Quarterbacks from California to Florida were critiqued on mechanics, velocity, accuracy, athleticism, and how they handled pressure.  Sound fundamentals quickly separated the elite from the average.  Playing from under center also played a factor as the QB’s had to show a 1, 3, 5, and 7 step drop making multiple throws on all levels.

Having the opportunity to see our quarterbacks compete at a high level and be recognized by ESPNU, 247.com, Nike coaching staff, and other media outlets showed why their off season commitment to improving fundamentals and mechanics played a key part in their success.

Below is an observation on 4 of our quarterbacks with a question and answer session:

Tyler Cogswell: The 6′-4″ 2013 QB showed very well during the event.  Selected as one of 7 quarterbacks in a group of 80+ signal callers, Cogswell placed the football in the necessary locations required to play the position at the next level.  One area that is very impressive about Tyler is his ability to move around the pocket quickly and maintain the proper balance to execute down the field throws.  There is little wasted motion once Cogswell gets back in his drops and punches that last step before the throw.  Where Tyler excelled was on the intermediate to long range passes.

QUESTION: Thoughts on this past weekends Elite 11. The Competition, the environment, your performance?

Cogswell: The event was incredible.  Having the opportunity to show the hard work I have put in during the off season was exciting.  There were great quarterbacks from around the country and being named to the final 7 was something I strive for.

QUESTION: What do you think separated each level of quarterbacks? The elite to the middle of the pack to the lower tier?

Cogswell: I think in the end it came to the mechanics and the ability to drop and get the ball out on time

on certain routes.  You could definitely see the difference in quarterbacks that had the mechanical and fundamental training as opposed to those that were competing on raw talent and ability.  Coaches quickly recognize sound quarterbacks who can process information quickly and get rid of the ball.

QUESTION: What advice would you give to a rising freshman or sophomore that has aspirations to be invited to an event like the Elite 11

Cogswell: Practice your drops, make sure you get quicker faster and stronger and prepare yourself to compete

Sean White: 6′-2″ 2014 was one of a select few sophomores invited to the event.  Trent Dilfer commented that White has an electric arm and his fundamentals are very sound.  Sean clearly had one of the best deep ball arms at the event.  Poised and smooth the ball exploded off his hand.  Where Sean showed that he is one of the top prospects was during the deep comeback and bang 8 throws.  These two throws require timing, arm strength, balance, and accuracy.  The bang 8 route is a timing route typically ran at the NFL level requiring the quarterback to take a 5 step drop plant and throw to a receiver on a skinny post.  The ball must be thrown with velocity and an intermediate trajectory to avoid contact with the safety.  The comeback was far hash to an 18 back to 16 yd throw.  The ball has to be placed down hill and to the sideline away from a defender’s ability to make a play on the football.  White was able to produce these throws throughout the day.

QUESTION: You were one of a handful of 2014 QB’s invited to the Elite 11. How did you feel competing against the best 2013 quarterbacks in the Southeast region

White: I felt good, I felt like I belonged out there. Despite being young, I felt like I competed well and threw right with some of the best QBs in the country.

QUESTION: What did you learn from this event from a fundamental side and mental side?

White: I learned from a ton of great coaches from all over the country, including you, and I think most of the things I learned were mental. Mostly because of the pressure that the coaches tried to put me and the other QBs under, and experience in pressure situations I believe makes you mentally tougher and I think that happened up in Buford.

QUESTION: Showing off in shirt and shorts does not always translate to how good a quarterback is in a game. What part of these events or drills can expose a quarterbacks weaknesses or show his strengths?

White: I think the 7on7 portions of events is important because that is basically as close as it gets to a game as possible without putting on pads. So I would say that part of the event could give good insight on how a QB would perform in a game situation

Troy Cook: 6′-2″ 2013 has a smooth delivery and a frame that will allow a strength program to add size.  Cook displayed consistency and the accuracy to play at the next level.  Troy excelled distributing the ball at all three levels.  Footwork, quick release, and pin point accuracy places this quarterback as one of the top 2013 QB’s from Florida.  Suited for a spread or pro style offense Cook has all the intangibles coaches will be looking for in a high level quarterback.

Larry Brihm: 6′-1″2013 Very athletic quarterback that continues to climb the charts with his arm strength, athletic ability, and poise under pressure.  Brihm was quickly recognized by the staff and elevated into the advanced group of quarterbacks drawing praise for his ability to throw from multiple launch points with accuracy and velocity.  Look for this quarterback to attract a number of college spread offenses this spring.  Larry gives defenses fits with his ability to extend the play after a break down in protection.

QUESTION: Thoughts on this past weekends Elite 11. The Competition, the enviornment, your performance?

Brihm: It was a great experience.  The opportunity to compete against some of the top quarterbacks in the country.  The ability to go out and show your strengths in a setting that challenges to make all of the throws required at the high school and college level.

QUESTION: How has your off-season training prepared you for an event like the Elite 11?

Brihm: I have been working hard this off season developing a chemistry with my team and receivers.  I believe fundamentals play a key factor in how you are viewed at the next level.  Every day I try to better myself as a quarterback that wants to win.

QUESTION: What do you look forward to this Spring after competing in these events?

Brihm: Heading into spring with the confidence that I have room to grow at this position.  I am also looking forward to being a strong leader for our team while preparing to place ourselves in a position to win.

For more information about Mastrole Passing Academy www.PassingCamp.com

Private quarterback coach Ken Mastrole provides private training, small groups, camps, and evaluations for all levels of quarterbacks.

Leader in Quarterback Development

Quarterback training in Ft. Lauderdale, Naples, Orlando

The Rising Senior Division did not disappoint.  Headed by two very highly touted signal callers in John O’Korn of St. Thomas Aquinas and Tyler Cogswell of American Heritage Plantation.  Both quarterbacks have received multiple offers from Top 30 Division I universities.  Cogswell finished the event with the highest total points (27) followed by O’Korn with (24).  Cogswell, O’Korn, and Ryan Giaratano, who finished 3rd in the event, all showed strong arms in the long throw competition.  Cogswell registered a 71 yd throw with O’Korn dropping in at 69.5 yds.  Giaratano was right behind the two with a 68 yd toss.  Drew Domino (St. Thomas Aquinas) and Ray Sharp (Westminster Academy) finished in the 59 yard range.  Domino showed excellent accuracy and athletic ability through out the event.  The 6′-3″ rising senior will be ready to compete in the spring.  Sharp who is coming off a very productive Junior year has the intangibles to be playoff sound quarterback.  At 6′-4″ Sharp has the tools to play at the next level and will need to focus on increasing his lower body strength in the off season.  Combination of size, arm strength, and raw ability makes this 2013 quarterback and prospect to keep an eye on.  Chandler Mann (Union County) made the trip south and did not dissapoint with a physical presence and a strong arm and athletic frame.  Mann was looking to showcase his arm coming from a run base offense.  Mann’s ability to move around the pocket and display sound fundamentals should give Union County a quarterback who can execute the game the offense on the ground or thru the air.  Michael Davide (Columbus High School) is an excellent two sport athlete.  Davide can move the launch point and is very capable of beating defenses with his arm and legs.  During the event he displayed a sound base and quick change of direction during the lateral and forward moving drills.  The footwork competition stations challenged the quarterbacks to change directions and accelrate for short distances.  Quarterback Coach Ken Mastrole designed testing to show how a quarterback could react and move when a pocket breaks down.  “Every coach wants a quarterback who can break a game open at any time with a 50-60 yard highlight run but the game is about moving the chains and I wanted to see which quarterbacks could explode out of a pocket making one lateral move and pick up 5-10 yds for a first down.”  Cogswell and O’Korn are very good athletes for their size.  “Both quarterbacks have worked hard this off season on their footwork and lateral movement and it clearly showed today” added Mastrole.  “Giratano, Sharp, Mann, and Domino all are very good athletes inside and out of the pocket.”  Each quarterback in this group can explode from center and set up with a balanced base which allows them to be accurate from multiple ranges.

The Rising Junior Division proved to be an exciting group of quarterbacks.  Sean Pratt (Cooper City/ 24 Pts) edged the rocket arm of Blance Ely’s Danarious Graham (22 pts).  Kelly Benson finished a close third with 19 pts.  Pratt has continued to improve and worked extremly hard in each event.  Pratt plays in an offense that thrives on moving the quarterback outside the pocket as well as changing launch points through out the course of a game.  Pratt showed very good footwork and a quick release in a multiple number of throws.  Graham has all of the physical tools to light up a scoreboard with his arm or legs.  The junior to be has the arm strength to make all of the throws from a stationary or moving position.  If Graham continues to work on his base and stride this off season he could be as leathel as any quarterback throughout the state.  Benson has some of the best throwing mechanics of the entire group that was on display Saturday.  Kelly displays a very sound and smooth delivery on every throw.  If Benson continues to grow he has the arm and mechanics to be one of the best pure passing quarterbacks in the state.  The right handed signal caller has made the move to Miami Monsignor Pace where he will be looking to lead a talented team back to the playoffs.  If Benson can generate wins and solid film he will start to bring college attention in 2012.  Wade Freebeck (Western) will be a prospect everyone will be keeping an eye on.  Freebeck has changed dramatically in just a short time in the way he has approached training and his fundamentals.  Freebeck can make the throws necessary to attract college recruiters this spring.  The 6′-3″ rising Junior has the frame to add muscle which will make him all the more powerful as an athlete and passer.  A very smart and confident quarterback Freebeck looks to keep his name in print a number of times this year.  Joey McCain (Coral Gables) has improved dramatically and will start to show up on radars with his strong competitive attitude and accurate right arm.  McCain was starting off strong during the competition but was hampered by a sore finger on his throwing hand.  McCain continued to compete throughout the event showing his mental and physcial toughness.  Erik Mena (Miami Palmetto) is a physically gifted athlete who has a very strong arm and a passion for the position.  Mena can throw the ball in the high 50 yd range while showing to be an athlete from tackle to tackle.  If given the opportunity to manage an offense, Mena, shows he has the physical tools as well as mental maturity to control the game.

The rising Sophomore division has a number of quarterbacks that are the bright future of South Florida quarterbacks.  Gio Lugo (Glades Central) finished the day with 18 total points.  Brett Kean (University School) had a strong performance finishing with 16 total points.  Eldrick Clapp (Coral Gables) and Cody Long (Estero) finished tied for third with 14 points.  Lugo showed good footwork and an accurate arm from short to intermediate range.  Lugo, who doubles as a quarterback and successful kicker will look to compete for the starting roll this spring for powerhouse Glades Central.  Brett Kean displays excellent mechanics and a very strong arm.  This quarterback is very smooth throughout his drops and looks very effortless when spreading the ball around the field.  Kean is positioning himself to be the next top quarterback for the Suns and should have a tremendous spring campaign with his work ethic and ability to make plays when the lights are on.  Clapp will definitly be one to watch over the next few years.  He already has the physcial tools to compete.  Clapp has really started to smooth out his delivery and shows a big upside at the position.  With his first spring football around the corner and a solid off season Eldrick will quickly start becoming a well known name in the South Florida quarterback market.  Across the state Cody Long made the trip to show why the 6′-3″ rising Sophomore could lead the Estero Wildcats back to playoff contending team.  Very athletic and accurate Long will need to continue to increase the speed of his delivery but throws a very tight and catchable football.   Luke Clark from Palm Bay was one point away from a 3rd place tie.  Where Clark excelled the most was his ability to quickly execute a 3 and 5 step drop.  He finished with a tie for first in the fastest timed 3 step drop and release and a first place finish in the 5 step drop and release.  This very athletic quarterback has a very strong arm as well as quick feet registering in the mid 50′s on the long ball.  Has the ability to be one of the future top signal callers in the state.  Trevor Ross, Benjamin, showed well during the event.  The two sport athlete (Lacrosse and Football) continued to improve over the course of the day.  The ability to move and react was a strong trait in Ross.  His passing abitilites will continue to improve as he transitions from the lacrosse field to the football field.

The Next Generation Division featured the future on high school quarterbacking.  Tyler Monaco from American Heritage Plantation displayed sound fundamentals and a strong arm.  Monaco has been working hard year round and proved to be top in his division on Saturday.  Tyler is a very smart quarterback who understands his strengths and weaknesses and works well to improve each area.  Kyle Hollander and Aaron Pierce are two very athletic quarterbacks have proven at the youth level they can match up with anyone.  Both quarterbacks will be names to rememeber over the next 4-5 years as they prepare to step onto the high school stage.  Expect both of these quarterbacks to gain yards through the air and on the ground.  Blake Dever, who will be attending St. Thomas Aquinas in the fall, has a very strong arm not only on the gridiron but the baseball diamond as well.  A standout pitcher, Dever, can locate a pitch and an out route with velocity and accuracy.  Alejandro Ros, who will be attending Columbus High School, has a very strong base of fundamentals and footwork. This quarterback has the potential to be the future of a very succesful program in Miami.  Ros is very smooth in his movement and throwing mechanics and has yet to step foot onto a high school campus.  D’Angelo Fulford will be attending Northeast High School in the fall and this could be the next great QB to come through the Hurricanes program.  A very good athlete, Fulford, showed a strong arm and knack for accurate throws throughout the competition.  Carmine Scarfone is another quarterback who has the work ethic and passion to become a succesful quarterback at the high school level.  Scarfone will be attending Pine Crest in the fall and will continue to improve as he showed great feet and an accurate arm throughout the day.  Jack Bueltel, First Baptist Academy, made the trip across the state to compete as a 7th grader.  This quarterback doesn’t shy away from competition as he showed he could handle all of the throws and footwork that challenged each quarterback.  Jake Allen is another quarterback that competes on every rep and throw.  Allen will be a name to keep an eye on in Palm Beach County.  This young gun has a solid base of fundamentals to build from and has one more year of development before stepping onto the high school scene.

NEXT GENERATION CLASS-

1st Place- Tyler Monaco- American Heritage Plantation

2nd Place- Kyle Hollander- American Heritage Delray

3rd Place- Blake Dever- St. Thomas Aquinas

RISING SOPHOMORE DIVISION-

1st Place- Gio Lugo- Glades Central

2nd Place- Brett Kean- University School

3rd Place- TIE: Eldrick Clapp- Coral Gables & Cody Long- Estero High School

RISING JUNIOR DIVISION-

1st Place- Sean Pratt- Cooper City

2nd Place- Denarious Graham- Blanche Ely

3rd Place- Kelly Benson- Miami Monsignor Pace

RISING SENIOR DIVISION-

1st Place- Tyler Cogswell- American Heritage Plantation

2nd Place- John O’Korn- St. Thomas Aquinas

3rd Place- Ryan Giaratano- Cardinal Gibbons High School

Congratulations to 2014 Chaminade Maddona Quarterback Sean White for winning the MVP award as the top quarterback during Nike’s Football Training Camp in Miami

White wins battle at QB

Class of 2014 prospect Sean White of Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) held off several top underclassmen to win the quarterbacks MVP award Sunday.

White (6-1, 185) had to face some of the area’s top defensive backs but showed solid consistency throughout.

“I was really happy with the way I threw the ball today,” White said. “There were some good receivers out here but there were a lot of elite defensive backs and it took all my concentration to make the right passes.”

One thing White had going for him is familiarity with the opponent.

“I’ve competed against a lot of these guys in 7-on-7 competitions so I knew some of their tendencies,” White added. “The key is just focusing and using the knowledge I have to my advantage.”

White currently has no offers but says he’s hearing from Miami, Wake Forest, Notre Dame and Florida State. He attended FSU’s junior day back in late January.

With two collegiate spring games going on along with a junior day and a regional 7-on-7, the annual Mastrole Passing Elite competition took place the past Saturday at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, and the talent was impressive.

Dozens of quarterbacks came out to showcase their skill level as well as potential, and by the end of the four-hour event, there were some new faces – and arms to keep an eye on.

From Blanche Ely strong-armed passer Danarious Graham to heavily-recruited rising seniors such as St. Thomas Aquinas prospect John O’Korn and Tyler Cogswell (Plantation American Heritage), there were some very talented prospects.

“This is one of those events that you come to because of the credibility and the number of outstanding arms you have here,” said Cogswell, who has been receiving plenty of attention from colleges across the country. “Coach (Ken) Mastrole makes sure that we are all put to the ultimate test.”

Graham is one of those interesting players as well. Blessed with a huge arm, this gifted passer is rumored to be headed to defending 3A state champion American Heritage Delray, which would be huge for the Stallions, and a major loss for the Tigers.

In addition, the day of testing, arm strength, footwork and accuracy provided some thrills with Cardinal Gibbons rising senior Ryan Giarantano showing a huge arm as well as uncanny accuracy. Giarantano is one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the state. He has the skill level to play on defense as well as being a promising kicking prospect.

“We are having a lot of fun out here,” said Giarantano pointed out. “There are some very good athletes out here and all are throwing into a pretty stiff wind. This is a great event.”

Among the other rising seniors on hand for the day included Drew Domino (St. Thomas Aquinas), David Pegram (Greenacres John I. Leonard) and Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy’s Ray Sharp, an under the radar prospect who has thrown for nearly 6,000 yards over the past two years.

The event also brought in quarterbacks from outside the south Florida areas. Players such as Lake Butler Union County (near Gainesville) standout Chandler Mann. One of the legendary Florida programs, Union County has produced plenty of marquee players over the years, and this is certainly one of those athletes looking for an edge.

“We don’t have these quality events in north Florida,” Mann explained. “That’s why coming down here was a must. We did it last year, and felt that it really helped.”

Among the rising juniors on hand were Brian Crowe (Douglas), Joey McCain (Coral Gables), Erik Mena (Miami Palmetto), Sean Pratt (Cooper City), Kelly Benson (Miami Monsignor Pace) and talented Western passer Wade Freeback.

“This is a very good way for all of us to gain exposure,” Benson said. “It really does give you an advantage over those who aren’t here going through competition and drills.”

Also, the rising sophomores have started to jump on the radar. Players such as gifted Coral Gables future star Eldred Clapp, Luke Clark (Melbourne Palm Bay), Cody Long (Estero), Gio Lugo (Glades Central), Trevor Ross (N. Palm Beach Benjamin) and University School’s Brett Kean.

“The heart and soul of an event like this are the athletes who think enough of their future to be here working on a Satudrday,” said Ken Mastrole. “With so much going on, this is a great turnout.”

The future also brought out those quarterbacks who will make up the Class of 2016 with current eighth graders Carmine Scarfone (Pine Crest), Alejandro Ross (Christopher Columbus), Tyler Monaco (American Heritage), Blake Dever (St. Thomas Aquinas), D’Angelo Fulford (Northeast) and middle schoolers Kyle Hollander and Aaron Pierce.

Current seventh graders Jake Allen and Jack Buetel are also getting an early edge.

Have something to add to this BLOG or anything else that may be on your mind, drop Larry Blustein a note at Floridakids1@aol.com.

Leader in Quarterback Development

For more information on quarterback training, private training, camps, and evaluations in Florida.

Contact Private Quarterback Coach Ken Mastrole

www.PassingCamp.com

lblustein@MiamiHerald.com