You Are Athlete Regional Exposure Camp: Middle School QBs

Photo: You Are Athlete

Brendan Mankarious May 14, 2025 @ 07:01 PM

On Saturday, May 3 I was fortunate enough to be invited to cover You Are Athlete's New Jersey Regional Exposure Camp. This event had a double session that features middle schoolers first and high schoolers second. As is customary whenever I attend an event, the first thing I take note of are the prospects that have the clear, physical measurables to immediately compete at the next, immediate level of play – also known as the eye test.   Below are my scouting notes from the position group mentioned in this article's title.   Be sure to follow me on <a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">Twitter</a> for the latest updates in New Jersey high school football.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   The Empire State had some solid talent at quarterback that came out to represent. First New York gunslinger I saw was Jalen Pierre. Pierre has the right idea in terms of what he is doing, where to look, and when to throw the ball. As his game progresses, I want to see Pierre grow to be unabashed against tight coverage. Trust your receivers to make a play; trust your own skills as a quarterback. Do not be afraid to grip-it-and-rip-it, especially on short routes like slants... Storm Russo might project as an Ivy League scholarship kind of kid one day. Surveying the field pre-snap, Russo identified the biggest size mismatch in front of him and chucked that thing up, probably forcing it. The positive is that he can identify such things in real-time and surveys what is in front of him; the opportunity to grow to take what the defensive gives you, especially in camp settings. Keep in mind, however, Russo graduates high school in 2033, making him a current 4th grader.   A very advanced throw for someone so young, Romavey Hilton connected on a post-corner route. Hilton waited, bought time for his receiver, and unleashed not just a pretty ball, an accurate one where his receiver accrued YAC for a score... There was something to appreciate about Bryce Callwood's game. Callwood had long arms and the right approach when playing quarterback. I do wish to see Callwood clean up his lower-half mechanics though. Doing so will prevent the ball from dying on him in the air and his throws on the ball more aerodynamic.   A camp-circuit commoner, [player_tooltip player_id='1272681' first='Justin' last='Merriman'] once again shined bright amongst the competition. Aside from having measurables that scream, Merriman showed a great deal of command on his throws and poise on his reps. These traits are only surpassed by his velocity - which in turn is trumped by his accuracy and ball placement. Even through the tightest of coverage, Merriman continued to throw an exceptional deep ball in safe places. In fact, I am convinced that the DePaul-bound 2029 graduate loves the deep ball and will wait on it.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">You Are Athlete New Jersey Regional Exposure Camp Coverage</h2>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/you-are-athlete-regional-exposure-camp-middle-school-eye-test">Eye Test, Middle School</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/you-are-athlete-regional-exposure-camp-middle-school-dbs">Defensive Backs, Middle School</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/you-are-athlete-regional-exposure-camp-middle-school-qbs">Quarterbacks, Middle School</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/you-are-athlete-regional-exposure-camp-high-school-eye-test">Eye Test, High School</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/you-are-athlete-regional-exposure-camp-high-school-dl">Defensive Line, High School</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/you-are-athlete-regional-exposure-camp-high-school-rb">Running Backs, High School</a>

On Saturday, May 3 I was fortunate enough to be invited to cover You Are Athlete's New Jersey Regional Exposure Camp. This event had a double session that features middle schoolers first and high schoolers second. As is customary whenever I attend an event, the first thing I take note of are the prospects that have the clear, physical measurables to immediately compete at the next, immediate level of play – also known as the eye test.