Positional Trait Rankings – Quarterbacks

In this series, we will be looking at the best of the best of the class of 2023 in the state of Kansas, and breaking them down by the positional traits that make up elite prospects. Below is a key showing the traits used to rank these prospects. The series will begin with a stacked quarterback class that includes a 4 Star recruit that already has a plethora of P5 schools knocking on his door. Tomorrow we will examine accuracy and pocket prowess. Stay tuned. <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 115px;"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><strong>Arm Talent </strong></td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><strong>Accuracy </strong></td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><strong>In the Pocket</strong></td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><strong>Running</strong></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;">Velocity</td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;">Shoulder Placement</td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;">Pocket Awareness</td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;">Speed</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;">Deep Ball</td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;">Timing</td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;">Poise</td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;">Power</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 10px;"> <td style="width: 25%; height: 10px;">Off-Platform</td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 10px;">Anticipation</td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 10px;">Pocket Manipulation</td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 10px;">Elusiveness</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;">Release</td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"></td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;">Footwork</td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"></td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"></td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"></td> <td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> &nbsp; <strong><em>Arm Talent</em></strong> <ol> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="87642" first="Avery" last="Johnson"] – Maize High School</strong></li> </ol> Johnson isn’t just arguably the best player in the state of Kansas, he’s the third ranked dual threat QB in the country by ESPN, so expect to see his name quite a bit. As far as arm talent goes, Johnson can threaten the entire field, and make it look effortless. The ball explodes out of his hand with a very compact release, and he can absolutely rip passes down the field on vertical routes, or to the opposite hash on deep outs, without his feet being set. <ol start="2"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="122493" first="Hayden" last="Oviatt"] – Wamego High School </strong></li> </ol> While Oviatt may be just behind [player_tooltip player_id="87642" first="Avery" last="Johnson"] in terms of raw arm strength, he still possesses a variety of impressive abilities in relation to arm talent. The Wamego QB has a lightening quick release, and he can comfortably generate velocity from different arm angles. The biggest standout when watching Oviatt’s film however, was his ability to throw with accuracy and velocity off-platform. Whether he’s moving to his left or right, he can fit the ball into tight windows and threaten the opposite hash on intermediate routes. <ol start="3"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35668" first="Eric" last="Erbe"] - Chanute High School</strong></li> </ol> Erbe is a more traditional pocket passer than the two prospects that proceed him in the top 3, but when he has his feet under him, he can absolutely sling the football. Erbe has a quick and compact release, and can fit the ball into tight windows down the field, as well as throw a good looking deep ball. <strong><em>Running</em></strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="87642" first="Avery" last="Johnson"] – Maize South High School</strong> This was an easy selection, as mentioned before, Johnson is the third ranked dual threat QB in the country, and it doesn’t take long to figure out that ranking does not flatter him. Johnson has an easy, gliding stride, creating the illusion he’s not actually running very fast as he’s effortlessly pulling away from defensive backs. To compound things for opposing defenders, he flashes running back eyes, with very good anticipation, and he has some quicks for a 6’3 kid, with a knack for shaking defenders with subtle cuts in higher gears. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="122493" first="Hayden" last="Oviatt"] – Wamego High School</strong> Where Oviatt stands out when juxtaposed with [player_tooltip player_id="87642" first="Avery" last="Johnson"] is his power as a runner. While he does have quite a bit of juice to suddenly separate from defenders, what really makes him nightmare is his ability to run between the tackles. Oviatt has very nimble feet, and runs with excellent pad level, keeping his legs churning and feet active. He makes it difficult for defenders to get a clean gauge on him as he breaks through arm tackles into the open field. In addition, he throws a mean stiff arm that most running backs in the state would be proud of. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="244922" first="Mason" last="McGavran"] – Olathe West High School </strong> Jumping right off the screen is McGavran’s build, with tree trunks for legs, which would be associated with running backs more so than quarterbacks. The Olathe West QB1 is not only a powerful runner that can shred arm tackles, but he has in his arsenal some lateral twitch, and a nasty stop/start that had opposing defenders grasping for air last season. &nbsp;