SI.com article Look at #5

[smupony94]

The next generation

Luke Winn, SI.com






SI.com's Luke Winn gives the lowdown -- and the YouTube scoop -- on the future stars at the mobile QB position.

1. Tim Tebow, Florida, Fr.

Tebow is the kid all eyes were on in Florida's camp this month -- even though he's backing up the preseason All-SEC quarterback, Chris Leak. The reason? Tebow was the No. 3-ranked QB in the Class of 2006 by Scout.com and is viewed as the perfect fit for Urban Meyer's spread-option offense. He'll see limited action right off the bat. "Tim will play in the first game," Meyer said, but "how much is up to him." The fleet-footed frosh has made a few dazzling ground gains in practice thus far, but will need time to get up to speed with the passing game. "I love to run," Tebow said, "but right now, I'm just trying to make all the right reads in the offense."

Tebow on YouTube: Four minutes of throwing on the run in high school.

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2. Isiah Williams, Illinois, Fr.

The crown jewel of Ron Zook's Illinois revival project, Williams passed for 1,841 yards and 22 TDs in his senior year at Chicago Vocational School ... and also ran for 1,441 yards and 17 scores. "Based on what I've seen, he had, by far, the strongest arm in the country [from the Class of '06]," Scout.com analyst Jamie Newberg said of Williams: "He's a raw QB, but if he gets good coaching and works hard, there's no telling how good he can be." Williams is presently fighting for a backup job behind starter Tim Brasic, but should become the Illini's next gridiron star. "Hopefully, one day I'll be the Dee Brown of Illinois football," Williams recently told The Chicago Tribune.

Williams on Scout.com video: Beta? VHS? Low-quality footage of his prep playmaking skills.

3. Josh Portis, Maryland, Fr. (RS)

The lighting-fast Portis, cousin of Redskins running back Clinton, was supposed to be Urban Meyer's next great spread-option QB. He verbally committed to Meyer at Utah, then followed him to Florida, where he played sparingly behind Leak as a freshman, carrying the ball 29 times for 163 yards. Disgruntled over playing time, he left for Maryland, where -- after sitting out this season -- he should inherit the starting job. Terps coaches were among the many who visited Texas this offseason, according to Longhorns offensive coordinator Greg Davis, to study the schemes used by Vince Young -- presumably to put in effect for Portis.

Portis on Scout.com video: ... where he was, expectedly, faster than everyone else on the field.

4. Antonio Henton, Ohio State, Fr.

Barring injury, no one other than Troy Smith is going to see any serious playing time under center for the Buckeyes this year. And Henton, the 2005 Player of the Year in Georgia, will probably take a redshirt as OSU makes its national-title run. To those who have followed prep football, however, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Henton is no secret. "Henton's a guy you have to be watching for, even if it isn't season," said Newberg. "He's Troy Smith all over again." Henton's senior prep season numbers -- 2,117 yards passing, 627 yards rushing -- are actually very similar to Smith's junior stats at OSU (2,282/611).

Henton on Scout.com video: Wearing No. 7 and running Vick-style all over the Georgia Dome, in the state semifinals.

5. Justin Willis, SMU, Fr. (RS)

Willis is a one-star recruit out of Denton, Texas, with no hype compared to the other four on this list (or even the two honorable mentions). He can claim, however, wins over five-star Georgia recruit Matthew Stafford in both of their prep meetings. Willis can also claim something none of the others on this list can: He's going to be starting for a I-A team this season. Willis may have an average arm, but his quick feet -- and high school experience running a similar system -- make him a good fit in the Mustangs' spread offense. It's an attack that sorely needs a kick-start after ranking 104th in I-A in total yards last season.

Willis on YouTube: Local TV feature on his commitment to the Mustangs.

Best of the Rest: Sherrod Harris, Texas, Fr. (third on depth chart behind Jevan Snead and Colt McCoy); Ike Whitaker, Fr., Virginia Tech (tied for No. 2 on depth behind Sean Glennon).

THE FUTURE:

The top two mobile high-schoolers from the Class of 2007

Willy Korn, Byrnes High (Duncan, S.C.)

Committed to Clemson

Will the home-grown Korn be like the white Woody Dantzler for Clemson? He plans to enroll in January '07, with the intention of earning the starting QB job as a true freshman and should thrive in coordinator Rob Spence's spread offense. Korn is Scout.com's No. 4 overall QB in the Class of '07 after passing for 4,100 yards and 51 touchdowns as a prep junior; he also hones his footwork by playing teammates in the Dance Dance Revolution video game. Newberg's scouting report on Korn calls him "dangerous both throwing and running," and says, "when things break down, he can buy time and throw with accuracy on the run."

Korn on YouTube: It appears that tech savvy should be added to Korn's list of skills. He posted his own highlight reel.

Tyrod Taylor, Hampton (Va.) High

Committed to Virginia Tech

The next Michael Vick? Perhaps not -- but at minimum, Newberg calls Taylor the most athletic QB in the Class of '07. He threw for 1,544 yards and ran for 1,044 in his junior season, and made his commitment to Tech -- over Florida -- live on a local NBC newscast in July. The Hokies currently lack a stud starter after losing Marcus Vick, and Taylor could take the reins upon his arrival in '07.

Taylor on YouTube: A great commitment clip -- and not just because he says, "University of Virginia Tech."

[RGV Pony]

Funny, I thought Willis was a three star.

[smupony94]

"Willis may have an average arm, but his quick feet"

I guess the author does not know about the planters wart

[Mustangs35SMU]

Funny, I thought Willis was a three star.

As did I.

[DiamondM75]

The one star is based on the Stallion star rating system. If you are a quarterback under 6' 5", the most you can received is one star.

[that's great raplh]

good props none the less

[westexSMU]

With the planters Wart problem he had at last Saturday's srimmage, I would almost say one star was correct. The other QB's , well......lets just say the job will have to go to Willis.

[Pony Fan]

The one star is based on the Stallion star rating system. If you are a quarterback under 6' 5", the most you can received is one star.

Ask ol' stallion how tall Chris Leak at Florida is. According to the above, he is the preseason ALL-SEC quarterback.