OTF Premium QB Assessments from MPA (Sunday)

[CJ Vogel]

I know there have been some folks wondering which quarterbacks stood out the most during the weekend in Thibodaux for the Manning Passing Academy. Here are some takeaways from the weekend.

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Washington QB Demond Williams Jr. was named the Air It Out Challenge winner at the Friday Nite Lights portion of the camp. The Air It Out Challenge included four targeted throws – one to the flats, one of the middle, one to the corner while rolling out and a deep shot to a net in the end zone about 35 yards downfield. 

Georgia Tech QB Haynes King actually had a really good showing in this challenge as well. He went 4-4 on his first run of hitting targets.

Quarterbacks that threw on Thursday that impressed:

• Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson
• UNC QB Gio Lopez
• Clemson QB Cade Klubnik
• Texas Tech QB Behren Morton

– One of the big takeaways for me was just wide LaNorris Sellers' frame is. He certainly looks like a full back at times in pads, and seeing him in person only confirmed that his frame is unique for a quarterback. Special player.

– LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier looked good in the camp setting. Of course, accuracy and putting the ball where it needs to go has never been his issue. Nuss' concerns stem from pressure, where he folded several times a year ago.

– I still think there is some Sam Ehlinger to Sam Leavitt's game. He is a fine throwing of the football, nothing extraordinary, but his real value comes from being a gamer. Someone that will lower his head and will his team to victory. Going to be a really interesting year for Leavitt without Cam Skattebo by his side in the backfield.

– Duke QB Darian Mensah is going to be a very fun watch in the ACC this year. Big fan of his.

It was fun talking with Oklahoma QB John Mateer at the camp. I had not seen him since he was at Little Elm and committed to Central Arkansas at the time. He told me he never envisioned leaving Washington State, though when the Sooners hired Ben Arbuckle from Wazzu, he knew it was a move that made a lot of sense. 

Throwing wise, there are some concerns about the height in which Mateer releases his passes from. But ultimately, I don't envision it being an issue. Folks like to point out the competition level at Wazzu last year as a knock on Mateer as well, I don't buy it. He's a very talented football player.

– My questions on Georgia QB Gunnar Stockton remained unanswered. I actually did not know he was in attendance for the camp until Friday night. The few passes I watched of his were overthrown or errant.  

– I am a believer in Alabama QB Ty Simpson in the Kalen DeBoer offense. Simpson looked really sharp this weekend when getting to the top of his dropback.

 

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On Arch Manning

Again, Arch didn't throw on Thursday when the camp counselors first arrived for an hour session with Eli and Peyton Manning. But he did throw on Friday under the lights.

How much can you really take from ~8 throws or so? Not much.

The quarterbacks were split alphabetically into two groups, which slotted Manning and Mateer in consecutive order. It was very interesting to compare the zip and velocity of passes off of the hand from both. There was more loft to Mateer's passes and more zip to Manning's. Again, take that for whatever you want. 

Technically speaking, the throwing form for Manning is exactly what you would expect. Pristine and without wasted movements.

Arch went 2-4 in the Air It Out Challenge that was mentioned above.

 

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Quarterbacks not in attendance:

• Florida QB DJ Lagway – was at Texas HS State 7v7 tournament
• Oregon QB Dante Moore 
• Ohio State QB Julian Sayin

Marcel Reed was in attendance, but he did not throw on the weekend.

[CJ Vogel]

Here is a good view of the zip on Arch's passes.

[CJ Vogel]

 

[Texas fan in Georgia]

So arch didn’t go 4-4. Oh man. We are doomed. 

[Hookem1012]

Marcell Reed and throwing don’t go together.

[4thandFive]

47 minutes ago, Texas fan in Georgia said:

So arch didn’t go 4-4. Oh man. We are doomed. 

Time for QB2. 

[taxsaver]

10 minutes ago, 4thandFive said:

Time for QB2. 

yep...but all kidding aside, Trey Owens is a stubbed toe away from QB1.  

I wish we all could see SOME video of him from the upcoming fall "camp."  He's big, great mechanics, decent mobility, and has a strong arm to say the least.  If Sark didn't think he was good enough to keep, then he would have processed him.  That didn't happen.

 

[CJ Vogel]

5 minutes ago, taxsaver said:

yep...but all kidding aside, Trey Owens is a stubbed toe away from QB1.  

I wish we all could see SOME video of him from the upcoming fall "camp."  He's big, great mechanics, decent mobility, and has a strong arm to say the least.  If Sark didn't think he was good enough to keep, then he would have processed him.  That didn't happen.

 

Hopefully we get more than just one media session to watch practice this fall. 

[Red Five]

An open practice would be nice. The last one was the 2024 spring game, where Arch went apeshit and I think I just answered my own question. 

[CJ Vogel]

39 minutes ago, Red Five said:

An open practice would be nice. The last one was the 2024 spring game, where Arch went apeshit and I think I just answered my own question. 

Got just enough of a taste just to never see it again