Young Gun QB/ATH’s Burning Up the Off-Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For young quarterback/athletes who see varsity action early it is usually a trial by fire as they get acclimated to a game that is far faster and populated by much bigger, athletic players than they have ever seen. Even for the good athletes who have matured early and appear ready to run the gauntlet it is still a daunting proposition hitting the field on Friday nights once you start playing with the <em>big boys</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game seems so fast at first that most young signal callers just see the blur of jerseys once the ball snaps. Over time it will slow down but it takes work year around if you want to be elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing 7v7 is one of the best things a young-gun quarterback can do in the off-season as it forces the QB to work on locating open receivers, practicing split-second progressions, fine-tune ball placement and, most importantly, getting better at pulling the trigger on timing routes and getting the ball out as fast as possible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most young guns hang on to the ball way too long... </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB's live in a 10-second world. Once the huddle breaks they have on average approximately seven seconds to conduct a quick pre-snap read of where the defense wants you to think they are going to line up. Once the ball snaps, in the passing game, the QB usually has around three seconds to read the last-second defensive adjustments, execute the start of the play and get the ball out on timing routes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some plays require even quicker throws, in the 1.8 to 2.5 second range, but three seconds is usually plenty fast enough for a young gunslinger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The good ones realize very quickly that if they are going to survive, and later succeed, there is a ton of work to be put in between seasons to ensure their mental game and decision-making improvements match their physical development so they can continue to push the ceiling a little higher every year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report, we will take a look at five young QB/ATH's who have all gotten a taste of the varsity game and are off and running fine-tuning their game in the off-season so they will be ready to blow the lid off this fall. Three of the QB's below were freshman last fall, with two QB/ATH's getting ready for their junior seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's check out some young guns getting ready to deliver this fall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1075837"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e535649815b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1075837' first='Tevin' last='Cotter']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tevin-cotter/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tevin-cotter/"></a>&nbsp;</em>,</strong>&nbsp;QB, 6'0”, 180,&nbsp;<em>Liberal</em>, ‘28, as one of the rare QB's to start for a 6A school as a freshman, his career is off and running on a great trajectory. He just wrapped up basketball and recently attended the Elite 11 Academy in Dallas last month. He has numerous camps lined up at Oklahoma, OSU, K-State, Texas Tech and TCU to name a few. He is looking to take that next quantum leap his sophomore year after leading the Redskins to a 6-3 record a year ago. He put together solid stats, completing 73 of 129 passes for 1,200 yards, a 57% completion percentage, 11 touchdowns, and most impressive, only six picks all year. He ended the year with a 96 passer rating, which is very good for a freshman. His game matured quickly throughout the season, culminating in a final two-game stretch where he went 26-41 for 300+ yards and two touchdown passes. He has also been lifting hard and throwing to his Redskin receivers. This guy is just getting warmed up, look for him to have a huge year in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1147299"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e5356498222"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1147299' first='Holden' last='Ferralez']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/holden-ferralez/"></a> </strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/holden-ferralez/"></a> </strong>, 6'0, 160, <em>Sedgwick</em>, '28, After learning the ropes of the Cardinal air raid passing attack and getting acclimated to the varsity game he didn't waste anytime once football was over getting ready for the next season. He just wrapped up basketball and has been red-hot with the Kansas Colt's 15U team. He is also starting to play some with the 18U team. He is playing almost every weekend and last week he and his teammates made it to the championship game in Topeka. He has been effectively fine-tuning his passing this spring, mixing up laser shots into tight windows and layering the ball into gaps with outstanding ball placement. He has good mechanics throwing from the pocket but is also very effective threading the needle sprinting out either way. He throws a ball with the nose down just enough to cut through the Kansas wind. He is still lining up his summer training logistics but is hard-wired toward being an elite QB. This guy is going to have a breakout season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["856864"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e5356498274"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='856864' first='Pearce' last='George']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/pearce-george/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/pearce-george/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'0, 175, QB/ATH,&nbsp;<em>Maize</em>, '27, He just finished hoops and helped his teammates elevate their play and finish third in state after knocking off the #1 seed and then defeated #3 seed Heights. He has also continued to train for football in the off-season, working closely five days a week with noted trainer, Clint Vancuren of Wildcats Athletic Academy. So far in the off-season he has put on 10 pounds of muscle and improved his speed. He is still planning summer visits, but is looking at Tulsa, K-State, KU, OSU, and OU, as a ATH/WR/QB; and is thinking hard about attending the Blue/Grey combine. On the gridion he is a multi-positional playmaker who can do a little bit of everything. He is also a team player and willing to play wherever it will help the team the most. Last fall he was a Swiss-army knife on offense, completing 17 of 34 passes for 142 yards passing, carried the ball 15 times for just under 100 yards and hauled in five passes for 128 yards. This guy is getting ready to shine in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1327831"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e53564982bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1487875' first='Maxon' last='Smiley'], 5'11, 175, QB, Colby, '28, He is coming off a freshman season when he picked up good experience backing up a senior QB and then when he got his opportunities didn't waste any time giving coaches and fans a sign of good things to come. For the freshman squad he was a dominating force, throwing for 2,665 yards and 19 TD passes in only eight games. He also shredded defenses on the ground with 1,115 rushing yards and five more TD's. His offensive game is already impressive, as he is a speedy, elusive runner with good burst breaking into the secondary. He is also a gifted passer, with a smooth delivery and solid mechanics. He can make the quick surgical strikes in the short-to-medium game, but can also rifle the long ball with impressive touch. He is already hard at it training for this fall and is gearing up for the Peru State Mega Camp coming soon. He is also working with his receivers to optimize timing and streamline plays. This guy has an exciting game and is going to go off this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1445596"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e5356498302"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1445596' first='Justice' last='Criniere']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/justice-criniere/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><em><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/justice-criniere/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/justice-criniere/"></a>&nbsp;</em></strong>, 6'0 180, QB,&nbsp;<em>CPA-Lenexa&nbsp;</em>'27, He caught my eye late last season as a high-octane dual-threat quarterback who has all the tools and is soon going to be projected as one of the next elite QB's in the Sunflower state. Last fall he took his mature game to the next level and lit the league up, completing 94 of 166 passes for 1,543 yards, gained 521 yards on the ground and accounted for 37 total TD's with only six picks. His game is impressive all the way around, as he can run and throw with equal effectiveness. He has seamless pocket mechanics and can make all the difficult throws, from deep velocity missiles, long-ball touch passes, and quick darts in the short passing game. He is also deadly on the move or when sprinting out either way and when running the RPO or extending plays on the perimeter. He is still determining which camps to attend and is in the process of mapping out the final stretch of summer training so he peaks at the right time in August. This guy is going to be an apex predator this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, keep these guys on your watchlist as they prep for this fall. It won't be long before we see them playing on Saturdays. And, as always, if you run across any teams or players flying under the radar give me a shout via DM on X.&nbsp;<em>Keep grindin'…</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->