Freshmen Fifteen, Part Two: Top New QBs In Fantasy College Football
February 17th, 2009 by Jason Roberts
Tom Savage
Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers University
Considering the challenges Rutgers faced throughout the 2008 college football season, some expected highly-touted quarterback Tom Savage of Cardinal O’Hara High School to lose faith in head coach of the Scarlet Knights, Greg Schiano, and start looking elsewhere to programs such as the University of Tennessee. Yet, when National Signing Day arrived at the start of February, Savage told reporters,“I love Coach Schiano, and I was going to stay loyal no matter what happened.” Such was not the case with many recruits initially providing Rutgers verbal commitments; the New York Times notes that a half-dozen ended up backing out of signing with the Scarlet Knights in favor of going elsewhere. But Savage – who some are already comparing to the now-graduated Mike Teel – was different, a figure “as tough mentally as he is physically,” comments his coach at O’Hara, Dan Algeo. Algeo cites the following as evidence: Savage missed time as a junior due to injury before returning in his senior season and throwing for 1355 yards and ten touchdowns; he is a physical specimen under center at 6’5” and 225 pounds, yet plays with the finesse and speed of a smaller quarterback; he ran a pro-style offense in high school; and Savage was considered by both his high school teammates and coaching staff a phenomenal leader both on and off the field. It is those traits – in addition to his collected presence in the pocket and outstanding throwing mechanics – which have Schiano telling the local media is Piscataway, “I can’t wait to get him up here and start coaching him.” Scouts note the youngster possesses a bit of an odd throwing motion which causes Savage to sometimes lose solid control of the ball, particularly on long passes downfield; despite this shortcoming, however, the Pennsylvania native should grow into an outstanding passer and flourish in the offensive scheme Schiano features at Rutgers.
Tate Forcier, QB, University of Michigan
Let there be no doubt about it. Michigan’s worst season in the history of the school’s illustrious football program last year cost now-second year head coach Rich Rodriguez a number of highly anticipated commitments, particularly at the quarterback position where Rodriguez tried desperately in 2008 to establish any kind of consistency. Kevin Newsome of Western Branch High School (Virginia) initially committed to the Wolverines, then backed out and went with Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions. Shavordrick Beaver of Rider High School (Texas) followed suit, shocking the recruiting world on National Signing Day by deciding on the University of Tulsa. Such loses were incredibly hard pills to swallow; yet all was not lost. Rodriguez, despite losing two of the hottest dual-threat type quarterbacks the Class of 2009 had to offer, ended up landing a surprise victory in Tate Forcier, a 6’1”, 183 pound athlete out of Scripps Ranch High School in San Diego, California. Slightly undersized, Forcier nevertheless possesses outstanding speed and works wonders within an offense highlighting the option-read. He has a fast release and isn’t easily bothered by an opposing pass rush; still, Forcier is wise enough to know when it’s time to ditch the pocket and take off downfield using his feet. ESPN notes that his lack of height causes Forcier to at times scramble unnecessarily, a habit he needs to break in order to best make use of the strength and accuracy his arm provides when throwing. But the fact that Forcier midway through last season held some 34 scholarship offers goes to say a great deal about just how confident coaches are that this youngster can be molded to be a true difference maker under center. That being the case, don’t be surprised to find Forcier getting the opportunity to compete for playing time immediately as a freshman; he graduated high school early in order to enroll at Michigan in January and is already making a strong impression upon Rodriguez and his staff.
Eugene Smith, QB, West Virginia University
The Miramar Patriots (Florida) were first put on the map in 2003 when an outstanding young athlete by the name of Pat Julmiste announced he’d being playing for Jim Leavitt and the University of South Florida. Some five years later, Miramar High School is once again making a splash with the signing of 6’3”, 180 pound quarterback Eugene Smith to West Virginia University. A true athlete with impressive size to match, Smith is a powerful passer that has an inherent understanding of when to throw the ball in order to give his receivers the best opportunity to make a reception. Rated just below E.J. Manuel at the South Florida MSL Combine back in spring of last year, many evaluators, notes the website FloridaFB.com, felt he was more than capable of keeping up with the likes of competition in elite passers such as David Blackwell and Star Jackson. ESPN writes that Smith has great upside when it comes to fitting in with the Mountaineers offensive scheme, operating in high school a system that featured a pass-first, run-second approach to moving the ball downfield. He is considered by many as well a driven competitor and the type of player that will produce monster numbers anytime he gets into a rhythm. Smith is extremely solid throwing the ball while on the move and simply doesn’t miss intended targets.. One of the most exciting – yet under-the-radar – recruits at quarterback in the Class of 2009, Smith should be the real deal for the Mountaineers and is as close to a sure-fire replacement to now-department Patrick White as WVU is likely to see any time in the near future.
Zach Mettenberger, QB, University of Georgia
When ESPN scouting reports say that a high school recruit at quarterback “resembles Eli Manning in stature and fundamentals,” it’s definitely time to pay attention. Thus, don’t pass up Zach Mettenberger of Oconee County High School in Georgia; a 6’5” and 229 pound athlete with a cannon for an arm, he’s the near-epitome of what a pocket-passer should be and has all the intangibles to be a phenomenal quarterback at the college level. Scouts note that Mettenberger has perhaps the greatest degree of velocity throwing ball of any of his fellow recruits out of the Class of 2009. He can launch a ball nearly anywhere on the field and do so consistently, an attribute which receivers will quickly learn to appreciate when matched up in tight coverage. The highly-touted youngster is regarded as possessing a deep knowledge of the game and a passer who fully embraces the patience required to stand in the pocket in order to deliver a pass. Play-action is a huge selling point for Mettenberger as well and should provide him with a tremendous weapon by which to freeze up opposing defensive backs. All of the above makes this particular addition to Georgia’s quarterback corps one of the best pure-passers to enter the college level in 2009. Keep a close eye on Mettenberger as a result, especially now that head coach Mark Richt will be forced to replace Matthew Stafford under center.
Bryn Renner, QB, University of North Carolina
Many scouts believe that one of the most underrated quarterback recruits of the Class of 2009 is 6’3”, 190 pound Bryn Renner of West Springfield High School in Virginia. Part of a University of North Carolina Tarheels recruiting class that this year ended up leaving many stunned as one of the best overall signing classes in the country, Renner is a remarkable athlete with all the necessary attributes to become one of the nation’s most elite players under center. The rundown of his abilities as a passer read like a best-selling novel: ideal size; great arm strength; a soft touch on the ball; excellent distance and velocity; accurate; solid pocket presence. Little wonder then that he was identified as a previous Elite 11 selection. Still, observers note Renner is deceivingly quick on his feet and has enough speed to make things happen as a ball-carrier when taking off downfield. He’s physical tough and doesn’t shy away from contact – a trait which isn’t necessarily a good thing considering his need to avoid injury at the next level. Evaluators have voiced some concern as well in the fact that Renner operated primarily out of the shotgun while playing for West Springfield. Subsequently, he’ll have to learn to expand the spectrum of his knowledge playing under center in Butch Davis’ offense, but still has more than enough grasp of the fundamentals in order to find success in the tutelage he’ll gain at the college level.
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