Nation’s Top Quarterbacks Gather at ‘The QB Retreat’

Longtime quarterback coach Steve Clarkson held his annual Memorial Day QB Retreat in Santa Monica, CA this past Saturday. Top high school and college quarterbacks from all over the nation gathered for the event. Some of the nation's top college quarterbacks attended the camp as "mentors" including <strong>DJ Uiagalelei</strong> (Clemson), <strong>Bryce Young</strong> (Alabama), <strong>Kedon Slovis</strong> (USC), <strong>Jayden Daniels</strong> (Arizona State) and <strong>Ryan Hilinski</strong> (Northwestern) among others. Some of the top scouts in the country were there to evaluate the high school quarterbacks and here are some players who got rave reviews. <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/quinn-ewers/">Quinn Ewers</a></strong>, Southlake Carroll, Texas: It's not surprising that Ewers was considered the most impressive quarterback at the camp by multiple scouts. The Ohio State commit has drawn comparisons to Rams quarterback Matt Stafford and throws with more velocity and spin than any other quarterback. <strong>AJ Duffy</strong>, IMG Academy, Florida: Duffy transferred to IMG from Rancho Verde, CA and has gotten bigger and improved his game. I saw him as a sophomore at Rancho Verde in a playoff game and was impressed by his effortless release and how far the ball goes out of his hand. He is committed to Florida State and his stock is rising fast. Tom Loy of 247Sports said that he throws the best ball of anyone in the class in his opinion. <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/justyn-martin/">Justyn Martin</a></strong>, Inglewood, California: Martin has always been a good athlete but his skills as a quarterback have improved dramatically. Loy said he was the top California quarterback in the 2022 class at the camp and Greg Biggins was impressed as well. His release has improved and he led Inglewood to a perfect record this spring. He is committed to Cal. <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/pierce-clarkson/">Pierce Clarkson</a></strong>, St. John Bosco, California: Clarkson played so well last spring that he won reps from a quarterback who was a shoe-in to the the starter for the Braves. Biggins said that no player has improved more than him in the past year. He was always athletic and his arm has caught up to his athleticism. He is a true dual threat quarterback who will be a national recruit this time next year. <strong>Weston Smith</strong>, Colleyville Heritage, Texas: He is a big guy at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds. Smith got his first scholarship offer from Florida State over the weekend. He didn't play last season due to COVID and it will be interesting to see how he has developed this fall. <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/malachi-nelson/">Malachi Nelson</a></strong>, Los Alamitos, California: Malachi is a national recruit and a big name at showcases like this. He fits in with the college quarterbacks already and throws better than almost anyone. His stock couldn't be any higher right now. <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jadyn-davis/">Jadyn Davis</a></strong>, Catawba Ridge, South Carolina: Davis was regarded by most as the top quarterback in the 2024 class at the camp. He is already a national recruit with offers from Alabama, Georgia, Oregon and Penn State. According to Loy, the college quarterbacks were very impressed and could not believe he is a only going to be a sophomore. <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/darius-curry/">Darius Curry</a></strong>, Long Beach Poly, California: Curry was the breakout star of the camp as far as underclassmen go. The 2024 quarterback is stronger than most quarterbacks and can throw better than most. He recently transferred to Long Beach Poly from St. Bernard and will likely sit behind <strong>Shea Kuykendall</strong> for a season before taking over the Jackrabbits as a junior. <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/emmett-brown/">Emmett Brown</a></strong>, Rancho Verde, California: Brown transferred to Rancho Verde from Mater Dei and only got to play one game as a junior. He threw three touchdown passes in that game and impressed in the camp setting. He is one of the smaller quarterback recruits at 5-foot-10 but has a live arm and is accurate to all levels. &nbsp; &nbsp;