Early signing period commits: This year’s quarterback crop

No position can have as dramatic an impact as the quarterback. A great quarterback came make an average team look good and an average quarterback can make a good team look mediocre. It is essential to get this position right and to have multiple options to turn to if needed. This is why getting a few more bodies in this position group on campus was necessary. Two players that will be joining the team are Alan Bowman and Nick Gerber.

Alan Bowman

Bowman is a 6-3 208 pound 3-star prospect. He has a great frame for a quarterback and can be expected to add 15-20 pounds over the next few years. He is rated just outside the top 100 overall recruits in Texas and the No. 34 best pro-style quarterback in the nation. He is unlike the past two High School quarterback signees, Jett Duffey and Xavier Martin because he is not known for his running ability. Instead, he does the vast majority of his work inside the pocket.

Based on his highlights, he appears to have a quick release and great accuracy. He completed 70 percent of his passes this season, which in any offense is impressive. He is great at putting the ball where his receiver has the best opportunity to not only make the catch but also pick up yards after the catch. His highlight is not filled with bubble screens and five yards out routes but with deep outs, go routes where he fits the ball between a safety and a corner, and crossing routes which requires great precision. His ceiling will be determined on how well he learns to read defenses since like most High School quarterbacks most of his throws were determined pre-snap and he didn’t really have to read the defense all that much. This is something that I think Coach Kingsbury will have not problem schooling him in. He really reminds me a lot of Davis Webb looked like as a freshman and I would not be surprised to see Bowman turn into a similar quarterback.

Nick Gerber

Although he is not nearly as highly recruited, Gerber is one of the most proficient passers in Texas High School Football history. He set the single-season record for both passing yards and touchdowns while at Levelland High School. He spent this year at Tyler Junior College and has decided to walk-on with the Red Raiders. As Nic Shimonek showed this year, just because you are a walk-on does not mean you can’t work your way into a starting role. Gerber throws the ball well on the run and is able to scramble a little bit, but I would not call him a running quarterback. At only 180 pounds he will definitely look to put on some weight when he gets to campus.