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          ESPN Boston High School Report

          X's and O's: Everett QB Jordan McAfee could be something special for UConn

          Brendan C. Hall/ESPNBoston.com
          • John Sarianides, Special to ESPNBoston.com
          Apr 7, 2016, 02:07 PM ET

          When I first started watching Everett quarterback Jordan McAfee play as a sophomore, I knew the potential was there for this young man to be the best player in the state by the time he was a senior.

          While McAfee has struggled at times to live up to his potential, he is poised for a big senior season with the Crimson Tide. McAfee verbally agreed to the University of Connecticut this past weekend. Landing McAfee is a coup for Huskies coach Bob Diaco and his staff. The former Notre Dame defensive coordinator wanted an athletic, dual-threat quarterback to run his offense, and that’s exactly what he’s getting here.

          Everett coach John DiBiaso has done a great job of developing McAfee into a pocket passer. Mechanically, he’s come a long way from where he was as a sophomore. And while his mechanics will still need some additional fine tuning, the pocket presence and the arm strength are noticeable.

          Everett likes to keep it simple in their spread offense. DiBiaso knows he has athletes, and so the objective is to put McAfee in position to get them the ball in space and on time. Watching film on McAfee from last season, I was impressed with his poise in the pocket. He’s in rhythm in his drop, and he’s nice and tall. McAfee keeps his eyes down and puts the ball in the right spots.

          Again, Everett doesn’t ask him to hold the ball by over-processing the route combination. Its pitch-and-catch football. Here are some examples of what I’m talking about:

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          Diagram 1: Hitch-Seam Concept

          Hitch, seam is an easy way to get the ball out of the quarterback’s hands quick. McAfee throws the hitch on time and with velocity. He gets the ball out quickly. Hitch’ seam is an off-coverage or bail coverage beater. If the quarterback and his receivers are in rhythm on this play, you can run it five to eight times a game. Everett executes this concept well.

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          Diagram 2: Slant-In-Cut

          McAfee really shows off his arm strength on the slant. He can really zip it into the receiver on a line. He displays good accuracy when throwing the slant because he fits the ball into the receivers up field shoulder. Everett runs a traditional double slant and an in-cut and slant depending on the coverage. McAfee executes this concept well because he can hitch up and drive the football.

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          Diagram 3: Red Zone Fade

          McAfee threw a touchdown pass on this play against Peabody. He threw the ball to the X receiver on a perfectly executed pass play. McAfee showed great ball placement and put the ball on the receivers top side, outside shoulder. McAfee placed the ball into a spot where only his receiver can get it. He showed great timing and anticipation on this throw.

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          Diagram 4: Four Verticals

          Four verticals is a staple passing concept at every level of football. Offensive play callers love calling this play, especially in plus territory (50 going in). McAfee throws the ball well inside the hashes. He does a great of locating the open seam receiver and dropping the ball inside for him. He allows his bender ( the inside receiver bending his seam route down the middle versus Cover 2) to catch the ball in stride and accelerate. McAfee shows good touch and accuracy on vertical routes.

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          Diagram 5: Play Action

          On this play, McAfee fakes the Jet Sweep to the left, sets up in the pocket and reads the inside seam routes to the fade ball. If it’s Cover 2, he’s looking inside for the bender (W). If its Cover 3 or man, he’s working the Z receiver on the seam or taking the one on one match up on the outside. He would throw the jet receiver in the flat if left uncovered. McAfee does a great job of standing tall in the pocket, identifying the receiver he wants to throw to and getting the ball out on time. He manipulates the pocket well enough that if things break down, he can get out of the pocket and extend the play.

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          Diagram 6: Ten yard Out-Cut

          McAfee really shows off his arm strength on this play. The 10 yard out is an easy throw for him because he can hang, hitch up and put the ball in a spot. Everett does a great job of make the throw easy for him by clearing out the corner and picking the hook, curl defender. As long as McAfee is patient, the out will come open. McAfee has also proven that he can throw the comeback and curl on time as well. His footwork is much improved in this area from where it was as a sophomore. McAfee has shown an ability now to more consistent marry his footwork to the route combination, something he didn’t do consistently enough as a sophomore.

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          McAfee is poised for a big senior year. The pieces are in place for the Crimson Tide to make a state title run. As long as McAfee takes the next step in his development and refines his game, the Tide will be a force to be reckon with. McAfee has all of the physical tools to be an elite quarterback and play maker. That’s why UConn offered him a scholarship. The physical ability jumps out at you on film.

          I expect McAfee to make plenty of highlight plays this fall both as a runner and as a passer.