Rival Views: Which Texas QB deserves bragging rights?
When it comes to rankings -- particularly quarterback -- it's rarely an easygoing conversation. During the 2022 rankings meetings our analysts went back and forth over several recruits at every position.
One of the best battles was over a pair of Texas signal-callers. Cypress Bridgeland's Conner Weigman and Austin Westlake's Cade Klubnik rank as the Nos. 39 and 40 players in the country, respectively. They are ranked Nos. 2 and 4 among dual-threat and pro-style passers.
National recruiting analyst Adam Gorney and South-Central recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman weigh in on this debate.
QB RANKINGS SPOTLIGHT: New QB rankings are out | Pro-style QBs | Dual-threat QBs
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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK SCHEDULE:
Monday: Five-Star Countdown
Tuesday: New Rivals250 | Big movers | Where five-stars stand | Five-star watch | Farrell's thoughts
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released | Programs with most commits
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released
Friday: State rankings released
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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SPIEGELMAN: WEIGMAN
There's a reason these two Texas-based quarterbacks are neck-and-neck in the rankings. They have contrasting styles, but both come from a winning pedigree and execute at an extremely high level, which has them in the conversation as two of the best quarterbacks in the country.
Klubnik is a two-time state champion coming off a season in which he passed for 3,500 yards with a 35:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He's efficient, accurate and throws with fantastic anticipation.
However, the edge here goes to Weigman, who passed for 3,800 yards and 42 touchdowns and 11 picks. He's posted nearly identical QB ratings the past two years (112.5 in 2019 and 111.7 in 2020) and exhibited the ability to make throws all over the field with a great balance of touch and zip.
Where Weigman separates, though, is his ability to move within and outside the pocket and maintain a high level of accuracy. His baseball background is certainly evident with his ability to make extra plays with his legs and improvise with ease.
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GORNEY: KLUBNIK
This debate could go either way because Klubnik and Weigman are both exceptional quarterbacks, but Klubnik has a slight edge in my book because his arm is slightly better and he makes the tough throws look a little easier.
Both quarterbacks are playmakers, both of them have tremendous instincts to escape pressure and keep their eyes downfield and both are fearless when it comes to either delivering a strike when it's needed or getting yards with their feet. But Klubnik has a smoother release and the ball gets out faster. I don't think that is disputable. In terms of athletic ability, too, Klubnik dodges the blitz very well, he can run to find extra yards and even in the pocket he can get off-platform, reset and then drive the ball downfield.
Weigman put up big numbers in his junior season. He's committed to Texas A&M. He is a really talented player. But when it comes to some of the nuances at the position – especially arm strength and delivery – I'm going to side with Klubnik.