Quarterbacks back and looking for more, part one
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My pre-season review of the top stat stuffers from 2022 who will still be playing under the Friday night lights this season switches to quarterbacks. I was surprised to see how many of the top receivers were underclassmen last year,…
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Continue ReadingMy pre-season review of the top stat stuffers from 2022 who will still be playing under the Friday night lights this season switches to quarterbacks. I was surprised to see how many of the top receivers were underclassmen last year, so I was not surprised this time around to see how many of the top gunslingers were back for one more year. The three yardage leaders from last season and four of the top ten are back for one more season.
Jakob Nachreiner
Jakob Nachreiner
I couldn’t find much video of Nachreiner on the football field. The Tigers’ soon-to-be senior’s path will be on the baseball diamond after the football season wraps up. Committed to Ellsworth Community College in Iowa as a pitcher on the football field, he led the state in completions (210), yards (3119), and touchdown passes (40). On the diamond, he throws a low to mid-eighties fastball. Predictably, the throws I did track down show Nachreiner with an easy throwing motion – even when pushing the ball down the field.
Zolnosky was the most impressive quarterback I saw live last season. First, it is obvious just watching him for a few minutes that – at least at the high school level – he has ‘it.’ He plays with cool confidence, not often seen at the high school level. He put up nearly 3000 yards passing for the Raptors. He has a cannon of a right arm, and he can use it just as effectively from the pocket as he can on the move. Arm strength doesn’t do much good if it is not paired with accuracy, and the Raptors’ quarterback has that – both on his deep ball and shorter throws. You just aren’t going to see his receivers having to make any wild adjustments to catch his ball. I wouldn’t say he is a running quarterback, but when he rolls out, he rolls out with purpose – he can move.
Highlights
Yogarajah is another young gunslinger who can bring the heat. Regardless of if he is in the pocket or on the move, he has the arm strength to make all the throws. While I wouldn’t say he is a running quarterback, the Scarlet Knights’ signal-caller is a guy coaches would love to have with the ball when the blocking breaks down. With almost 2600 yards passing, his arm strength gives him the confidence to fit the ball into some tight windows that most quarterbacks shouldn’t try. He has nice touch on the ball, but Yogarajah is absolutely at his best when he can really let it rip.
Rees Grimsrud
Rees Grimsrud
What stands out immediately when watching Grimsrud is his touch and accuracy on his deep ball. His smooth release gets the ball deep, but his throws look effortless. He also gets plenty of zip on his balls – especially throwing the deep out. He is most comfortable when he is in the pocket and can step into his throws. However, he throws well on designed rollouts and is very creative with his feet in the pocket. Grimsrud – who threw for over 2100 yards as a junior – is tough to sack. Even on deep routes, he makes quick decisions and gets the ball out quickly. When the pass rush wins on a play, he will stand in the pocket and take a hit if it means finding an open receiver.
With just under 2000 yards passing last season, Donovan – unlike the returning quarterbacks who top him in yards – takes most of his snaps from under center. He moves well in the pocket and is not afraid to put the ball in tight spots – with success. While I wouldn’t consider Donovan a running quarterback, he is effective when he sees the opportunity to take off and run. With good arm strength, the senior can push the ball down the field even when he cannot step into his throws. Especially on three-step drops – when it is obviously required – Donovan makes fast decisions and quickly gets the ball out of his hand and into the hands of his receivers.