Junior Film Room: #TN2027 Quarterbacks

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">We returned to the lab to scout more film and here we breakdown five quarterbacks from our rising junior class that presents college level abilities and the upside to see their stocks soar over the coming months and year. </h2>     (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'] - Antioch    Strengths   * Athleticism; Manipulates the pocket well   * Pass first dual threat guy   * Clean mechanics; Accurate passing    * Keeps eyes down field   * Calm, poised demeanor (Doesn't rattle easy)   Developmental Needs   * Added work in the weight room   * Added arm power/strength   * Deep ball accuracy/timing   * Reading windows   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/connersmith04/status/1906811232515924176 </div></figure>   - Adams has a shot to be our top ranked quarterback for the #TN2027 class, especially with further development and a big junior season. The Bears signal caller is a cool customer behind center that doesn't look anxious in the pocket with the pass rush barreling down on him. He stands tall in the pocket, looking to deliver the ball down field or find a crease in the defense where he can use his legs to pick big gains. Adams moves and runs well in and out the pocket while displaying a calm demeanor, which allows him to elude the rusher. He tends to not get rattled too much, even when something goes bad, Adams remains locked in.    This junior quarterback shows some of the best mechanics in the state along with good enough arm power to put the ball on time and down field. Adams does need to get stronger and continue adding more strength to his right arm to fulfill his potential. He is slight in frame too at the moment but certainly has the room to get bigger. Between his football knowledge, arm talent and athleticism, Adams brings a lot of strong traits to the field that appeal to Power Four coaches. He already holds several strong offers but should continue adding more as we get through summer camps and his junior season.    - - - - -    (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1286233' first='L.J.' last='Funk'] - Pearl Cohn   Strengths    * Arm Talent; Gunslinging mentality    * Good size, frame, body build    * Athleticism; Moves well inside the pocket   * Cool, calm customer behind center   Developmental Needs   * Squaring body/feet up with his target   * Added arm power/body weight   * Timing, throwing into tight windows    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LJ_Funk6/status/1922457962699702692 </div></figure>   - There is a lot to like about this Nashville area quarterback, who took on the starting role last year with Pearl Cohn and performed very well. Funk has good size for his position along with the arm talent to potentially make all the throws. He brings a gunslinger like mentality to the playing field that can be highly beneficial but troublesome at times. The Firebirds junior manipulates the pocket to find throwing lanes while having the athleticism to make timely passes on the move. Funk is a confident passer that will keep his eyes downfield before taking off and running but presents some of the best dual threat abilities within this class.    I see tons of potential with Funk and his ability to become even better on the collegiate level. His recruitment has yet to take off but can boost his stock this Fall with continued work at reading coverages and throwing into windows. He has already started to show glimpses of being able to do this but with continued work, Funk can become even deadlier. Hitting the weight room and gaining more size should be a priority as well. Keep eyes out for this talented passer this season as a breakout year could be on the horizon for Funk.    - - - - -    (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='905003' first='Brayden' last='Santibanez'] - Collierville   Strengths   * Athleticism (Natural Athlete)   * College size; Great frame   * Powerful right arm   * Dual threat (Good QB speed)   Developmental Needs   * Cleaned up mechanics   * Accurate, timely passing   * Reading coverages   * Looking for secondary receivers   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BraydenSantiban/status/1866130686777635291 </div></figure>   - One of the better dual threat guys we have coming from this junior class is Santibanez. This 6'3 195 quarterback has the college size you want along with athleticism and a powerful right arm that translates well to the next level. Santibanez shows a lot of upside with not just his overall game but his right arm as well. The Dragons signal caller has a lot of raw, natural power within his right arm that shows the potential to make a lot of tough throws. Santibanez displays some of the best zip out of this class as well as possibly being the fastest as well. This Memphis area prospect can run and shows a second gear once he gets going. Santibanez is a big dude too that is tough to bring down in the open field.    While there are a lot of things to like about this guy, there are still several areas about Santibanez that need further development. He needs work with his mechanics and forming into a consistent arm slot. Reading coverages and chasing the windows need definite work as well. Developing into an all-around better passer is needed but the arm talent is certainly in place. Santibanez has yet to really become “the guy” at Collierville but that will change this Fall. I say that to say that there is a lot of tread left on the tires here, so his best football days are certainly ahead of him.    - - - - -    (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins'] - Brentwood Academy   Strengths   * Arm talent, mechanics   * Accurate, timely passing   * Reading defenses (Finding soft coverage)   * Pocket awareness   Developmental Needs   * Overall size (Height)   * Staying in the pocket longer   * Added arm strength    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CrewsJenkins3/status/1925729616016142390 </div></figure>   - Scouting our junior quarterbacks, Jenkins sits as one of the better pure passers we have in this class along with an athletic skill set that should be quite appealing to collegiate coaches. The Eagles junior has a mature outlook when it comes to throwing the ball. He shows an early understanding on reading defenses as well as when to release the ball on time. Jenkins brings clean mechanics to his position along with solid arm strength. He also does well at throwing accurately outside the pocket when on the move. His quick feet allows him to maneuver the pocket well and elude rushers while keeping his eyes downfield. Early on, Jenkins also shows the capabilities of being a strong leader.    The passing tools are certainly there for the Eagles passer but he isn't the tallest, which some college staffs view as a negative. I think he makes up for it with his football knowledge and pure passing abilities but Jenkins won't grow in height much more. Being the starter behind center has yet to happen for Jenkins but that looks to change this coming Fall. Experience is needed here to see how good Jenkins can be but right now, I like what I see and I expect a very productive junior season ahead.    - - - - -    (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1660896' first='Kason' last='McGowan'] - Cleveland   Strengths   * Solid mechanics, accuracy   * Good footwork   * Moves well in the pocket   * Smart, good worker    Developmental Needs   * Arm strength   * Added size/weight   * Reading into windows   * Added foot speed   - Headed into summer camp season, McGowan sits a little bit under the radar but has a chance to come out from under the rock with a breakthrough junior season where I could see this East Tennessee talent sitting at the top of board for passing leaders by the end of the year. The Blue Raiders junior is a pocket passing rightie that shows solid mechanics with a quick release that fits the “West Coast” style offense really well. McGowan has solid size at 6 '2 with a body that can pack on more weight along with an athletic skill set that allows him to not just be a pocket passer but someone that shows good footwork to be a dual threat as well. Intelligence is another factor with the Blue Raiders quarterback that I like. McGowan does well at making quick decisions then throwing accurate passes that allows his receivers to run after the catch.    The biggest area of development for McGowan has to be his overall size and arm strength. While this East Tennessee passer does stand 6 '2, he is lacking the body mass needed to take hits and continue performing at a high level. He also can increase his arm power, which would make a big difference on his overall passing, especially placing the ball on time with zip. I do think that McGowan can enhance his overall stock with the additional power and weight. I like the makeup here of a pass first quarterback that provides the occasional dual threat abilities with a work-mans like mentality that would work well on the college level.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KasonMcGowan1/status/1895307636062724498 </div></figure>