Deep Dives: 704 Metro Area Quarterbacks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are continuing our Deep Dive Series, now branching out to the surrounding counties outside of Charlotte, known as the 704 Metro Area! We are looking at players specifically in Cleveland, Gaston, Union, Cabarrus, and Iredell counties. If we have a special player in another adjacent county - such as Stanly, Lincoln, or Rowan - they will be eligible for inclusion in this ranking also! <br><br>We will get started with the quarterbacks in the 704 Metro Area, and we will follow the same setup as we did for Mecklenburg County: The top five players will get their own individual breakdown, while our remaining players will get a summarized analysis of their abilities. Let's get started! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616126"],"_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-69c1ff8e84984"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Checking in on our 2028 #1 quarterback here, who is also #1 in our rankings for quarterbacks in the metro area, he's been a hot commodity on the recruiting trail here lately. Kaden's latest offers have come from Ole Miss, Miami, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, and South Carolina, all since January. So basically half of the SEC! Kaden's dual-threat ability at his size has been something special since his freshman year, when he burst on the scene for the Wildcats. With some talented receivers on the Lake Norman roster next season, I'm excited to see how the passing game continues to progress by the lake. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616122"],"_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-69c1ff8e84a32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When I saw Jabraylan as a freshman a couple of years ago at a 7-on-7 tournament, I knew he had the potential to be someone special. The size has always been there, but he's developed well from a fundamentals standpoint, and that has started to translate on the field and on film as well. Jabraylan threw for over 1600 yards in a run-first offensive attack, and he added nearly 250 yards on the ground, showing his dual-threat ability. Jabraylan has four offers currently: Kent State, Toledo, Arkansas, and Gardner-Webb. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1607782"],"_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-69c1ff8e84ab6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I think out of our Top 5 players here, Aury might be the most underrated, but he also may be the most productive in terms of yardage on the field as well. This past season, Aury threw for over 2500 yards and 26 touchdowns, which by itself would be a great season for most high school quarterbacks. But then, once you factor in the rushing totals for Aury, which he rushed for over 1000 yards and 9 rushing touchdowns, you quickly learn how special a talent he is. College football programs are taking notice of Aury as well, as he now has offers from Lenoir-Rhyne, Wofford, Army, and Air Force. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1604676"],"_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-69c1ff8e84b3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Weston has moved over to Mooresville High School for his sophomore year, but Weston showed a ton as a freshman quarterback at Ambassador Christian this past season. Weston threw for over 2300 yards and 21 touchdowns, showing some incredible arm strength and touch from all over the field while doing so. While Weston didn't pile up a ton of rushing yards, he showed plenty of elusiveness within and outside of the pocket, as he was under pressure a good bit on his highlight film. That just makes what he was able to do even more impressive to me. Weston is getting some college interest now, with visits to Virginia Tech, South Carolina, and Appalachian State all happening in March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1687753"],"_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-69c1ff8e84bc1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was a tough choice on who #5 would be out of this group of players, but I settled on KJ, who has the physical look and attributes of a player who is just starting to see how good he can become. This past season, KJ threw for 2100 yards and 21 touchdown passes with a new offensive coordinator, and his projected starting running back was hurt for most of the season. I think that's pretty impressive for a player really going into his first full year as a varsity starter. KJ picked up an early offer from Gardner-Webb and has had some college interest since then, but I think it's only a matter of time before that picks up some more. KJ is not a dual-threat player, but he shows some ability to throw on the run, and I think he'll develop that side of his game as he continues to grow. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong><br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='738731' first='AJ' last='McClain']</strong> - Ashbrook<br><strong>AJ Settles</strong> - AL Brown<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301805' first='Hudson' last='Irwin']</strong> - Northwest Cabarrus<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678610' first='Rashad' last='Lynch']</strong> - Lincolnton<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616140' first='Lucas' last='Lopez']</strong> - Cannon School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Analysis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out of this first group of signal callers, the dual-threat guys in [player_tooltip player_id='738731' first='AJ' last='McClain'], AJ Settles, and [player_tooltip player_id='1678610' first='Rashad' last='Lynch'] are very important to their respective teams in making the offense go. There are differences in how their respective offenses are run, but all three of those quarterbacks are asked to make smart reads in both the running game and passing game to ultimately decide where the ball goes on Friday Nights. Given how all three of those teams are returning playoff teams from last season, that shows you their collective football intelligence is off the charts. I'm excited to see all three go into their senior years next season. [player_tooltip player_id='1301805' first='Hudson' last='Irwin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1616140' first='Lucas' last='Lopez'] are definitely more pass-first players, but they both love making the big throw down the field when they get the chance. Irwin, I think, will have some more opportunity to throw it around this year, and I'm excited to see it. Lopez has some talented guys to throw to on the outside at Cannon, and he should put up some big numbers once again in a good offensive attack. <br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2078902' first='Carter' last='Casteel']</strong> - Cox Mill<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301222' first='Aiden' last='Donnelly']</strong> - West Rowan<br><strong>Michael Alford</strong> - North Rowan<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678614' first='Noah' last='Furr']</strong> - Forest Hills<br><strong>Brayden Graceffa</strong> - Monroe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Analysis </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this second group of quarterbacks, we have a couple of guys who are eager to see what they do with a full season of opportunity. I think [player_tooltip player_id='1301222' first='Aiden' last='Donnelly'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1678614' first='Noah' last='Furr'] are both guys who had some bright spots last season and are ready to seize control of their respective offenses and put their names on the map in a big way. Brayden Graceffa, who impressed a couple of our scouts recently at a 7-on-7 tournament, with a full season under a talented Monroe coaching staff as a starter, is a major breakout player to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, [player_tooltip player_id='2078902' first='Carter' last='Casteel'] and Michael Alford are probably two of the better quarterbacks you don't really know in the Metro Area. Casteel is coming off of an All-Conference season where he threw for over 1700 yards and 20 touchdown passes - impressive stuff from a player we didn't know much about initially. And then, all Michael Alford did was be the Rowan County offensive player of the year for a North Rowan team that, throughout the years, has been known for their offense. Alford threw for over 2800 yards and had 28 touchdown passes on the year. As if that wasn't enough, Alford also had 57 tackles and 5.5 sacks on defense! I thought about putting him in the athlete category, but those offensive numbers deserved the quarterback respect!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->