Underrated Senior QBs Leading Their Team Through the Playoffs
In this article:
We are about set for round two of the playoffs to get started. Even on a bigger scene, some senior QBs still fly under the radar. Here, we look at some of those prospects leading their teams through the playoffs.…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe are about set for round two of the playoffs to get started. Even on a bigger scene, some senior QBs still fly under the radar. Here, we look at some of those prospects leading their teams through the playoffs.
Logan Cross Logan Cross 6'6" | 195 lbs | QB Social Circle | 2023 GA – Social Circle
Cross is a prospect that has been on our radar for a while. At around 6’6 190 pounds, he is one of the tallest QBs in the state and possesses some good athleticism for his size. He has had a productive career topped off with a highly productive senior season, his best yet. Still, he remains under the radar despite the production. Social Circle struggled their way to a 10-7 win over Whitefield Academy in round one to set up a matchup against Rabun County, which is one of the more sneaky matchups of the week. Cross is coming off a 3 INT game, but that was his only rough outing of the year, and they still got the victory. Social Circle will need their senior QB to produce if they want to have a chance of pulling off an upset. Cross has answered the call numerous times this season, throwing for nearly 2500 yards and 30 TDs while completing almost 70% of his passes. Keep an eye out on this game, as we will have some good QB play.
Keegan Stover Keegan Stover 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB Rabun County | 2023 State GA – Rabun County
I had said for a while that Stover was the best 2023 prospect in Georgia without offers. A big senior season has elevated his name, and he finally got that first offer. Stover is one of the state leaders in passing yards, eclipsing 3000 yards on the season with 36 TDs. Stover is also pretty efficient and takes care of the ball, completing 63% of his passes and only throwing 2 INTs the entire season. Stover has had an extremely productive high school career, and he has done it by being an extremely tough QB that has an uncanny ability to extend plays. He is a true pocket passer, but he doesn’t go down easy and is a sneaky athlete. This year, the accuracy finally came completely around for him, as he showed the ability to attack all levels of the field and showed a lot of trust in his receivers. Stover and Rabun County aren’t done yet, as they still have a chance to make a run at the state title.
Caleb McMickle – Fellowship Christian
McMickle has quietly been one of the best QBs in the state for the past two years and has Fellowship Christian set up to make a deep postseason run. McMickle is headed to Houston, where he will eventually get a shot to prove himself in the big 12. In my opinion, McMickle is the most accurate passer in the state outside of the pocket. Fellowship Christian frequently moves him outside the pocket, where he can deliver the ball with good accuracy and a lot of velocity. When he does stand in the pocket, he is calm, collected, and delivers the ball on a dime. McMickle is a great athlete that can throw on the run and off-platform effortlessly. On top of that, I think his experience playing under center will do wonders for his development at the next level. Houston walked into Georgia and got one of the hidden gems in the state, good for them. Fellowship Christian will battle ELCA in round two, another intriguing matchup.
Geimere Latimer Geimere Latimer 5'10" | 175 lbs | QB Sandy Creek | 2023 State GA – Sandy Creek
I don’t know if Latimer will play QB at the next level, but he WILL play at the next level, and will probably be a productive player wherever he winds up. He is a gifted athlete with tons of versatility, and he shows it on film. At QB, Latimer has given the Sandy Creek offense a boost over the last two seasons, and he is carrying that over into the playoffs. On the year, he has thrown for nearly 2000 yards and 27 TDs. You also have to be very accountable for his legs, as he has rushed for almost 500 yards and 8 TDs on the season. Latimer has some really good arm strength and can let the ball fly with just a flick of his wrist. At times, he also shows the ability to put some touch on the ball and let his receivers make a play. As a runner, he has good vision and runs under control. Latimer is a playmaker that can be productive at a lot of positions, and he has shown it this year. Sandy Creek will battle a good Stephens County team in round two.
Ben Guthrie Ben Guthrie 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Alpharetta | 2023 State GA – Alpharetta
Most people expected a breakout year for Guthrie, but it was hard to predict him to produce at the rate he has. Guthrie has thrown 37 TDs on the season and has passed for over 3000 yards. 5 TDs on the ground put him over the 40 total TD mark on the season. Alpharetta has a lot of star power, but needless to say, Guthrie’s emergence as a senior has taken the team to new heights. Guthrie is a good athlete with a natural feel for the game. Even when the play breaks down, he is able to stay composed and find an open receiver down the field. I’ve compared his ability to dance around would-be tacklers and keep his eyes downfield to Bo Nix, and I still like that comparison. One thing that Guthrie has really improved on this year is his arm strength. He had good arm strength as a junior, but it really stands out on film this time around. Guthrie and Alpharetta will battle Rome in one of the premier matchups of round 2.
Jalen Woods Jalen Woods 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Woodward Academy | 2023 State GA – Woodward Academy
Woods is yet another QB that has quietly been extremely productive and efficient as a senior. Woods has passed for over 1700 yards on the season with 22 TDs and has completed 71% of his passes, setting career high’s in every category. Woods isn’t a super flashy prospect, but he plays with a very natural feel for the game. He has good pocket and release mechanics, never dropping the ball in his delivery and throwing a tight spiral. He throws with great anticipation and awareness, giving his receivers room to make plays after the catch. Woods is a very fundamentally sound player that is productive and also has good size at around 6’3 200 pounds. Woodward Academy will battle Lee County is yet another clash between two powers.