Growing Up Fast: Class of ’24 QBs Proving Themselves Early
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While the recruiting cycle for quarterbacks is usually advanced, their playing time usually isn’t. High school coaches tend to go with more experienced players over the up-and-coming possible star, not wanting to risk success for the sake of on-field varsity…
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Continue ReadingWhile the recruiting cycle for quarterbacks is usually advanced, their playing time usually isn’t.
High school coaches tend to go with more experienced players over the up-and-coming possible star, not wanting to risk success for the sake of on-field varsity experience. Still, in South Carolina, four teams either went all-in on their freshmen quarterbacks last fall or at least let them dabble. None of the four disappointed.
Whether they got top nod or they split time with older players at the position, they proved last year was only the beginning.
JAYDEN BRADFORD, CHAPIN (pictured above)
Want to know how high Bradford’s ceiling is at the high school level? Coach Justin Gentry has already stated that the 6-foot-1, 185 pounder will “go down as the best quarterback to play at Chapin.” Bradford’s numbers – 77-of-118 for 916 yards and seven touchdowns, 36 carries for 122 yards and three scores – and his film all speak for themselves. He finished his first semester of high school with a 4.55 weighted GPA, too. Translation: Schools big and small are going to have a lot of time to evaluate him while knowing he’s got very little downside.
ROCCO WOJCIK, SOCASTEE
Wojcik is still a bit on the small side at 155 pounds, and he’s going to be in a crowded quarterback competition in the coming months. But two different aspects of his game give us every reason to watch closely. First, despite Socastee’s convoluted 2020 campaign (first-year head coach, multiple COVID-19 stoppages, tons of first-year players), Wojcik still threw for nearly 400 yards in minimal time behind center. And, more importantly, when the electric player did tuck and run, he wasn’t shying away from contact.
Braxton Scott Braxton Scott 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB James Island Charter | 2024 State SC , JAMES ISLAND
November 13 wasn’t the date that has people realizing that a Class 4A team was starting a freshman at quarterback necessarily, but it was when a whole bunch of people realized the Trojans had a really good one. That night, in a first-round playoff loss to North Myrtle Beach, Scott threw for 218 yards and a touchdown while completing more than 50 percent of his passes and rushing for a score. Yes, the game was out of hand early, but his production against one of the best defenses in the state was eye opening.
Jadyn Davis Jadyn Davis 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Providence Day | 2024 State NC , CATAWBA RIDGE
If you’re going to build a football program from the ground up, it’s hard to argue with really starting from scratch. And while Catawba Ridge split the quarterback duties up between the 6-foot-2 Davis and junior Kayden Hager last fall, the Copperheads signal caller of the future is most definitely Davis. He’s already got Power Five offers from as far away as Oregon, and even if he splits time again next fall, he’s going to be able to produce. After all, 11 of his 65 completions as a freshman went for touchdowns.