2025 Film Room: Chicago Quarterbacks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone continues our breakdowns position by position in the state of Illinois.&nbsp; We continue with a look at the rising senior quarterbacks here in <strong>2025 Film Room: Chicago Quarterbacks</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201957' first='Marcus' last='Thaxton'] (Morgan Park – 6'0” 175)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first thing that stood out about Thaxton's tape was how explosive the ball comes off his hand.  Absolute rocket for an arm!  Throws with anticipation and was balanced with his footwork.  Accurate on quick throws whether they be slants, out routes, and fades. Most of the throws on his film were within the pocket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292076' first='Ryan' last='Fitzgerald'] (Loyola Academy - 6'3" 205)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fitzgerald as a junior threw for 2,690 yards and recorded 34 total touchdowns while leading his team to an 8A state title. Prototypical size and strength for a pocket passer. Ball comes easy off his hand and has excellent arms strength down the field. Good pocket presence with balanced footwork and can throw off platform when evading the rush. Very accurate throwing a beautiful deep ball. Can tuck it and run when he has to along with being effective on designed runs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='131488' first='Jack' last='Elliott'] (Mt. Carmel – 6'1” 195)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elliott is a winner!&nbsp; He has led Mt. Carmel to back to back 7A state championships. He isn't just a system QB.&nbsp; Plus athlete that is very good throwing on the run. Zip and accurate on short routes. Touch on the deep ball as well.&nbsp; Quick release with balanced footwork. Works well in the RPO game as both a passer and thrower. Magician with the ball.&nbsp; Such an explosive runner on designed runs as he is a homerun hitter in that area of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='299438' first='Kaleb' last='Sims'] (Simeon – 5'10”)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sims is a prospect that caught my attention a couple years back as an underclassmen at a Prep Redzone Camp.&nbsp; He has a strong build and is a very powerful runner. Velo on short routes is impressive. Decent touch on deeper throws.&nbsp; Effective as a designed runner and can be a goal line type back as the QB spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1120636' first='Fernando' last='Rodriguez'] (DePaul Prep – 5'10” 165)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rodriquez is a QB that has the ball come pretty easy off his hand as he almost flicks it out.&nbsp; Good accuracy especially downfield throwing with touch. Throws well on the move and has an innate ability to extend plays while his guys try to come back to the ball or get open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292737' first='Jonathan' last='Cribbs'] (Longwood – 6'0” 190)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cribbs is a 6'0" 190 pound QB that the ball comes out of his hand clean. Good athlete that evades the rush and can tuck it when he needs, but is a passer first.&nbsp; Solid accuracy and likes throwing crossing routes and skinny posts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->