PA Recruiting Landscape: Scouting Reports on Jones, Erby & Birch
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Samaj Jones Samaj Jones 6’0″ | 215 lbs | QB St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA has made his case for being the most coveted Quarterback prospect in the state of Pennsylvania regardless of class. He’s earned that status. State Champion at St. Joseph’s Prep, Samaj Jones Samaj Jones 6’0″ | 215 lbs | QB St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA has led the Hawks to back-to-back State Title births, bringing home the title this past Fall. Elite production as a starter.
Currently holding 17 collegiate scholarship offers. Group of Five programs are showing the most interest in Jones, with the junior quarterback compiling seven total G5 offers to date. Samaj Jones Samaj Jones 6’0″ | 215 lbs | QB St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA has acquired an offer out of Tennessee and Texas A&M, both currently stand as his top offers out of the SEC. Maryland and Penn State are in on the passer, while three programs each out of the ACC and Big12 have reached out in the form of offers.rn
SCOUTING REPORT:
Works in a Spread-Option offense that likes to keep three-four wideouts spread in formation, with a back split next to Jones. He can work zone-read sets inside with his back, or work the field. It helps that he can attack all three levels of the field, forcing defenses to stay honest at all fronts. I can’t speak in confidence about Samaj Jones Samaj Jones 6’0″ | 215 lbs | QB St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA ‘ vocal abilities in the huddle or the locker room. I also can’t speak on the young man’s work ethic, although I hear that both areas act as a plus. Elite production in two years as a starter for the Hawks. A cerebral approach is brought to the offense. Looking at the formations and concepts thrown out by SJP, I don’t imagine there’s much the coaching staff holds Jones out of. Jones acts as a legitimate dual-threat prospect both at this level, as well as projecting to the next. I don’t expect Jones to take QB-Draws 70+ yards to the house at the next level, yet I do expect him to be a factor for FBS programs in a myriad of ways. I trust he will be able to pick up 1st-downs in improvisational situations. I trust Jones will serve as a threat to score in the red zone, no matter the level of competition he plays in. I don’t believe Jones has met his athletic ceiling, at the same time, I don’t expect him to churn up 60-70+ yards a game in a Power Five setting. He’s a tough runner in the open field too, I imagine many of the HS runs where he’s running through kids will turn into slides at the next level. Working with SJP and developing under their umbrella has bolstered this young man’s feel in the pocket. I’ve witnessed Jones both step into clean pockets as well as Jones move his launch point laterally, all while keeping his eyes downfield. Footwork is a plus, again, the staff has this kid seasoned past your average PA quarterback. He will always have room for growth, particularly if his next program wants him to run a system he might be uncomfortable in. Jones’ effectiveness as a passer is the biggest talking point surrounding the young man in recruiting circles. Samaj Jones Samaj Jones 6’0″ | 215 lbs | QB St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA boasts some of the best decisiveness of any quarterback in the state. SJP has athletes that demand a quick response from Jones, he shows he’s more than capable of making the read and delivering an accurate, catchable pass. This is especially so in the short/intermediate areas of the field. I can see the off-season work bear fruit in-season. The anticipation he throws with is a huge plus, again, his cerebral approach shows here. He understands pacing from a passer’s perspective. He’s seen lobbing throws into windows, he displays the ability to challenge tight window throws inside 15-20 yards as well. SJP doesn’t hold back much in terms of route tree, so Jones will go into the next level with plenty of experience throwing advanced passing concepts and routes. All of this has helped build confidence, both in his throws and overall play.
Many question Samaj Jones Samaj Jones 6’0″ | 215 lbs | QB St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA ‘ stature. It’s a real question that many college coaches point to. I know he’s a tough runner, that doesn’t answer the glaring question many of us are asking. Can Samaj Jones Samaj Jones 6’0″ | 215 lbs | QB St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA handle a beating from an ACC/BIG10/SEC defense? Can he bounce back after getting dismantled in the pocket and deliver dimes? Jones’ frame continues to bulk which is a plus, that being said, will his height be an issue? Another question I have is, what does Samaj Jones Samaj Jones 6’0″ | 215 lbs | QB St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA look like when things don’t go well? I like Jones from an improv perspective, yet let’s take it a step further. What is his ceiling if he doesn’t have elite talent surrounding him, both in terms of offensive line and skill players? I’m willing to bet on him because I’ve seen the kid work, yet I know this question holds amongst coaches at the next level. The last question surrounding Jones’ game, is his arm strength. I think this issue was a bit more glaring this time a year ago. I wouldn’t say Jones has made strides over the past year in terms of developing torque behind his balls, yet I see him putting a bit more zip on the ball than I was used to seeing. Torque and velocity aside, can he target downfield effectively? Again, I think this is an area that still needs improvement, yet one that is clearly trending in the right direction.
Highlights
Alex Erby Alex Erby 6’4″ | 210 lbs | QB Steelton-Highspire | 2024 State PA has flirted with the top quarterback spot throughout the duration of his career. A winner, a 2-time State Champion at Steelton-Highspire. Arguably the most complete quarterback prospect, at least in his class. Undeniable production, year in and year out. 6’4, 205-pound build, the lefty quarterback’s case for the top spot in PA holds up better than I thought. Held off of top spot consideration mainly because of 1A play. Worth noting, dual-sport athlete.
Erby the prospect has secured 17 total offers to date. Group of Five programs are his most frequent suitor, with the likes of James Madison, Bowling Green, and Central Michigan reaching out to the junior passer, just to name a few. The BIG10 is also in on the prospect, with Erby securing four offers out of the conference, including a letter from Penn State. Erby also has three ACC offers under his belt, as well as two FCS offers that Erby will entertain.rn
SCOUTING REPORT:
Alex Erby Alex Erby 6’4″ | 210 lbs | QB Steelton-Highspire | 2024 State PA gets a plus from a build/ frame perspective right out of the gate. I guarantee many of his active suitors are intrigued and excited at the chance to mold this young man to their liking, especially from a build POV. Pretty clean pre-throw package. Erby checks off numerous intangible boxes, whoever lands Erby is landing a surefire winner and leader in the locker room. Brains both on and off the field, you’ll get a cerebral approach out of Alex Erby Alex Erby 6’4″ | 210 lbs | QB Steelton-Highspire | 2024 State PA , a plus for those considering him at the Power Five level. Work Ethic is also apparently a plus. Production is through the roof, you can count on 25-30+ touchdowns each year. That’s his floor too. Erby works in a Spread system that usually deploys three to four wideouts spread wide, often with a back split beside Erby. Erby has full reign of the offense. Intrigued by Erby’s athletic ceiling. Erby isn’t going to shatter any HS records on the ground, yet he’ll surprise those not in the know from time to time. Erby’s dual-threat capabilities allow for him to extend plays in the pocket and deliver impromptu dimes, he doesn’t necessarily scramble for large chunks of yards at a time, although capable. QB sneaks and naked boots inside the top ten will be achievable with Erby’s build and athleticism. I’m interested to see what his ceiling is in this area of his game. Huge fan of Erby’s abilities on the go. Improvisational skills are there, can evade pressure, escape the pocket, and throw accurate passes off-platform. He’s got a knack to make special, accurate throws under duress. Like his overall demeanor in the pocket, he’s tough, tall, and calm for the most part. Full confidence in himself to test a defense deep, he’s often rewarded for doing so in the form of scores. Solid accuracy throwing deep. I wouldn’t say Erby has elite arm strength, I’d call it above average. The hip power he puts into his throws is enough to keep a defense honest. I can see his overall velocity on throws when he attempts to throw opposite hash out-breaking routes. Said throws are seen on tape. Anticipation is a plus, especially deep. He has a great feel for when his targets will come open. I also acknowledge his ability to layer the football and throw with different tempo/pace. It’s a sign of an advanced quarterback. Durability is a plus, as Erby has not missed a start in his career that I can note of.
Many will drop Erby on their boards simply because of the level of competition he plays in. It’s understandable. 1A football in PA is still great, yet from a national perspective, Erby not playing against elite competition week in and week out will always amount to questions. Can Erby throw with elite defenders baring down his neck? Can Erby throw kids open if his targets are draped by elite DBs? How expanded was the route tree at Steelton? Can Erby make every throw? Erby’s arm talent isn’t an issue per se, yet I think there’s something to be desired from an arm strength perspective. The kid can still unleash 40+ yard bombs on target, so this is a nitpick. Erby’s size-to-arm strength ratio isn’t correlating. That’s something that can easily be fixed and again, is far from a problem. My two glaring problems with Erby’s game are two very fixable issues, issues that could be gone and turned into positives within one off-season at the next level. First, his accuracy issues in the short game. There are a myriad of reasons why he’s a tad inaccurate at times under 15 yards. At times, his feet aren’t ready. Next, he’s late on a read. This shows itself early in games, tending to smooth itself out throughout the duration of a game. This is far from a deal-breaker, the kid can fix any accuracy issues in a pinch, especially when they are caused by issues outside of his mechanics. I’d also like to see Erby be a bit more decisive. I see him take sacks that he shouldn’t. I see him pat the ball and hold onto throws that he should have let loose seconds before. Again, a nitpick and something he can clean up.
Highlights
Touted by many like myself as the best arm talent in Pennsylvania, his tape backs up that notion at times. Brad Birch Brad Birch 6’0″ | 190 lbs | QB Gateway | 2024 State PA flexes one of the best two-year tapes you can find out of a Western PA quarterback, He’s led Gateway to back-to-back 7-4 seasons, performing in a Spread-Option system that is chock full of RPO sets that allow Birch to make multiple post-snap decisions before he even makes a throw. 6’2, 190.
Despite the fanfare, recruitment has been fairly quiet. Brad Birch Brad Birch 6’0″ | 190 lbs | QB Gateway | 2024 State PA acquired an Oregon offer early into his career. That Oregon offer then turned into an Akron offer via Coach Moorhead. Both opportunities came in 2021. It isn’t up to me to speculate as to why, his ranking isn’t hurt by a relative lack in recruitment, primarily because of how good he looks on tape.rn
SCOUTING REPORT:
Plays in a system that isn’t entirely a spread attack. I see some Gateway sets on tape that deploy multiple tight-end sets, with an occasional heavy set sprinkled in. Much of Birch’s highlights do reveal themselves when in a Spread formation, allowing the passer to work a defense vertically. Brad Birch Brad Birch 6’0″ | 190 lbs | QB Gateway | 2024 State PA checks off arguably more boxes than either Erby or Jones. Arm strength and arm talent are near elite. This is the type of prospect to wow scouts both in person and behind a computer. Special tight-window throws are littered throughout his tapes dating back to his days at Jeannette. He displays an impressive release, again, a mechanically sound, efficient release that not many outside of Stone Saunders Stone Saunders 6’2″ | 200 lbs | QB Bishop McDevitt | 2025 State PA can rival. This flashy arm has bred an overtly confident quarterback who is willing to test any DB deep. His overall accuracy is a plus, especially downfield. Incredible depth perception. This kid can lead his players and keep them in stride like the best of them outside of PA. Anticipatory throws are seen on tape, especially when plugging in his latest junior tape. He can layer the football, I think he can be better in this area, yet he displays some kind of touch. Most of Birch’s throws are heaters, however. There are several off-kilter throws made on tape that wowed me. Say what you want about his slight frame, he is willing to stay in the pocket and deliver passes downfield while getting licked in the chops. This is proven when the young man is running RPO sets with an unblocked man bearing down. His improvisational skills seem better than in years past. Decisive, this is a passer who has an idea of what he wants to do with the ball before the snap. Not saying every decision he makes is a good one, just that every decision is made without much hesitation, which can be both a blessing and a curse depending on the prospect. Birch is going to win his program games with his arm, no doubting that. I will say he moved better this past Fall than in years past. I don’t think Birch will ever be deemed a true dual-threat athlete at quarterback, yet he certainly isn’t a statue behind center.
I cannot speak on any intangibles regarding the young man, I am not familiar with the coaching staff to provide those answers. There are questions regarding his slight frame. I generally shake those questions off when talking to those in the know. Plenty of slight quarterbacks can put on 10-15 pounds in an off-season. Birch has done that, at least it’s showing in self-reported measurables. His frame is hardly an issue. There are questions surrounding some of his decision-making that is warranted. Again, this is one of the more confident passers in the state, for good reason. Many coaches will have to take the good with the bad. The bad can be worked on. When you dissect this young man’s tape from afar, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher as to why he isn’t seeing some of the opportunities that those around him are receiving.