3 Dual Threat QBs Off To a Hot Start
Carter Brian – Care Paravel 6’0 176 (Unranked Sr) There is a lot to like about Brian’s game, unless you’re an opposing defender eying a sack, in which case you’re in for a night of utter and unmitigated frustration. The…
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Continue ReadingCarter Brian – Care Paravel 6’0 176 (Unranked Sr)
There is a lot to like about Brian’s game, unless you’re an opposing defender eying a sack, in which case you’re in for a night of utter and unmitigated frustration. The All-City newcomer of the year in 2020 looks to have taken his game to a new level this season, starting out the season completing 83% of his passes, with 8 TDs and 0 picks
What brought Carter to the dance is his ability to create outside of the pocket. The senior QB possesses excellent quickness and anticipation to evade rushers and does an excellent job scanning the field on the move much like a point guard in basketball and has innate anticipation in regard to where receiver will be. He also has a highly efficient setup upper body wise, allowing him to square his shoulders and release the ball quickly, whether in the pocket or on the run. The biggest improvement Carter has made is in his footwork in the pocket, which now allows him to generate more velocity and accuracy in his throws.
Carter is only scratching the surface of what he can become. We could easily be talking about one of the best QB prospects in the state by season’s end, and a quality collegiate starter beyond that, especially if he has the opportunity to play for a creative OC.
Mike Pauley – Blue Valley Northwest 6’5 200 (Prep Redzone Sr QB4)
Over two games, Pauley has completed 33 of his 45 passes with 4 TDs, averaging 229 yards a game. He has prototype size for a QB and looks to be continuing the trend of tall, legitimate dual threat QBs with 244 rushing yards in two games.
Pauley is an imposing figure in the pocket, with nice choppy footwork that allows him to reset his launch point efficiently. His touch and timing on vertical routes is very good, and he has the arm to threaten every area on the field. In addition, he is a decisive and confident thrower of the football and has a penchant for throwing his receivers open with excellent ball placement. When throwing on the run, he shows a very fluid upper body, allowing him to zip the ball downfield accurately with his base under him As a ball carrier, he is a legitimate threat to break long runs, with a sneaky burst, and a smooth long stride in the open field, as well as the quickness to make defenders miss in tight spaces. With a grown man’s body, he is also very hard to bring down both in the pocket and in the open field.
While not getting off to a great start in terms of turning the ball over, Pauley has been an absolute menace running the ball so far, which will continue to make him a nightmare to scheme against. As he already looks like a kid that has spent a couple of years in a college weight room, he is a legitimate QB1 that could contribute significantly as a freshman.
Gage Roach – Blue Valley West 6’2 205 (Unranked Sr)
Already accounting for 6 Yds, and turning in an impressive week 2 performance against 5th ranked Blue Valley North, that saw him account for nearly 350 yards and four TDs, with an excellent 17 yards per passing attempt, Roach is proving to be a force to contend with in 2021.
Presenting a continuous theme with these 3 QBs, Roach is highly adept at delivering an accurate ball on the run with some substantial spin and velocity. He is also dangerous rolling to his left and has the rare ability to contort his body and throw with the ball with some zip when doing so. Hall of Fame QB Joe Montana famously said “I don’t throw darts at balloons, I throw balloons at darts”, and that is a good analogy for Roach’s game as well. He throws one of the most catchable balls of any QB in the state and has an innate feel for “throwing to grass”, routinely allowing his receivers to run through the ball without breaking stride. As a runner, he uses his running back’s lower body to shred through tackles, and a very good burst to erase angles and break big plays.
The scary thing about Roach is his footwork fundamentals could actually use a little polishing, but when he is set properly, the accuracy from the pocket is absolutely there, which makes him a complete prospect, capable of hurting defenses in a variety of ways.