2023 QBs We’ll See On Saturdays

The 2023 class is loaded as we know. The QB group is actually one of the thinner positions as of right now. Today, we’re looking at some QBs that are going to potentially make some schools really happy at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="185162" first="Drew" last="VanVleet"] - Richmond - QB - 6’4’ 185lbs VanVleet comes in with the frame that you dream of in terms of long-term ability and what the prototype is. He’s tall, long, sees the field well, and makes quick decisions. He’s willing to stand in the pocket and take a shot to deliver the ball. He’ll stand in there and not short-arm the throw either because he was worried about the hit. He comes across as fairly tough and when you knock him down he gets right back up. He’s got a fairly decent arm in terms of strength. He can let it rip and can hit about 60-yards in the air. When he’s on the run, especially to his right, he’s as dangerous as they come. He gets more accurate and can hit some windows that shouldn’t be possible. VanVleet can add some nice touch on his ball and drop it in a bucket if he has to. He’s able to fire it over the middle and put it on a rope if and when he has to. He’s got a really good arm that is still developing. The arm talent alone should be enough to have schools calling. I think in terms of footwork and going through progressions, VanVleet has some development to do once he gets to the next level. He has all the physical tools you want, and as I mentioned a minute ago, sees the field well. Combine that with his arm talent and you’ve got a really dynamic recruit. I’m excited to see what he can do this fall because everything points to a big send-off season. Where he ends up playing is TBD but he’s got the talent to do something special at the next level. If they aren’t already, the offers will come soon enough. [player_tooltip player_id="107015" first="Cameron" last="Tilly"] - Castle - QB - 6’3" 185lbs Tilly is a big-frame guy who is just as good of an athlete as you’d someone with his frame would be. He’s mobile enough to keep defenses honest and is really good at rolling out so sometimes he’s able to make things look the same to confuse defenses. In the pocket, is when he’s at his best. He’s typically able to go through his reads and get the ball to where it needs to go. There are times he can lock on to his first read, but every developing QB goes through the pains. Mechanically, he’s not the best or the worst you’ve ever seen. You can tell he works and puts the effort into improving his footwork. Tilly is very smart with the ball and doesn’t put it in harm’s way very often. He’s got decent accuracy and is usually able to throw with enough anticipation for his guy to make the play. He’s able to throw about 55ish yards right now with room to grow. Tilly is well trained in keeping his eyes downfield while extending plays. He’s always going to do everything he can to give his guy a chance to make the play. Sometimes I wish he was a bit more aggressive because I think he’s got the arm talent to get away with more than he does. Now I’m definitely not saying to cut it loose on everything but there are throws from time to time he could probably have but chooses not to and looks for a safer option. When Tilly gets into a rhythm and finds his groove he becomes really dangerous. He’s someone who can heat up and start throwing darts, ripping through his reads incredibly fast, and making those aggressive throws. If Tilly is able to hit that next stride this fall, the offers will come hot and heavy. [player_tooltip player_id="185177" first="Blake" last="Herdes"] - Evansville Central - QB - 6’3" 185lbs Herdes is a fantastic athlete who is just scratching the surface of what he can be. He steps on the football field and is almost always one of, if not the most physically gifted person on the field. He’s got a big arm and can put the ball on a dime 40-yards downfield while being smoked if he needs to. He’s got the arm strength to throw about 60-yards when he’s able to step into it and use the proper footwork for it. His accuracy isn’t much of an issue either. There are times he’ll miss but that’s because he’s human. Typically, he’s able to get the ball to where it needs to be when it needs to be there. If things break down or someone doesn’t get open, Herdes can and will take off. He’s got decent speed and then is hard to bring down. Whether it’s an attempted sack or tackling him on a run, it usually takes to get him down to the ground. He’s slippery, strong, and physical. He’s instinctive and a lot of times throws with anticipation and throws his guys open. His footwork and mechanics aren’t the best and he likes to throw off-platform because he’s got the arm talent to make things happen on the fly. He’s a creator and makes things happen with the pieces of the puzzle he’s given to live. All of this sounds great but what’s the catch? Well, he’s a basketball junkie. I can’t say I blame him either. His basketball tape is fairly good as well. While I’m not sure, I believe basketball is his primary focus right now too. That being said, Herdes is going to draw attention from schools on the field. He checks all the boxes you want and he’s going to get offers to play college football. The question for him is which direction he wants to go. He’s got the ability to do both and while I may be biased, but I hope he chooses football because the upside is astronomical. [player_tooltip player_id="107277" first="Carson" last="Parmer"] - North Decatur - QB - 6’3" 190lbs Parmer is fun because he plays on both sides of the ball and is so versatile that North Decatur just wants him on the field as much as possible. However, Parmer is best in the pocket and at QB. When he’s able to get in a rhythm he can really begin to heat up and slice and dice. When things break down around him, he’s able to step up while keeping his eyes downfield and make the throw. He’s a good enough athlete to step up through traffic and extend the play while running laterally. He’s going to put the ball where only his guy has a shot at it. He doesn’t run often but when he does he’s effective. He likes to get the ball downfield and make plays trying to extend by rolling out. Parmer knows where the ball is supposed to go and he’s quick with his decisions. With his frame, he’s able to see the whole field and he’s thick enough to absorb the big blows. There are times I think he gets a bit antsy and leaves the pocket before he needs to, but having an alarm clock that goes off early is easier to fix than an alarm clock that doesn’t go off at all. He’s not going to make himself a sitting duck back there and wants to make every play he can. He’s someone who leaves it all on the field and doesn’t want to let his team down. That much is clear and I think that’s why the team was able to rally around him last year as they pushed into the playoffs. All of the tools are there for Parmer and there’s every reason to be excited about what he can do moving forward. I believe he’s got some interest at other positions as well so it’s likely this fall he’s going to have his choice and will be able to pick the best fit for him. [player_tooltip player_id="325856" first="Bohde" last="Dickerson"] - North Side - QB - 6’4" 200lbs Dickerson is your prototypical QB who kills defenses with his size, athleticism, and arm. Whatever you do to counter him, he’s got the tool to offset it. He sees the field wells and typically goes through his progressions without locking onto his read very often. He’s got the arm strength to launch it 60-yards in the air and get it right into the bucket. His accuracy is what makes him so good. When he’s on, he’s really on and there’s not much you can do to stop him. He’s got the touch you like to see and then strength to match. He’s able to throw on the run, without being on platform, or while taking a hit. He’s not going to hold the ball and has fairly good pocket presence and knows when it’s time to go. There are times he can get antsy and leave early but not very often. He’s just got the natural feel you want guys to have in the pocket. He’s mobile enough to run if he wants to. Mechanically, this season he got a lot better throughout the season. While there’s still some work to be done with a heel click, I know he’s been working incredibly hard this offseason. From the recent offseason videos I’ve seen, his arm appears to have more pop but it’s hard to tell until we get outdoors and start flying around. Either way, not only does he have all the tools you want to see, he has the work ethic and drive to be great that you love to see. North Side could very well surprise a bunch of people this fall with how far they go if Dickerson is able to take that next step. If they haven’t yet, the offers will come and he’ll be picking where to sling the rock in the college ranks. [player_tooltip player_id="325839" first="Clay" last="Conner"] - Boonville - QB - 6’5" 200lbs Conner is a fantastic athlete who is still fresh to playing varsity QB but showed so much flash last season that there’s a lot to be excited about moving forward. He plays both ways for Boonville and finished the year as one of their leading tacklers. He has an ability to make plays when he’s on the field, or the court for that matter. Conner is also another fantastic basketball player that is gaining traction so there’s no telling what direction he may want to go. However, that being said, on the field he’s athletic enough to take off and gash the defense when he needs to. They use him in the run game and whether it’s the read option or a straight carry for him, he’s faster than defenses expect, as hard to tackle as a FB, and has incredibly long strides. He’ll pick up more yards than defenses realize and move the chains all the time with his legs. For a guy his size, he shouldn’t be nearly as agile as he is. He’s incredibly flexible and has great agility. That’s why we love multi-sport athletes! In the passing game, he’s got a good natural feel for the pocket and typically doesn’t hold the ball very long. While he doesn’t have the biggest arm, it’s more than capable, especially when he’s on the move. His accuracy is decent and he’s able to put the ball in a good spot more often than not. His mechanics are raw and need some work but the basic fundamentals are there. Conner is smart with the ball and is as reliable as they come. As athletic and slippery as he is with his size, he may get some interest at TE. He’s an incredible athlete and schools will just want him on the field. I’m not sure what direction he’s going to go but I know this. He’s going to have his choice. Whether he plays Basketball, QB, TE, or even defense in college he’ll have his choice and likely receive offers for all of them giving him his choice.