Evaluating 5 Productive 2025 Signal-Callers
In this article:
After diving into Alabama’s 2025 class, one major takeaway was how deep the QB class was. There are obviously some household names who will play football at a very high level in college, but there are a fair portion of…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAfter diving into Alabama’s 2025 class, one major takeaway was how deep the QB class was. There are obviously some household names who will play football at a very high level in college, but there are a fair portion of lesser-known players who look extremely talented and intriguing on tape. These five QBs are simply getting it done at a high level on Friday night. Here, we dig into the tape and evaluate.
Andrew Alford Andrew Alford 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Central Phenix City | 2025 State AL – Central
Alford has been generating some buzz this year as he is producing at a very high level in the early part of the season. At this rate, he should be one of the most productive QBs in the state and will pop on some D1 radars. Alford plays with an outstanding feel for the field and is capable of making any throw on the field. He stands tall in the pocket and is capable of firing the ball into tight windows and attacking the deep part of the field. On the deep ball, he puts good touch on the ball and is capable of mixing up trajectories to hit his receivers in stride. Alford appears most comfortable hitting his receivers downfield on timing throws, but he has the arm strength to drive the ball to his underneath receivers and can layer the ball to the second level. He is a consistent passer who throws with good placement, always giving his receiver a chance at making a play. In the open field and in the pocket, Alford’s feet sometimes speed up and he can move a little clunky, but he does a good job of resetting his feet and is able to work his way through his progressions without bailing, all the way to his checkdown. Alford has good pocket awareness and operates the scramble drill exceptionally well, getting outside the pocket and attaching his eyes to receivers downfield. He also plays with an elastic upper body and arm, which allows him to generate enough velocity on the ball to quickly deliver to receivers on the run. Alford has good arm talent, a good field for the field, and is dangerous when the play breaks down. He is producing against good competition and should pop D1 offers soon.
Dax Varnadore – Fort Payne
Varnadore is one of the highest volume passers in the state so far this year and ranks towards the top of the state leaders for most major passing categories. Varnadore is listed at 6’0 194 and has a stout, compact frame. For a stockier QB prospect, he has good range of motion in his delivery and as an athlete. Varnadore is a rhythm-based thrower with good pocket presence. He is often given quick reads in the flats and underneath, which allows him to get the ball out of his hand quickly. He has a compact, clean throwing motion with a firm base and fluid hips. The ball zips out of his hand and he does a good job of hitting his receiver in his stride. Varnadore is more of a drive ball thrower, quickly firing the ball out of his hand and watching his receiver do damage after the catch. However, you do see some touch on tape, even if those types of throws aren’t littered on film. While he makes a lot of single-read throws, he certainly shows the ability to work his progressions across the field while standing tall in the pocket. He is not afraid to take on contact, especially since he can absorb hits well with his build. Varnadore has good awareness of the field and doesn’t appear late or hesitant on reads. He throws to a landmark with good placement, allowing his receiver to confidently go make a play on the football. He often throws his receivers open as well. Varnadore is certainly a passer first, but he has the speed to be more than just a chain mover with his legs. He calls his own number on reads and has the speed to outrun defenders to the outside. Varnadore has impressive arm talent and a solid grasp of modern concepts. He is a D1-caliber passer coming into his own this fall.
Mason Mims Mason Mims 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Oxford | 2025 State AL – Oxford
Mims is one of the more experienced junior QBs in the state and is on pace to have his best year yet this fall. His progression up to this point in his career is noticeable, and a stamp of approval from Mississippi State this offseason has firmly put him on the P5 radar. Mims is a lanky 6’3 200 and possesses above-average overall athleticism. At his current stage of development, he still has a lot of room to add mass to his arms and legs. Once fully developed, he should be a tall, commanding force in the pocket. As a passer, Mims is capable of making touch throws on the outside and excels at attacking the seams. He also has the arm strength to make difficult throws to the far side of the field. He throws with good ball placement, frequently hitting his landmarks and layering the ball over defenders. He throws a smooth, clean spiral and knows when to throw the fastball vs. when to take some heat off the ball. Simply put, he makes life easy on his receivers. Mims is a tough competitor in the pocket, hanging tall and showing the ability to take hits as he lets go of the ball. He shows good improvisational skills when the play breaks down and has the gamesmanship to make off-balanced and off-platform throws. He isn’t a dangerous runner but can move the chains if given a lane and has the athleticism to keep the play alive when pressure gets through. It’s clear why Mims is developing into a P5 QB prospect. He is tall, lengthy, plays collected, and is capable of making P5-level throws both inside and outside the pocket. Keep an eye on Mims over the next two years.
Tyler Pierce – Boaz
Pierce is an improvisational, gunslinger-style QB prospect with booming arm strength. Doesn’t pop off the charts when it comes to measurables at 5’11 180, but he has rare arm talent for QBs of that size and has the athleticism to create room for himself to operate in the pocket and maneuver around the taller defensive linemen. On every snap, Pierce threatens to stretch the defense vertically. As I mentioned, he has the arm strength to fire the ball over safeties, both on the seam and on the outside. He is also extremely confident in his arm and doesn’t appear out of rhythm or uncomfortable making those long-distance throws. Pierce is capable of making underneath throws as well, making quick timing-based reads and getting the ball out before the receiver is even out of his break, showcasing solid anticipatory skills. Pierce really does his magic when the play breaks down. When bailing the pocket, he always keeps his eyes attached downfield and does a good job of evading pressure coming from his blind spots. He directs traffic well and seems in sync with his receivers when playing backyard football, often throwing his receivers open and allowing them to get to a spot. When he is outside on the run, Pierce does a good job of creating enough separation for himself to settle down, step into his throws, and get as much accuracy as possible on each ball. His playstyle will naturally yield lower completion rates and risky throws, but he can make momentum-changing plays and will give the offense a chance to strike gold on any given snap.
Kadyn Mitchell – Houston Academy
Mitchell is a smaller-school prospect, but he looks the part on tape and is worthy of a mention when going through 2025 QBs in Alabama. Mitchell was extremely productive and efficient as a sophomore, and it looks like he hasn’t skipped a beat here in his junior season. Mitchell showcases noticeable gamesmanship, showing the ability to handle all different kinds of concepts as well as make a good blend of drive and touch throws. Mitchell is dangerous outside the pocket with his athleticism and looks like he dissects the second level when schemed out on the move. Is often moved to the outside on boot-leg type concepts and is able to pinpoint crossing routes over the middle of the field and streaking receivers in the flats. He doesn’t have any hesitation on his trigger and is capable of firing the ball while off-platform. He can change up his arm angle to bend the ball around first and second-level defenders too. Mitchell has more experience attacking the underneath area of the field, but he does show the touch required to drop the ball in the basket downfield. Mitchell maintains a firm base while playing in the pocket and steps into his throws. When the play breaks down, Mitchell is able to slip away from defenders and has the athleticism in space to keep the play alive. As I mentioned, he locates receivers well when he’s on the move, even if running away from pressure. Mitchell is a good athlete with the ball in his hands, showcasing good speed to the outside, and isn’t afraid to take on contact to gain extra yards. Mitchell isn’t someone who pops off the charts frame-wise, but he is a good athlete who plays within himself and handles a multitude of concepts at a high-level. Not to mention he has above-average arm talent.