Underrated: An Interview with Top Unoffered 2024 QBs
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Bored last week, I was thinking about how the recruiting process seems for seniors who have yet to receive an offer. To qualify for this the QB could not be a statistical leader through week 3, and must not currently…
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Continue ReadingBored last week, I was thinking about how the recruiting process seems for seniors who have yet to receive an offer. To qualify for this the QB could not be a statistical leader through week 3, and must not currently hold an offer. So I found 8 of the top remaining senior QBs, and I wanted to interview them. I asked them a variety of questions, about their strengths, weaknesses, and thoughts about this season and the upcoming year! All of these guys have crazy talent but have yet to receive their opportunity. Lotta talent left on the boards coaches!
Cole Heilbrun Cole Heilbrun 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Wayzata | 2024 State MN 6’2″ 205 lbs Wayzata
2023 Stats: 3 GP, 37/69, 53.6% Completion Percentage, 636 Yards, 6 TOT, 4 Ints, 80.3 Passer Rating
Q: What do you think your strengths are as a QB?
A: “I would say my biggest strengths as a QB are number 1, my quick release, and number two, my leadership on the field.”
Q: What kind of offense do you feel comfortable running, and do you have experience in different systems?
A: “I feel most comfortable running a spread, RPO, or PA offense. I’m very decisive and confident in myself and my teammates. I’ve had experience running an under-center run-heavy offense as well.”
Q: What do you think separates you from other QBs in your class?
A: “I think the things that set me apart from other QBs in my class are my mental toughness, my dedication, and my anticipation skills.”
Q: Let’s say you have a big game next week against a tough opponent. How do you prepare?
A: “I prepare for big games by watching a lot of film and taking practice very seriously by holding myself and my teammates accountable to a championship standard. Reminding myself that I’ve worked for everything and that no moment is too big.”
Kameron Fox Kameron Fox 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB Cooper | 2024 State MN 5’11” 180 lbs Robbinsdale Cooper
2023 Stats: 3 GP, 45/82, 54.9% Completion Percentage, 636 Yards, 6 TOT, 3 Ints, 85.2 Passer Rating
Q: What do you think separates you from other QBs in your class?
A: “What I think separates me from other quarterbacks in the class of 2024 is that I am a dual threat that can attack teams with my legs and arms. My understanding of the position is broad knowing how to manipulate teams and move defenses attacking different levels of the field. Also being able to be a playmaker when the play breaks down and keep my eyes upfield. Lastly, being a winner, through my consistency to read defenses and make difficult passes driving the ball downfield allows for our team to create drive, win games, and go 1-0 every week.”
Q: Tell me about your football journey so far, when you got started, and what motivates you to keep playing at the next level.
A: “Since second grade I’ve been a football player and I have always loved it. Since I’ve played QB my entire life, I’ve also grown and accumulated knowledge about the position which has helped me improve over the years. I’ve always been inspired to compete and work hard alongside my teammates to improve as a football player. Being able to contribute to every play and have a significant impact on my team is one of my favorite aspects of being a QB.”
Q: Are you open to playing other positions in college if it means you can play college football?
A: “When it comes to playing other positions in college I would gladly take the opportunity. My love for the game goes beyond just playing quarterback and I’m an athlete so whenever needed I believe I can perform and give my best effort to put the team in a better position.”
Q: Anything else you’d want a college coach to know?
A: “I’m a hard worker and willing to put in the time and effort athletically and academically grinding it out and staying committed to the process!”
Jaden Shones 6’2″ 165 lbs Lake City
2023 Stats: 3 GP, 45/77, 58.4% Completion Percentage, 691 Total Yards, 5 TDs, 3 Ints, 83.3 Passer Rating
Q: Tell me about your football journey so far, when you got started, and what motivates you to keep playing at the next level.
A: “I started playing football in like 1st grade, our football team has a camp for kids in elementary school. I want to play at the next level because I love the challenge of being a QB and reading the defense.”
Q: What do you think your strengths are as a QB?
A: “I think my strength as a QB is getting out of the pocket when there is a blitz. I also think throwing on the run is a strength of mine.”
Q: What areas of your game do you think you need to improve on, and how are you working to fix them?
A: “Some areas I need to work on is my footwork on quick routes so I can give a better ball for my receivers. I also need to work on my deep ball because I can struggle with hitting the receivers on the run.”
Q: What kind of offense do you feel comfortable running, and do you have experience in different systems?
A: “I feel most comfortable with the spread option offense. I like how spread out the people are and the different options we have to run and throw the ball.”
Q: Anything else you’d want a college coach to know?”
A: “I love competing in practice and making my receivers better.”
Nirvaan Yogaraja 6’2″ 160 lbs Benilde-St. Margaret’s
2023 Stats: 3 GP, 47/74, 63.5% Completion Percentage, 615 Yards, 7 TDs, 5 INTs, 93.0 Passer Rating
Q: Let’s say you have a big game next week against a tough opponent. How do you prepare?
A: “Getting in the film room and learning the opponent’s tendencies and weaknesses. It’s crucial to know tendencies because then you can pick apart the defense.”
Q: Tell me about your football journey so far, when you got started, and what motivates you to keep playing at the next level.
A: “I started playing in fourth grade. Football was the one sport that stuck with me my whole life no matter where I was so I wanna keep playing for as long as I can.”
Q: What areas of your game do you think you need to improve on, and how are you working to fix them?
A: “I just need to work on my ability to stay calm when the play breaks down and extend the play. I work on scramble drills and have my receivers and I locked in knowing what to do.”
Q: Anything else you’d want to tell a college coach?
A: “I’m a committed student of the game who is ready for anything.”
Eli Hoelz 6′ 165 lbs Brainerd
2023 Stats: 3 GP, 35/50, 70% completion percentage, 808 Total Yards, 11 TOT, 148.1 Passer Rating
Q: What would you consider your biggest strength as a QB?
A: “I would say my biggest strength as a QB is my ability to extend and make plays. I like to make things happen when I get out of the pocket. I would say I’m a pretty accurate passer and can run well.”
Q: What kind of offense do you feel comfortable running, and do you have experience in different systems?
A: “I like to run the spread offenses and be able to spread the ball around a lot.
Q: Are you open to playing other positions if it means you can play college football?
A: “I’m open to playing other positions. The last 2 years before this I had played WR so it’d be something I’m comfortable with and feel good about moving around with positions.”
Q: Let’s say you have a big game next week against a tough opponent. How do you prepare?
A: “I like to watch film and just see what their tendencies are and how to attack that.”
Ayden Helder Ayden Helder 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Stewartville | 2024 State MN 6’2″ 190 lbs Stewartville 2024
2023 Stats: 2 GP, 30/42, 71.4% Completion Percentage, 428 Yards, 9 TDs, 149.0 Passer Rating
Q: What would you consider your biggest strength as a QB?
A: “I think my biggest strength as a QB is my mental aspect and my dedication to being a student of the game. I understand and read coverage well, and I love to learn as much as I can about football.”
Q: What areas of your game do you think you need to improve on, and how are you working to fix them?
A: “I think I need to work most on the mobility aspect of the game, as far as throwing on the run and I’m trying my best to drill that a lot in practice. “
Q: What offense do you feel most comfortable running, and have you had experience with different systems?
A: “I feel most comfortable in a spread/multiple offense using a lot of motions and shifts. Like my Head Coach always says ‘simple for us, complex for them.’ It’s a concept and system I’ve always been a part of, but I think I can pick up on offensive schemes and playbooks very quickly and adapt to change well.”
Q: Anything else you’d like to say to a college coach?
A: “I have a 3.7 GPA.”
Chase Pemberton Chase Pemberton 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Andover | 2024 State MN 6’4″ 190 lbs Andover
2023 Stats: 2 GP, 20/25, 80% Completion Percentage, 312 Yards, 3 TDs, 158.2 Passer Rating
Q: Tell me about your football journey so far, when you got started, and what motivates you to play at the next level.
A: “I’ve been playing football my whole life. Ever since I was young I’ve always wanted to be a Quarterback and always have been. I want to play at the next level because I feel like it’s such a cool experience to potentially play in front of that many people and have the game be that loud.”
Q: What would you consider your biggest strength as a QB?
A: “I believe I can do every at Quarterback, but if I had to choose one thing it would be arm talent or accuracy. I think I can make any throw on the field and my arm talent and accuracy show that.”
Q: What do you think sets you apart from other QBs in your class?
A: I think what sets me apart from other QBs is my mindset. I want to get better every day and be the best version of myself when some people don’t.”
Q: Let’s say you have a tough opponent next week in a key game, how do you prepare?
A: “I prepare just like any other week, I just am a little more focused and pay more attention to the little things. The little things are what matter in close games against good teams.”
Q: Anything else you’d like to say to a college coach?
A: “All I need is a chance, and I’ll make the most of it.”
Brayden Windschitl Brayden Windschitl 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Chanhassen | 2024 MN 6’2″ 175 lbs Chanhassen
2023 Stats: 3 GP, 24/39, 61.5% Completion Percentage, 457 Yards, 7 TOT, 2 INTs, 120.4 Passer Rating
Q: What areas of your game do you think you need to improve on, and how are you working to fix them?
A: “I think my footwork needs to improve and become more consistent. During practice, we really do focus on it which I think is gonna help me get better every week.”
Q: Are you open to playing other positions if it means you get to play college football?
A: “Absolutely. Last year I played safety and came back to QB this year. I’m definitely comfortable with both of them and am willing to do whatever would get me on the field quickest.”
Q: Let’s say you have a tough opponent next week in a key game, how do you prepare?
A: “I don’t think much really changes, the atmosphere at practice might be a faster pace, but outside of that just everybody on the team is locked in and watching extra film all week.“
Jackson Hettwer Jackson Hettwer 6'2" | 160 lbs | QB Coon Rapids | 2024 MN 6’3″ 170 lbs Coon Rapids
2023 Stats: 3 GP, 31/48, 64.6% Completion Percentage, 440 Yards, 5 TDs, 5 Ints, 89.2 Passer Rating
Q: What would you consider your biggest strength as a QB?
A: “I consider my pocket presence and my ability to keep the play alive my biggest strength.”
Q: What kind of offense do you feel most comfortable running, and have you had experience with different systems?
A: “I’ve only ever played in a spread offense from the shotgun, so I think I’m more comfortable with that than anything else.”
Q: What expectations and goals do you have both athletically and academically for your first year of college football?
A: “I want to find a school that fits me best and a place I’m able to be the most successful I can be. Academically, whatever I decide to study in college, I know I’ll still be able to get good grades because that’s my #1 priority.”
Q: Let’s say you have a tough opponent next week in a key game, how do you prepare?
A: “If we have a tough opponent, I make sure I’m always locked in at practice and always know what I’m going to see in the game and be prepared for that. I also watch film and see the tendencies of the defenders and what we can do to beat them.”
Q: Anything else you’d want to say to a college coach?
A: “I’ll take any opportunity I get and make the best of it.”