High Quality Quarterbacks due for a Big Season
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With Jalen Hurts’ recent gargantuan contract extension showing just how important quarterbacks are, I thought it was about time I covered the position. These field generals are expected to do just about everything on the field, and this list will…
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Continue ReadingWith Jalen Hurts’ recent gargantuan contract extension showing just how important quarterbacks are, I thought it was about time I covered the position. These field generals are expected to do just about everything on the field, and this list will serve to highlight some of Missouri’s best at the QB position.
The 6-foot-6, 230 pound specimen of a quarterback may look like he was built in a lab, but Sam Kaiser Sam Kaiser 6’5″ | 210 lbs | QB Rock Bridge | 2024 State MO is the real deal. He combines pinpoint accuracy with a tight spiral and a cannon of a right arm to produce one of the best deep balls the state has to offer. Almost all of his deep shots hit their targets in stride, which allows his receivers to keep moving and turn a big yardage play into a touchdown. His poise in the pocket is something special to watch, and he will gladly deliver a strike down the field, even if it means getting hit by a blitzing backer. When he is forced outside of the pocket, Kaiser calmly glides across the field, showing uncanny patience and presence outside of the pocket until he finds the open man. This guy had a big junior year, and I’m sure we will be talking about him a lot this fall.
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If you’re looking for a mobile quarterback who can get the ball out in a hurry, look no further than Antwon McKay Antwon McKay 6’2″ | 185 lbs | QB Cardinal Ritter | 2024 State MO . The rising senior out of Cardinal Ritter College Prep is a dual threat QB who can absolutely sling it from anywhere on the field. His footwork in the pocket is dynamic, and he is always on his toes, an attribute which enables him to fly out of the pocket at a moment’s notice and gain chunks of yards on the ground. McKay also has a knack for fitting the ball in tight spaces, and this is primarily thanks to his aforementioned arm strength that allows him to zip it in between multiple defenders. On top of all of this, his decision making in the read option is second to none, which is just another component of McKay’s broad skillset. This guy is as dangerous under center as he is in the shotgun, and this versatility is a big reason why I’ll be following his fall season closely.
Hailing out of Rockwood Summit High School, Grant Gibson Grant Gibson 6’2″ | 210 lbs | QB Rockwood Summit | 2024 State MO is a pocket passer who shows a wide variety of abilities. One of his most notable skills is his decision making and the ways he alters his throws based on each specific scenario he is in. Simply put, Gibson knows when to put some air under the ball, when to make risky throws in traffic, and most importantly, he showcases a great deal of trust in his receivers. He’ll throw it off one foot or in motion if he knows his guy is down there, and more times than not, these risks lead to big rewards. His 6-foot-3, 210 pound frame is surprisingly fluid outside of the pocket, and his accuracy on the run is superb. Between his mobility and maturity, Gibson appears to be well on his way to another great season in the fall.
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Beau Dolan Beau Dolan 6’2″ | 190 lbs | QB Ladue | 2024 State MO has been at the helm for Ladue’s offense for the last three years, but his upcoming fourth season may just be his best. When I turned on his film, it only took a few plays to realize just how seasoned he was at the varsity level. Even at a position as daunting as quarterback, Dolan shows a level of comfort under center that not many guys can emulate. The southpaw delivers clean, poised strikes from the pocket, often hitting his receivers right between the numbers thanks to his accuracy. His footwork under center is cleaner than most guys at the prep level, and this allows him to get his hips around and throw laser quick passes to his guys. Dolan also exhibits some great mobility, consistently shifting defenders so he has the option to either throw or run around them. At this point in Dolan’s career, it seems like he has sharpened his skillset to a dangerous level, and odds are Ladue is thrilled that he is coming back for a fourth and final season.
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Arguably the purest athlete on this list, Ethan Hansen Ethan Hansen 6’1″ | 175 lbs | QB Rockhurst | 2024 State MO is a force to be reckoned with both on the ground and through the air. In fact, the first play I saw of Hansen was him delivering a 50 yard touchdown strike flat footed. Yep, you read that right. His arm strength is unfathomable for a high schooler, and he can deliver it from anywhere. Another play I observed saw him casually tossing a 40 yard touchdown pass while he was in a dead sprint towards the sideline. As a passer, Hansen is clearly dangerous, but his running highlights are somehow even more eye popping. When he tucks the ball and takes off, he is more akin to a running back than a QB. His top speed outpaces most defensive backs, and this forces opposing coaches to put defenders on him at all times. If Hansen gets to the sideline, he is at the very least picking up a first down. At 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, he is admittedly on the lighter side for quarterbacks, but his sheer athleticism more than makes up for this. Hansen is heading into his senior year at Rockhurst, and his dynamic style of play will surely turn heads in the fall.