Something to think about: three out of the four teams in the semi finals have duel threat quarterbacks, and the fourth is a defense first team.
Aggies were none of the above.
Tompkins could be the X factor we need to get over the hump.
Just for the record, I’m not disparaging Maier at all. He actually has scrambling ability - love his game. He is absolutely 100% QB1 next season IMO.
Really looking forward to seeing Tompkins play a bit in 4 games next year (love that new RS rule).
Gunner Faulk as well. Lotta quality at QB in the program.
Again, Sochor isn't putting any of the other QBs on the roster down, but Tompkins is objectively the most athletic QB we will have had on the roster in a long long time. Maier will start, but I agree that I wouldn't be surprised if Tompkins walked in and was #2 on the depth chart next season... or he might be bottom of the totem pole, you just never know.
These rankings are from maxpreps... but Tompkins team was ranked 14th best in the state... some of their opponent's ranks (all wins minus Folsom)
Folsom (4th in state)
Liberty (31st in state)
Bakersfield (47th in state)
Buchanan (32nd in state)
Clovis (90th in state)
Far from an easy conference, not quite the strength of some of the private leagues in Southern California though. It should be noted that against Folsom, again ranked 4th in the state, he still threw for close to 500 yards and 5 TDs and added 80 yards rushing. Defense lost Central that game. Some of those were playoff games. Point still stands that he dominated everyone in his path.
I mean, I don't have numbers for you in terms of 40 yard dash times and what not but I've watched tape on all of the QBs on the roster and by my eye none of the rest of them possess Tompkins combination of passing ability, scrambling, elusiveness, ect.
Now I could be wrong, there's a lot I don't know about these kids... but I've been following the recruiting stuff for a while now and I haven't seen us get anything quite like him before. Backed up by articles stating he would be getting BIG TIME offers if he was an inch or two taller.
We’ve had some very good “smallish” QBs in the past. A kid by the name of Peterson comes to mind. Not the biggest guy physically, but had great vision and mobility, not to mention knowledge of the game which has served him well since playing. Been said his play in defeating Pacific a few decades ago was a big factor in them dropping football.
Looking at rosters over at least the last 10 years, Maier is one of the shortest QBs we've had in that time period and he took us to the quarterfinals in the playoffs. The all-time leader in passing yards in the NFL is a "short" QB. If you can ball, you can ball and I'm honestly surprised that coaches aren't becoming more receptive to that.
Zeb Noland? A Georgia boy looking for a place to get snaps. Sounded like he was performing at a high level, but just wasn't getting the playing time. With Wentz being taken No. 2 Overall, and with the prolific work by Stick, you have to think Fargo is an enticing option for a QB on the lookout for playing time. Noland had scholarship opportunities at Appalachian State, Colorado State and Toledo. 6'2" and 220 lbs.
Tough defense; mediocre offense. QB is not great. Surprising that Dikes (mispelled on purpose) couldn’t recruit a good QB. Depended on a couple graduate transfers which seemed to keep good recruits from coming. They are losing their RB, and top receiver is transferring.
3 interceptions within 5 plays? Yikes. Either of our backup QBs could be starting for either team