Quarterback, the most polarizing position in all of American sports. The conductor of the offense is expected to make big throws, be a leader in the huddle and have the poise to make smart plays in pressure-cooked moments. Easier said than done, but quarterbacks are trained and expected to produce at a high level starting at the youth football levels.
In Florida, quarterbacks in the offseason participate in seven-on-seven tournaments looking to perfect their craft. The training has elevated the level play, and Florida has produced high stat producers on the collegiate level in the last 10 years. Since 2011 the likes of Teddy Bridgewater from 2011 to 2013 at Louisville, Geno Smith from 2011 and 2012 at West Virginia, and Rakeem Cato at Marshall from 2011 to 2014 and Lamar Jackson from 2015 to 2017 have all dazzled on the college level representing South Florida.
Many quarterbacks will be heading to D-1 programs from across the sunshine state, but two quarterbacks seem to be slightly a cut above the rest. With all the chips on the line, there are two QBs from Florida that I would instill trust to win big-time games.
Zion Turner, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale)
Class of 2022 (6-2, 195)
As a Passer…
The dual-threat quarterback has developed into an efficient thrower of the football. Turner can throw it long, hitting his receivers in stride and add touch on the ball when needed on short and intermediate throws. Over the years he has limited the “bad throw” and makes the “smart throw” more often than not. Turner will go into his third year as a starter at the premier private school in South Florida, looking to win his third straight state title as a starter.
Quincy Skinner with an easy 26-yard touchdown catch from @_ZionTurner to open up the scoring for @STA_Football. STA up 7-0 on Tru Prep with 9:46 left in the 1st qtr. pic.twitter.com/CJXAucCJ6a
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) October 17, 2020
As a Runner…
The senior quarterback is fun to watch in the Aquinas offense. The Raiders run a bunch of RPO (run-pass option) and zone-read type of plays that keep defenses guessing. Turner coupled with senior running back Anthony Hankerson is a lethal combination that is tough to stop. Turner has sneaky speed that tricks defenders to think he is getting a few yards, then out of nowhere, he turns it upfield breaking away from would-be tacklers. Turner’s decision to tuck and run looks easy at times and keeps the offense looking fluid on the ground.
By the numbers…
Turner did suffer a sophomore slump in his second year as a starter. His stats declined but many attest this to the COVID year. He completed 55% of his passes as a junior, compared to 62% as a sophomore. His QB rating also dropped from 106 to 80. His yards per game however remained the same at 118 yards per game.
Running the football Turner averaged virtually the same amount of yards at 4.75 per rush. Turner has scored 19 touchdowns on the ground in his career and likely will eclipse 30 touchdowns on the ground before hanging up his STA cleats.
Turner currently holds offers from Miami, Texas A&M and LSU.
His versatility makes him the complete package.
See highlights of Zion Turner’s Junior Highlights here
Keyone Jenkins, Miami Central
Class of 2023 (5-11, 174)
As a Passer…
The junior quarterback, like Turner, already has a championship to his credit at this point of his career and is in line to add a second championship as the starter for the Rockets. What I love about Jenkins is his accuracy. The lefty quarterback, more commonly known as “Lights Out” can make every throw including a beautiful deep ball. The Rocket QB can launch the football on the run and can make off-balance throws.
The @Roc__Nation quarterback @LyghtzO connects with Lamar Seymore for the touchdown. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/aiwYQ6QMJ5
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 21, 2021
Where he lacks in size he makes up for in arm strength connecting with receivers on out routes or firing across the middle on crossing routes.
As a Runner…
He’s not the fastest quarterback, and certainly not the most elusive, but he knows when to run, which is usually after checking his third or fourth options. At Central, running is what they do and 2023 running backs Ean Pope and Chaminade-Madonna transfer Jon Harris will likely lead the rushing attack for the seven-time state champs.
By the numbers…
In last year’s 6A state championship game, Jenkins completed 8 of 14 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns in a 46-0 rout of Lake Minneola. In the semifinals, the super sophomore went 16 for 23 for 366 yards, throwing for five touchdown passes and rushing for another against Palmetto. Jenkins also had an impressive outing in his spring game against Miami Palmetto accounting for all four Central touchdowns tossing three and rushing for another.
Jenkins, arguably is the best pure passer from the state of Florida.
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