2023 Scouting Superlatives: QB
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As we tie the knot on the 2023 season, we continue to find new and unique ways to package our evals and content here at Prep Redzone. Here, I shine on some of the best seniors, best freshman, and several…
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Continue ReadingAs we tie the knot on the 2023 season, we continue to find new and unique ways to package our evals and content here at Prep Redzone. Here, I shine on some of the best seniors, best freshman, and several other unique QB prospects using 15 different crtiera.
Senior Signee Most Likely to Become a 1st-Round Pick
There were just a handful of QBs in Georgia up for this one, but I am hedging my bets on Air Noland. Noland might not tip the scale when it comes to arm talent and athleticism, but he is more than equipped in those categories to get the job done. There is physical upside as well, coming in at 6’3 190. Where Noland really separates himself for me is his sheer knowledge and feel for the game. He is calm when going through his progressions and can find open receivers when the play breaks down. Noland will have a plethora of options at his disposal at Ohio State and has a good shot of reaping the rewards.
Senior Signee Most Likely to Outplay Ranking
Philo is arguably the most decorated passer in GAHSFB history and is staying in state, headed to Georgia Tech. I can apply many of the same reasons I am high on Noland to Philo. He is an accurate ball distributor with the arm strength to make college level throws. His ability to layer the ball into hard to reach places and protect the football despite being a high volume passer is impressive. By all accounts, he is impressive off the field and has the mental make up to be a leader. With continued talent being added around him, Philo is a good candidate to play point guard for Georgia Tech once he adjusts to the speed of the game.
Favorite Measureables
You won’t find many QB prospects in the country quite like Judd Anderson Judd Anderson 6’6″ | 215 lbs | QB Jones County | 2024 State GA . He is listed at 6’7 220 and is a high upside addition to the Miami QB room. Anderson is starting to grow into his frame, flashing a tighter release on his senior tape and appears more confident when the play breaks down. As you could expect, arm talent is off the charts. He can fire missiles downfield and over the head of DBs. He can also tightrope balls over the middle of the field. He isn’t a runner, but he won’t be easy to bring down in or around the pocket. Anderson may be a project, but he is a rare body type and has high upside.
Favorite In-Person Eval
I have seen Nickel in person more than any other QB prospect, and he impresses me more with every watch. He has always been a toolsy player, possessing a strong arm and underrated running ability. I have drawn comparisons to Bo Nix, skillset and mannerisms wise. Nickel has the occasional misfire, but the way he responds is impressive. I saw him struggle early against Colquitt County just to come back and play at an extremely high level the rest of the night. He plays his best ball when the lights get brighter, which helped lead Milton to a state championship win.
Most Underrated
Waldrop has long been, in my opinion, the most shockingly underrated player in Georgia. He is a big, athletic 6’5 205 QB prospect with outstanding arm talent and record shattering production. He can make the layups, firing the ball accurately in the short areas and playing in good timing with his WRs. However, the potential for the big play is off the charts. He can effortlessly launch the ball over the safeties and is not shabby as a runner in the open field. Also, perhaps most importantly, he played well in the Georgia Elite Classic, rising to the occasion against good competition.
Highlights
Biggest Stock-Riser
Benson came out of nowhere this fall and led Newton to a highly successful 2023 season. Benson is raw and still growing into his 6’1 frame. However, he was extremely efficient this fall, taking care of the ball and making play after play. He has an elastic, almost sidearm style release and fires off a firm base. He is not afraid to launch the deep ball, and when he does, he puts good touch on the ball and gives his receivers a better chance of making a play. Benson will be an interesting eval over his next two years on varsity.
Favorite Non-FBS Signee
Fountain is a multi-sport athlete who has been one of the more talked about QBs in Georgia for the last few years. Still, he trickled down to the FCS level and is a great value addition for ETSU. Fountain improved each year on varsity and saved the best for his senior season. His senior tape shows bomb after bomb, playing with good timing with his WRs and launching the ball off a firm platform with good mechanics. When the play breaks down, he is light-footed enough to scamper away from the defense and find the sticks. 5 years ago, Fountain probably would’ve been a hot commodity on the FBS level. So I will be watching him closely as he develops at ETSU.
Most Likely to Breakout in 2024
Dillon Mohammed
Dillon Mohammed
Mohammed split QB duties this fall for Norcross and was productive in his role, but one would have to imagine that he will really breakout next fall should he have complete control of the QB room. He is an athletic 6’1 188 gunslinger with easy arm talent. He has a quick delivery and fires the ball from around his ear, quickly getting it out of his hand. He possesses elite escapability, dodging pressure and resetting his feet before he throws. He is a gifted runner with impressive acceleration. If he has a lane to run in, he can exploit it and out-angle defenders. Mohammed is a rising senior capable of generating buzz this offseason.
Most Likely to Develop Into P5 Prospect
Walraven is raw and still has his best ball ahead of him, but he had some impressive tape as a sophomore and has some obvious physical upside. He comes in at 6’5 185 and is extremely lanky. Once he hits his peak physically, this is a guy that will only grow his game as an athlete and be more difficult to bring to the ground. As a passer, I saw him in person hit some beautiful touch throws on the move, dropping it in over defenders and right into the basket. On tape, I like how he gets on top of the ball when he fires, which helps throw tight spirals into tight windows without having the ball float. He has good patience as a runner and can carry away from defenders with his size. Keep watch on Walraven when coaches get on the road this offseason.
Highlights
Most Athletic
Clavon’s football playing days might be over, but he deserves flowers for the work he has done on the football field. Clavon is committed to UGA for baseball, and might be selected in the upcoming MLB draft before he ever arrives in Athens. If schools weren’t scared he’d be drafted to the MLB, he would be a P5 QB recruit. He possesses elite arm talent, showing the ability to launch the ball all over the field from different platforms. He is an extremely gifted runner as well, breaking down defenders with his legs and showcasing the burst required to explode through openings. It might not be in football, but this won’t be the last time you hear about Clavon as an athlete.
Highlights
Strongest Arm
Raiola’s tape just sizzles with NFL potential arm talent. He is a big bodied, broad shouldered QB prospect whose skillset and recruitment is well documented. With ease, Raiola can launch the ball 60 yards + downfield with high trajectory. He can also play detached and flick the ball out of certain arm slots with decent velocity. While his film is mostly shot play oriented, he possesses the arm strength and composure in the pocket necessary to pick apart defenses in the tight window game. Raiola is a clear 3 and out candidate at Nebraska.
Best Ball Placement
There were several prospects who could’ve gotten this spot, but I felt the most confident giving it to Hecklinski, as I have eval’d him in person several times. There is nothing traditional about how Hecklinski plays. In the pocket, he appears so in control that it almost looks like he operates in slow motion. He has a long, gunslinger style release and nonchalantly throws missile after missile downfield. Each week, he makes highlight reel throws and confidently launches the ball into nearly impossible areas of the field to reach. Hecklinski is accurate to all levels of the field when he is making the right decision. He is another candidate to quickly make noise at Wake Forest.
Highlights
Best Runner
McGrinn started to reel in some real buzz late in the year and throughout the season. McGrinn absolutely stuffed the stat sheet, throwing for nearly 2000 yards efficiently and rushing for over 2000 while adding 33 TDs on the ground. He has a stout, RB like frame and uses it to sheer his way through tacklers and stay upright through traffic. He has great vision behind the line and uses his burst to quickly vacate open field. McGrinn should be considered a steal at the next level.
Highlights
FOTY Award
There were 3 candidates up for this one, and it was almost too close to call. However, JR Harris JR Harris 5’9″ | 165 lbs | QB Central Carrollton | 2027 State GA led his team to an undefeated regular season and did so while being productive and efficient in the passing and running game. Harris might not scare you coming off the bus, but he is a magician and simply an elite operator at the QB position. His feel for the game is next level for his age, slinging the ball with excellent precision all over the field. When the play breaks down, he is elite at making things happen and can be more than a chain mover with his legs. Harris exploded onto the scene this year and is a multi-sport athlete. He checks a lot of boxes and will be a household name for years to come.