Prep Redzone NJ’s 2023 Quarterback of the Year Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that champions have been crowned and Prep Redzone New Jersey's Stock Up Showcase is complete, it is now time to turn our attention to individual superlatives and recognitions. With many outstanding quarterbacks who led their teams to outstanding seasons, here are the best of the best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Agree with me? Disagree with me? Tell me why I want to hear from you. Leave a comment on my <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanScoutsNJ/status/1735658012088361335">Twitter</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterback Play - By the Numbers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/table-import {"name":"acf/table-import","data":{"import_file":1116219,"_import_file":"field_637be8ff37223"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657bc120243c4"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterback Play - Scout's Evaluation</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378673"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Unfortunately I was unable to find Williams' highlight tape from his senior, so this evaluation is based off of his junior year's film.rnrnThe first thing that jumped out to me about Williams is how smooth his ball looks when he throws it. Not one throw had less than a perfect spiral. He has a quick throwing motion and thus a quick release and is u003cemu003eextremely u003c/emu003eaccurate when given time in the pocket. He hits his guys in stride. Moreover, he completes many passes with outstanding touch, placing it right between defenders yet never leaving his receivers out to dry. When things break down in the pocket, Williams has exceptional balance as a runner to stay upright, while also keeping his eyes downfield for an open target. If he must, he will scramble - making defenders often look silly in the process. Williams has shown that he can complete passes when rolling out to his left, where he has shown he will reset his feet before throwing.rnrnWilliams' film would benefit from showing clips of him going through his progression and route tree. I would like to see him get a little more lower body torque on his throws. This would add distance and power to his already strong arm.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657bc12024845"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14145919/6355c97f3df5110f70e85605' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657bc120248ae"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378676"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Having not watched much of Millville this year, Zamot seemed to be under a bit of duress throughout the season; however, Zamot demonstrated strong pocket presence on his film. He can make subtle moves to avoid the rush and is athletic enough to turn his shoulders and reset his feet quickly - all the while keeping eyes downfield in the process. Should be great the tackle and scramble, he has just enough wiggle to make the first man miss. Zamot will go through his progression when needed - which was rare given he was throwing to two FBS-caliber receivers. He does, however, do a nice job setting up defenders with his eyes and on bait routes on the same side of the field. Zamot is an accurate passer in terms of ball placement versus live defenders as well as exploiting a defense's leverage. Zamot has the arm strength to deliver the ball to the far numbers from the hash; however, his pure deep ball distance could see improvement. I would also like to see him step up into his throws.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657bc1202493f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15093457/650689dddfd84309f8a5aa3c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657bc1202496e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["933995"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A prospect I first grew enamored with at the NY Jets 7on tourmanet, Paradiso had a tremendous season. Although he was not permitted to scramble at that event, he is not much of a scramble threat when the play breaks down - only appearing to do so by design. That said, the junior moves enough to buy time for his receivers to get open down field. Paradiso is a prospect that is blessed with natural arm strength, absolutely zipping it all over the lot. Not sure if is the best decision - yet a demonstration of his natural arm strength none the less - Paradiso had one clip where he threw a bullet across his body's momentum back across the field. This may be attributed to the fact that he is a thick prospect with a big, strong lower half of his body. Playing his size, Paradiso is willing to take a hit in the pocket in order to get the throw he wants out and delivered. It appears that Paradiso has been quarterbacking for a while, has I noticed that he is apt to step up into his throws and also look coverage defenders off. He throws an u003cemu003eexcellent u003c/emu003efade ball down field, often hitting receivers in the bread basket. I noticed that Paradiso reads coverages well, as evidenced by him making the correct read on smash routes. Two areas to grow are that Paradiso seems to open his shoulders toward the direction he intends to throw early. Also, I would like to see Paradiso lead his targets on intermediate routes in the middle of the field so they can accrue yards after catch.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657bc12024a0a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16102987/6542deb98cd3ce0920c04f72' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657bc12024a3e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402227"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"In what he has dubbed u0022The Sequel,u0022 it is hard to imagine that [player_tooltip player_id='402227' first='Lamar' last='Best'] is not playing the best football of his life. Yes, best is an athlete; however, he is an quarterback who happens to be an athlete - not to be confused with the other way around. Best has balance, speed, wiggle and power. He is often the fastest player on the field who makes the correct read on option plays. Blessed with a gun of a marksman, Best can throw the ball 50 yards on a dime and hit receivers on the run, demonstrating how accurate his arm is when he attacks down field - which is often. Ball placement is important as Best will utilize an accurate back shoulder throw, especially near the goal line. It appears that he is just u003cemu003estarting u003c/emu003eto look off coverages, however, I have not noticed him go through his progressions. When the pocket breaks down he will look upfield to avoid the rush, but once he escapes his eyes immediately go back downfield. In the open field he sets defenders up to avoid contact and gain extra yards. Best would benefit from a speedier throwing motion and his film will be even more impressive should he show himself throwing to an array of routes on the route tree.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657bc12024acd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/4687872/6560927f386ebb0bf0668376' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657bc12024b00"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["918873"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"In perhaps the most prolific season for a quarterback in recent memory, [player_tooltip player_id='918873' first='Landon' last='Deprima'] led Ramapo to state championship game appearance. Deprima is a player that I would describe as having moxie. He is certainly shiftier u003cemu003eand u003c/emu003efaster than he appears. Deprima moves in the pocket just enough to create adequate space for him to throw. Similarly, he steps up in the pocket very nicely to deliver a strike, while using the stiff arm in the open field to evade would-be tacklers. His most impressive play might be the second clip on his highlights where he rolls out left and throws an absolute dot about 40 yards on a fade route for a touchdown. When rolling out he will maintain a throwing-threat posture despite his intentions to tuck it and run. Deprima utilizes the pump fake in a way where he slightly puts the ball away and reloads to launch it downfield. Ultimately Deprima seems to be at his best when things break down in the pocket. Areas I want to see more from Deprima are: an expedited release, look off defenses with his eyes, and show a larger variety of routes from the route tree on his film.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657bc12024b8b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14611838/6533cec9041e09073850f289' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657bc12024bbc"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scout's Pick</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After considering statistics and watching film, my vote for the 2023 quarterback of the year goes to [player_tooltip player_id='402227' first='Lamar' last='Best']. How do our followers and fans feel? Do you agree? Let your voice be heard by commenting on my <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanScoutsNJ/status/1735658012088361335">Twitter</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->