Hill, Stewart among states elite QBs

Aggieyell.com Publisher Jeff Tarpley compiles an annual list of the top players in Texas at each position and the 2013 list is underway. The first position: quarterback.

Tyrone Swoopes, Whitewright

(6'5", 220/ 110-209, 1,394 yds., 15 TD/7 INT; 170 carries for 2,267 yds. and 29 TD; Texas commit)

Kenny Hill, Southlake Carroll

(6'1", 205/ 243-386, 3,006 yds., 25 TD/9 INT; 280 carries for 1,383 yds., 24 TD)

Cody Thomas, Colleyville Heritage

(6'5, 220/ 254-416, 3,296 yds., 36 TD/15 INT)

J.T. Barrett, Wichita Falls Rider (6'1", 209/ 111-159, 1,604 yds., 14 TD/7 INT; 189 carries for 1,515 yds., 15 TD rushing)

Kohl Stewart, Houston Pius X

(6'3", 185/ 169-310, 3,138 yds., 29 TD/11 INT; Texas A&M commit)

Devante Kincade, Dallas Skyline

(6', 175/ 186-263, 3,270 yds., 37 TD/8 INT; 131 carries for 857 yds., 17 TD)

Chris Johnson, Bryan

(6'5", 175/ 34-62, 473 yds., 7 TD/4 INT; 86 carries for 431 yds, 6 TD; Baylor commit)

Damion Hobbs, Cedar Hill

(6'2", 190/ 71-105, 997 yds., 8 TD/1 INT; 110 carries for 875 yds., 11 TD)

Zach Allen, Temple

(6'2", 170/ 106-197, 1,753 yds., 6 TD/2 INT; 136 carries for 766 yds., 9 TD)

The quarterback position is relatively deep this year within the state of Texas. There are five prospects that are listed within the Rivals 2013 250 that reside within the state and there are more that could be considered four star talents. In addition, all of them offer something different in terms of their athleticism and the types of offenses that they fit into.

Swoopes is a tall, rangy, five star caliber athlete who comes the closest of anyone in the past decade to physically emulating current Philadelphia Eagle Vince Young. He's tall and rangy but despite his size he has the quick feet and fluid hips to make people miss. He's not the passer that Young was at this stage of his career and he's more athlete than quarterback right now (part of which comes from playing in a small program). However, the Texas commit has offers from all over the country and it's safe to say at this point in time that college coaches don't want to pass on him and then look back a few years later at what might have been.

In contrast, Hill is probably the most ready to go of any of the quarterbacks in the class, having grown up in a system that has produced Greg McElroy (Alabama) and Chase Daniel (Missouri). He has good footwork and a compact delivery which means that he has a quick release and is an accurate passer (63% completion rate). In addition, he doesn't get rattled in the pocket (as evidenced by a 25 to 9 touchdown to interception ratio), maintaining his poise and keeping his eyes down the field even when the pocket is collapsing around him. He also compiled over 1,300 yards as the team's primary rushing threat. Most importantly, he is a big game player, leading Carroll to come from behind victories in the state semi-finals and finals and throwing no interceptions in the two games.Barnett looks like that he is tailor made for an option offense. He plays in that type of offense right now and has been offered by Urban Meyer at Ohio State. He's a big quarterback who can throw the play action routes down the middle very well and has the arm strength to throw both deep and sideline routes. In addition, he has a nice touch and can drop the ball in there against tight coverage. He's a very good runner with above average balance and the ability to either overpower them or make them miss.

Thomas is tall and rangy like Swoopes but offers a totally different package, throwing for nearly 3,300 yards, averaging nearly eight yards per attempt, and compiling a 36/15 touchdown to interception ratio. His height belies the fact that he has more of a compact delivery than what you would expect and despite not being as much of a rusher as Hill or Swoopes he does move well and buys time to throw the ball down the field.

Stewart features NFL height and a Major League arm (a 96 mph fastball as a pitcher in baseball). He's a got a high release point and throws better on the move than one might expect. It's a possibility that he's an even better baseball prospect than football prospect with that fastball. Committed to Texas A&M, Stewart has said in the past he hopes to play both baseball and football in college.

Kincade is the one prospect not in the Rivals250 who should be. In his second season as a starter, Skyline built its offense around him and he responded by throwing for over 3,000 yards, completing over 70% of his passes, and also leading the team in rushing. He's bigger than his listed size of 6 foot and 175 pounds and improved his decision making immensely (just 8 interceptions in 263 attempts). With his improved mechanics, he's comfortable as both a dual threat guy and as a drop back passer.