Top 15 High School QBs in the 2014 Class
Top 15 Ranked High School QBs in the 2014 Class
The importance of the quarterback in football has probably never been more important than it is today. At the pro level, this is definitely true with 3 rookie quarterbacks making their way to the playoffs this year. The college game is responding to the need and college coaches are looking for versatile quarterbacks.
The position is evolving as well. We will probably not see a pure pocket QB like Peyton Manning in the NFL succeed for some time, simply because quarterbacks are expected to be able to run the ball. All the rookie quarterbacks who’ve had success this year are able to get yards either through the air or ground. Even Manning’s heir apparent, Andrew Luck, has got some pretty good wheels.
As the high school season finished we saw quite a few young quarterbacks across the country that the top tier college football programs will try to lure their way. There is so much young talent out there and they range from country towns in Virginia and Oklahoma to city players in Chicago and Detroit. You will notice that trend of athletic quarterbacks on this list, because that is what college coaches are looking for these days.
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Dave Daniels is the High School Network Manager for Rant, but also chimes in on Pro Football and Basketball. Follow him on Twitter @AllDave AllDay or “Like” him on Facebook.
15. Drew Barker (Burlington, KY):
Barker is one the upper tier QBs in the country and already has offers from South Carolina, Purdue, Cincinnati, Illinois and Louisville. He played well at the Maximum Exposure Adidas Showcase in Detroit and will likely get more offers as the year goes by.
14. Adam Bertke (Marion, OH):
Bertk has great size for the position at 6’5’’, which will allow him to see over defensive linemen at the next level. He already has an offer from Toledo and Illinois, but has gotten some interest from Michigan as well.
13. Joey Duckworth (Louisville, OH):
Duckworth is a fluid quarterback and almost made my top ten, but just need to see a bit more from him. He has offers from Toledo and Buffalo and will likely stay close to home.
12. Ricardo Johnson III (St. Paul, MN):
Out of Cretin-Durham HS, the same school that produced ND 2013 WR commitment James Onwualu. He has an offer from Hawaii and has gotten interest from Miami (FL), Michigan State, Florida and Georgia among others.
11. Will Ulmer (Washington, DC/St. John's):
Ulmer is a true dual threat quarterback. He has 4.4 speed and can blow you up either with his arms or legs. He has offers from North Carolina, Syracuse and Maryland.
10. Dimonic McKinzy (Kansas City, MO):
Dimonic’s (6'1"/195) game reminds some of Denard Robinson, although Michigan is unlikely to offer. He already holds offers from Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa.
9. Cody Calloway (Grafton, OH):
The 6'2", 185 pound Midview HS product has gotten a lot of Midwest interest. Midwest powerhouses like Ohio State, Michigan, Pitt and West Virginia all have interest.
8. DeShone Kizer (Toledo, OH):
Kizer is one of the best QBs in the Midwest. He has phenomenal speed and elusiveness while also committing to the pass before the run. He has a long list of scholarship offers, but he is holding out for either Michigan or Ohio State to make one too.
7. Will Grier (Davidson, NC):
Grier set a national record this year with a 837yard passing game and tied another national record with 10 touchdown passes in a single game. He has pin point accuracy and a rocket arm that will help him succeed in the SEC. He will joining the Gators in Gainesville.
6. Tyler Harris (Blackshear, GA):
Harris has great size at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds. Alabama and Georgia have shown him interest, but nobody has pulled the trigger yet. He passed for 2,466 yards, 29 touchdowns, and three touchdowns rushing on the year.
5. Kyle Allen (Scottsdale, AZ):
Allen has one of the quickest releases of all the QBs on this list. He has mastered the corner and fade routes at his young age and has offers from UCLA, Arizona, and North Carolina among others.
4. Keller Chryst (Palo Alto,CA):
Chryst has phenomenal balance in the pocket and can make a pinpoint throw over a cornerback’s hand. Chryst’s father is also the quarterbacks coach for the 49ers, so you know that he has gotten a lot of reps in the backyard. He has offers from USC and Stanford.
3. Coleman Key (Broken Arrow, OK):
Coleman is athletic, but he generally uses his agility to extend plays in the pocket rather than run. He throws one of the best deep balls in the class, but needs to panic less in the pocket when he feels pressure.
2. Caleb Henderson (Alexandria, VA):
Henderson is built like a linebacker standing at 6-4 230 pounds and is can shed tackles on the run. He is definitely a pass first QB, but will kill you with his legs if you try to just pass protect. He has offers from top programs across the country, but is currently undecided.
1. Jerrod Heard (Denton,TX):
Heard has an accurate cannon for an arm and moves like silk in the pocket. He has one of the prettiest spirals I’ve seen of a player his age. He will be joining Mack Brown in Texas.
