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QB-1 is one of the most glorified positions in all of sports. The performance of the position in many ways can make or break a team’s season. The best quarterbacks make plays under pressure and pressure can come in many different forms. There’s pressure to perform in big games, big moments and pressure in the pocket. The following quarterbacks had high expectations going into 2018 and those expectations will be raised even higher in 2019. The state of Florida as a whole leaves much to be desired from the QB position, but these quarterbacks give reason to believe that the narrative surrounding the Florida quarterback is due to change.
Derhon King, Deerfield Beach – Consistent quarterback play has always seemed to be the missing piece for the Bucks in previous years. The arrival of King last year was supposed to be the missing piece to take Deerfield to their first state title. The Bucks fell short once again last season losing to Miami Columbus in the state semifinals 49-21. At the Opening in Miami, King finished with the highest rating among Qbs with a 103.68 rating.
The rating is a composite score that combines all of the day’s performance drills. At 6’1”, 200 pounds, he has decent size and has the speed to get out of the pocket and extend drives. King will have some of the best weapons in the state with four-star Jaylan Knighton at running back and four-star Aydin Henningham and three-star Deajuan McDougle at wide receiver.
Tucker Gleason, Tampa Plant – The three-star signal caller could not outscore the eventual 7A champion Lakeland Dreadnaughts in the 2018 playoffs but there should be plenty to expect from the Panthers with Gleason at the helm.
The 2020 QB passed for 345 yards and three scores in a 49-30 defeat and also had a 57-yard run. Gleason registered a 99.06 rating at the Opening in Miami which was better than five-star wide receiver Marcus Rosemy (St. Thomas Aquinas).
Katravis Marsh, Miami Central – The transfer from American (Miami Lakes) will have much to prove in his only year at Miami Central. Central was widely considered one of the top five teams in the state before losing to Miami Northwestern in the regional finals in 2018. Marsh will take over for the Rockets who lose Marshall signee Maurice Underwood to graduation. Marsh, a three-star prospect towers over most at 6’5” and throws one of the nicest deep balls in the state. Central is no longer in what was called the SEC of high school football, but Marsh should still find it challenging in a district with Miami Belen Jesuit, Miami Southridge, and Miami Norland.
Marsh is working on his craft with South Florida Express (SFE) this offseason, the 7-on-7 national champions and left the Miami Opening as the Elite 11 MVP.
Nick Vattiato, University School (Davie) – Also working with SFE, the U-School signal caller is poised to take his program to the next level. In back-to-back years the Sharks once again were one game away from punching their ticket to Orlando. Is this the year the Sharks make it since re-branding the program?
If they do, it will be Vattiato leading the way. Vattiato will have to do it without running back Kenny McIntosh, Zay Flowers, and Josh Sanguinetti. All are off to Power 5 programs causing Vattiato to have to step up in a big way. Nick has looked the part so far in the offseason in 7-on-7s and is looking to continue that development on the gridiron.
Camron Ransom, Armwood – The 2021 quarterback was one win away from winning a state title in his first year as a starter. The vaunted Miami Northwestern defense proved to be too much for Ransom as he could not get anything going offensively in a 22-0 shut out in the 6A state title game.
Ransom does get one of his go-to receivers, Agiye Hall, back as the Hawks look to make another run this time in 7A.
Jacorey Rivers, Raines – Rivers was plugged into the starting role during the playoffs last season and helped the Vikings win the 2018 state title. Rivers used his legs during the championship game and will be depended upon to throw the football if the Vikings are going to complete a three-peat.
The 2020 QB will have to get past the likes of Miami Northwestern in the new 5A for a state title.
Kemani Brown, Miami Northwestern – Brown will be taking over full-time for the 6A state champions with the departure of Isaiah Velez to Eastern Kentucky University. Brown continues to develop with Football Hotbed 7-on-7 every week.
Brown can spin it with the best of them but we have yet to see how he will perform in a full season with it all on the line. The 2020 dual-threat quarterback is waiting for the opportunity to prove he belongs.
Brody Palhegyi, Cardinal Gibbons – No one could have written a better script than the one written for the 2021 quarterback. Palhegyi took over for Nik Scalzo after an ACL injury in the 2018 playoffs. Brody would take over and lead the Chiefs to their first ever state championship.
With Scalzo now off to the University of Kentucky, Palhegyi will be the projected starter to begin the season. The 2019 Gibbons season will prove if last years magical run was a fluke or not.
Michael Pratt, Boca High – The South Florida Express QB is really starting to make waves across the state. The 6’3”195-pound quarterback performed well at the Under Armour and Opening combines and many statewide are taking notice.
He recently took a visit to Florida and continues to make some recruiting noise…but where will he take Boca High. He’s looked as sharp as iron but can he do it on the field with the pressure on? Boca finds themselves in a district with Deerfield Beach so we’ll find out down the line what Pratt has.
Zachary Burrill, Clearwater Central Catholic – Burrill takes over for Rory Hicks and is looking to take the Marauders to the next level.
The Marauders went out with a thud last year with 16-0 loss to Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) and are hoping that the 2020 QB can lead them to a 3A state championship. Burrill looked solid at the Opening will make CCC a contender once again in 3A.
