2022 QB Superlatives

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2022 season well in the rearview, it's time to hand out some superlatives for some of Georgia's premier signal-callers. These QBs, along with many others unmentioned, solidified themselves as household names in Georgia and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Most Accurate: 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='321460' first='Aaron' last='Philo'], Prince Avenue Christian </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a 69% completion percentage, Philo had one of the best completion percentages in the entire state despite throwing the ball more than almost any other QB. Numbers don't tell the whole story though. Philo all year proved to show outstanding poise in the pocket and the ability to throw the ball with excellent timing and precision. He isn't a drive-ball thrower. Instead, he does an outstanding job of putting some touch on the ball and throwing to a spot, hitting his receivers in stride. This shows excellent trust in his receivers, but it is also a playstyle that is incredibly unique and will translate to the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15032319/Aaron-Philo">https://www.hudl.com/profile/15032319/Aaron-Philo</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Strongest Arm: 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='137483' first='Jeremy' last='Hecklinski'], Walton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hecklinski exploded onto the scene in 2022, becoming one of the most highly productive QBs in the entire state. I got a good look at him in the offseason and was very impressed with his arm talent, and he looked even better in an actual game. Hecklinski has smooth and quick arm action and can quickly rip the ball downfield. Out of his hand, the ball comes out with extreme velocity and as a very tight spiral. More impressively, Hecklinski loses hardly any velocity and life on the football when he is on the move or throwing off-platform. Hecklinski will enter his senior season as a Wake Forest commit, but his stock should only continue to rise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11482414/Jeremy-Hecklinski">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11482414/Jeremy-Hecklinski</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Newcomer: 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='206164' first='Julian' last='Lewis'], Carrollton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one is a no-brainer. Lewis entered the high school ranks with extreme hype, but I don't think anybody expected him to contribute the way he did as a freshman. Lewis threw for over 4000 yards and 48 TDs while completing 65% of his passes, numbers practically unheard of for freshman QBs. From his physical tools to his mental processing, Lewis plays like a veteran. Some are considering Lewis a generational QB prospect, and this is just the beginning of what should be a storied career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15003819/Julian-Ju-Ju-Lewis">https://www.hudl.com/profile/15003819/Julian-Ju-Ju-Lewis</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Senior Sleeper: 2023 Cameron Ellis, Meadowcreek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellis is still waiting for the attention he deserves on the trail after throwing for over 2500 yards his senior season while completing 70% of his passes, he also added 35 total TDs. On top of the production, Ellis also checks the physical boxes. He is a big QB prospect at around 6'5 210. For his size, he is an outstanding athlete and can keep plays alive while also posing as a running threat. He has a short and tight release which allows him to get the ball out quickly. Can make throws to all levels of the field, but he has a very pretty deep ball that falls right into the bucket. Ellis would be a welcomed late addition for plenty of schools at any level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12942282/Cameron-Ellis">https://www.hudl.com/profile/12942282/Cameron-Ellis</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest Breakout Star: 2024 Baxter Wright, Gainesville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A year ago, most people in the state probably had no idea who Baxter Wright was, including me. Now, he is recognized as one of the best QBs in the state after a year under new Gainesville head coach, Josh Niblett. On the year, Wright finished with around 4000 total yards of offense, with about 3500 of those being through the air. He also had 49 total TDs on the season. Wright has a funky delivery and a bit of an unconventional playstyle, but he is incredibly creative outside of the pocket and can rocket the ball downfield. Wright has put himself on the map and has set himself up for a big senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11730509/Baxter-Wright">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11730509/Baxter-Wright</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Most Consistent: 2024 Air Noland, Langston Hughes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For a second straight season, Noland was as consistent as they come as he helped lead Langston Hughes to another state title. Noland rose to the call each week, completing 60 percent or more of his passes in all but 1 game. He also broke the 80% mark in 5 games. With his consistency and fluidity, Noland has made a name for himself as one of the best QBs in the country. With another massive season, Noland will be remembered as one of the leading passes in Georgia history. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14585975/Prentiss-Air-Noland">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14585975/Prentiss-Air-Noland</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Athlete: 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='325240' first='Bryce' last='Clavon'], Kell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one was also a no-brainer. Clavon had a breakout junior season where he made a name for himself on the recruiting trail, but he is also is in play to be drafted in the next MLB draft. He has as high of a pedigree as anyone in the state, and is living up to it. Clavon has a very strong arm and can create with the best of them. He will hurt you in the run game and he will hurt you in the drop-back passing game as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15083934/Bryce-Clavon">https://www.hudl.com/profile/15083934/Bryce-Clavon</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Most Likely to Breakout Next Year</strong>: <strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='338659' first='Luke' last='Nickel'], Milton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='338659' first='Luke' last='Nickel'] is already a big-time QB prospect in the 2025 class with numerous P5 offers. Nickel showed promise at times during his sophomore season, his first as a starter. With one year of starting experience under his belt, Nickel could be due for a massive 2023 campaign. Physically, Nickel has all the tools. He has a stout, muscular build with decent athleticism and a strong arm. As he grows mentally, which is a given, Nickel will blossom into one of the most prolific passers in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/2264653/Luke-Nickel">https://www.hudl.com/profile/2264653/Luke-Nickel</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Most Likely to Pick Up P5 Offer</strong>: <strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='137476' first='Reece' last='Fountain'], Rome</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With offers from schools like Georgia Southern under his belt, the next step for Fountain is to start receiving some P5 buzz. He has the tools and production to warrant such attention. Fountain was one of the most reliable passers in the state last season, completing 75% of his passes while throwing for over 3000 yards on the season. Fundamentally, Fountain is as fluid and polished as a passer you fill find in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14945635/Reece-Fountain">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14945635/Reece-Fountain</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->