ChrisdurrJR1 I didn’t know about Durr prior to this event, but he is now squarely on my radar. Although he’s not that large, what he does well is gaining separation on his routes. A contributor as a freshman, Durr will get bigger, faster and stronger as his high school career continues. He showed good hands, quick feet and a knack for getting open. I really liked what I saw and Durr is squarely on my radar as he continues his high school career. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147565" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/C87562D7-0567-4770-B995-4BA4733444BF-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Jacksonville QB Elijah Owens (6’1” and 198lbs) @elijahowens_3 My first time seeing Owen’s live as certainly eye opening, especially his frame. The lower half was particularly impressive, his footwork was very good. I loved the pace that the ball came out of his hands, quick release and a very tight spiral. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1395151932315078658?s=21 Owens stayed around participated in the second group as well, also looking good there as well. I’ve reviewed his tape and all this did was confirm what I saw before, Owens is one of the quarterback in his class. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147567" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/A2BB0B5B-90D6-466E-A91B-8B1C664AA12E-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 St. Patrick QB Jermaine Young (6’1” and 230lbs) @JermaineYoung27 Massive frame, one that makes you think Young is a linebacker, throws a very good ball. There’s plenty of power behind his throws but an event like this doesn’t really show his complete skill set. The athleticism is there and Young has the body to get the tough yardage in short situations. My first time seeing him and I was impressed. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147568" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/17067836-7CCB-4373-B5B3-E62F23F4FDEA-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2026 Downers Grove North QB Owen Lansu (6’ and 150lbs) @OwenLansu12 Not even in high school yet, Lansu did not look out of place at all. If you would have told me he was a rising sophomore I would have believed you. The ball comes out of his hands extremely well, Lansu has a lot of seasoning for such a young player. He’s a name to keep in the back of your mind when he arrives to DGN in two years. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147569" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/0637EBD7-31B4-4C26-B825-B45276A22F9A-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 The Taft School, CT QB Nick Brown (6’4” and 194lbs) @n1ck8rown The most impressive arm of the event, Brown has an absolute cannon. He throws a deep ball with ease, great loft, just dropping into a bucket for his receiver. Brown has great size for the position, with room to continue to add weight to his frame. A quick release as well, with a very easy throwing motion. It would not surprise me one bit if Brown ultimately signs with a P5 school. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147571" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/893B4325-522B-4838-939E-14D4E7596180-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Riverside-Brookfield QB Diego Gutierrez (6’ and 182lbs) @DiegoGu89654875 After getting some run on varsity as a freshman, Gutierrez is in line to take over the starting role in the fall. He has gotten better since I saw in prior to the spring season, and after this showing he’s one to watch as he enters his sophomore year. Good size and arm-strength, as Gutierrez continues to get older, he’ll just get stronger. The righty throws a catchable ball, good loft on his deeper attempts. Gutierrez has a lot of potential and will be one to keep tabs on over the next three years. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147572" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/38D21757-135C-488C-B52E-0927D482DC21-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Nazareth QB [player_tooltip player_id="65706" first="Aidan" last="Pieper"] (6’2” and 205lbs) @PieperAidan One of the better arms in attendance, Pieper has gotten more comfortable with his skill set since the last time I saw him. His ball placement gotten better, especially on shorter throws. You can see the confidence growing and that will be very important heading into his senior year. Pieper has some very good footwork, he was working on off-schedule throws during 1v1’s, which I saw as a sign of maturity. Knowing that there has to be a clock to move inside the pocket is part of his growth, and I feel like Pieper should carry that into the fall season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147573" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/89CF5969-5A4C-4FF3-8CD3-B55A1D8B5975-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Montini Catholic QB [player_tooltip player_id="130444" first="Cole" last="Teschner"] (6’2” and 193lbs) @ColeTeschner Another player who showed his improvements was Teschner, after a season of starting under his belt, he seemed like a different player during his reps. He’s doing the little things much better, setting his feet before showing off his strong arm, slight shoulder fakes when the defensive back is trying to watch his eyes. Teschner who also stars on the diamond, should see his stock rise over the summer and carry into the coming season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147574" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/94820D94-D525-4A06-8521-9C55456AE2DD-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Lockport QB Hayden Timosciek (6’7” and 225lbs) @18Timosciek The largest quarterback on hand uses his long arms to unload the ball to all parts of the field. Timosciek’s arm has improved since the last time I have seen him, he’s definitely gotten stronger. He showed good footwork and accuracy, getting the ball out quickly from his hands. I would like to see more touch on a few of his ball, but that can come later. With a good summer and fall, Timosciek should start to get more more attention headed his way.