SPRING PROSPECTIVE: 2015 QB Brandon Bisack

[FAIRFIELD] -  We have an emerging high-level quarterback prospect in the class of 2015 and it is our sincere pleasure to have the opportunity to formally introduce this quarterback.   His name is Brandon Bisack and he attends Warde High School in Fairfield, CT.  When many recruiting analysts are questioning the overall level of talent at quarterback in the class of 2015, we offer our encouragement to dive in deeper on Brandon Bisack whose arm talent is clearly ready for big-time college football. The six-foot-five, 210-pound gunslinger has excelled with his off-season development strengthening his footwork, mechanics, and adding muscle to his frame.  He also excels in the classroom with a 3.5 GPA and will take the SAT for the first time in June.


Many coaches desire an unfinished product with a high ceiling for development and with Bisack that is exactly what you get.

"I didn't start playing quarterback until I reached the 9th grade," said Bisack.  "My dad and our neighbor across the street coached us in youth football and started having us play in the 2nd grade.  Because of weight restrictions, I was asked to play along the defensive line through youth football.   I thought I did pretty well given I saw my name in the paper a few times and made some plays behind the line of scrimmage.  Even during youth football, though, I always knew I wanted to play quarterback."

His father, John, played offensive line at Hofstra University.  Football is in the family's bloodlines and despite his late start playing quarterback competitively, Bisack's ascension at quarterback developed quickly receiving promotions during both his freshman and sophomore seasons.

"I started off with the freshman team but after a few games into the season, we were in need of a junior varsity quarterback and they were waiting for someone to claim the position so I stepped up and proved I could handle the job," Bisack explained.

"Then, going into my sophomore season I continued with the junior varsity team but I was able to run scout team versus our varsity defense in practice.  I made a point to always take mental reps even while I was on the sidelines as I wanted to be fully prepared when my opportunity came.  During the start of the season, I would receive reps in games and it continued to progress to where by the middle of the season I was playing a full quarter then it progressed to a full half.  Then, in our third to last game of the season, I played three quarters and while we didn't throw the ball a whole lot, my first completion was a 25-yard post route that gave the coaches the comfort I could handle myself at the varsity level.  I had the players support from the preparation I had put in all fall.  They were behind me all the way."

"I started the final two games of the season.   We did not have a very good season finishing 1-9 but it proved to be a great learning experience for me.   It gave me great understanding of how I needed to speed up my preparation and game to match the competition I was facing at the varsity level."

Bisack's ascension at quarterback continued through his junior season but with a much larger focus on overall team development.

"I can't remember the last time Warde High School made the state playoffs, but I know my graduating class is considered one of the more talented classes at the school in recent history," explained Bisack.  "We were able to put more of our stamp on the team this past fall and while we didn't achieve the overall win/loss record we desired, we competed a full four quarters with each team we faced and did increase our record to 4-7 on the season.  We finished our season on a high note winning our Thanksgiving day game against our crosstown rival Ludlowe High School in big fashion after suffering a real disappointing loss the year before."

Beyond his goal of earning an opportunity to play big-time college football, Bisack has his sights squarely set on finishing his high school career strong.

"Our focus has been where it needs to be this off-season and I know we are putting in a lot of work to finish strong in our senior campaign. You can only lose 1 or 2 games during the regular season to qualify for the state playoffs.  I know that is a real challenge for us given our schedule but we are going to give it our best shot.  Our expectation is definitely to improve our record and finish with a winning season," Bisack continued.

"Personally, I want to continue to get better as a football player.  I want to play smarter, make better decisions on the field, and better my TD/INT ratio.  I have put in a lot of hard work this off-season.  I spend five days a week throwing with my receivers working on our timing.  I am working with a trainer locally to better improve my footwork, quickness, and agility.  One of the areas I have concentrated on making the biggest improvement is my ability to operate within the pocket.  I may not be your standard dual threat but I know I have to play effectively within the pocket and be able to avoid the rush.  I also have spent considerable time with a nutritionist to have a more effective diet, re-shape my body, and begin adding muscle to my frame."

Part of Bisack's development this off-season has come result of time spent with DeBartolo QB Academy lead instructor Joe Dickinson.

"Joe has helped me a lot this off-season," said Bisack.  "He has helped me play my height.  I am much smoother in my drop, footwork in the pocket, and throwing the football from the right angles.  I also work with my local quarterback coach Travis Meyer on a weekly basis, and he has been working with me since my freshman year.  I am throwing the football better than I ever have before and am excited to go out and showcase that this summer."

Bisack's recruitment has kicked off at the FCS level and this summer he will be joining the GAIN Recruiting Bus Tour for his opportunity to formally introduce his talents to the FBS level.

"To this point, I have received a lot of interest from the Patriot League, most notably Lehigh.  Furman, Richmond, and Fordham are three others who have shown strong interest, too.  I had an opportunity to throw in front of Virginia Tech during the evaluation period and received feedback from Coach (Scott) Loeffler that they are interested and will be tracking me this summer and fall. I do not believe I have gotten much exposure to this point so I will be going out to throw for Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Wake Forest, Virginia, and West Virginia during the bus tour.  Following the tour, I will determine which additional camps I will attend," Bisack shared.

"I'm looking for a university where I know I will be comfortable living for four or five years even if football is taken away.  I am looking for a competitive program that has the same objective I do to win games.  I know I am not a dual-threat quarterback so I also am looking for a good fit schematically at a school I can go in and have an honest opportunity to earn the starting job."

Lastly, while he acknowledges Connecticut does not garner the same level of respect and does not have the same level of speed as southern states, Bisack will not discredit the experience he is receiving as the starting quarterback at Warde High School.

"Not many people will give respect to the competition I face in Connecticut but some of the best teams in the state are in our conference.  We are a class L school going up against at least 4 or 5 class LL schools and we play New Canaan annually whose considered the top program in the state.   I know the game will continue to get faster as I advance levels but I am confident in the preparation I am receiving from the teams we go against and the players I face."

SPRING PROSPECTIVE: 2015 QB Henry Houden

[MADISON] - For those wondering who's a quarterback prospect slipping through the cracks in the class of 2015, we have one: his name is Henry Houden and he attends Memorial High School in Madison, WI.  While waiting for his turn to take over full-time quarterback duties, Houden showcased his ability to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball at safety.  Now, the six-foot-four, 185-pound signal caller has put in the necessary preparation to showcase he is ready for the spotlight at quarterback.  He has great feet, athleticism, throws an accurate ball, and is sound mechanically with his load and release of the football.  He's a versatile multi-sport athlete with a 4.0 GPA and a 29 on his first time taking the ACT.  

The old adage goes the best athlete plays quarterback.   When you combine that with size, intelligence, and drive you have the recipe of developing a special quarterback.

"I started playing quarterback in the sixth grade," commented Houden.  "I was the best athlete on the team and could throw the best ball so that is where I started.  In my three-year middle school career, our team went 20-4.  My proudest moment was in the 8th grade when my coach gave me the freedom to call audibles at the line of scrimmage.  We had an audible to run a fade route and I remember the first audible I called was to the fade route and we scored a touchdown."

Houden then transitioned to high school where he continued playing quarterback on the freshman team and by the end of his freshman year on the junior varsity team.  He also mixed in time at safety before taking over quarterback responsibilities for the junior varsity team his 10th grade year.

Heading into this junior season, it became apparent he would fall in line with previous Memorial quarterbacks who had to wait until their senior seasons to resume quarterback duties.

"The guy in front of me was a back-up his junior year and was the coach's son," Houden continued.

"I didn't want to just sit on the sideline without being able to help the team all season so I gave defense a shot and worked to become the starting safety.  By week four, against Madison West, we had a 28-21 lead with four minutes left in the 4th quarter and I made an interception to close the game.  In week five against Verona, I recorded 16 tackles.  Throughout the season, I recorded the most tackles in the conference (67), two interceptions, one caused fumble, and one fumble recovery."

"In the three series I played quarterback, I completed all seven of my passes averaging 9.6 yards per attempt.  I rushed six times for 23 yards and two touchdowns.  I also caught one pass for 20 yards in our playoff game."

His play proved he can pursue the safety position, but his sights are squarely set on playing quarterback and his experience on the defensive side of the ball strengthened his opportunity to play quarterback this coming fall.

"I have a much better understanding of how a defensive back is playing with leverage and how to better read their hips.  I have a much better understanding of how to attack zone defense. Quarterback is the position I plan to play in the college.  It is important to me because it's a position that requires you to be a leader for your team." 

Also a starting guard on his varsity basketball team -- one of the state's best teams – Houden’s excellence in athletics is matched with his success academically.  Gearing up to take 4 AP courses next year as a senior, Houden has already opened doors to many of the country's top ranked academic universities.

"I take my academics very seriously because I believe it shows determination," said Houden.  "In whatever I set out to do, I want to make sure that I am doing it at my best.   I will take the ACT again and I expect to score higher."

Thus far, he has received serious college interest from Harvard, Yale, Penn, North Dakota State, and Southern Illinois among others.   He plans to attend camps at Princeton, Penn, Yale, and Harvard in late June plus the New England Elite Football Clinic in early July.   He will camp at Wisconsin and Northwestern, too, and is also considering attending camp at North Dakota State and possibly elsewhere.

"I am looking for a big campus surrounded with a big city," said Houden.  "I want to know the school values education more than they do sports and the coaches are committed to their players’ development and winning championships.  I want to be a part of a program that cares about its people and team."

As he prepares for his summer camp appearances and his senior season, Houden continues to receive instruction from quarterback coach Joe Dickinson, the lead instructor for DeBartolo QB Academy.

"Joe's great and I trust everything that he relays on to me," expressed Houden.  "I know if I am not happy with a throw I made I can trace it to the ball coming off my middle finger or slipping off my thumb.   He is very straightforward with me, and has shown me what I need to do to elevate my game to the level of where I want to play.   I can already see from the end of last season I have made great improvements with my arm strength, foot speed, accuracy, and overall knowledge of the game."

The Journey of 2014 DE Lloyd Campbell III

[EXETER] -  Our staff takes great pride identifying student-athletes whom excel in the classroom and showcase a ceiling for development into a productive college football player.  Two years ago, we were introduced to defensive end Lloyd Campbell III of Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire.  At that time he caught the attention of current Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach Tom Pratt during an off-season camp.  It was evident Lloyd's skill was raw and he needed physical development, but his coach-ability, work ethic, and relentless motor proved in the right structure he would be blossom into a productive every down player.   Lloyd's own focus on academics and electing not to join a postgraduate football program in New England may have prevented him from reaching his ideal level of success on the football field; but never the less; his success academically opened doors to allow him to reach his goal of playing college football.

GAINRecruiting.com share the journey of Lloyd Campbell III in his own words culminating his signed letter of intent with Williams College.

THE BEGINNING

"I started playing football when I made the move to Fessenden School to attend 8th and 9th grade.  Before that move, I always played goalie in soccer and had fun with the relentless freedom the position afforded to play with contact.  It made me realize I enjoyed hitting people when the opportunities presented themselves. So, I started out playing offensive tackle and defensive tackle when I joined the football team, but I struggled my first year with asthma and the fact I was out of shape.  It was a wake-up call that I need to improve my conditioning."

TURNING POINT

"I would say the turning point came for me going into my freshman year when I attended a five-day Offense/Defense camp.   I picked up techniques and really improved my physicality.   It led to a much improved freshman year when I won the Best OL award at Fessenden."

PREP SCHOOL

"Once I finished 9th grade at Fessenden, I transitioned to Phillips Exeter Academy to finish high school.   I had applied to seven prep schools and was proud to be accepted by each.   My final choices were Exeter, Andover, and St. Paul.  I looked for the best combination of football, a math program, and a good Japanese program.  I found Exeter to be the best fit for me.   It's been a great place for me to gain independence from my home and has given me an advantage in my preparation for college.  I have taken several college level courses, am nearly fluent in Japanese, and am finishing my last year of school learning Arabic."

GRADES 10-12

"Even though I grew up with my sights on playing running back, it became evident my skill set was better served elsewhere.  I ended up continuing to play on the offensive line and continued playing on the defensive line during my sophomore season with the junior varsity team.  I gained a lot of valuable experience in practice against the varsity team and going up daily against the postgraduates that were on the team.   It helped prepare me to make the move to varsity my junior season."

"During my junior season, I finally got an opportunity to join the backfield as I was moved to fullback.   I was happy with the move because as a 6'0, 220-pound guy I knew I didn't have much of a future as an offensive lineman.  I continued my progression at defensive end and received action in every game at both spots.   We won our prep school conference championship."

"Going into my senior year, I was invited to participate in the Under Armour All-American Combine.  Following my performance there and the work I put in during the off-season, I expected to be an every down player.  Instead, our coaches brought in two postgraduates at defensive end and one postgraduate at fullback so I was not able to be an every down player.  I continued to make the most of the opportunities I received and contributed on both sides of the ball, as well, as on special teams.  Even though I was not able to receive full-time reps, I was satisfied with my development.  My first step was quicker, I was stronger, and I learned how to effectively engage my hips at the point of attack."

 WILLIAMS COLLEGE

"My recruiting process was long and it was a hard decision.  In the end, after making several college visits I trimmed my list to Williams, Rose-Hulman, Middlebury, and Carleton.   I developed a very strong relationship with head coach Aaron Kelton at Williams and he personally recruited me.   When I visited campus, the people were welcoming and generous.  I was very impressed with how unified the football team was with the student body and there were a bunch of great guys on the football team.  Coach Kelton told me he plans to play me at defensive end and that my main responsibilty is to rush the passer.   I felt Williams was the place that I could make the best of every opportunity that is in front of me academically and athletically."

TRACK & FIELD

"During high school, I always competed in track & field.   I ran the 100 and threw the shot put.  I focused more of my attention on throwing but used sprinting to help me develop my explosiveness and overall conditioning.   This spring, I won the New England Prep School Track Association shot put with a personal best throw of 51'1.5'.   I am going to consult with my coaches at Williams and if available, am going to try and continue throwing shot put in college."

CLOSING

"I want everyone at Williams to know they're getting a guy who's going to give it his all.  I am going to bring excitement and make big plays.  I don't report until the last week of August but until then I will be hard at work developing my game.  Overall, I feel Williams gives me the best opportunity to develop as a world citizen and to help make the world a better place."