2017 QB class is battling for respect
There seems to be a theme trending among Central Florida Class of 2017 college football prospects. The “curse of the quarterback” has hit hard in the Orlando area and local signal-callers are trying to figure out how to rid themselves of this voodoo spell cast upon them.
Local quarterbacks are having a hard time finding many college scouts to view them as serious prospects. There are plenty of potential college quarterbacks in Central Florida entering their senior seasons, but it’s difficult to figure out if any of them will ever make it on the field as a bona fide quarterback at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level.
Many of these prospects have Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) coaches licking their chops, waiting for them to fall into their grasp. That, however, is not the goal for most of the players. They want to play in the FBS. If they have to play at the FCS level, they will, but that’s not in the thought process at this point.
The biggest mystery among the local rising senior quarterbacks is Marvin
Washington of Dr. Phillips. He’s a specimen of a prospect who passes the eye test right away. He’s 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds of pure athleticism. If all the 2017 Central Florida QB prospects lined up in a distance-throwing contest, Washington probably would win it going away. The only quarterback with a stronger arm in last year’s class was Woody
Barrett, a 2016 senior at Winter Garden West Orange.
The issues for Washington are in the decision-making process, but Dr. Phillips has taken steps to help. New passing coordinator/coach
Tony Gulla has entered the picture and Washington should benefit. Gulla worked with Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian when both were at Orlando Olympia High.
What we will see more of from Washington this upcoming season will likely be on the ground. If Friday night’s spring game against Bishop Moore was any indication, Washington might be used a lot like West Orange used Barrett last season.
On Friday, if Washington sensed trouble, he tucked the ball and took it up field, showing off his athleticism with some nifty running — including a 31-yard touchdown scamper that saw him breaking several tackles along the way.
Washington also showed more poise in the passing game against Bishop Moore, completing 14 of 21 passes, although most of them were of the dink-and-dump variety. Still, it was a step in the right direction and Washington has not only shown his willingness to be coached, but he has also maintained a positive approach.
The most impressive thing he did Friday night, for me, had nothing to do with throwing or running the football. He’s starting to display more leadership and that was evident after backup ■ quarterback Keanu Kong unleashed a 75-yard scoring bomb to receiver Emare
Hogan. Washington could have sulked, thinking that was his play to make. Instead, Washington was all smiles and the first one to greet Kong with congratulatory praise when they met on the sideline.
As has been the case with numerous quarterbacks like Washington, college coaches are wondering if he might be better suited to play another position. The problem is that QB is all he’s ever played, all he’s ever known.
Washington has offers ■ from Bowling Green, Coastal Carolina, FAU, Georgia Southern, Kent State, Old Dominion, Toledo and Troy, but not all are as a quarterback.
It’s not an uncommon problem for Central Florida area prospects, with SEC schools pushing NFL quarterback to switch to tight end when he was wrapping up his career at Oviedo High.
Here are some other top Central Florida quarterback prospects facing challenges:
Head, Blake Bortles Austin Burton, West Orange, 6-3, 203:
One of the most prototypical quarterback prospects in Central Florida, but he’s only lived here for a few months after moving to west Orange County from South Newton High in Newton Center, Mass. Burton threw for nearly 4,000 yards as a junior last season and he was a nice Easter present for West Orange head coach
who needed a replacement for Barrett. Even Burton, however, has had trouble drawing offers, with his lone FBS invitation coming from U-Mass.
Bob Demetri Burch, Apopka, 6-0, 175:
Probably the best athlete of the 2017 quarterback group and that’s exactly what he has to be in order to run the Blue Darters’ single wing offense successfully. They don’t throw much in Apopka and Burch isn’t even considered a quarterback prospect by most standards. He’ll play receiver or defensive back at the next level, but the problem for Burch at this point is getting reps as a receiver. That won’t happen in the near future. Offers: Kentucky, Louisville, Marshall, West Virginia.
Denzel Houston, Daytona Beach Mainland, 5-11, 185:
Even though he has guided Mainland deep into the state playoffs during each of the past two seasons, Houston continues to yearn for quarterback respect. He’s mostly considered too small to be an FBS quarterback, but he has certainly shown his ability to run an offense. He’s thrown for more than 2,500 yards and rushed for more than 500 yards in each of the past two seasons, yet he’s still considered a slot receiver or defensive back at the next stage. Offers: Louisville, USF, Western Michigan.
Mike MacFarlane, Orlando Lake Nona, 6-5, 225:
Talk about passing the eye test. When college coaches see MacFarlane for the first time, their jaws drop. He has perfect QB size and a big arm to go with it. MacFarlane’s problem, however, is that most consider him a system-guy in head coach
offense at Lake Nona. It’s difficult for college coaches to assess what they see as potential in MacFarlane when most of his passes are short. He might throw for 4,000 yards, but most of the yardage comes via the work of the receivers after the catch. He rarely throws downfield, so the arm strength and accuracy are hard to assess. MacFarlane has also shown his ability to run with the ball despite his size. Offers: Ball State, Iowa State, Western Kentucky.
Paradiso’s Anthony Kaylan Wiggins, Sanford Seminole, 6-3, 200:
Colleges are starting to see what kind of quarterback Wiggins can possibly be at the next level. He’s the best runner in the local 2017 QB class, but he’s determined to prove he can also be a legitimate passing threat. He tossed 27 passes for more than 250 yards and two touchdowns during the Seminoles’ spring game win over Lake Mary Friday. Offers: Air Force, Army.
James Brown, Orlando Jones, 6-4, 205:
Brown is another prospect who passes the QB eye test right away, but he, more than any of the players mentioned above, needs to prove himself this season. Last year he split time at quarterback, but with new head coach
giving him the reins this year, big things could be in store. Brown has a very strong arm and his accuracy will be the key. Offer: UMass.
Williams Elijah
Ethan Bullock, Maitland Orangewood Christian, 6-3, 205:
It’s amazing we’re even speaking of Bullock as a college quarterback prospect after he suffered a ruptured spleen and complications during last year’s spring game. He’s back and is one of the top QBs in Central Florida. He has a strong arm, makes good decisions and is very accurate. The problem is he goes to Class 2A Orangewood, where he was never really 100 percent as a junior, still getting back to full strength. Bullock is likely the diamond in the rough coaches are going to be very happy they found. ■ Others to watch: Connor Marchionda (Orlando Christian Prep), Trey McGee (Wekiva), Zach Dickinson (Mount Dora), Deandre Weaver (Orlando Oak Ridge) and Patrick Knight (Kissimmee Liberty).