<strong>2022 Class Position Ratings: Quarterbacks</strong>
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With the final signing period approaching in the 2021 class and our initial rankings posted we start with the quarterbacks today.
Below is a brief look at the top 5 in the state and some other names to watch.
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<li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="59469" first="Zan" last="Dunham"], Chester, 6’2, 215</strong></li>
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It may end up being a battle for the top spot but as of now we give the nod to Dunham. The reason it could be a battle is because he will need to improve as a passer but he can run with the best of them. This dual-threat from Chester can hurt you with his arm or his legs and has D1 size already. If he can improve his passing in 2021 he could lock down this spot for sure. He currently has offers from Coastal Carolina, Liberty, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia.
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<li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="59480" first="DeQuandre" last="Smith"], Spring Valley, 6’2, 210</strong></li>
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We almost listed him as No. 1 because this dual threat is a really good athlete who can run and pass as well. Through seven games he was quite impressive showing the ability to make people in space and the arm to move the ball down the field. He is a little tight as a runner and needs work on mechanics and footwork but his physical tools should land him a lot more offers. He currently has offers from Michigan and Florida Atlantic.
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<li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="59494" first="Ryan" last="Burger"], Myrtle Beach, 6’3, 175</strong></li>
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The standout from Myrtle Beach had 25 total touchdowns with 2,493 yards in his junior season. His junior film is improved from his sophomore as he appears to be a gun slinger who can launch it deep. He is a pro/pocket style passer who has good enough feet to get open and pick up some yards when needs to do so. He will also need to be coached up but there are tools to be a solid D1 quarterback. It will be an interesting battle with him, Smith, and Dunham for the 2021 Shrine Bowl. Burger has one offer right now from App State.
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<li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91173" first="Peter" last="Zamora"], Westside, 6’0, 200</strong></li>
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Zamora is a 2020 first-team All-Region selection who has good accuracy and average arm strength. He has enough mobility to make defenders miss and pick up a first down if he needs to. He will need to work on timing a little bit but he places the ball well. We believe he will likely end up at the G5 level or with a top tier FCS school. Currently, he has one offer from Florida Atlantic.
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<li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91174" first="Kaydon" last="Sauers"], Crescent, 6’6, 225</strong></li>
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This is one of the more interesting prospects in the state. Sauers averages a double-double in basketball and is all-region in both basketball and football. He is a big, strong arm passer who makes good decisions on the field. He had 12 touchdowns with no interceptions in seven games last year and showed the mobility to move in the pocket and pick up some yards when needed. This three-sport athlete probably has gone under the radar a bit because he comes from a small school but he has tools to work with and should see his offer list grow this spring and summer.
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<strong>Others to watch</strong>
[player_tooltip player_id="102962" first="Prometheus" last="Franklin II"], Greenville, 6’3, 195- A very good athlete who was seen earlier than expected with the injury to all-star Goodman. Has size, arm strength, and a very good touchdown/interception ratio.
[player_tooltip player_id="91187" first="Kevin" last="Diggs"], Chesterfield, 6’2, 195- A dual-threat prospect who runs in the 4.6s and could end up moving to wide receiver at the next level or be a very good small school quarterback.
[player_tooltip player_id="89316" first="Will" last="Mattison"], Northwestern, 6’4, 190- Class 5A Honorable Mention All-State selection with 16 touchdowns and 1,526 yards in eight games as a junior.
[player_tooltip player_id="92207" first="Ryan" last="McCants"], Sumter, 6’1, 190- Dual-threat with no offers but receiving heavy interest from several Sun Belt and FCS schools.
[player_tooltip player_id="89319" first="Tyler" last="Haley"], Beaufort, 6’2, 180- 4A All-State selection with no current D1 offers but he is a productive passer with a frame to fill out and dual-threat skills that make him tough to defend because of his feet.
[player_tooltip player_id="102975" first="Trent" last="Pearman"], DW Daniel, 6’2, 180- Led the state in passing with 2,786 yards, 35 touchdowns, and completed 78% of his passes.
[player_tooltip player_id="91203" first="Stephon" last="Gadsden"], Fairfield Central, 5’10, 180- Athlete who can play receiver or quarterback but will likely be a FCS or D2 prospect due to lack of size.
[player_tooltip player_id="91213" first="Harrison" last="Scott"], St. Joseph’s, 6’0, 188- Scott ran for 932 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2020. Projects to change positions because of his speed and versatility.
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