Top QB’s in Louisiana for Class of 2010 and Sleepers

by Lee Brecheen

 

 

January 11, 2010 -  This is the most scrutinized position by college recruiters of any position in High School football, sometimes I feel too much is the QB position. The coaches break down everything when it comes to someone not being tall enough , not having touch on the ball, can kid play under center, or can he play in the shot gun, is he quick enough, can he throw the out pass, being a leader, fast enough, or not having a cannon arm. This is a position where colleges can’t make a mistake, you can’t over sign the position, some schools usually can only take one QB a class, and this kid has to be the future, every time you sign one. IF you look at the best QB s in the NFL, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, and Tony Romo, they have one thing in common; they lacked something, believe it or not coming out of high school, to certain recruiters. I remember recruiters telling me Peyton Manning wasn’t fast enough coming out of high school at Newman HS in New Orleans, Peyton signed with Tennessee, finished runner up in the Heisman Trophy, which I thought he should have won, he’s still not fast today, but who cares, he’s gets the ball off faster than anyone in the league, and avoids the rush better than anyone in the pocket playing in the league has won a Super Bowl, and been league MVP a record 4 times, Tom Brady of the New England Patriots , who has won three Super Bowls, wasn’t a starter till his Senior Season at Michigan, coming out of High School in California, he was drafted in the later rounds, because scouts thought, his forty time was too slow, Tom is 6-5 230 pounds now and still can’t run a 4.7 forty. Drew Brees was looked at as being too short, and not having a strong arm, they said he came out of a system, and his arm would not be strong enough in college coming out of Austin Westlake HS in Texas, he did not even get a offer from Mack Brown and UT in the back yard, Brees signed with Purdue and broke many records, and now is on fire with the New Orleans saints after being traded from the San Diego Chargers few years ago. Phillip Rivers was not offered by Alabama, coming out of the state of Alabama, they thought he had a weird throwing motion, and so Phillip signed with North Carolina State, and currently is the starting QB for the San Diego Chargers, at 6-5 240 pounds, Phillip still has a weird throwing motion, but it works, and he’s one of the best QBS in the NFL over the last 4 years. Tony Romo, a IAA college, 6-2 220, played college ball at Eastern Illinois, wasn’t highly recruited, coming out of High School because he was not very big, under 200 pounds, and didn’t seem to have a cannon arm, not overly tall, wasn’t drafted by the NFL, and now has the Dallas Cowboys on a roll. The point I’m making is there will be QBs coming out of this 2010 class in Louisiana, that don’t have the height you look for, the feet, the throwing motion, the cannon arm, but all these kids bring something different to the table, and I predict one or two of these kids I will mention in this article will become stars, and start off at smaller college, because they did not measure up coming out of High School. Let’s take a look at the best QB”s coming out of High School this year for 2010.

 

Terrance Broadway

The best QB’s coming out in 2010 class to me that are the most ready for DI football is Terrance Broadway, 6-2 215, from Capital HS , Munchie Legaux 6-4 190 from Edna Karr HS, Westbank of New Orleans ,and Taylor Bullock 6-3 220 , Catholic of New Iberia HS. The first QB to talk about is Terrance Broadway , this kid can just flat out throw the football, if you need a screen pass he has the experience throwing it, which he does a great job doing, the post, he can throw it 50 yards on a line, he can feel a rush, and seems to avoid the pressure, his feet are very good in the pocket, he’s not one to run a lot, unless he has too, I think what he can do, and will do better in college, is run, he’s a pretty good athlete, but his Offensive Line at Capital, gave him a lot of time to throw, his line averaged over 300 pounds per man. Broadway is a strong kid, who is tough to bring down, and usually first player to get to him, he avoids, Broadway has touch on the ball, which is not brought up a lot, and he’s a leader, he’s use to being under center, and in shot gun, which most QBS do one or the other in High School, and have to learn one in college. Houston University has a verbal from Terrance, and I predict this kid will throw for many yards in college, win many games, and will play in the NFL one day. Broadway threw for 2,140 yards, 20 td's, and was a very impressive 135 out 221 in completions to passes thrown. Broadway did this without his favorite WR for two years Bradley Brown, who ran a 4.41 forty, and now plays for Northwestern State.

 

Munchie Legaux

Another QB, who has a world of potential, is Munchie Legaux 6-4 190, from Edna Karr HS. Munchie I’ve watched for the last three years, and what he does you can’t coach, he makes plays, when the pocket breaks down, and always finds a way to run for first downs, and make the plays throwing , rather it’s the post pass, or slant, or down and outs. The reason Munchie wasn’t offered by a lot of the top 25 programs is because he ran in the low 4.7 to 4.8 in the forty at some camps this past summer. I will say this, and so will a bunch of High School coaches in New Orleans, this kid, when he runs , he looks like he runs a 4.5 forty, and trying to tackle and catch him seems impossible, when he escapes the rush. I’ve seen Munchie, throw the ball downfield as well as any DI QB in college football. I think his arm is much underrated, I think the competition he goes against speed wise for Defensive Backs is the best in the state. Munchie can play at will be 200 to 210, when done filling out, and I predict his speed in the forty will also go up. Munchie is the most Athletic QB coming out of Louisiana for 2010, and he reminds me a lot of QB Jacory Harris 6-4 190 , of the Miami Hurricanes. I actually think Munchie has more athletic ability with his feet than Jacory. I also have to say he’s the most calm QB , when rushed, he doesn’t go in the tank when he’s rushed, and is always looking downfield to make a play, even though he looks a skinny 190, he is tough as nails.

 

Munchie is the 2010 version of Kordell Stewart John Ehret HS, and another former WestBanker for Louisiana, Stewart was a little more faster in the forty, but the ability to escape the rush, it’s a highlight every down, this kid is a joy to watch, and a great kid. Munchie is committed to Colorado University, and it would not shock me if he wins the Starting QB job as a True Freshman in 2010. Munchie will give defenses fits in the Big 12, with his legs and arm. I can see fans and media saying wow, where did this kid come from in the next year or two.

 

Taylor Bullock

Speaking of a tough QB, Taylor Bullock 6-3 220, from Catholic of New Iberia, has a good arm, and great feet in the pocket, and big time leader. A lot of the big time programs did not think he has the arm for the DIV One level or that he’s a true QB. I will say he’s the type of QB that does everything really well, and will be a big time player in college. I wrote about this early this year, this kid has Tim Tebow type skills , running the ball, and throwing it. IM not saying he’s Tim Tebow, but he has the size and lean, when he runs to be a big factor in college. You don’t see many QBs run for 600 yards at 220 pounds, and run for 9 touchdowns. Also take in account , his Offensive line even though they were tough kids, none weighed over 240, and had zero DI players blocking for him. He did everything usually on the run, and made something out of nothing all the time. Taylor threw for 2,337 yards, and 30 td’s. Taylor doesn’t jump off the screen, when you see him throw it for the big colleges, but what matters, the ball is always where it needs to be, and he has a great touch on the ball. IF you watch him play, his ball fakes, and the way he runs the offense shows you the game comes easy to him, and he’s very smart. The great upside to me is he’s only started at QB for two years, and has so much upside for college. He’s super tough, played safety as a so , because the QB that year was a kid named Ryan ST Julien, who’s now a DB for LSU. Taylor is committed to Tulane, and I predict they got a diamond in the rough. Tulane needed a QB that has escapibility, and can throw the ball. Bullock is like so many QB's that are not recruited nationally that in the end become great leaders and winners in college. I can’t wait to see this kid in fall practice at Tulane throwing to Wide receivers, who are 6-0 to 6-3 in height, something he did not have in High School.

 

Taylor Burch

Taylor Burch 6-4 230 , Neville HS This kid is like tackling a LB in open field, his toughness, and strong arm made defenses play zone a lot against Neville. The only thing colleges are not sure of is his feet in the pocket and ability to run from the pocket. I think Taylor has the heart, and size to be a good QB in college, but what he’s going to have to work on is his feet , because in college, the speed factor goes up with the LB’s and DE, being quicker than in High School. Burch lead Neville to the 4A state title this year, and was a big time leader. I like his gutsy ability to take defenders head on in open field. I predict if things don’t work out as a QB at LA Tech, he can make the switch to TE, like so many QB’s do, and play on Sundays in the NFL. Taylor reminds me of former LSU tiger TE Nicky Savoie , who played High School ball at South Lafouche HS and the New Orleans Saints. Nicky was a QB in high school, but grew into a TE, Nicky was 6-6 260, by the time he played at LSU. I can see Burch being 260 easy one day, and be big time TE as well.

 

Blake Hollingsworth

Blake Hollingsworth 6-2 205 University HS Blake is an incredible story, this is a kid, that backed up LSU Freshman QB Barrett Bailey 6-3 210, for three years at University High , which is located on LSU campus in Baton Rouge. Blake was a starting WR, and DB last three years, and was really a great athlete. In 2009, he started for the first time, and lead University High to the playoffs, where he threw for 1,274 yards in the regular season and 11 Touchdowns in an offense that catered to the run. Blake ran for over 575 yards as a senior and like Taylor Bullock of Catholic of New Iberia , has the ability to escape the rush ,because he has greet feet, from his basketball days in AAU , as a young teen. If Blake would have played in a Shot gun offense, catered to the pass or even a balanced offense, where he threw more, Blake would have easily had over 2,000 yards passing. Blake is a team player that never complained about backing up someone for three years who was ahead of him that was DIV One. It’s very rare you see a talented kid like Blake, wait his time in High School and not transfer. What coaches love about Blake is for a kid 205 pounds, his ability to run is big time for the next level. All Blake needs is a Red Shirt year , with a QB coach, and being in a system , then I think the sky’s the limit for this talented football player. Offers have come from ULL Ragin Cajuns, Arkansas State, and soon to be Marshall, and maybe even Memphis. Blake reminds me a lot of Matt Mauck LSU, in build, and will weigh about 220 like Mauck in college. Blake can run under 4.7 in the forty, but looks faster in a uniform, and might end up being faster in college, once he gets in a college weight program.

 

Will Briscoe

Will Briscoe 6-2 185 Central HS Will had one of the best passing one year performances in the history of Louisiana High School football. Will Briscoe threw for 3,080 yards , and 33 TDS , with only two INTS. I feel what’s most remarkable is 283 passes where thrown, and only two INTS, (which is unheard heard of) in the NFL , or College Football more less High School. No QB put the ball where it needed to be thrown better than Will. Will lead Central HS to the semifinals his junior year and in the playoffs, and two games away from the dome his senior year. Central put in the spread offense his junior year, and this kid made it an art getting the ball to four different Wide Receivers all year. The one thing that the big schools did not see, was his ability to run out of the pocket , and his arm strength and his thin size. This kid has a wonderful arm, and has great feet in the pocket, and will be 200 pounds in college. McNeese State Cowboys in Lake Charles have got themselves one great QB for the Southland Conference. I think he’s the best true QB they have signed in many years, since Scott Pendarvis from Catholic HS in Baton Rouge. This kid has more upside than Scott, and I predict will be better. A lot of DIV One schools will regret not taking this kid down the road. IF theres one QB he reminds me of coming out of High School it would be Tommy Hodson , then a 6-2 170 pound QB , out of Central Lafouche HS, then LSU. Briscoe has the football mind, and arm of a Hodson. Hodson played at over 200 pounds in the NFL for the New England Patriots, and the New Orleans Saints.

 

Anthony McMaster

Anthony McMaster 6-2 210 Loyola Prep HS / Shreveport this is a kid that has started since his SO year at a small 2 A school in Shreveport. Anthony never had a WR to throw to with any size or any big time speed. All of his WR’s where in the 4.7 range, and most where 5-10 to 5-6 in height. It’s kind of hard to show off your skills, when you don’t have the weapons to throw too. This is a very dedicated and smart QB, who has really good touch on the ball, has a strong arm, can see the field really well, has great size, and knows the game. Anthony McMaster threw for 1,330 yards his senior season with 13 TD’S, 285 yards rushing, and 2 TD’s rushing. This was done in many rain games in Shreveport this past year. If I was an IAA coach, I would take a chance on this kids upside for either tops or a full scholarship. This kid is a steal for D2 or D3 schools. Once Anthony gets to a college with some tall, fast WR’s, no telling what he can do at the next level. Anthony just needs to work on his feet for the next level, but this kid is a hard worker, and will be better in college.

 

Jordan Barnett

Jordan Barnett 6-3 200 Captain Shreve HS / Shreveport Jordan is a tall drop back passer, who can really gun it downfield. He’s not a big time speed guy running the ball, but has good pocket presence, and makes good throws. Needs to work on his feet , for the next level, so he can avoid the rush from faster players. His game is throwing it downfield, and he has a cannon. Southeastern in Hammond is one of the schools in state that likes this kid a lot. Jordan played in a system, where he’s use to gunning it downfield. College coaches also like he played against 5A, and 4A teams in High School.

 

David Bell 6-3 225 Live Oak HS David Bell lead Live Oak, to their best season in the history of the program , moving up to the big 5A classification for the first time, which was a huge challenge. Bell had one really good WR in Alex Switzer 6-1 175, but other than that, he had to make plays against talented opponents all year long. IF David played in a spread offense his numbers would have been doubled, but he still managed to throw for 1,724 yards, and 11 TD’s. David is built like a Linebacker, and it’s hard to bring him down. Has an underrated arm for college, hard worker, who also plays Basketball for his team in 5A. Many smaller schools are looking at him . When he plays basketball he gets down to 210 in weight, I predict in the right program, he can play at 215, and once he has more material around him will shine. Needs to work on his feet for next level, but has decent feet, because of his basketball skills. A diamond in the rough for college.

 

These are three QBs, who I’ve already profiled under the Athlete positions, but there’s a chance if these guys go to the right college, they can play QB and show case their talents. There’s also a great chance they will move to another position if they go DIV One, if they go IAA they will have better shot at QB.
1 Jeremy Myers 6-2 210 ST Michael HS A rare four year starter, runs 4.6 forty, and could easily be an ALL Conference Safety in college . Threw for 2,503 yards and 28 TD’s in 2009. Jeremy is a big time football player, kind of kid you want on your team. He’s tough and has so much athletic ability. I love the way this kid competes every play, trying to make a play. To show his skills, he also plays basketball and is one of the top players on the court.
 

 

2 Gavin Webster 5-11 210 Lutcher HS Besides Will Briscoe of Central, had one of the most dominant seasons for a QB combined, running and passing. Threw for 2,390 yards, 32 TD’s , and ran for 730 yards and 16 TD’s. Gavin Webster is being looked at by Memphis, but they haven’t offered yet. I predict if he goes to Southeastern, who he’s committed too.,, he would have a chance to show case his game at QB. Webster would be the most talented QB on campus day one . Webster runs a 4.5 forty, and has a very underrated arm. He’s a leader and was well coached. Gavin ran his offense as good as any kid can run an offense. Problem is how high will he go in the next baseball draft, he’s one of the top Pro Prospects in that sport for Louisiana.
 

3 Phaquinton Lawson 6-1 185 Rayville HS This kid is a big time sleeper, he backed up QB Justin Higgins 6-1 210, who signed with Grambling two years ago, and then took over for the past two years and put up some great numbers. Lawson had a Louisiana best 513 yard game against Sterlington with 5 TD’S. Threw for 2,781 yards and24 TD’s in 2009.
Lawson I can see as a WR/FS in college if he goes DIV One, if he goes DIV IAA, he can put up some great numbers at QB. IF he goes to the right school DIV One, he can excel too. He’s a raw athlete with an underrated arm and great feet in the pocket.

 

4 Cardarius Johnson 6-5 213 Red River HS This kid has a build and pocket presence of a former LSU tiger Jemarcus Russell , who was about this size , his junior year at Mobile Williamson, but played at 265 at LSU. Cardarious runs in the 4.8 range, but wow is this kid big, and no fat, plus his arm is pretty good. A four year starter for a small north Louisiana 1 A school Red River. This kid could be a DE/TE in college, and could get up to 250 /260 easy, has a great frame. Watching kids in 1 A try and tackle him was amazing on film. Johnson if he went to a Junior College, could work on his game even more and get bigger . If he signs IAA, could be a 6-5 230 pound QB in two years for someone. I could see this kid coming out of Junior College in two years and being an ALL American DE/TE for DIV One. Also a pretty good basketball player

 

Here’s some other QB’s that are big time sleepers (IN NO ORDER)

1 Logan Dopson 6-1 185 Sterlington
2 Kevin Henderson 6-2 215 Springfield
3 Garrett McCain 6-2 190 Sulphur
4 Brandon Patin 6-0 190 Southern Lab
5 Derek Ballard 6-2 190 Lagrange
6 Creed Waters 6-1 190 Alexandria
7 Stuart Turner 6-2 210 Eunice
8 Matt Scott 5-11 180 Pineville
9 Ethan Oddo 5-11 180 Jesuit
10 Tyler Venable 6-4 200 Rayne
11 Orlan Lockhart 6-1 185 Sam Houston