From the first time the quarterbacks step onto the practice field on Monday all the way up until game time on Saturday, the cornerbacks will be quicker, the linebackers will be faster and the defensive lineman will be bigger.
The window for error, and again the quarterbacks will begin to see this window when practice starts, is very small. Reads must be faster and passes must be crisp and on the money. Most of the quarterbacks that will be in San Antonio can get away with making mistakes during the year playing conference football. They won’t be able to make these mistakes in the All-American Bowl.
Just one year ago, the East quarterbacks, Jake Christensen (Iowa), Jonathan Crompton (Tennessee) and Greg Paulus (Duke Basketball) have never seen the likes of defensive tackle Roy Miller (Texas), linebackers (Brian Cushing) and Rey Maualuga (USC) or defensive backs Kenny Phillips (Miami) or Demetrice Morley (Tennessee).
The 2006 East quarterbacks are a decent bunch with the best of the best being Florida’s Tim Tebow. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder, from St. Augustine (Fla.) Nease is committed to Florida. Just one year ago, Tebow was in the Alamo Dome as one of 500 juniors participating in U.S. Army National Combine.
Tim Tebow
|
|
Tebow is the No. 3 quarterback prospect, in the nation, according to Scout.com, he has a cannon for an arm, he’s not afraid to run the ball and he has the mental toughness to take reps as a true freshman at the next level.
Tebow finished his career with 9,810 passing yards, 3,169 rushing yards, 95 passing touchdowns and 63 rushing touchdowns. He led Nease HS to a state title as a senior.
Zach Frazer, a 6-foot-4, 210-pounder, from Mechanicsburg, Pa., was selected to play for the East. Frazer gave Notre Dame his commitment before the start of the 2005 season. Scout.com has Frazer ranked as the No. 9 quarterback prospect in the country and he’s not even the top rated quarterback in his state (Pat Devlin) according to Scout.com. I’m sure Frazer will come out with guns blazing to show he belongs in the Alamo.
Zach Frazer
|
|
Last but not least in the East is Chicago’s Demetrius Jones. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder, from Morgan Park High is another commitment of the Fighting Irish. Scout.com believes that although Jones is being recruited as a quarterback by Notre Dame, that he’ll eventually end up at wide receiver.
Jones did play wide receiver the last game of his senior season due to a thumb injury and he looks to be a natural at that position. “Double D” is very elusive in space, he has super open field moves and has a knack for making defenders miss. The nation will see Jones’ athleticism on January 7th.
Demetrius Jones
|
|
Again, if you’re a fan of Notre Dame or Florida or just a fan who loves to hate Notre Dame or Florida, the most important factor of this game is that you don’t judge these quarterbacks on this one game in early January.
Chances are that Tebow, Frazer and Jones haven’t seen the likes of Taylor Mays, Devin Ross or Sergio Kindle during their senior seasons. The most important thing to remember is to take what the defense gives you. All of the wide receivers on the East will be looking for the home run but don’t be afraid to check down and look for your tight end.
|