Stock Risers: Junior Quarterbacks

The 2023 quarterback crop in the state of Ohio is quite impressive. The group stems from true drop-back pocket passers to even a few dual-threat prospects. The group as a whole hasn't seen a ton of recruiting attention just yet, but that should pick up here when the spring evaluation period rolls around. Here's who to know!

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Jackson Johnson Jackson Johnson 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Salem | 2023 OH , 6’, 185, Salem An even-keel improviser who is special when the pocket breaks down. Johnson does a good job moving safeties with his eyes and placing the ball right into the breadbasket. He ID's 1 on 1 coverage and will take a shot vertically downfield. He's a gifted timing thrower who knows when to expedite his mechanics.   Dru DeShields Dru DeShields 6'3" | 175 lbs | QB West Branch | 2023 State OH , 6’4", 190, West Branch A speedster who can create serious chunk plays on designed quarterback runs. He shows a live arm, calm footwork, and the ability to work through a full progression. Dru excels when forced off his spot and can make almost every throw off-platform. This young man is such a gifted athlete; I honestly think he could play on either side of the ball at the next level if he wanted to.   Drew Novak Drew Novak 6'5" | 180 lbs | QB Western Brown | 2023 State OH , 6’6", 190, Western Brown A long pocket passer who puts plenty of air under the deep ball so his target can run right underneath it. Novak can pick defenses apart with his pre-snap reads and will ID the holes in zone coverage. He climbs the pocket when under duress and will keep his eyes downfield, searching for one of his receivers. Novak is calm when the defense brings pressure and is willing to take a shot from unblocked defenders.   Peyton Underwood, 6'3", 205, Bishop Hartley Underwood is outstanding off play-action and utilizes a play-fake better than most quarterbacks his age. Although not a true runner, he can pick up yards on the ground with his legs and will force you to set the edge. He has plenty of arm to air it out downfield and can easily sling it forty yards with the flick of a wrist. Underwood is awfully effective on intermediate-level passes and will place it between two second-level defenders in zone coverage.   Ty Hurst Ty Hurst 6'2" | 170 lbs | QB Tallmadge | 2023 OH , 6’2", 160, Tallmadge Ty doesn't get rattled when forced off his spot and can make a plethora of throws without setting his feet. He's shown a quick setup and is capable of throwing out of multiple arm slots. His ability to make something happen out of nothing is uncanny, making him a great fit for a wide-open spread offense at the next level. Hurst's subtle pocket slides give rushers fits as he's rarely brought down by the first tackler.   Konner Rodick, 6'3", 185, Keystone Rodick proved to be a next-level escape artist who will make you pay if you don't lock on in zone coverage. This young man, calmy, works through his progression and will wait for his targets to find a hole to sit in. He's a brilliant thrower outside the tackle box who will square his shoulders towards a target when on the move. He turns into a running back once he's into space and has such subtle yet explosive cuts.