Under The Radar: Quarterbacks – 2023

With the 2022 recruiting cycle just about wrapped up and the early signing period already almost a month behind us, we look ahead to the class of 2023. While there are many great prospects in the state of Colorado for the class of 2023, and many great quarterbacks as well, there are also a myriad of players who aren’t getting enough attention on the recruiting trail. With that being said, here’s a look at three quarterbacks from the class of 2023 that are plenty deserving of more attention on the recruiting trail. <strong>Under the Radar Quarterbacks</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="22749" first="Isaac" last="Sisneros"], Kennedy Commanders (QB)(Jr.)(1) - Sisneros was one of the state’s top passers in 2021 as he accounted for 2,485 yards and a remarkable 33 touchdowns against just 8 interceptions, while going 153 of 274 (56%) with a QBR of 113.8. Sisneros also flashed his ability on the ground, as he rushed for 375 yards and 6 touchdowns. When you watch film of Sisneros, you can see that he is a highly explosive athlete with a live arm. Extremely elusive in the pocket when extending time to find a receiver downfield or as a ball carrier in one-on-one situations with defenders in the open field. Displays good arm strength with the ability to stretch the defense on deep balls and enough velocity on short and intermediate throws to squeeze passes into tight windows. Shows a good understanding of coverages, DB rotations, and pre-snap coverage shells and which reads to go to based off of those looks. Good accuracy when making throws on the run, often being forced to ad lib outside of the pocket and still making precise throws to all levels of the field. Shows great ball placement on deeper throws, consistently hitting receivers in stride, outside the defender’s reach, on longer throws. Sisneros is currently ranked the number 9 QB in the state for the 2023 class and the number 71 player overall. Despite his stellar production, Sisneros played on a team that went 3-7 this season and finished 5th in it’s conference. To compound this, he is probably considered undersized for the position (5’11, 160 lbs) by some in the recruiting world. With all that being considered, it’s easy to see why he’s so underrated. Regardless of all that, however, he is an incredibly gifted player that is more than deserving of a significant boost in his recruiting profile and will be a steal for whatever program lands him. [player_tooltip player_id="218213" first="Ethan" last="Cook"], Arvada West Wildcats (QB)(Jr.)(8) - It’s rather surprising that Cook isn’t more highly rated. While he didn’t light up the stat sheet, he was the starting QB the entire season (and played extremely well) for one of the better 5A programs in the state. Just glancing at his stats for the season, you can see he was an extremely productive passer for the Wildcats as he went 120 of 208 (58%) for 1,857 yards, 20 touchdowns against 7 interceptions, and a QBR of 105.4 while also rushing for 232 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. When watching the tape on Cook, you can see he is a highly accurate passer. Great ball placement on throws to every level of the field, routinely dropping the ball into a bucket on deep balls and squeezing throws into tight windows on short and intermediate throws. Highly efficient passer that rarely makes bad decisions with the football and consistently takes what the defense gives him. Smart QB that can quickly work through his progressions and find the open receiver in between zones or when working man coverage. Again, it’s pretty puzzling that Cook hasn’t garnered more attention. He has the requisite frame (6’3, 175 lbs), experience, and production to match. Cook is currently rated the number 12 QB and the number 102 player overall in the class of 2023, but if he continues to grow and develop his skill set, there’s no reason he shouldn’t garner more attention in recruiting circles. [player_tooltip player_id="150452" first="Exander" last="Carroll"], Regis Jesuit Raiders (QB)(Jr.)(14) - Carroll is a player that was quietly one of the better dual-threat QBs in the state during the 2021 season. For his junior season, Carroll accounted for 1,482 yards passing and an efficient 14 touchdowns against just 3 interceptions, while going 117 of 204 (57%) with a QBR of 96.9. Carroll also served as a threat on the ground for the Raiders, as he rushed for 666 yards and 8 touchdowns. When you turn on the tape, you can see Carroll shows elite athleticism from the QB position that adds a lethal second element to the Raiders’ offense. Highly elusive runner in the pocket and in the open field on scrambles and designed runs. Great foot speed that allows him to easily separate from 2nd and 3rd level defenders. Live arm with a ball that leaps out of his hand and allows him to hit every level of the field with relative ease. Adequately accurate passer on short and deep throws with consistent ball placement. Smart QB that makes good decisions with the ball, not turning the ball over often or putting the offense in a bad position. Carroll is currently rated the number 19 QB and the number 148 player overall in Colorado for the class of 2023. Much like Sisneros, Carroll would be considered undersized (5’10, 180 lbs) by some for the position which could explain why he’s such an underrated prospect. Carroll is certainly a gifted player and, in my opinion, the most underrated QB in the state for the class of 2023. Whatever college program gives him an opportunity will be getting an incredible ball player.