El Dorado QB has 'wow' factor
That's not a number one on Sharmon Rester's football jersey. It's an exclamation point.
Well, potentially, anyway.
Rester could bring a “wow” factor to an El Dorado offense that already showed a lot of zing last year. The senior quarterback dabbled at both receiver and running back a year ago. Late last season, he started playing more at quarterback and showed a strong arm along with blazing open- field speed.
Clocked at 4.39 in the 40-yard dash at a summer camp, Rester's speed brings an other-worldly dimension.
“Rester's speed will be noticed,” said QB coach Dawson Moser. “If someone forces him out of the pocket, there is a chance that he could scramble for a touchdown from anywhere on the field. His speed is next level.”
Athletically, Rester might be the fastest Wildcat. El Dorado head coach Steven Jones gave a surprising answer when asked who was the strongest player on the team.
“Pound for pound strongest guy on our team is probably Sharmon Rester,” he said. “He's right around 315 pounds on the bench press, 305 on power clean. Poundfor-pound, weighing around 190, he's probably the strongest guy on our team.”
Despite not playing a full year at quarterback, Rester was named to the Hooten's Arkansas Football Magazine Super Team in the preseason. He already has collegiate offers in his pocket.
His focus in the off-season was on improving his passing, getting the ball into the hands of his speedy receivers. In the end, his ability to run might be just as impactful.
El Dorado's offensive line has already taken his running into consideration in the game plan.
“The thing we try to focus on is give an escape lane. Make sure we're in protection and then knowing where the escape lanes are for him,” said offensive line coach Kris Borosvskis. “That is an option in the passing game. Hey, you go through your progressions - one to two to three to run. If you run, if that's where it took you, that's a very explosive guy that has the ball in his hands.”
The program will list him as number one. Wildcat fans hope Rester's number this season will add up to “Wow!”