Best Thing on Film- QB evaluations from a former college coach

Well here we go, after 19 years of coaching mostly college football (a few as a high school head coach), my family and I are starting a new chapter in life. To not be directly coaching college football will certainly be different, but let’s be clear and honest – you just can’t get the sport out of your blood. There are many ways I plan to stay involved in football and writing for Prep RedZone is certainly one I am excited about. Bio’s to me often just become bragging in print, and that’s not what I’m all about, so let’s just say I played collegiately at the position of quarterback and have spent the vast majority of my career as an offensive coordinator and Quarterbacks coach! The QB life pumps through my veins. With that being said, let’s kick this off with taking a look at some of Minnesota’s returning signal callers (Part 1 of many!) I looked at every one of their 2021 films as though I was still in the recruiting process and will try to highlight their strengths, some things they need to work on, and finally the BEST THING ON FILM -- the clip that I loved the most. Any coach can tell you when they evaluate a prospect whether there is a ton of good, or only a little bit, but there is always a rep that sticks out and might tell you a little more than just your basic out throw from a three step drop. [player_tooltip player_id="112140" first="Finn" last="McElroy"] (Edina) 6’2, 205lbs. C/o 2023. @McelroyFinn Finn is a big thick kid who does his best work in the pocket. His lower body and footwork are issues that limit his accuracy and need to be cleaned up, he tends to not transfer his weight and often throws with the lower half not tied to his upper body, but easily correctable and he has the physical ability to get it done Best thing on Film- Shows the ability to throw to spots before receiver breaks, true anticipation is hard to find in HS quarterbacks and is a definite plus for Finn. [player_tooltip player_id="234766" first="Riley" last="Grossman"] (Lakeville North) 6’0, 165lbs. C/o 2025 Left hander! This kid has a big-time future ahead of him, playing as a freshman at North is no small feat. He does a very nice job handling their play action-based offense, has good feet and is excellent on the run. He needs to continue to get stronger, but his mechanics are smooth and quick. He also understands how to throw people open. Best thing on Film- There is only one throw on his highlight where he is rolling right (Away from his strong hand) but I only need to see one to tell me he understands and is physically able to get himself pushed and in great position to be accurate going that way. [player_tooltip player_id="228471" first="Dominic" last="Jackson"] (Shakopee) 6’0, 175lbs. C/o 2023. @dominicjackso01 Tremendous athlete with the ability to score every time he runs the ball. He does a nice job executing the Sabres offense. Dominic needs to work hard on movement throws because he is so dynamic when he is on the move. As a passer he is still developing, his motion is a bit long and slow, and he tends to not transfer his weight which will cause some issues. Best thing on Film- There are a lot of fun runs on film but watching him cut it back across the grain for a touchdown against Farmington is probably my favorite. Not only does it showcase his athleticism, but it also gives us an idea of how good his vision is. [player_tooltip player_id="19021" first="Nick" last="Fazi"] (Eden Prairie) 6’1, 180lbs. C/o 2023. @NickFaziQB_12 Eden Prairie’s offense certainly challenges a QB’s footwork and Nick does a great job with all the different movements and getting himself set. He shows a good skillset throwing the fade as well as play action crossers. Nick is a good athlete who can make positive yardage out of bad situations. As a thrower there is certainly room to grow, he needs to get stronger and tighten up his mechanics which are a little long and slow right now. Best thing on Film- he does a tremendous job multiple times of extending plays and creating space which is a huge plus at all levels of football. [player_tooltip player_id="112182" first="Sean" last="Erickson"] (Champlin Park) 6’1, 176lbs. C/0 2023. @seanerickson_ Sean has very limited film due to an injury this year, however, I do see potential of a good athlete with a nice motion and release. Movement throws are a plus for him and he does a very nice job when rolling to his strong hand. He also shows a willingness to be a physical runner. Best thing on Film- It's really play #1 on the tape, Sean in rhythm lets a ball go down the left sideline which drops perfectly outside to his WR between the corner and the safety who have pretty good coverage. [player_tooltip player_id="105383" first="Daylen" last="Cummings"] (Centennial) 6’0, 180lbs. C/o 2024. @Daylen_cummings Daylen does a nice job of executing Centennials option-based attack. You can see he has excellent feet and body control in the option, drop back and sprint out portion of what their offense. He needs to gain strength to do a better job of being able to push the ball downfield. Best thing on Film-, sprinting right with pressure in his face vs. Totino Grace he calmly flips a nice catchable ball out to the flat for a touchdown, what seems to many like a simple play is certainly easier said than done. [player_tooltip player_id="112054" first="Jacob" last="Kilzer"] (Maple Grove) 6’2, 196lbs. C/o 2023. @KilzerJacob I love the Diversity of the MG offense and Kilzer is the perfect QB to run it. He excels under center, in the gun and in the option game. Although his motion can get long at times, he can make throws to all parts of the field and puts a ton of stress on defenses. He does a nice job extending plays with his feet but keeps his eyes downfield and is always a threat to throw. Best thing on Film- there are so many great clips to choose from, but there is a play when they are at home on the 10 yard line, there is a bad shotgun snap floating over his head and he calmly turns around catching it with one hand and starts rolling left, once the defense triggers to come get him he buys a little more time and creates space by backpedaling away and throws a strike for a 10 yard gain fading away.