Caleb Williams. Drake Maye. Michael Penix. Jordan Travis. Shedeur Sanders. Bo Nix.
Whenever you ask most faculty soccer followers or goal viewers who one of the best QB within the nation is, they’ll in all probability identify a type of guys. The massive identify gamers on the Energy 5 faculties who get the ABC primetime video games and the large NFL scouts coming to the video games get many of the consideration.
Nevertheless, top-of-the-line QBs within the nation isn’t amongst these listed, and that’s Tulane QB Michael Pratt. The junior sign caller from Boca Raton is the lynchpin of a Tulane offense and crew that’s anticipated to be the category of the Group of 5 as soon as once more and make a run to a New Years’ Six bowl sport. Final yr, Pratt threw for over 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns as Tulane each went to the Cotton Bowl and upset USC within the sport. Nevertheless, RB Ty’Jae Spears is now a Tennessee Titan, and the query was whether or not Pratt and Tulane can sustain that momentum.
Nicely, Pratt and the Inexperienced Wave began off the season with a bang, dispatching an excellent South Alabama crew 37-17. Pratt was masterful, throwing extra touchdowns than incompletions by ending with a pristine 14-of-15 passing line with 4 touchdowns within the victory.
Let’s dig into what he did on this sport that makes him top-of-the-line QBs within the nation, and one you need to preserve your eyes on this season.
Michael Pratt can throw the deep ball with accuracy
One factor that Pratt and Tulane had going instantly within the South Alabama sport is the deep ball. His catchable ball share on passes over 20 air yards final yr was a superb 66.7 %, and towards South Alabama, he didn’t miss many instances.
This was a swap verticals path to the highest of the display screen, and South Alabama is in Cowl 3. With the wheel from the slot receiver taking the surface nook’s eyes, the surface receiver can slip into the weak level of the zone, which is up the seams. The swap right here is vital as a result of it makes positive the slot defender doesn’t carry the surface receiver up the seam, making a lane for a TD. Pratt sees this protection and instantly will get the ball out and places it on the receiver to offer him the chance for YAC.
On one other TD Pratt threw, the receiver did an incredible job of widening the nook earlier than going again in the direction of the center of the sphere, and the protection sort of will get misplaced within the sauce. Nevertheless, Pratt places this ball on the cash, and instantly notices the busted protection. Straightforward cash as soon as once more for the star QB.
His identify will get misplaced amongst all of the others within the battle for QB3, however Tulane QB Michael Pratt has a legit shot to get that nod. He was dialed in with the deep ball towards an excellent South Alabama protection pic.twitter.com/xktCId65HA
— JP Acosta (Pug Dederson Stan Acct) (@acosta32_jp) September 5, 2023
Two of his most spectacular throws weren’t even touchdowns. This one was on the primary play of the sport, a slot fade out of empty formation. Slot fade is rattling close to undefeated now, however Pratt places this ball on the cash with room to run after the catch close to the sideline. Tremendous spectacular throw.
Lastly, this one was very spectacular. A 3 degree flood path to the sphere with the alternative area drag being the checkdown, and Pratt throws this ball with anticipation and excessive accuracy. A seed of a ball, actually.
Pratt and the Inexperienced Wave have the within observe on being one of the best crew within the AAC, however they’re going for greater than that. A date with Ole Miss on Saturday needs to be a superb proving floor that the Inexperienced Wave are as soon as once more a formidable crew inside all of school soccer, and Pratt is a big purpose why.