5 Quarterbacks In The 2024 Class Not Getting Enough Love
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Today we’re taking a deeper look at 5 QBs in the 2024 class who have a ton of talent and may be flying way under the radar compared to some others in the class yet have a ton of talent…
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Continue ReadingToday we’re taking a deeper look at 5 QBs in the 2024 class who have a ton of talent and may be flying way under the radar compared to some others in the class yet have a ton of talent in their own right. Let’s take a look!
Bodie Derrer Bodie Derrer 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Hamilton Heights | 2024 State IN – Hamilton Heights – QB – 6’3″ 200lbs – 2024
Derrer is someone who has a lot of the intangibles you’re looking for along with some of those tangible things. He’s a legit 6’3″, maybe a bit taller, who sees the field incredibly well for his age. He towers over the line, has a high release, and isn’t going to get balls batted down. Derrer seemingly never makes the wrong decision by putting the ball in harms way. 3 interceptions on the year in 11 started games is great to see. He put up just under 1800 passing yards while tossing 24 TDs. When he’s got a clean pocket and time, he’ll get his feet properly set and let it rip. He’s not always able to do so but is capable of throwing on the run so he’s got the versatility there. Derrer is also athletic enough to roll out, extend plays with his legs to buy time, or take off and move the chains if needed. While running isn’t a huge part of his game, he’s capable. Right now, I think Derrer is on a good track. Accuracy is still improving but he took a big jump from year 1 to year 2. He’s working with 1 of, if not the best, QB academy in Indiana to improve his game. He’s a pocket passer who has a ton of ability and stands tall and leads the way when crap hits the fan.
Twitter: @BodieDerrer
Ryan Zimmerman Ryan Zimmerman 6'6" | 225 lbs | QB Guerin Catholic | 2024 State IN – Guerin Catholic – QB – 6’6″ 220lbs – 2024
Zimmerman may be the single biggest wildcard in the entire state heading into the 2023 season and I’m dead serious. If he came out, blew up, and skyrocketed up boards I’d be 0% shocked. What he was able to do in the few games he played was spectacular and the jump from his first season was astronomical. Last season, Zimmerman only played in 4 games due to injury but those 4 games were phenomenal and you can see why they’re excited. His completion percentage jumped 16% and had 11 passing TDs in those 4 games. The season before he he 10 TDs in 11 games started. His QB rating was up over 30 points as well. The tape gives you reasons to be excited as well. You’re looking at a legitimate 6’6″ frame who is a good athlete. He sees the entire field easily and can uncork deep balls easily. He’s got a big arm and likes to push the ball down the field. He’s aggressive and will take his chances with the ball. He was completing 66% of his passes, it wasn’t an accuarcy issue as much as a decision issue. When I say he’s aggressive, I mean it. Personally, I like aggressive QBs. I’d much rather have a guy who will take the shot than a guy who won’t. It’s much easier to coach throwing to the right guy than it is to teach to be aggressive and try being a play-maker at QB. That’s what Zimmerman is and why I appreciate his game. He’ll lower his shoulder and fight for yards. He’s competitive and was just a ton of fun to watch. Zimmerman is a big armed, big bodied, aggressive quarterback who will take his shots and push the ball down the field. There’s a ton of potential and ability sitting in Noblesville right now and let’s see who finds him and hits a home-run.
Twitter: @RyanZimm30
Bryson Luter Bryson Luter 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Lawrence Central | 2024 State IN – Lawrence Central – QB – 6’0″ 180lbs – 2024
Luter is a dual-threat Quarterback who has been gashing defenses with his arm and legs for what they probably think has been an eternity. He’s a fantastic athlete with a big arm and the legs to turn the corner and house it. Luter has some heat behind his throws and it naturally comes out on a line/rope. He doesn’t throw with a ton of touch, but he’s able to put some touch on it. He’s great at getting the ball up and giving his guy a chance. He’s not afraid to go deep time and time again if he needs to. While there are times I think he could take some underneath options a bit more to live another day, it’s a coaching thing. As good of an athlete as he is, he may have the green light to take off when he wants, I’m not sure. When he takes off with those legs, he’s going to make things happen. This year alone he had 667 rushing yards and 9 TDs on the ground. He’s able to make defenders miss in small spaces and isn’t afraid of contact. He strikes me as a guy who simply loves football and is out there to have fun. His 1415 passing yards and 13 TDs through the air rounded out his ’22 season. Overall, a season that showed a ton of flash and potential. Luter’s big arm and ability to extend plays make me think he’s got a legitimate chance to develop into an elite starter. He’s got a ton of physical traits on the field and is getting better. Next fall will be big for him and if he’s able to play at that level again, he’ll have no issue finding a home at the collegiate level.
Twitter: @BrysonLuter
Dominic Garzolini Dominic Garzolini 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB South Vermillion | 2025 State IN – South Vermillion – QB – 6’0″ 185lbs – 2024
Garzolini might be one of the few QBs who will be coming out that has experience going under the Center. I appreciate that going under Center is a part of the offense he runs as it’s good to get experience being under Center and making adjustments if they allow that. Garzolini isn’t the biggest QB but it doesn’t impact his play because he’s got his own unique play-style. He feels like he understands what he does well and his coaching staff has implemented some of that into the offense. He’s got a quick and easy going release. The ball comes out fast and he likes to make quick decisions and dish the ball out the like a Point Guard. The open guy gets the ball, not his favorite guy. His first year starting for Varsity and in 9 games he completed 63% of his passes while averaging 15.8 yards per attempt. He was pushing the ball down field and doing it at a high level. His 1152 passing yards and 12 TDs feel like he’s just getting started, especially as he didn’t get to play the full season. I also like the fact that Garzolini knows how to maneuver in the pocket and make sure he’s able to find those throwing lanes. He’s a unique player who really gave South Vermillion some life last year after a down year. Guys rally around him and he’s got another year to show what he can do because that first year showed a ton of promise, which gives you good reason to be excited heading into the fall.
Twitter: @DGarzolini
Owen Smith Owen Smith 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB McCutcheon | 2024 State IN – McCutcheon – QB – 6’1″ 175lbs – 2024
Smith was starting his first season for McCutcheon and you can see why they seem fairly excited about what he can do heading into next fall. Overall, Smith had a fairly good season. He showcased a ton of arm talent. He’s able to make some throws that most guys aren’t able to. He’s able to throw on the run and cross his body. He’ll usually square up his shoulders on the move which is a good sign of quality coaching. When he’s able to set his feet in the pocket, he’s as good as anyone. He can put the ball anywhere he wants to and is actually fairly decent in going through progressions. He doesn’t usually stick on 1 receiver and will come off him and go through his progressions. If it’s not there Smith will pull the ball and run. His mental clock is fairly good and he can sense pressure. Sometimes he can take off a bit earlier than needed but a very minor thing that’s only an issue if the ball is being turned over. He put up 1467 passing yards and 13 TDs on the year. As the season went on he obviously got quite a bit better. Who he was to end the year compared to Week 1 was night and day different with improvments. On the year he completed 54% of his throws but if you look at the game to game numbers, the second half of the season numbers match the film improvement. Smith has McCutcheon in a good spot heading into the next season and if he takes that next step he could be a top name in the state.
Twitter: @OwenRSmith11