Georgia loaded with 17 QB talent

Along with Florida, Texas and California, Georgia is now seen as one of the top recruiting states in the country. College coaches flock to the Peach State annually to check out the next crop of elite talent, which includes an impressive group of pro-style quarterbacks in the class of 2017.

"I think 2017 has a chance to be a historic year in Georgia when it comes to quarterbacks," said Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell. "Early on it looks like the best year at quarterback in-state that I've ever seen and that encompasses about 20 years or so. Everyone always points out Florida as a great talent-producing state that can't produce quarterbacks to the same level as other positions, but Georgia has been worse. That could be about to change in a big way in 2017."

Bailey Hockman, Chase Brice, Davis Mills and Jake Fromm have all earned four-star status as pro-style quarterbacks from a state that does not produce a large quantity of elite quarterback talent. Hockman, from Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachem, recently committed to Georgia, and Brice won the Rivals Atlanta Quarterback Challenge and finished second at the Rivals Quarterback Challenge Finals in Baltimore.

"Georgia hasn't historically produced great quarterbacks, especially pro-style guys," Farrell said. "Cam Newton and DeShaun Watson come to mind immediately. Newton's success speaks for itself and Watson looks to be a future star at Clemson, but looking at things historically from such a great talent-producing state, it's a little bleak. Zach Mettenberger found his way as a pro-style guy, but it took some big changes like with Newton. You just don't think of Georgia as a pro-style quarterback state like some others."

Amazingly, since Mettenberger was a four-star pro-style quarterback in the class of 2009, only Brice Ramsey in the class of 2013 has been able to duplicate that feat.

While Hockman is off the market, there is still plenty of elite quarterback talent in the state. Even though it is still relatively early in the process for the group, some of them have developed relationships.

"I am good friends with a lot of the top 2017 QBs," said Brice, who hails from Loganville (Ga.) Grayson. "Davis Mills and I are good buddies. We love to compete with each other wherever we go, but it's good competition."

Mills, a four-star from Greater Atlanta Christian who led his team to the state title game as a sophomore, shared the same thoughts.

"I'm good friends with most of the quarterbacks who do the camps and workouts," he said. "Chase Brice and I have the same quarterback coach and have played against each other before in youth leagues. I've never really gotten the chance to meet Bailey Hockman or Jake Fromm because of where they live or because they haven't really been at the same camps as me."

Fromm, from Warner Robins (Ga.) Houston County, may not be familiar with Brice or Mills, but does know the recent Georgia commit.

"I'm friends with Bailey, but I'm not familiar with the others and their recruiting," Fromm said. "I'm happy for him and Athens is a great place."

While not all of the quarterbacks are close to Hockman, all were well aware of his commitment to the Bulldogs.

"It doesn't affect me as much as one would think, but I know mine is going to happen when it happens," Fromm said.

Brice agrees that Hockman's decision will not speed up his own process.

"No, not really," he said. "We have two more years of high school ball and anything can happen in that time frame."

What all of the quarterbacks can agree on is that playing in Georgia with and against top competition better prepares them for the future.

"I'm a strong believer that Georgia has some of the best high school football in the country, if not the best, and that definitely helps me prepare for the next level to learn how to play with such great athletes," said Fromm, who hopes to visit Ole Miss and South Carolina this summer.

"Definitely playing in 6A it will give me the best chance to get acclimated to the college speed of a game and having that preparation before the college level will help me be more successful," said Brice, who plans to visit Louisville, Miami and Kentucky before the start of his junior season. "I think that having a great coaching staff like we have at Grayson will help me be prepared."

Another 2017 quarterback who is quickly gaining momentum is Jelani Woods of Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove.

"Playing in Georgia helps me to stay at the top of my game, train every day and become better by the minute," said Woods, who has offers from USF and Texas Southern, and is getting increased interest from North Carolina, Texas and Duke. "I want to prove that I can make twice the throws, be more accurate and smarter than the other quarterbacks."

Overall, each of the quarterbacks understands that they're in a favorable position right now.

"It definitely feels good, but I also know that I have to keep producing in order to still have those options," said Fromm, who has upward of 10 offers.

"It feels great to be wanted by these colleges who have offered me a scholarship," said Brice, who has more than 10 offers at this time. "I'm very humbled by it and thankful for this great opportunity."

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