The highest profile position on the field and therefore during the recruiting wars is quarterback. The No. 1 spot was ripe for the taking heading into the All-Star games, and while some of the favorites stumbled, some of the dark horses had stronger showings. In the end, the debate about No. 1 was stronger than ever amongst the Scout team.
Here is a look at the players vying for the No. 1 spot in the Class of 2011 when the rankings are released next week.
Listed by current ranking:
Jeff Driskel (6-4/225/4.60)
Jeff Driskel
(Hagerty HS) Oviedo, Fla.
Current Ranking: 5-Star, No. 1
Committed to Florida
Why he's No. 1:
Physically, Driskel is without a doubt the top quarterback prospect in the country. He has the strongest arm on one of the biggest, strongest frames. He can hit the 20 yard comeback route, a staple amongst Scouts judging arm strength, with relative ease. He's tough to sack in the pocket with his Ben Roethlisberger-esque strength. He can scramble and throw the ball 60 yards downfield or simply take off and run it 60 yards down field. His athleticism makes him a dual-threat, but his size and arm strength make him a good fit for pro-style. Driskel elevated his team to its first ever playoff appearance and culminated his season with a 182 yard passing, 270 yard rushing performance in a loss to perennial power Lakeland.
Why he's not:
Driskel lacks the polish of some of his peers having spent a lot of time playing baseball. As the biggest and strongest of the players on the field, Driskel hasn't learned to trust his progressions when he could simply tuck the ball and take over a game. While he has the strongest arm in the country, he lacks touch and accuracy on the short and intermediate throws. A phrase often written about developing athletes, Driskel is a raw talent.
Comparison: Tim Tebow, Florida '06/'09
Braxton Miller (6-2/190/4.5)
Braxton Miller
Braxton Miller
(Wayne HS) Huber Heights, Ohio
Current Ranking: 5-Star, No. 2
Committed to Ohio State
Why he's No. 1:
A four year starter for Huber Heights, Miller has had an impressive career and finished by putting his team on his back and leading them to the state championship game. Miller is another player capable of taking over a game with his legs, but he was hobbled as a senior with an injury and was forced to become more of a drop back passer. It's a skill set he can handle as he has a clean release and a strong arm. He's got good size and he's gifted athletically. While he can run by most defensive linemen and linebackers, Miller is a passer first who prefers to scramble to set up the pass.
"I think it's Braxton Miller," said Midwest Manager Allen Trieu. "Despite not having an outstanding Under Armour week, he's my pick. I don't believe in taking too much away from an All-Star game anyway, especially at the quarterback position, where he's playing with new coaches in a new system with new receivers and the defensive lines usually get the best of the offensive lines. Miller's had a great body of work. He has great feet, as well as a strong arm and ability to make passes on the run. That said, I think intangibles are the most important thing a quarterback needs, and he has them. He's a leader, who has been the starter since his freshman year, so he's experienced against big time competition. He lead his team deep in the playoffs this year, and beat some great teams to do it."
Why he's not:
Miller has a good, not great arm. He sometimes struggles with his accuracy, but still shows better touch on the shorter routes than Driskel. A better open field runner, but still lacks the size and strength of Driskel both running and throwing.
Comparison: Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech '07/'10
Teddy Bridgewater (6-3/195/4.6)
Teddy Bridgewater
(Miami Northwestern HS) Miami, Fla.
Current Ranking: 5-Star, No. 3
Committed to Louisville
Why he's No. 1:
Bridgewater is an ideal for today's spread offenses. He has good size. He's a fluid athlete capable of making throws on the run. He's athletic enough that he could play wide receiver or safety on the next level, but is most dangerous with the ball in his hands. A leader amongst his peers, players gravitate to him.
Why he's not:
Bridgewater is an unrefined passer who has an average arm when compared against the other top quarterbacks in the country. He can be inconsistent with his reads and his accuracy. A system quarterback, Bridgewater doesn't have the skill set to adapt to excel in a pure drop-back environment.
Comparison: Dennis Dixon, Oregon '04/'07
Kiehl Frazier (6-3/215/4.6)
Kiehl Frazier
(Shiloh Christian Schools) Springdale, Ark.
Current Ranking: 4-Star, No. 4
Committed to Auburn
Why he's No. 1:
Frazier is arguably the most natural passer in the country when it comes to his arm strength and mechanics. The second strongest arm of the Top 5 behind Driskel, Frazier has better touch and has an elastic arm that generates a great deal of velocity without appearing to need much effort. Frazier doesn't appear to have to work hard to make the longer, tougher throws. He's a very good athlete; another in a line of guys with both the arm and the legs to beat a team. The best way to describe Frazier is that it looks like the mechanics of playing quarterback come very easily to him.
Why he's not:
Playing at a small private school in Arkansas, Frazier and Shiloh Christian were rarely challenged on the field in route to a 14-1 record. Shiloh Christian won its games by an average of 36 points. But in its lone loss against Texas power Euless Trinity, Shiloh Christian had its doors blown off 80-26. The level of competition is a factor in how early Frazier may be ready to play. His decision making a reads need to speed up considerably as he struggled under pressure to make the right reads and decisions. Maybe the most talented of the bunch, but he's the least battle tested as well.
Comparison: Robert Griffin, Baylor '08-'10
Brett Hundley (6-3/205/4.65)
Brett Hundley
(Chandler HS) Chandler, Ariz.
Current Ranking: 4-Star, No. 5
Committed to UCLA
Why he's No. 1:
Hundley is the most polished, the most consistent of the passers in the Top 5. While he appears smaller than his Scout listed height and weight of 6-4/215, he's still at least as big as Braxton Miller. Playing for a powerful Chandler program, Hundley led his team in rushing with over 800 yards while compiling an impressive 20-2 touchdown to interception ratio as a passer. Hundley has good arm strength and feel for the quarterback position. He consistently makes the right reads and has good accuracy. Hundley is probably the guy most ready to come in and execute a college level offense.
"When I look at Hundley, I see a college ready quarterback," said West Manager Brandon Huffman. "He's a guy who doesn't need to fit in a system, but can (and will) with the pistol at UCLA. He's got good arm strength, can make all of the throws, and most importantly for UCLA's offense, the ability to make plays with his feet. He's already been running a variation of the pistol at Chandler (Ariz.), so the learning curve won't be as steep for him. The other thing that stands out about him is his mental makeup. He's not rattled easily, has good poise, and his feel for the pocket is top-notch. He's one of the most well-rounded and versatile quarterbacks to come out of the West in a long time."
Why he's not:
From a prospect standpoint, Hundley doesn't have a physical edge on any of his peers in the Top 5. His arm isn't on the same level as Driskel's and is at best third in this bunch. He doesn't have the size of Driskel and Frazier. He's not the open field runner that Miller and Bridgewater are. When it comes to the measureables, size, arm strength, speed, etc. Hundley doesn't finish at the top of any category.
Comparison: Josh Freeman, Kansas State '06-'08