Quickest release, most accurate, strongest arm: 2023 Quarterback Superlatives

The vast majority, if not all of the top quarterback prospects in the 2023 cycle are putting pen to paper in the Early Signing Period, signing letters of intent with their college choices. The past calendar year has provided us with the opportunity to closely evaluate the group. We’ve seen them in camps and 7-on-7 settings and have watched them extensively throughout the all-important senior season. The 2023 quarterback cycle is inordinately deep with blue-chip arms and has a number of late risers who exploded with breakout senior seasons.

With that said, it’s time to hand out some superlatives.

Quickest Release – Arch Manning, Texas

Arch Manning has one of the quickest releases we’ve seen from a high school quarterback prospect in several cycles. The New Orleans Isidore Newman standout gets the ball out quickly with an effortlessly quick throwing motion – one that’s been apparent since his freshman season. Manning’s lightning quick release, readymade 6-foot-3.5, 220-pound build and improved, top shelf arm strength give him high-end translatable tools as a passer. We saw those traits show up on Friday nights, where Manning showed improvement as a senior, passing for 2,322 yards (10.13 yards per attempt) and 32 touchdowns against two interceptions. The five-star prospect will need to continue improving his reaction to pressure, but the high-end pure passing skills and improved velocity were evident as a senior.

A Five-Star Plus+ prospect, ranks as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 1 overall prospect in the On300.

Most Physically Gifted – Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee

Having seen all but one of the the On300 quarterbacks in person, Nico Iamaleava is the easy choice for Most Physically Gifted. The Tennessee early enrollee checks in at 6-foot-5.5 and around 190 pounds with a 10-inch hand. He has arguably the strongest arm in the cycle along with a whippy, quick release. The ball tangibly jumps out of his hand in person. Iamaleava pairs the size and notable arm talent with twitchy athleticism. He’s a sudden, light-footed mover with high-end reactive quickness. Iamaleava is capable of breaking off chunk runs with a long-stride in the open field and has some untapped upside as a run threat at the next level. We also see the athleticism on the volleyball court, where Iamaleava is a star, showing impressive bounce and coordination. Iamaleava is still developing in terms of consistency and reliable accuracy, but the physical tools are the best in a deep national cycle at the position.

Iamaleava ranks as the No. 2 quarterback and No. 2 overall prospect in the On300.

Most Well-Rounded – Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma

When it comes to play on Friday nights, Jackson Arnold is the most proven and battle-tested 2023 quarterback prospect, especially considering competition level and a multi-year sample size. There are few, if any holes in Arnold’s game or resume. While he doesn’t have the stature of Manning or Iamaleava, Arnold is not a small-framed quarterback at around 6-foot-1, 200 pounds with a 9.5-inch hand. The Oklahoma signee was highly productive in his two years as a starter at Denton Guyer, while playing in Texas’ second-largest division. Arnold has a quick release, a live arm and showed improved pocket presence as a senior, completing nearly 69% of his passes for for 3,489 yards (10.35 yards per attempt), 33 touchdowns against three interceptions. He also showed to be one of the better run threats in the cycle, flashing speed and power while rushing for another 921 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Arnold became a Five-Star Plus+ prospect during the fall. He ranks as the No. 3 quarterback and No. 12 overall prospect in the On300.

Most Polished – Malachi Nelson, USC

Malachi Nelson has been a well-known name as a top prospect dating back to his freshman season at Los Alamitos (Calif.) High. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder has been a regular on the camp and 7-on-7 circuit for a number of years and is a well-known commodity in national recruiting circles. He’s been well-trained from a technical standpoint and it shows on the field and in neutral settings. Nelson is a smooth, rhythm passer who can deliver well-thrown passes to all levels from the pocket. He established a very strong rapport with his high school wide receiver and fellow USC commit, Makai Lemon, showing the ability to create chemistry with talented pass catchers. Nelson will need to continue adding mass and strength in order to hold up at the college level, but he should have time to sit back and learn from Heisman Trophy Winner Caleb Williams.

A long-standing Five-Star Plus+, prospect Nelson is the No. 19 overall prospect and No. 4 quarterback in the On300.

Most Developmental Upside – Brady Drogosh, Cincinnati

Brady Drogosh may have the second best pure physical tools of the quarterback group, after Nico Iamaleava. The Cincinnati signee has a high-end combination of size and athleticism, checking in at over 6-foot-4, 200 pounds and running in the 4.5 range. Drogosh is a big-framed athlete with the largest hands (10.38 inches) of On300 quarterbacks. He has considerable downfield arm strength and shows the ability to drive throws to the boundary without strain. Drogosh was already arguably the top run threat of 2023 quarterbacks as a junior with a freight-train-rolling-downhill run style. With that said, we saw him make considerable strides as a passer in his final season at Warren (Mich.) De La Salle. If we had a superlative for Most Improved Passer – it would go to Brady Drogosh or Avery Johnson. Drogosh had a fantastic senior year in leading De La Salle to another state title. He completed over 70% of his passes for 2,296 yards (11.3 yards per attempt) and 35 touchdowns against five interceptions, while also rushing for 1,360 yards and 20 more touchdowns. Drogosh got better as the season went on, as well. He seemed to play better as the weather got colder. The strong season culminated in an outstanding showing in the state title game, with Drogosh completing 21 of 23 passes while accounting for 400 total yards and five touchdowns. The improved accuracy and efficiency as a passer along with his physical tools and relative lack of experience point to a high upside as a potential high responder to college coaching.

Drogosh checks in as the No. 49 overall prospect and No. 5 quarterback according to On3.

Most Accurate – Dante Moore, UCLA

Dante Moore has an argument as the most consistent passer in the 2023 cycle. The late flip to UCLA has been a national name dating back to his freshman season at Detroit Martin Luther King. Moore has thrown thousands of live passes between Friday nights and the 7-on-7/camp circuit. Throughout all of that, he’s been very steady with very few dips in his play. Moore is at his best when working as a point guard, using his quick release and accuracy to get the ball in the hands of playmakers in the short and intermediate areas of the field. He’s technically refined with a natural, smooth delivery. Moore also has shown a feel with where to go with the ball from a decision-making standpoint. The stat’s back up Moore’s reputation as a very accurate passer as well – he completed 69.4% of his passes as a senior, the third-highest among On300 quarterbacks. While he may not have the physical or athletic upside of some other quarterbacks in the cycle, Moore’s passing polish gives him a high floor as a prospect.

The Detroit native ranks as the No. 6 quarterback and No. 55 overall prospect in the On300.

Most Scheme Versatile – Christopher Vizzina, Clemson

Christopher Vizzina has prototypical physical tools, checking at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds with a strong arm and good movement skills. The Clemson pledge has experience playing both under center along with being the primary run threat on his high school team. Back at the Elite 11 Finals, we felt that Vizzina had the cleanest and smoothest drops from under center. He’s a nimble, tough runner, rushing for 26 touchdowns in his final two years at Briarwood Christian in Birmingham. Given his skill set, Vizzina would be comfortable playing in a variety of schemes, whether pro-style or spread. Even though he did not have the senior season of most other On300 quarterbacks, Vizzina’s physical talent and scheme versatility remains evident.

Vizzina is the No. 7 quarterback prospect and No. 60 overall prospect within the On300.

Most Productive – Lincoln Kienholz, Ohio State

Sure, he was playing in South Dakota, but Lincoln Kienholz dominated the competition to a level you’d expect from a national quarterback prospect. No other On300 quarterback comes close to touching his raw statistical output as a senior. Kienholz cemented his status as the state’s best quarterback, football prospect and perhaps boys prep athlete (all-state in three sports) in memory with a phenomenal senior season while capturing his third-straight state title as a starter. Kienholz threw for 3,422 yards (11.5 yards per attempt), 46 touchdowns and six interceptions and rushed for 1,436 yards and 24 more scores in 12 games. His 5.8 total touchdowns per game is 1.4 more than the next On300 quarterback (LaNorris Sellers) The 404 yards per game is 110 more than the next most (Jackson Arnold), as well. Kienholz also picked off four passes while playing safety in spot duty, including one in the state championship. From a skills standpoint, Kienholz’s downfield accuracy and functional athleticism point to an encouraging ceiling pending his adjustment to the uptick in the speed of the game.

Kienholz has risen to the No. 116 overall prospect and No. 8 quarterback in the 2023 cycle according to On3.

Combine Standout – Eli Holstein, Alabama

Back in May, Eli Holstein set the Elite 11’s all-time SPARQ record with a dazzling combine showing. The Zachary (La.) High product posted a 4.64 second 40-yard dash, 4.19 second short shuttle and 38.3 inch vertical at 6-foot-3.5, 222 pounds. Holstein’s composite SPARQ score of 133.36, which registers as an elite mark, regardless of position. The big-framed quarterback used his athleticism to his advantage as a run threat at the high school level. We saw some of this as a senior, with Holstein rushing for 514 yards and nine scores. While he didn’t have the highest raw statistical output or usage rate relative to other On300 quarterbacks, Holstein did a nice job taking care of the ball with the second-lowest interception rate of the group, throwing just two picks on 242 pass attempts.

The Louisiana native is the No. 121 overall prospect and No. 9 quarterback in the On300.

Biggest Gunslinger – Sam Leavitt, Michigan State

Sam Leavitt is one of the bigger senior risers in the 2023 quarterback group. His ascension comes on the heels of a fantastic senior season while leading West Linn (Ore.) High to a title in the state’s largest classification. Leavitt has some of the best senior video we watched from 2023 quarterbacks. He makes some eye-popping throws that are frankly hard to forget. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder has easy, quick arm action with coordinated, smooth mechanics and movement patterns. He shows a natural feel as a passer and off-script playmaker. Leavitt’s arm talent and functional athleticism present a well-rounded skill package. Those skills manifested in a championship and a stellar statistical output. Leavitt completed around 70% of his passes for 3,065 yards (12.6 yards per attempt), 36 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also ran for 713 yards and eight more scores.

Leavitt ranks as the No. 141 overall prospect and No. 10 quarterback per On3.

Best Senior Season – LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

LaNorris Sellers missed most of his junior season, only playing four games before sustaining a broken non-throwing arm. He made up for the lost time in a big way as a senior. Taking stats, team success, competition level and supporting cast into account – we feel Sellers had the most accomplished senior season of any On300 quarterback. Sellers finished at or near the top in most statistical categories among On300 quarterbacks, while leading Florence (S.C.) South Florence to a 15-0 record and the first state title in any boys sport in school history, while playing in the state’s second-largest classification. The 6-foot-2.5, 215-pounder passed for 2,948 yards (11.4 yards per attempt) and 45 touchdowns against just two interceptions. He also rushed for 1,338 yards and 22 scores. Sellers’ 4.46 touchdowns per game (67 total) was second only to Lincoln Kienholz. He also had the highest passing touchdown rate and lowest interception rate of all On300 quarterbacks. Sellers capped off his phenomenal senior season with an MVP showing at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas last weekend. Throughout his senior year he’s showed off a strong arm and tangible velocity as a passer to go with burst, balance and physicality as a run threat. Sellers’ monster senior season combines with his multi-sport background (accomplished soccer player) and young age (turns 18 in June) to point to a high ceiling.

Though he was committed to Syracuse for much of the cycle, Sellers made a late flip to South Carolina on Friday. He ranks as the No. 156 overall prospect and No. 12 quarterback according to On3.

Strongest Arm – Jaden Rashada, Florida

There’s no question Jaden Rashada has one of, if not the strongest arms in the deep 2023 quarterback cycle. The Florida commit can absolutely rip the football. Rashada has an unbothered natural throwing motion. The ball flies out of his big hands and cuts through the air with notable zip. Just seeing Rashada warm up and throw on air at off-season events is enough to tell he has high-end arm talent. The RPM’s show up on Friday nights, as well, where Rashada has palpable velocity on throws, particularly in the intermediate area of the field. While he’ll need to continue refining his accuracy and overall consistency, there’s no question Rashada’s gifted arm talent stands out in the 2023 cycle.

Rashada checks in at No. 151 overall and as the No. 11 quarterback prospect in the On300.

Most Explosive – Avery Johnson, Kansas State

Avery Johnson looks to be the quickest and fastest On300 quarterback. Simply put, the Kansas State commit is a twitchy mover. Johnson has no issue housing long touchdown runs, using his burst and speed to eliminate pursuit angles and pull away from defensive backs in the open field. He’s been one of the top big-play threats as a runner within this quarterback cycle for several seasons. We also see his bouncy athleticism show up on the basketball court, where he’s an above-the-rim player. While the athleticism is well known, Johnson also made marked strides as a passer over the past year. He turned in a very efficient senior season in leading Maize (Kan.) High to a state title appearance. Johnson finished his final season having thrown for 2,768 yards (12.1 yards per attempt) 29 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 817 yards and 15 scores.

Johnson ranks as the No. 160 overall prospect and No. 13 quarterback in the On300.

Purest Pocket Passer – Austin Novosad, Oregon

Austin Novosad is at home operating as an in-structure dropback, pocket passer. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder is a bit of a throwback in that regard. Novosad is is a pure passer and throws one of the prettiest footballs we’ve seen in person from 2023 quarterback prospects. He’s clean and consistent, both on Friday Nights and camp settings. Novosad is at his best when he can work on time and within the structure of an offense. He shows good velocity and operates with an understanding of the offensive scheme. While we haven’t seen him make many plays with his legs at the high school level, his feet in the pocket don’t appear to be an issue. Novosad has been a productive passer for Dripping Springs (Texas) High and turned in a nice senior season against elevated competition, throwing for 2,907 yards and 35 touchdowns against five interceptions.

A long-time Baylor commit, Novosad flipped to Oregon on Wednesday morning. He ranks as the No. 170 overall prospect and No. 14 quarterback in the On300.

Multi-Sport Star – Dylan Lonergan, Alabama

Dylan Lonergan is the most highly-touted multi-sport athlete among the On300 quarterbacks. The Alabama signee doubles as a top pitcher and potential MLB Draft pick. Lonergan transfers his arm talent to the mound, where he throws in the 90’s while playing at Snellville (Ga.) Brookwood High alongside high-level travel ball. Baseball figured into Lonergan’s college decision and he’s expressed the intent to play both sports in college. On the gridiron, Lonergan is a compact, well-rounded signal caller with the ability to make plays with his arm or legs.

Lonergan ranks as the No. 15 quarterback and No. 176 overall prospect in the On300.

Youngest – Aidan Chiles, Oregon State

With an September 2005 birthday, Aidan Chiles should technically be in the 2024 cycle. The Downey (Calif.) High standout turned 17-years old in the middle of his senior season. Given his young age, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Chiles has been one of the biggest senior risers of the 2023 quarterback group. The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder had a great final campaign at Downey, completing 73.2% of his passes for 3,350 yards (12.45 yards per attempt), 38 touchdowns and five interceptions. Chiles also rushed for 940 yards and nine scores on just 67 attempts. His 227.6 passer rating was the highest of all On300 quarterbacks. Given the improvement, efficiency and physical tools it’s safe to say Chiles comes to Corvallis with considerable upside for Jonathan Smith and the Beavers staff to develop.

Chiles has risen to No. 185 overall and to the No. 16 quarterback prospect nationally according to On3.