24/40 267 yds 1 TD

It was quite the joy to finally catch Declan MacDonald throw in person this Thursday evening.  The Claremont McKenna commit showed what I saw on tape prior and he did his best as a competitor to keep his team in this game without his top weapon James Pillivant and a persistent RV pass rush. With a massive frame at 6’6 180, he still has an easy, smooth, quick, and replicable release in which some bigger QBs can have a bit of a windup.  A rotational thrower, his release gives off Aaron Rodgers vibes with how easy it seems he throws it and does a great job aligning his hips and front shoulder to the target. He showed his ability to fit passes into tight windows with pace but also having incredible touch and accuracy on deep balls all night – he throws a tremendous back shoulder ball.  MacDonald showed command of the offense to change plays and get his team into friendlier plays based on the defensive alignment and was calling the protections at the line.  While he can make plays with his legs, his pocket passing is his strength.   I loved his work with RPOs and his ability to get through his progressions. A 3-year starter and a tremendous undefeated run as a Soph, I have the utmost faith in Declan to be able to hit the ground running next year in Cali and have a fantastic collegiate career.

MacDonald is a tall QB, measuring in at 6’6 185-pounds. His junior season, he had thrown for 1664 yards, 11 TDs, 9 INTs, with a 53% completion rate. MacDonald is a pocket passer, not running around and scrambling. He trusts his OL and steps up in the pocket. Declan has a big arm needed to make all the throws. Fits the ball in tight windows. Good touch on his throws. Smooth side arm release. On deep throws, he throws with a high arch leading his WR to the ball. Under pressure, he stays poised. One thing of note his how he’s a fast processor in the RPO game. He has good RPO fakes, and recognizes when to give the ball off to the RB, or throw it. Last thing of note is his 4.95 GPA.

MacDonald is a QB that has a strong arm and excels at intermediate to deep passes, being able to drop it in on the money. I like his ability to look defenders off and make quick reads. He does take chances at times throwing across his body and into traffic, which gets him into trouble at times but he is a true playmaker. He is a guy that can swing the momentum for his team with a big play and has a knack for creating opportunities with his mobility being able to move the pocket. He is an academic all state player that will be on a lot of radars with his size and skill set that is a must know moving forward.

MacDonald is a towering presence in the pocket, standing at 6’6”. He threw for 1,664 yards and 11 touchdowns on 132 completions, maintaining a 53% completion rate. His ability to launch deep passes and read defenses makes him a constant threat. Though more known for his arm, MacDonald added a rushing touchdown on seven carries. With another year ahead, he has the potential to refine his game and become a top-tier prospect.

MacDonald is an elite passer with a combination of accuracy and arm strength that allows him to make all the throws on the field. He stands tall in the pocket or role out, MacDonald delivers pinpoint passes that hit receivers in stride, making it difficult for defenses to contain him. His ability to drop dimes on the run adds a unique dimension to his game, as he excels at creating plays in motion. MacDonald’s arm strength is a standout feature, allowing him to make intermediate to deep passes with ease. He reads defenses well and can quickly diagnose coverage, leading to timely and precise throws. His consistency and accuracy are what set him apart, and he is quickly becoming known for his ability to command the field, regardless of the situation.