Midwest Spotlight: Five top 2022 QB prospects
The timeline for quarterback recruiting plays out earlier in high school than other positions because of the value of the position and because most schools only take one per class. While quarterback recruiting in the 2021 class is largely complete, it is just starting to heat up for the class of 2022. Here is a look at the top five 2022 quarterback prospects still available in the Midwest.
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MORE: Iowa State lands Ohio ATH Malik Verdon
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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Recruitment: Now at 20 total scholarship offers, Wimsatt is the highest-ranked quarterback prospect in the region. The first Power Five offer came from the home-state Kentucky Wildcats, which is a program Wimsatt continues to hold in high regard and recently visited for a home football game earlier this season. The Rivals100 prospect remains wide open, however, and will gives programs like Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska and Notre Dame strong looks.
Evaluation: Wimsatt is a true dual-threat, but he also may have the best arm of any quarterback in the region. I got a chance to see Wimsatt live over the summer going against several other top passers in the region, and it was clear who had the most arm talent. Wimsatt has an easy, unforced delivery and spins a beautiful football. He also shows the ability to throw with accuracy on the rollout, and if needed he can take off and make big plays with his feet.
Recruitment: A brand new four-star, Jackson’s offer list more than doubled over a few weeks’ span in late August and early September. Among the programs offering during that stretch were Arizona State, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota and Rutgers. Jackson was the first 2022 quarterback Iowa offered, and the Hawkeyes always recruit the Indianapolis area well, so they will be a team to watch here. His brother plays basketball for Indiana, though, and the Hoosiers have also offered.
Evaluation: When I saw Jackson live this season he was going head-to-head with class of 2021 four-star Donoven McCulley. It would have been easy for the younger quarterback to feel the pressure and try and do too much, but I was very impressed with how calm, cool and collected Jackson was, even when his team got behind in the first half. He would lead Center Grove back for the win, and answered some intangible questions with that performance. The physical tools have always been there. He is big and athletic for the position.
Recruitment: Of all the quarterbacks listed here, Harrison has the quietest recruitment to this point and that is surprising considering how long his name has been known in recruiting circles. Louisville is the only Power Five school to offer, and that offer came before Harrison even entered high school. A couple Mid-American Conference programs have offered, including Akron, which came through earlier this month.
Evaluation: We have been watching Harrison for more than two years, and he is one of the most technically-sound passers at his age. The 6-foot-2 Harrison has enough arm strength to make all the throws, but you really appreciate his accuracy watching Harrison play. Time after time he fits footballs into tight windows. What may set Harrison apart the most, however, is his maturity and leadership intangibles. He has started every game of his high school career since freshman year, completing over 61 percent of his passes for 5,625 yards and 51 touchdowns.
Recruitment: The soft quarterback market is evidenced by low offer numbers for Lynn and Harrison, who both play in the heavily-recruited Cincinnati/Dayton area. The hometown Cincinnati Bearcats extended Lynn his first offer back in May, and Indiana followed just a couple days later with his second. The only scholarship offer for Lynn this fall came from Toledo back in September.
Evaluation: Lynn led the Greater Miami Conference in passing during this shortened season, besting second-best by more than 500 yards. His final stat line over eight games included 1,429 yards and 17 touchdowns against five interceptions. While Harrison is well ahead of the development curve for most junior quarterbacks, Lynn is still pretty raw as a passer, but his upside is very high. He has plenty of arm talent, and can also make defenses pay with his legs.
Recruitment: Dailey kicked off his recruitment last March with an offer from Michigan. He picked up that offer directly from head coach Jim Harbaugh while visiting Ann Arbor. Since then, Dailey has added offers from Buffalo, Iowa State and Rice, but he is in contact with a host of programs around the country and could see more offers come through once his junior season concludes.
Evaluation: A left-handed passer, Dailey is very efficient with the football. He goes through his progression and gets the ball out of his hand quickly. Dailey is a pro-style quarterback, but he has enough quickness and athleticism to make plays with his feet if the pocket breaks down. In college, though, he will be expected to play in the style of a Tua Tagovailoa: make good decisions and get the ball in the hands of your playmakers early.