Monday, February 12, 2007
Texas is the (new) land of coveted high school quarterbacks
Texas produces great high school football players. There's no big story there, but things are changing. Once known, if not strictly, mostly, for speedy, elusive running backs and dominating defensive players, Texas football has something else colleges want. Now, all of Texas is asking, "Would you like tickets to our gun show?"
Okay, so that's kind of lame, but Texas quarterbacks are a hot commodity at the collegiate level. Twenty-one Texas high school quarterbacks were signed by Division I schools on Feb. 7. The Oxford Press brings up the introduction to 7-on-7 passing tournaments as one catalyst for the Lone Star State's quarterback boom.
Probably so, but a change in the game happened too. Running the ball, wearing down defensive works. Still, as a coach, it has to be a satisfying feeling to know your pass play will work, not on trickery, but the sheer force of the quarterback's arm. Former Southlake Carroll coach Todd Dodge knows how that feels.
Dodge was the first Texas high school quarterback to throw 3,000 yards in season. He took his offensive prowess into coaching, where his Southlake Carroll Dragons won four state titles. University of Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel, who won a championship under the Dodge's helm, is having great success at the collegiate level.
The people who doubted Vince Young's talents are getting the opportunity to see him excel in the NFL spotlight. There's former Westlake quarterback Drew Brees who is better known to those outside of Texas as a guy who's made New Orleans pretty good. Let's hope this weekend's Pro Bowl injury isn't too serious.
Texarkana High School's Ryan Mallett, the No. 2 high school prospect in the country, passed for 3,353 yards and 31 touchdowns his senior season. Now, he's taking his arm up north to Michigan.
Rivals.com says California and Pennsylvania used to be the best places to find quarterbacks. Now, college coaches are coming to Texas in droves for speed, size, defense and a beautiful spiral.
