Show-Me State QBs to Watch: Round Three
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There are some talented passers leading their teams in Missouri’s playoff tournament. I believe I have identified five prospects whose 2023 seasons have catapulted their status as top Missouri QBs. Below, I break down the next level tools each quarterback…
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Continue ReadingThere are some talented passers leading their teams in Missouri’s playoff tournament. I believe I have identified five prospects whose 2023 seasons have catapulted their status as top Missouri QBs. Below, I break down the next level tools each quarterback displayed throughout the regular season.
Hobbs Gooch
Hobbs Gooch
Hobbs Gooch is in his final year as Joplin’s signal caller. He has taken game day visits to Missouri Baptist and Southwest Baptist this fall. Watch for more schools near Joplin to come in late to the talented passer’s recruitment this winter. Hobbs showed improved arm strength delivering strikes over the middle despite throwing with bad footwork on the run. Good decision-making, poise, and athleticism allow Hobbs to survey the field and create with his arm when pressure forces him to go off script. Coaches like Hobbs’ next level accuracy displayed leading receivers on intermediate throws outside the numbers.
Grant Gibson Grant Gibson 6’2″ | 210 lbs | QB Rockwood Summit | 2024 State MO has been dominant throughout Rockwood Summit’s undefeated season. Grant received two offers last month and also went on a visit to Missouri Southern State. With a four touchdown performance last week, expect more schools in the region to come in late to Grant’s recruitment. Grant’s good combination of accuracy and anticipation shows delivering well-timed back shoulder fades in the redzone. Coaches like Grant’s combination of size, poise, and arm strength shown consistently standing tall and delivering throws all over the field for Summit’s offense.
Highlights
Tillman Martin Tillman Martin 6’4″ | 200 lbs | QB Liberty North | 2025 State MO has had an exceptional first season as Liberty North’s starter. Northern Alabama, Augustana, and Missouri Western State have all showed Tillman interest in October. Expect Tillman’s recruitment to skyrocket once recruiters evaluate his postseason play. Tillman’s rare combination of size, poise, and arm strength shows right away standing tall in the pocket and delivering intermediate throws in the face of pressure. Good anticipation gets displayed as Tillman consistently throws well-timed balls that lead receivers through opponents’ zones. Next level accuracy shows leading receivers on throws outside the numbers and delivering well-place back shoulder fades in the redzone.
Highlights
Elijah Leonard Elijah Leonard 6’4″ | 215 lbs | QB Lee’s Summit North | 2024 State MO is leading a talented, determined Lee’s Summit North team this postseason. The Missouri State commit is one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 class. Look out for Elijah to cap off a fantastic career with a dominant playoff finish. Elijah’s great combination of poise, decision-making, and accuracy gets displayed perfectly placing touch passes downfield with pass rushers in his face. Next level arm strength and good anticipation allow Elijah to deliver hole shots into smaller windows outside the numbers in opponents’ zone coverage. Good size, strength, speed, and athleticism allows Elijah to evade pressure and extend plays with his legs when he has to.
Highlights
Ethan Hansen Ethan Hansen 6’1″ | 175 lbs | QB Rockhurst | 2024 State MO is one of the most coveted uncommitted 2024 passers in the state. He visited Kansas this fall, and I would not be surprised to see more schools surrounding Kansas City to come in late to Ethan’s recruitment this winter. Quickness, good vision, and top speed give Ethan a chance to be a true dual threat at the next level. Good touch shows delivering throws into the bucket for receivers running vertically outside the numbers. Ethan’s next level combination of accuracy and athleticism allows him to escape blitzers with his legs and extend plays with his arm whenever he is forced outside of the pocket.