Five 2023 Quarterbacks to Watch
With 7 on 7 and camp season already underway, we are getting closer and closer to the 2022-23 high school football season. As a new season starts, we get to see a new senior class take center stage. For the…
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Continue ReadingWith 7 on 7 and camp season already underway, we are getting closer and closer to the 2022-23 high school football season. As a new season starts, we get to see a new senior class take center stage. For the 2023 class, there is an abundance of talent in the state of Kentucky with many players still looking to jump into the spotlight. Over the next several weeks, I want to focus on five seniors at each position that should be on some radars this season. With that being said, let’s start things off with five 2023 prospects to watch at the quarterback position.
Jacob Jones | 6’2″, 200 lbs. | West Jessamine High School | Junior Year Film
While Jones has already got his name out there, receiving an offer from Kentucky, he is still a player that is due to burst onto the scene even more. Son of former Kentucky quarterback, Pookie Jones, Jacob has great athletic genetics. Along with being a great quarterback, Jones is also a star on the baseball diamond and on the track. On the gridiron, Jones threw for 1,700 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has a cannon for an arm, slinging the deep ball with very little effort. Jones also puts very good zip on the ball in the short and intermediate passing game which helps him fit passes into tight windows. He also has shown that he can tuck the ball and run. As a junior, Jones rushed for 689 yards and 16 touchdowns. As a runner, he has speed in the open field but also has the ability to make defenders miss and can lower his shoulder and run through tackles. I fully expect him to pick up a ton of offers this summer.
Cooper Stone | 6’2″, 190 lbs. | Bethlehem High School | Junior Year Film
Stone is a quarterback that is finally starting to pick up some interest from some FCS and smaller FBS programs but still has yet to pick up an official offer. The Bethlehem quarterback led the Eagles to an impressive 11-3 record as a junior, throwing for 2,219 yards and 23 touchdowns. His play also helped him receive First Team All-District recognition. Stone has a very impressive arm and is extremely accurate all over the field. He has great footwork and has shown that he can throw on the run when the pocket breaks down. His ball placement also stands out as he puts the ball on the money where only his receiver can catch it. He also showed the ability to run the ball when needed as he rushed for six touchdowns as a junior. Stone definitely needs to be on a lot of radars across the country and could easily play at the FCS level in my eyes.
Cole Colony | 6’2″, 175 lbs. | Paul Laurence Dunbar High School | Junior Year Film
Colony is a true dual-threat quarterback that has been a big reason why the Bulldogs have remained a huge threat in their region. As a junior, Colony threw for 1,289 yards and nine touchdowns. As a passer, he throws an impressive deep ball with the touch to put it right on the money and hit his receiver in stride. In the short and intermediate passing game, he has a quick release and puts a solid amount of zip on the ball to fit it into tight windows. While he is a good passer, Colony is very dangerous when he tucks the ball, rushing for 847 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. Not only does he have the speed but he can make defenders miss in the open field and has the strength to break tackles. Colony also gets the job done in the classroom as he has a 4.1 GPA and has already received interest from multiple Ivy League schools.
Blake Van Horn | 6’2″, 180 lbs. | Henry Clay High School | Junior Year Film
Van Horn is a lefty quarterback that had an impressive junior campaign, throwing for 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has a very strong arm with the ability to set his feet and sling the ball down the field. I really like his ability to utilize a strong pump fake to freeze opposing defensive backs. Van Horn also has very good pocket mobility with the ability to avoid pressure and can throw the ball on the run effectively. He also showed the speed and athletic ability to tuck the ball and pick up yards when needed. Off the gridiron, Van Horn is also a pitcher for the Blue Devils baseball team. He is a player that can take advantage of camps this summer and get his name out there to college coaches as he has the talent to play at the next level.
Christian Combs | 6’0″, 175 lbs. | Apollo High School | Junior Year Film
As a junior, Combs finished eighth in 6A in passing with 1,941 yards and 19 touchdowns. On film, Combs’ pocket mobility and footwork really stood out to me. He has a very smooth drop back and knows when to step up to avoid pressure. Combs also puts very good touch on the ball with the ability to drop the ball into tight coverage and put it where only his receiver can catch it. He also showed that he can keep his composure and complete passes while taking on contact or when pressure is closing in on him. Combs has picked up one offer so far from Morehead State and should continue to receive interest with a strong summer and senior campaign.