Scouting Reports: Top 2024 Georgia QBs

Here at Prep Redzone, we take pride in our in-depth analysis and our broad scouting base. Here, we start a multi-part series where we scout some of the top-ranked 2024 QBs in Georgia.   Air Noland - 6'3 195 - Langston Hughes   Projection: P5 starter   Strengths: Poise, footwork, smooth release   Comparison: N/A   Scouting Report   Noland, a recent Ohio State commit, has been lighting up the state for the past few years and now has a state championship ring to show for it. Noland has a nice frame to work with, standing tall at 6'3 with a lot of area to add some muscle. Athletically, Noland isn't necessarily the type of QB that teams will be afraid of when he tucks the ball to run, though he can certainly hold defenses accountable with his legs if they slack off. Instead, he relies on his twitchiness and outstanding footwork in the pocket to evade pressure. Noland has played in an offense similar to what we see in the college game with a lot of RPOs, misdirection, and post-snap reads. As a result, he is able to showcase outstanding field vision and control over the game. As a passer, his ball placement is some of the best you will see in the country. He throws with excellent timing, always delivering the ball in stride to his playmakers. I would say he is more of a touch-ball thrower, but he has a quick and compact release that does allow him to fire the ball into tight windows over the middle of the field. Even with how polished his game is and how much poise he shows, Noland still has a lot of upside as he will only continue to add more strength over the next several years. As he heads to Ohio State, don't be shocked to hear his name on the big stage sometime in the very near future.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='165716' first='Jake' last='Merklinger'] - 6'3 200 - Calvary Day Christian   Projection: P5   Strengths: Decision-making, ball distribution, pocket mobility   Comparison: Oregon QB Bo Nix   Scouting Report   Merklinger has steadily improved each year as the starter for Calvary Day and has blossomed into one of the highest-rated QB recruits in the entire country. Merklinger has a firm 6'3 200 pound frame with room to build. In my opinion, Merklinger is very underrated as an athlete and has true dual-threat ability. He is a good decision-maker on option and veer plays, selling the fake well and showing enough burst to scamper through openings for some yards. He is the type of player that can keep the chains moving on 3rd and long when the play breaks down. He shows some toughness and willingness to take on contact as a runner too. Merklinger plays in a spread offense with a heavy rushing attack, but he does show the ability to distribute the ball all around the field. His sudden movements and twitchiness in the pocket create enough space for him to operate. He has good arm strength and shows on film that he has the ability to make difficult throws, especially in a clean pocket. He looks clean and comfortable while throwing the ball on the move as well. Merklinger will benefit greatly in an offense that allows him to distribute the ball all over the field. Thankfully, he is headed to an offense that is perfectly built for him at Tennessee. There is plenty of room for development ahead for him, but he has the athleticism and prowess to translate nicely to the SEC level with some time.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='251827' first='Luke' last='Kromenhoek'] - 6'4 195 - Benedictine Military   Projection: P5   Strengths: Arm action, pocket awareness, toughness   Comparison: Former Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker   Scouting Report   Kromenhoek has been committed to Florida State even before he was a full-time starter for Benedictine Military. In his first season as a starter, Kromenhoek flashed some tremendous upside and playmaking ability. Simply put, he looks like a natural at the QB spot. He has a long and wiry 6'4 195 pound frame and is polished both in his technique and as an athlete. In fact, he is such a good athlete that he spent some time playing WR and S while backing up Auburn QB Holden Geriner and was productive while doing so. Fundamentally, Kromenhoek stands tall in the pocket with poise. He throws off a good base and senses pressure well in the pocket, showing the willingness to hang in and take some hits. He has a live arm and picture-perfect arm action. He has a quick release and snaps the ball around the field beautifully. He is still gaining more experience and will continue to refine his game, but he showed some excellent upside in year 1 as a starter and has plenty to build on. Kromenhoek is more of a distributor than a sit-back and survey QB, so if he can get into the right system and develop properly, he is certainly a prospect that could achieve impressive heights.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='137483' first='Jeremy' last='Hecklinski'] - 6'1 175 - Walton   Projection: P5 starter   Strengths: Arm strength, confidence, ball placement   Comparison: Auburn QB Holden Geriner   Scouting Report   Hecklinski performed at his best last season as the lights got brighter, navigating Walton to a successful season and leading the Raiders to a monster upset win in the playoffs over Buford. Hecklinski was one of my breakout picks for the 2022 season, and he absolutely met those expectations. The Wake Forest commit is efficient at all three levels. He has brilliant arm action, showing the ability to tighten up his delivery and mix up arm angles while throwing RPOs and shorter passes into the first and second levels. He has a beautiful deep ball, stepping into his throws and launching the ball with beautiful trajectory and ball placement. His confidence in himself and his receivers is always on full display as he is not afraid to throw the ball into coverage and give his receivers a chance to make a play. While this playstyle will naturally lead to some interceptions, it also leads to some huge momentum-changing plays. I wouldn't say Hecklinski is a dual-threat guy, but he has more than enough speed and suddenness to maneuver in the pocket and extend plays. When on the run and off-platform, he still flashes his arm strength and can reach all levels. In my eyes, Hecklinski is extremely underrated. With his sheer arm strength and confidence, he could blossom into a star.

Here at Prep Redzone, we take pride in our in-depth analysis and our broad scouting base. Here, we start a multi-part series where we scout some of the top-ranked 2024 QBs in Georgia.