I've heard so much about Jimmy Clausen and Ryan Mallett and their recruiting efforts that I wanted to take a good look at both of them and a few a other "5-Star" QBs. Rivals mentions these 6 guys as possible/probable 5 stars...
Mallett--Absolute cannon for an arm and is physically imposing at 6'7". However, he looks as if he is wearing cinder block cleats. I wasn't impressed with his mobility and he does have a long wind-up at times...however, that is easily covered by one of the best HS arms I have seen. Michigan was a great choice for him as he will not be asked to do much at all outside of the pocket.
Clausen-- I was honestly disappointed...and that is not to take anything away from the kid or his skills, but when you are called the Lebron James of HS QBs, expectations are skyhigh. Jimmy has a lightning quick release and a gun for an arm...he is so polished he almost looks robotic at times. However, what I noticed more than the arm, release and uncanny accuracy was that only a couple of clips showed a defender within 5 yards of Jimmy. He looked fearless in the pocket...and that makes me wonder if he has ever been smacked in the mouth like a college defense is going to give him. Great prospect...but overhyped in my opinion.
Will Korn-- My bias will shine through on this one, but this is my favorite QB in 2007. Watch clip series #9 on Rivals for everything you need to see. Willy is polished but not so much where his natural athleticism is subdued. The 80 yard TD run he breaks off in the clips is against a defense with 5 Division 1 prospects. His arm is not on the same planet as Mallett's but is comparable to Clausen's as is his accuracy. He is the most mobile of the three and I would love to be able to compare his game knowledge with Clausen. I watched Will Korn and Rob Spence sit at a table by themselves at Clemson's Junior Day and draw up offensive schemes...it was not a teaching experience for either but looked like a learning experience for each. How many 17 year olds could hold that conversation?
Tyrod Taylor-- If Troy Smith would have put a copyright on some of his moves used to escape the pocket, he would be making a fortune off of Tyrod Taylor. This kid is amazing to watch and has the same tools that TS showed when he was deemed "raw" 4 years ago. The problem with someone like Ty is how much polish do you want to apply? Ty has all of the tools to be a great one...and all of the unbridled talent to be moved to another position if the proper measurement is not used. He is too dynamic to be on the sideline.
John Brantley and Mike Paulus are also mentioned and are almost interchangeable. Paulus is the bigger body, but they are both good looking athletes. Each throws a "pretty ball" that just seems to always have that tight spiral and always drops point in the WRs hands. Neither will kill you out of the pocket, but both are good enough athletes to keep you on your toes for the broken pocket.
Thoughts?
Mallett--Absolute cannon for an arm and is physically imposing at 6'7". However, he looks as if he is wearing cinder block cleats. I wasn't impressed with his mobility and he does have a long wind-up at times...however, that is easily covered by one of the best HS arms I have seen. Michigan was a great choice for him as he will not be asked to do much at all outside of the pocket.
Clausen-- I was honestly disappointed...and that is not to take anything away from the kid or his skills, but when you are called the Lebron James of HS QBs, expectations are skyhigh. Jimmy has a lightning quick release and a gun for an arm...he is so polished he almost looks robotic at times. However, what I noticed more than the arm, release and uncanny accuracy was that only a couple of clips showed a defender within 5 yards of Jimmy. He looked fearless in the pocket...and that makes me wonder if he has ever been smacked in the mouth like a college defense is going to give him. Great prospect...but overhyped in my opinion.
Will Korn-- My bias will shine through on this one, but this is my favorite QB in 2007. Watch clip series #9 on Rivals for everything you need to see. Willy is polished but not so much where his natural athleticism is subdued. The 80 yard TD run he breaks off in the clips is against a defense with 5 Division 1 prospects. His arm is not on the same planet as Mallett's but is comparable to Clausen's as is his accuracy. He is the most mobile of the three and I would love to be able to compare his game knowledge with Clausen. I watched Will Korn and Rob Spence sit at a table by themselves at Clemson's Junior Day and draw up offensive schemes...it was not a teaching experience for either but looked like a learning experience for each. How many 17 year olds could hold that conversation?
Tyrod Taylor-- If Troy Smith would have put a copyright on some of his moves used to escape the pocket, he would be making a fortune off of Tyrod Taylor. This kid is amazing to watch and has the same tools that TS showed when he was deemed "raw" 4 years ago. The problem with someone like Ty is how much polish do you want to apply? Ty has all of the tools to be a great one...and all of the unbridled talent to be moved to another position if the proper measurement is not used. He is too dynamic to be on the sideline.
John Brantley and Mike Paulus are also mentioned and are almost interchangeable. Paulus is the bigger body, but they are both good looking athletes. Each throws a "pretty ball" that just seems to always have that tight spiral and always drops point in the WRs hands. Neither will kill you out of the pocket, but both are good enough athletes to keep you on your toes for the broken pocket.
Thoughts?
