Spring Tour Recap: QB Notes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With my spring tour up, it's time to look back on some of the QBs who impressed me in person. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>North Cobb Christian</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>'28 QB Jayden McCullough is filling in at QB this fall for North Cobb Christian and is poised for a breakout sophomore campaign. His traits set some intrigue. He comes in at a lean 6'1 170 with room to pack on weight and get bigger. The QB run game is expected to be more in play this fall for North Cobb Christian thanks to McCullough's athleticism. He is still growing as an operator, but has some natural life on the ball with a long, whippy delivery. McCullough can pop big plays now and will improve as everything tightens up for him.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Gainesville</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>'27 QB [player_tooltip player_id='885409' first='Kharim' last='Hughley'] has emerged as one of the premier QBs in the state in his class. He generated dozens of eyes this spring. Hughley has always stood out as an operator, efficiently distributing the ball and playing his role as point guard at an elite level. When you watch him up close, he surprises you with the velocity he can put on the ball, especially for a smaller guy. He can rip the ball into tight windows and bomb it behind safeties with the flick of his wrist, not to mention he is fluid in his mechanics. His ability to get the ball to his playmakers all over the yard raises his floor. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>North Gwinnett</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>'27 QB [player_tooltip player_id='580496' first='Elam' last='Rahman'] and '28 QB Banks Halcomb are both in the mix for North Gwinnett this year.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Rahman is a big, stout lefty. When you grade the flashes on tape, it's easy to be intrigued. He can generate some drive on the ball with relative ease, and there is some toughness he shows as a runner. He has the horsepower to push the ball downfield when everything clicks.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Halcomb is the prototype and already holds an offer from Georgia State. Whether he fully breaks out this fall or not, he is someone to track moving forward. He is listed at 6'3 195 and is developed beyond his years both physically and mechanically. You can't argue against his traits. Now, he just has to tie everything together. I am expecting this guy to emerge as one of the premier 2028 QBs in the state when all is said and done. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>West Forsyth</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>It's easy to get excited about '26 QB [player_tooltip player_id='422536' first='Max' last='Walraven']. He is a traitsy prospect who has controlled QB duties at West Forsyth for years. On the day I watched him, several D1s were also checking in. He is a towering 6'5 195 with a cut, lean frame. I think he has some arm strength left in the tank as he adds more mass to his frame. I have always been impressed with his athleticism and ability to create at his size. The ceiling is high here, and he should get a crack at the D1 level to prove it.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Creekview</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>'27 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1258733' first='Frank' last='Young'] is a smooth point A to point B passer who can spin the ball. He is continuing to calibrate as a passer, but he has the feel and comfort as a passer that you can't teach. He has emerged as a breakout candidate this fall and should click. '26 Alex Penrod is also in the mix. He was last year's backup, but didn't go through spring ball due to playoff baseball. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Sequoyah </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>'26 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1565843' first='Kolby' last='Martin'] is a gamer. He might not be the prototype like other prospects, but he is dependable and has plenty of experience under his belt. For what Sequoyah wants to do, he does it perfectly. He is tough as a runner and gets the ball to his playmakers. He just picked up an offer from Reinhardt. He is a good baseball prospect as well. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Milton</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I got a closer look at new Milton QB [player_tooltip player_id='409921' first='Derrick' last='Baker']. He has generated plenty of buzz and is already a premier QB in the 2027 class. He is one of the more explosive, low-to-the-ground QB prospects I have seen. At 6'1 220, he is almost built like a college RB. He rips the ball with tight spin and trajectory, and does it pretty easily. There isn't an area of the field he can't reach with both his arm and his legs. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Cambridge</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>There are 3 QBs to track at Cambridge this fall: '26 [player_tooltip player_id='1635981' first='Connor' last='Langford'], '27 [player_tooltip player_id='1229425' first='Marcus' last='Turk'], and '27 Jordan Higdon</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Langford is the veteran of the group, bringing over some starting experience from Duluth. The most impressive part of his game starts with his legs, where he is a fully capable and dangerous runner. He will find the field in at least some capacity thanks to what he can do as a runner. He should be a quick learner, given his starting experience.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>'27 [player_tooltip player_id='1229425' first='Marcus' last='Turk'] is coming over from Milton, he looks the part. He is a cut, compactly built 6'1 185. His mechanics look pretty tight. I liked how he scanned the defense and operated in the 7 v 7 setting at practice, he looked calm. There is a lot to be excited about if everything clicks. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>'27 QB Jordan Higdon is the dark horse. He might not have the level of attention that the other guys have, but he has potential in his own right and is someone coaches made sure to mention. He is listed at 6'4 210. Everything is still growing and getting tighter for him, but he certainly has a big arm and is a capable passer. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Roswell</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>'26 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1576165' first='Trey' last='Smith'] was dazzling at times last year for Roswell. This was my first time watching him work in person. It was more of a slower, teaching type of practice when I checked him out, but you saw the flashes of what makes him so special. He is a true gunslinger who can operate on different platforms and mix up arm angles. He is a super twitched-up athlete, which is what allows him to evade pressure and make dazzling plays when everything breaks down. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>North Hall </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I walked away from practice really intrigued with '27 QB Alex Schlieman. He is a real sturdy prospect at 6'0 200. He has plenty of horsepower as a passer. He was buzzing the ball around the field all practice, and did it with tight spin and the ability to manipulate touch and trajectory. I found myself just standing and watching him throw when I was at practice. It was pretty when it clicked. '26 QB [player_tooltip player_id='401554' first='Smith' last='McGarvey'] is in that room as well. He is a 6'2 195 lefty with a baseball background. He is coming off a productive junior season and is worthy of a mention, even though baseball had him occupied during spring ball. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Peachtree Ridge</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Keep a really close eye on '29 Peachtree Ridge QB [player_tooltip player_id='951329' first='Zain' last='Belfield']. He is a tall, thin 6'2. Everything is still long, as you could expect for a prospect of his size and age. However, he is a natural thrower of the football and has impressed coaches with his athleticism. Even if it isn't this fall, I would keep an eye on him. I expect him to generate some recruiting buzz. The traits are there to bloom. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Woodstock </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I am a massive fan of '26 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1544914' first='Graham' last='Burmeister']. He might not possess the pop in his ball and the athletic traits that will slingshot him to a high level of football, but this is the kind of dude I could see blossom at an FCS squad, or even a GO5 program that likes to spread the ball around. He plays point guard brilliantly, distributing the ball to his playmakers with good touch, timing, and placement. I have seen him play twice in person and have been impressed with his composure and operational skills. If you want to get the ball to your playmakers and let them work, this is your guy. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->