First 3 Games Quarterback Film Spotlight

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!   The first three weeks of the season give us a good look at which players are making an early impact and putting themselves on the recruiting radar. For seniors especially, this stretch of film is essential, as college coaches evaluate current-season tape to see how prospects perform against live competition and whether their game translates to the next level. This spotlight takes a closer look at players with film from their first three games that colleges need to check out.    University's passing attack has been red hot through the first three weeks, and 2027 QB Harrison Helbig has been at the center of it, putting himself into serious early Kennedy and House Award consideration. Helbig has accounted for 950 total yards and 15 touchdowns against just one interception, following up a strong junior season with an even bigger jump as a senior. Helbig is also utilizing his legs more this year, which has added another element to his game by keeping defenses honest and allowing him to extend plays when plays break down. He has some talented playmakers around him, but Helbig has made life easier for them with tremendous accuracy and confidence when delivering the ball. If he can maintain this level of play throughout the season, Helbig makes the Hawks a legitimate title contender.      We expected 2027 QB Jay Bordas to step up in a big way this season for Wheeling Park after the Patriots relied heavily on their running game the past two years, and he's answered the call early on. Bordas is completing 74% of his passes with a largely new group of receivers and has thrown for more than 750 yards and 7 touchdowns through the first three games. Bordas and his receivers will continue developing their chemistry as the season moves along in this new-look offense, but the early returns have been impressive. His arm talent jumps off the tape when you watch him, and it's among the best in the state in that category. We consider Bordas a Top 5 QB in the class, and the way he's spinning it right now should have more college programs taking a closer look.      2027 Princeton QB/ATH Jake Belcher has been unselfish throughout his career, playing and excelling wherever the Tigers needed him, but he finally got his opportunity to take over at quarterback as a senior. Belcher has taken full advantage of it, leading the Tigers to a 3-0 start and playing very well in his first season as the starter. He's currently ranked as an ATH, but this season should earn him some college looks as a QB prospect, especially for programs running systems that can take advantage of his skill set. His dual-threat ability adds another dimension to Princeton's offense, and his off-the-charts athleticism gives him the versatility to play other positions at the next level if needed. Belcher's helping the defending AAA state champions look like a title contender again, and his play at quarterback is a big reason why.      Mingo Central is off to a dominant 3-0 start, and 2027 QB Jamere Knuckles has been at the forefront of it through the first three weeks. He's completed 32/42 passes for 745 yards and 10 touchdowns, showing a high-level of efficiency in the passing game that has allowed the Miners to lean on their running backs more and not put as much on Knuckles' legs early in the season. That's also given him a chance to showcase his arm talent and further prove that he's a talented passer who deserves more college looks this fall. Knuckles has a great command of the offense right now and makes things look effortless when he's operating the Miners' passing attack. As Mingo Central gets into the meat of its schedule, his continued development will be something college programs should be paying close attention to.      Chaz Milburn has been a revelation for Spring Mills this season, proving to be a perfect fit in the Cardinals' offense. The 2027 QB had a tough Week 3 against a very good Liberty Christian (VA) program, but his overall play through the first three weeks has been excellent. He's looking like the prospect we've believed him to be for the past three years, and the change of scenery has been beneficial in allowing that talent level to shine in a better situation. Milburn has always had the arm talent, and the improved talent around him is giving him more opportunities to thrive as a senior. If he continues to play at this level, it should only be a matter of time before some college offers start coming in.      2027 QB Gage Price has been one of the biggest improvers in his class over the past few years, and he's helped Woodrow Wilson get off to its first 3-0 start since 2012. He operates a Wing-T offense that relies heavily on the running game, but Price does a great job of keeping defenses honest and allows the Flying Eagles to utilize their passing game more than most teams running that system. His production should continue to rise as the season moves along alongside a talented two-headed rushing attack, and there's no doubt he has the talent to put up big numbers in a more pass-focused scheme. Price has made his fair share of winning plays despite his limited opportunities, and he's developed into a legitimate QB prospect who deserves more attention from college programs.      Addison Brafford is another 2027 Wing-T quarterback who has stood out through the first three weeks. Brafford is a plenty capable passer in his own right, but a lot of his impact comes from what he can do with his legs and the way he contributes defensively as well as an ATH. He's a well-rounded athlete who does whatever Keyser asks of him and operates their system at a high level. Brafford is the type of program player coaches love having around, bringing a tough, hard-nosed mentality every time he steps on the field. There's a lot to like about Brafford as an overall football player, and his versatility makes him a name college programs need to know.      It's been a tough start to the season for Buffalo, which has a lot of new pieces settling in, including 2027 QB Mark Blankenship after he came over from George Washington for his senior year. He flashed plenty of potential at the JV level before getting his varsity opportunity this season, and he's done some good things despite the Bison's 1-2 start. Blankenship is steadily building chemistry with a new group of receivers and is coming off his best week yet in a win over Summers County, which should help build some momentum moving forward. He brings impressive athleticism as a dual-threat with good speed and burst, while his high-arcing deep ball has good touch and can be tough to defend. Blankenship is a good small-college prospect to check out as the season continues.      2028 Morgantown QB Maddox Twigg has been limited to just three quarters of action so far this season due to injury and a couple of lopsided scores, but he's back and ready to roll for the remainder of the season. He'll have plenty of time to work his way back into the award conversation, but Twigg and the 3-0 Mohigans have their eyes on bigger goals as they look to defend their 2025 title. The D1 prospect has already made early-season visits to WVU and Liberty as he continues to generate high-level interest, and he'll show why moving forward. We saw the high-upside flashes from Twigg in limited action, and after a breakout sophomore season, look for him to get hot and go on a tear as the season moves along.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/MaddoxTwigg/status/2099543705505960379 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MaddoxTwigg/status/2099543705505960379 </div></figure>     Fairmont Senior's 1-2 start has been a bit surprising, but Anthony Smith is the type of quarterback who can help get the Polar Bears back to their winning ways as the season moves along. The 2028 QB is another sought-after D1 prospect in the class, and his ability to elevate the new pieces around him will be important as they continue gaining experience together. Smith has the talent to take over games, and we'll be watching to see how the offense develops around him. A big matchup with undefeated North Marion this week gives Smith and the Polar Bears an opportunity to get into a groove and make a bounce-back statement.      Robbie Jones has brought some much-needed continuity to the Philip Barbour offense after the Colts had to replace several pieces from last year's semifinal team. The 2028 QB/ATH has made timely big plays in the passing game with a new group of receivers still developing chemistry, while the Colts continue to lean heavily on RB Landyn Carpenter in the running game. His ATH ranking also shows up on defense, where Jones had a monster performance against Buckhannon-Upshur with three interceptions, already matching his total from all of last season. He's a talented multi-sport athlete who can impact the game in many ways, and that defensive production should continue while Philip Barbour works to get its passing game fully clicking.      2029 QB Marek Midkiff has only played two games so far after Huntington's Week 2 bye, but he's already flashed the upside we expected from him this season and in the future. Midkiff and the Highlanders picked up a big win over Spring Valley at Marshall's Joan C. Edwards Stadium after battling a tough George Rogers Clark (KY) team in Week 1, and the young quarterback made big plays in both contests. He was efficient in the win over the Timberwolves, placing the ball well and making some big-time throws on his way to a two-touchdown performance. Huntington inserted a lot of new and young pieces into the lineup this year, and Midkiff should continue getting more comfortable as that group gains experience together. He's a young quarterback to keep close tabs on as his game continues to develop.

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