Multi-Threat Dominators: Top QB’s Ready to Air It Out

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's that time of year when the early wake-up calls are for real and the off-season grind takes the form of non-stop practices. The young guys are locked into making good first impressions, while the older players who have <em>"been there/done that"</em>, are more focused on fine-tuning their craft, while doing whatever it takes to optimize team chemistry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For QB's in the early days of practice it is critical to continue perfecting mechanics and providing leadership on both sides of the ball, but also in always promoting a team-first environment. Particularly if you are a guy who piles up big stats - never let your numbers, or the pursuit of such, impact team building, recognizing teamwork and in giving credit where credit is due.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is all a part of that important QB balancing act between the obvious <em>tangible </em>physical and mental abilities with the critical<em> intangible</em> skills, which is a prerequisite to greatness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Optimizing this powerhouse balancing act of tangible/intangible application doesn't happen overnight. It is built brick by brick, practice by practice over years of relentless striving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this next round of top quarterbacks in the state of Kansas we will take a look at some of the state's best QB's at differing levels of perfecting this balancing act.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first two are senior QB's who are the top returning passing-yard leaders in the state and on a collision coarse with greatness this fall, followed by a pair of dangerous dual-threat QB's getting ready to go scorched earth and wrap up with a rising-star junior gunslinger who is ready to hit the ground running in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's take a look at what these guys have been doing to get ready for this fall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611096' first='Aiden' last='Scott'],</strong> 6'5”, 200, QB, <em>Shawnee Heights</em>, <strong>'26</strong>. He is the top returning gunslinger in the state and the only one to crack the 3K passing-yard barrier with a lofty 3,103 yards, which was almost 1K more the than the runner-up. The rest of his stats were elite as well: 32 TD passes to only six picks, a 60%+ completion percentage and a 119 passer rating. His off-season was focused and busy as he hit the camp-combine circuit and worked closely with QB Coach Justin Hoover. The goal this year is to go even higher and hit numbers in the 4K yardage range and 40+ TD passes. With prototype size, leadership skills and a gifted arm he is dialed in on generating D1 interest in an encore season. His arm is elite-level, with well-trained feet and pocket mechanics and a smooth delivery. He has the arm strength to throw the long touch pass, rifle it on the deep velocity throws or carve up the short game with quick laser strikes. This guy is gonna air it out this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403641' first='Gannon' last='Jacobson']</strong></strong>, 6'2, 180, QB/DB, <em>SE Saline</em>, <strong>'26</strong>. He is coming off a legendary season in which he led <em>SES</em> to an undefeated 13-0 record and the 2A state title. Along the way he was one of the most productive QB's in the state as he ran and passed for 3,053 total yards and piled up 44 touchdowns. He was also a standout defensive back who has started in the secondary since he was a sophomore, picking up 67 tackles, three TFL and picked off a pass. As a two-way, dual-threat quarterback, he was the straw that stirred the drink for a good <em>Trojan </em>team and came up with numerous clutch performances and timely plays throughout the playoffs. His off-season has been busy as he is a three-sport standout and also made time to get in plenty of throwing with his receivers this summer. With a major breakthrough junior season under his belt and a strong off-season getting bigger, stronger and faster, this guy is going to be <em>en fuego</em> this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229066' first='Manny' last='Myers']</strong></strong>, 6'0, 180, ATH, <em>Mulvane</em>, <strong>'26</strong>. He is coming off one of the top dual-threat quarterback seasons last fall with 2,600+ total yards and 31 touchdowns. In the air the southpaw gunslinger passed for 1,264 yards and fired 12 touchdowns to only three interceptions. On the ground he was a dynamic playmaker who torched opposing defenses for 1,371 yards and scored 19 touchdowns. He has been busy in the off-season playing hoops and continued playing baseball as a hard-hitting centerfielder and pitcher into the summer months. His off-season training is reaping dividends as he has put on 20 pounds while getting faster. He has been training hard in the weight room and on the field with his receivers to go three ways as a quarterback, corner and punt returner. With his combination of quick-strike skill sets in the air or on the ground and his ability to take over games as an athletic playmaker, he is getting ready to dominate this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578932' first='Kellen' last='Gibson']</strong></strong>, 6'1, 185, QB, <em>Winfield</em>, <strong>'26</strong>. He is an athletic dual-threat quarterback who has been flying under the radar somewhat but is getting ready to change all that in a hurry this fall. He is coming off a breakout season as a junior QB who ran and passed for 1,400+ yards and 18 TD's, and impressively only threw a half-dozen picks. I have watched his progression over the years as a rising star who has the burst to extend plays and hit the perimeter quickly. He has a strong, accurate arm and can zip tight-window passes in the short-to-medium game, or burn teams on the deep ball down the sidelines. He has had a strong off-season getting bigger, more explosive and faster. He is up to almost 190 pounds, has his 40-time down in the 4.4's and his vertical up to 37 inches. He was also one of the top javelin throwers in the state. With a solid junior season under his belt and a standout off-season, get your popcorn handy, he is going to put on a show this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1166125' first='Colt' last='Curry']</strong></strong>, 6'2, 205, QB, <em>Lawrence</em>, <strong>'27</strong>. He is coming off a sophomore intern-type role backing up an all-state QB last year and is ready to parlay that experience and a great set of QB skill sets into a breakout season this fall. He is a dual-threat QB with ideal size, speed and athleticism and is able to keep defenses off balance with both his arm and his legs. As a passer he has a seamless throwing motion with solid mechanics and footwork in the pocket, but also has the skills to throw on the move, off different platforms or any number of launch angles depending on the circumstance. He has good ball placement and can layer the ball into tight-windows. He has been focused all summer on fine-tuning footwork, while improving speed and agility. He also spent extra time on film study to make quick reads and continue to improve processing speed and decision-making. This guy is getting ready to step up and have a springboard season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action – you will not be disappointed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, as usual…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Keep grindin'</em></strong>…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->