Part 2: Best Thing on Film- QB Evaluations

It’s Sunday as I write this and boy do I miss football. While we wait to get back out on the fields preparing for next season I am excited to continue to add evaluations of players. This week we take a look at six more Minnesota signal-callers. Let’s get right to it.   [player_tooltip player_id="112056" first="Max" last="Shikenjanski"] (Stillwater) 6’2, 170lbs. C/o 2023. @MaxShikenjanski Max is fun to watch, he does a great job moving around and creating space and time to make throws. Sometimes that movement is a double edge sword though as he often loses his posture in the pocket before he needs to which creates lower body issues throwing the football. There are a lot of good touch downfield and sideline throws and you can tell that he is a leader and a playmaker on the field. Best thing on Film- he absolutely knows how to put a highlight film together, play #1 is probably my favorite as he buys time scrambling and ends up making a completion with a defender hanging on his legs.   [player_tooltip player_id="112145" first="Isaiah" last="Brown"] (Roseville) 6’3 200lbs. C/o 2023. @Isaiahb75760419 Isaiah is one of the better athletes I have watched at the position so far this off season. He is dangerous with his feet, and not afraid to run behind his pads in short yardage situations. As a passer there is a lot of talent there, including the ability to make some big time downfield throws outside the numbers. He does a nice job extending plays and I like that when he does he continues to keep his eyes downfield and put pressure on defensive players as he attacks the line of scrimmage. I wish I could see some more timing throws on film but hopefully that will come as he progresses. Best thing on film- near the end of the tape there is a great rep where he loads up to throw a field side curl or out route and right before he pulls the pin he realizes it is a bad decision, pulls the ball down wheels to the boundary and calmly picks up about 9 yards with his feet. Coaches love when a QB turns a possible turnover into a solid gain.   [player_tooltip player_id="105379" first="Tanner" last="Zolnosky"] (East Ridge) 6’0 180lbs. C/o 2024. @TannerZolnosky I am certainly biased but I love watching a QB who works from under center as much as in the gun. There is a rhythm and a timing that happens under center, and when evaluating there are more opportunities to really see a kids footwork from there. Tanner is equally adept in both places and it is a blast to watch him work. He can attack all parts of the field and does a great job throwing both in rhythm and off schedule. I would like to see him continue to work on his movement throws being able to put more on the ball, and want to see him develop going left. There Is a ton to like about this kid and should only get better as he develops. Very excited as well about his feel for small movements keeping things alive while he is in the pocket. Best thing on film- Very early in the highlight a simple under center play action where he throws about a 15 yard out route to his right in rhythm, it’s a thing of beauty and it demonstrates footwork, anticipation and accuracy all in one! [player_tooltip player_id="105394" first="George" last="Bjellos"] (Woodbury) 6’2 190lbs. C/o 2024. @george_bjellos When you first put the film on you feel like George is a senior not a sophomore. He is big and thick and carries himself like an upperclassman. A lot of good deep throws to all parts of the field to go along with really good feet in the pocket and a willingness to stand in when things aren’t pretty make him a very exciting prospect. I also like that you can see Woodbury running a variety of different concepts in their passing game. This means they aren’t just telling this young kid to throw it to one man, but instead expecting him to diagnose defenses and utilize multiple receiving options in the concepts. Best thing on film around 3 minutes in going from the viewers right to left he threads a sideline vertical perfectly between the corner and safety for a touchdown on a 35 yard strike. [player_tooltip player_id="105407" first="Kameron" last="Fox"] (Hopkins) 5’9 155lbs. C/o 2024. @KameronFox10 Probably what impresses me most about Kameron is his ability to hit his back foot and let it rip on time. There are many instances on film when he has pressure coming and stays in rhythm getting the ball out to a hitch, slant or fieldside out right before taking a shot. You can tell Hopkins has spent a lot of time on their timing based pass attack and Kameron seems to have a good feel for where the ball needs to go. He does a decent job working in the pocket when he can’t throw on time. He certainly needs to get stronger and develop which no doubt will happen through experience but overall is a solid QB especially for a young guy. Best thing on film- Time and time again you see him hit his back step and get the ball out accurately to 1st level routes, and there are multiple examples, but late in the tape vs. Lakeville South is a good example when he takes a gun snap, hits his 3rd step and rips the ball to a TE spot route inside, Bill Walsh would be proud.   [player_tooltip player_id="105384" first="Jack" last="Wojciak"] (Irondale) 6’0 165lbs. C/o 2024. @wojciak_jack There is limited film which is ok because Jack’s career is young, but there are certainly some positives. Probably what he does best is rip the ball accurately to the inside vertical seems. He also shows good athleticism in both scrambling and designed QB runs and very light active feet in the pocket. He has a tendency to swing the gate (Over rotate his lead foot) when throwing to his left which he will need to work on but there is certainly an exciting future for this young signal caller. Best thing on film- Actually comes I believe on the first play, against CDH he takes the gun snap and starts fading with his eyes to the left, then quickly snaps his lower half into place and throws a 25 yard strike to the right seam, fun to see him affect the safety with his eyes and driving the ball downfield with confidence.