The Heir Apparent

Quarterback Eugene Smith of Miramar High School was the top rated quarterback in south Florida for the Class of 2009 and one of the region's best quarterback prospects in several years. Smith and his Miramar team were eliminated from the playoffs last year by Miami Northwestern and a sophomore quarterback that has since taken the reins as the top quarterback in the region.

Athlete Jeffrey Godfrey of Miami Central and Florida Commitment Trey Burton of Venice, both members of the Class of 2010, may have an argument for being passed as the region's top quarterback by Northwestern's Teddy Bridgewater (6-3/170) of the Class of 2011. 

But on my list, Bridgewater is the guy.

Eugene Smith's (6-4/200) Miramar team and Bridgewater's Northwestern team hooked up in the State playoffs last year, and while the game was a mismatch with Northwestern winning handily, the talent at the quarterback position was on full display for both teams.

Eugene Smith is headed to West Virginia, and based on his skill set, the Mountaineer offense will look a little different with him at the helm. While Smith can run, he's more of a pure pocket passer. He has an easy release and stands tall in the pocket. He can hurt a team with his legs, but much prefers to find his receivers and distribute the ball to his playmakers.

One of Smith's best attributes as a quarterback has always been his poise. I describe his calmness as a player that looks like he knows and believes he's the best player on the field and he expects to make the play. There never a panic in any of Smith's motion, and he has the talent in his right arm to deliver. 

He's also smart about picking his spots to take punishment. When he runs, he gets the first down and slides if he needs to, or he'll fight for the extra yardage and take the contact if that's what it means to get the job done.

On the other side of the ball was sophomore Teddy Bridgewater. A lot of the superlatives heaped on Smith also apply to Bridgewater when it comes to poise and confidence. Smith just happens to be two years younger and playing a high profile position on one of the highest profile programs in the country.

Playing for a team like Northwestern, even as a sophomore, is a good confidence builder. Bridgewater can stand safely in the pocket for extended periods of time and read defenses without fear of being hit in most games. But the comfort of time is not always a positive for quarterbacks that have a tendency to get happy feet. Bridgewater isn't one of those guys.

A lean 6-3 and 170 pounds as a sophomore, Bridgewater has better than average arm strength, very good accuracy, and excellent mobility. He's very good at throwing on the run in either direction, uncannily so rolling left (he's right handed) and throwing.

Bridgewater is a long strider that won't look like he's running very fast when he breaks containment, but he'll easily pull away from defenders. Easy, there's a good way to describe Bridgewater. The game looks like it comes easy to him, and like Smith, he's never rushed; he just makes good decisions with the ball.

Smith ('09) and Bridgewater ('11) have a lot of similarities in their games and should follow similar paths to being nationally ranked recruits. Comparing their styles, Smith was farther ahead as a passer and Bridgewater is the better runner at the same stage.

Both have the intangibles to be big time performers on the college stage; it's just Smith will get his chance much sooner than Bridgewater.

Highlights from Northwestern @ Miramar:

#12 QB Eugene Smith '09 - West Virginia Signee
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#5 QB Teddy Bridgewater '11
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