Florida is always the hotbed when it comes to college football recruiting. But if there’s one position the state typically doesn’t pump out a ton of prospects it’s at quarterback.
Seriously, for whatever rhyme or reason, the state of Florida usually lacks the quality and quantity of quarterbacks. The state is always loaded at the skilled positions of running backs, wide receivers, and defensive backs. There seems to be an abundance of athletes with speed at defensive end and linebacker.
But when it comes to quarterbacks, Florida doesn’t come close to California and Texas and what those two state’s produce. In fact, Tim Tebow, Daunte Culpepper and John Reaves were the only high school quarterbacks from the state of Florida that went on to become first round draft picks in the NFL as quarterbacks until Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater joined the trio this past May.
Now take it a step further; how many Florida high school quarterbacks quarterbacked their college team to a national title?
Tebow is one. So too are Brian Griese (Michigan) and Tommie Frazier (Nebraska). You can also add Danny Wuerffel (Florida) and Craig Erickson (Miami).
That’s a small list for a state that produces such an abundance of football talent.
Well next season in 2016 is looking like it’s going to be a very good year of quarterbacks from the Sunshine State, at least at the top. What’s exciting is that the top two, at least at this point, are big, strong, classic drop-back passers in Feleipe Franks (Crawfordville Wakulla) and Jack Allison (Palmetto).
Franks, 6-foot-4, 190-pounds, has already committed to LSU. Allison, 6-foot-5, 185-pounds, has already given his pledge to Miami.
I have seen both in action this off-season and after watching Allison play last Friday I would give him the nod as the top signal caller in the next class at this point. In fact I would go one step further and say Allison’s the best pro-style quarterback I have seen from this state in a number of years.
This kid has the frame to grow into and become a 220-plus pound quarterback in the next few years. Even where his size is at now he has above average arm strength. This is a kid that already knows when to throw with velocity and when to change speeds and throw with touch. Allison has a quick release and just a ton of arm talent. It’s only his second season as the varsity starter and his upside is simply off the charts. More than all of these physical tools, I love the way he takes control and handles himself. Allison is cool, confident and the man in charge in the huddle. He’s poised and has some moxy to him.
”I am learning how to just stay and play in control,” Allison said. “I want to keep a calmer head. I have to get better at just staying in the pocket and throwing the ball.
“Of course I want to win more than anyone. I played all last year and spent time this offseason working on controlling offense and earning respect of the guys.”
Allison made an early commitment this past spring when he made his pledge to the Miami Hurricanes.
”I visited a couple of others [colleges] and talked to a bunch,” Allison said. “With Miami everything felt right. It was so amazing. Coach [James] Coley is such a cool dude. Coach Al Golden is second to none and a great coach. I am so excited to get down there.”
There will be some time for that. Allison is only two games into his junior season. He’s still keeping a close eye on his future team knowing there is nothing that will take him away from his commitment to the ‘Canes.
“I would just like to see their offense evolve more,” Allison said. “But of course they are starting a freshman in Brad Kayaa.
”Other teams are still recruiting me but a million dollars wouldn’t take me away from Miami. I am a Miami guy.”
Recruiting is accelerated as speeds faster than ever. Yeah, we are already scouting and tracking the best recruits in the next class and even beyond that. It’s crazy.
But it is what it is and quarterback looks to actually be a strong position in Florida in 2016. Besides Allison and Franks there are some other big time kids we have already identified at Scout. Two special dual-threat quarterbacks are Xavier Gaines (Lake Wales) and Ervin Barrett (Winter Garden West Orange). Then you have guys like Rex Culpepper (Tampa Plant), Kato Nelson (Hialeah Champagnat Catholic), and Chris Oladokum (Tampa Alonso) that will all be D1 guys.
To what extent? It’s just too early to tell.
But I do know these are looking up at this position next season and Allison could and should be the guy leading the way.
