Stephen Collier - Ohio State University 2014 QB Commitment - A Diamond in the Rough
The rich get richer. The Buckeyes of Ohio State have successfully recruited a hidden gem in quarterback Stephen Collier from the state of Georgia. He is a dual threat quarterback who can throw equally as well as he can run the football. He has been on the radar of the Ohio State coaches for the past two months and his summer performances illustrate why they became so enamored of him. Credit quarterback coordinator Tom Hermann for finding this talented young dual threat quarterback.
This young man is a diamond in the rough for the Buckeye program. He enters his senior year of high school in Leesburg, Georgia following several impressive performances during the summer football talent camps which culminated with an invite to the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback camp.
He is a good passer who can run and is very intelligent. His characteristics are similar to those of another favorite quarterback of Urban Meyer: Alex Smith, the current starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs.
He is similar to Alex Smith as they are both six foot four, is mobile and is very intelligent. Neither one is a speed burner but they can run the ball and are not afraid to punish an oncoming tackler. However, what distinguishes them is their ability to throw and their intellect. This young man makes great decisions on the football field.
Our current quarterback situation is in good hands with junior Braxton Miller and freshman J.T. Barrett. However, if Braxton Miller has another fantastic year and decides to leave early for the NFL the team would be in a bind. That possibility would have left the team with only Barrett and Cardale Jones as the scholarship quarterbacks on the team. For coach Meyer, that is not enough competition nor security in case of injury at the most important position on the football team.
The Ohio State University Football Team needed to secure a quality quarterback for the 2014 class because it would not be a smart move to enter the 2014 Big Ten season with only potentially only two quality quarterbacks on the roster.
This quarterback from Leesburg, Georgia in 2012-2013 threw for 1,887 years and 23 touchdowns. He rushed for 485 yards and 11 touchdowns. However, in this situation the numbers do not tell the complete story. He throws with good velocity and accuracy and has very good pocket awareness. He is also a decisive leader who can make any throw on the field. He is an Urban Meyer type quarterback.
Urban Meyer wants competitive players who are physical. This young man is a physical football quarterback. He is not the type that is going to run out of bounds when he runs the ball and that is the mentality of an Urban Meyer coached quarterback. They are tough, physical quarterbacks who can both throw and run.
The Buckeye nation should be very pleased at the recent signing of this young man. Stephen Collier provides the Ohio State University Football Team with a quarterback who is very much a diamond in the rough. With a little polish, he will be the surprise of the 2014 recruiting class for the Buckeyes and will make the team more complete and competitive at the most important position on the football team.