At the only full contact camp in the nation, Sloan Drummonds Jr. was just awarded the MVP Quarterback Award.  This is a great honor to win in the setting of his peers at the age of 13, but Sloan Jr. took it above and beyond that honor and won the MVP award while playing for the seniors group.

The rising 8^th grader didn’t stop there; he also won the superbowl game held the last day of camp throwing 3 touch downs including the final pass with seconds left on the clock to win it for the East.  Playing against All Americans that are rising Juniors and Seniors from across the nation, never in the 42 year history of the camp has a 13 year old ever accomplished so much. 

On New Year’s Day 2010, Drummonds Jr. will compete in the Offensive-Defensive All American Bowl held in Myrtle Beach, S.C. where he will play for the East Team which is to be aired on Fox Sports Network.  When Sloan Drummonds Sr. was approached by the camp director about where his son had received training, Drummonds Sr. informed that his son “is a pupil of the QBA Quarterback Academy by Darin Slack”.

 Even though Sloan Sr. had received a full football scholarship and played linebacker at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; he knew that he couldn’t teach Sloan Jr. anymore about the QB position past the age of 10. 

 When asked about when he knew his son was special Sloan Sr. says “I knew he was special when he launched a football at a competition 45 yards, at the age of 10!”  It was then that he realized he needed to take him to the next level.  After much research, he heard about Darin Slack’s work in Orlando, Fl.  Sloan Jr. attended his first DSQA Camp over two years ago.  After leaving that camp his dad states “Sloan Jr. came away from that camp with more knowledge of the QB position than I could teach him since he was 4 years old”.

 As any father would be, Sloan Sr. is extremely proud of his son’s accomplishments.  He is also thankful for the “life giving skills” that Coach Slack has provided his son during these camps.  “Sloan Jr. has excelled in his classes and is maintaining his honor roll status”.

“My hat is off to Coach Slack and his staff”, said Sloan Drummonds Sr.

Image Courtesy of NUCfootball.com

Monroe, Louisiana—   Steven Fitzhugh, head coach at Ouacita Christian School, adopted QBA’s C4 mechanics last year, and the quarterbacks in his system are producing eye-catching numbers and victories as a result.

As an experienced head coach (12 years at Ouachita Christian) and former college player (linebacker at Harding University), Fitzhugh knows football.  His experience allowed him to see value in Darin Slack’s 2009 clinic presentation in Houston, Texas.

Fitzhugh returned to Louisiana and promptly committed all the QB’s in his program to C4 mechanics.  “We took six kids ranging from age 11 to 17 and they all came away from the camp
with a greater understanding of the mechanics of throwing the football as well as a better understanding of the game.  I was extremely pleased” Fitzhugh said.

Last year, the quarterbacks at Ouachita Christian validated Fitzhugh’s perspective:

Junior Paul Michael Garner earned 1st team All State honors, throwing for over 2,200 yards and 27 TD’s.

Freshman Braden Bristo produced over 120 yards of total offense and 2 TD’s per game, guiding Ouachita Christian to their first undefeated JV season in over a decade.

8th grader Quinn Graves led his team to a 9-1 record, throwing for 1,349 yards and 18 TD’s.  His outstanding play resulted in an invitation to the FBU 8^th Grade Youth All-American game in San Antonio.

7th grader John Randall Bennett set records for passing yards and touchdowns.  He threw for 1,710 yards and 17 TD’s in 10 games leading his team to an 8-2 record.

5th grader Grant Fitzhugh’s team went undefeated and lost in Super Bowl. 

These gaudy numbers have helped other team members receive recognition: 

Sophomore wide receiver Mark Laird earned 1^st team All-State honors.  His 54 receptions resulted in 1,117 yards and 14 TD’s.

Fitzhugh believes in the value of QBA’s system.  “[The] self-correction tips diffuse the frustration between QB’s and their coaches and allow them to talk about the correction and make proper adjustments” he said.  “We plan on being involved with QBA for years to come”.

Photo courtesy of Rivals.com

Jake Rudock has all the intangibles of a great quarterback.  The 6’3, 180lb junior has tremendous athleticism, leadership and experience.  As a two year starter for St. Thomas Aquinas, his status as one of the best quarterback prospects in the nation is well earned.

Jake’s evolution as a quarterback began as a result of his prowess on the baseball diamond.  He began playing quarterback as a 7^th grader, when his baseball coaches recognized his ability to throw.  “I was a baseball player my whole life” said Jake.

Early on, Jake worked to adapt his throwing motion, seeking personal training from Darin Slack.  Jake said “I’ve been working with Darin for four or five years.  I’ve lost track of how many camps I’ve been to.”

“I didn’t know how to throw until I started working with Darin.  He taught me how to correctly throw a football.  And he taught me how to give hand-offs and about play action.  He taught me everything”.

But being exposed to proper mechanics is only a small piece of Jake’s identity as a quarterback.  Jake has committed himself to out-work the competition.  He focuses on refining and perfecting his mechanics, while supporting his athleticism with rigorous 4 day-a-week strength and speed sessions.  And the results speak for themselves: Jake completed 65% of his passes last year, with 34 TD’s and only 5 interceptions.

However, Jake doesn’t care much for statistics.  His eyes are on more significant things.  “As long as we win, I don’t care.  That’s the most important thing” he said.

Jake’s team oriented attitude demonstrates the leadership and humility required of a great leader.  He credits his success to teamwork.  “We have really strong chemistry.  I do my job and trust them to do theirs, and we’ve got athletes” he added with a smile.

Experience has also been an asset for Jake.  Jake started two games as a sophomore and became the full time starter as a junior, leading nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas to a 13-1 record.

Despite the pressure of playing for national power St. Thomas Aquinas, Jake looks at the exposure positively.  “We have three or four televised games a year” he said.  “It’s pretty exciting knowing that it’s what the college guys do and play on TV.”

Jake Rudock just committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes this past week.

Will Hewlett redeems himself after the Phoenix debacle.

GET-2-0

ORLANDO, Florida — The Academy has scheduled a series of WRA – Receiver Academy camps for this summer.

Same high standards, same great training. Now for QBs and their Receivers.

Veteran NCAA coach DJ McCarthy leads the Academy’s staff of Receiver coaches. His experience includes NCAA national titles both as a player (Washington) and as a position coach (LSU). His coaching experience also includes UCLA, Nevada, Central Florida and the NFL’s Oakland Raiders.

Slack

“For years, it’s been my vision to develop a receiver program that matches our QB program,” said QBA founder Darin Slack. “A coach of DJ’s caliber marks a tremendous step for us toward providing the best receiver and TE training available anywhere.”

CLICK HERE to join the WRA – Receiver Academy on Facebook.

The addition of McCarthy and the WRA camp series makes the Academy the nation’s undisputed leader in training for offensive skill positions.

Boice

“DJ shares the Academy’s passion for building great players, but building great young men first,” said JC Boice, Director of Operations for the Academy. “We’re excited to have DJ join our team and our program.”

The WRA Receiver Academy will offer 18 camps for Receivers and TEs this summer. A tremendous array of training opportunities, coast-to-coast and unmatched in the depth and quality of training available anywhere in the nation to players skill players in the passing game.

Hewlett

“This was a strategic move by the Academy,” said Will Hewlett, Director of Player Development. “Expanding our receiver program is the first of many position upgrades we have planned.

“Coach McCarthy recruited me during my college career. He’s a high-quality guy and a high-quality coach. Academy athletes will benefit from working with Coach McCarthy.”

Academy camps are open for registration on a space-available, first-come / first served basis. Make your move today!

WRA – Receiver Academy 2010 camp schedule

Featuring former NFL and NCAA Division-1 Receiver Coach, DJ McCarthy:

McCarthy

• May 15-16 FL – Orlando
• June 2-3 GA – Atlanta
• June 9-10 TX – Dallas
• June 11-12 OK – Tulsa
• June 14- 15 KS – Kansas City
• June 16-17 TN – Chattanooga
• June 18-19 VA – Fairfax
• June 21-22 KY – Louisville
• June 25-26 IL – Chicago
• June 28-29 TX – Houston
• June 30- Jul 1 CO – Denver
• July 2-3 CA – Bay Area
• July 5-6 CA – Fresno
• July 7-8 CA – Sacramento
• July 9-10 WA – Seattle
• July 12-13 LA – Lafayette
• July 16-17 FL – Fort Lauderdale
• July 28-29 FL – Orlando

Click dates above to register for WRA camps.

Get good. Get open. Get-2-0!

–CD

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — QBA is excited to announce the launch of a camp series catering to Receivers.

Introducing WRA Receiver Academy. Same high standards, same great training. Now for QBs and their Receivers.

Leading the Academy in the addition of WRA camps is a name familiar to those close to Division-1 football, DJ McCarthy.

Slack

“We’re very excited to add DJ McCarthy to our coaching staff,” said QBA founder Darin Slack. “DJ brings a wealth of next-level experience and knowledge in receiver play that will raise the skill level of receivers and tight ends all over the nation.”

The addition of McCarthy and the WRA camp series makes the Academy the nation’s undisputed leader in training for offensive skill positions.

It also creates a platform to expand the E4 and Receivers’ Edge systems in development by Academy coaches in recent years.

McCarthy

“I’m totally excited to join the Academy,” McCarthy said. “I’ve been to youth camps and being a guy who recruits all over the country, I see a lot of kids who are underdeveloped or under-coached. To become a part of getting those guys ready to go at an earlier age, I’m excited about that.”

McCarthy has won NCAA national championships both as a player for Washington, and as the Receivers Coach for LSU.

“I’m one of few people who’s been fortunate enough to have an opportunity to win a national championship as a player and as a coach,” McCarthy said. “I know what it takes to be winner on the field and in life. My passion is developing better receivers, but also helping them become better people off the field too.”

• Washington: Bachelor’s Degree, 1994
• LSU: Receivers Coach, Kick / Punt Returners Coach, 2007-2009

Bowl game victories: 2007 BCS National Championship, 2008 Chick-Fil-A Bowl championship

Coached three All-SEC Receivers in a span of three seasons: Early Doucet, Brandon Lafell, Terrence Tolliver

• UCLA: Receivers Coach, Kick / Punt Returners Coach, 2006-2007
• Central Florida: Receivers Coach, Kick / Punt Returners Coach, 2004-2005
• Nevada: Receivers Coach, Punt Returners Coach, 2000-2004
• Oakland Raiders: Coaches Assistant – Defensive Backs, 1998-2000

“Three things sold me on the Academy,” McCarthy said. “One, Darin Slack and QBA worked with our QB, Matt Flynn, when LSU won the national championship in 2007. To watch him develop over the summer and take us to the national championship, I was sold on QBA right there.

“Two, the quality of the men I’ll be working with. It’s not just about wins and losses, it’s about developing young men as well. My job is not just to make guys better players on the field, but to make them better people off the field.

“Three, there’s really nothing out there like this to make receivers better from junior high up to some college and pro receivers I’ve coached in the past who want to get back to form just before they go into training camp.”

Get good. Get open. Get-2-0!

–CD

TEMPE, Arizona — QBA’s recent three-day camp at Marcos De Niza High School was featured on the 24-7football blog, a branch of Scout.com.

This coverage provided national exposure for the QBs in attendance. Scout.com operates as an affiliate of Fox Sports, with divisions covering pro, college and high school sports throughout the nation.

The 24-7football blog focuses on Arizona football news. The blog covers college recruiting of Arizona prospects heavily during the offseason.

CLICK HERE for the 24-7football.com report.

Image courtesy of 24-7football.com

And CLICK HERE for information on up-coming QBA camps.

Get to camp. Get exposure. Get-2-0!

–CD

WASHINGTON, DC — QBA is pleased to announce a live radio appearance featuring four of the Academy’s senior coaches.

The Red Zone Show, dedicated to youth football, will feature QBA in a live webcast on May 12 at 9 pm Eastern / 6 pm Pacific.

CLICK HERE to listen live online on May 12.

Red Zone Show host Bernie Hayes will be joined for the QBA segment by co-host John Anderson, who produces the Coach’s Corner podcast.

Both Hayes and Anderson are veteran producers of youth football radio shows.

Listeners who miss the live segment can download the podcast to their PC, iPhone or iPod through The Red Zone or Coach’s Corner.

QBA will provide details on where and how to tune in for the show, as well as where to find the podcast. Check QBA’s Facebook fan page and Facebook event page for updates.

The line-up of QBA coaches on-air for the show includes:

• Darin Slack
• DJ McCarthy
• JC Boice
• Ryan Mullaney

Plan to log-in or download QBA’s appearance on The Red Zone and Coach’s Corner next week.

Don’t miss QBA’s big news about up-coming camps, the Duel of the Dozens and ProspectFIT college promotion.

Turn on. Tune in. Get-2-0!

–CD

2009 Season Awards:

• All- State
• District All-Star
• Academic All-State
• Conference MVP and All-Conference
• Team MVP
• Tristatefootball.com Preseason and Postseason All- Tristate Nominee
• Tristatefootball.com Player of the Week
• Indianascout.com Top 25 Player in the State
• Scout.com and Rivals.com Two Star Player

School Records:

• Most TD passes in a season (he also ran for 15 TDs)
• Most TD passes in a career
• Highest completion percentage in a season (with average completion of 22 yards)
• Lowest interception percentage in a season

Connor trains at QBA and is a college mentor for our Camp program.

Turpin

GILLETTE, Wyoming — Offers from D2, D3 and NAIA football programs in four states ranging from the Midwest out to Oregon. Invitations to walk-on for two D1 football programs. In the end, Campbell County senior Strong Safety and Receiver Steve Turpin saw that his opportunity to compete at the highest level in college would be in track and field rather than football.

Over the weekend, Turpin accepted a Division-1 track scholarship from the University of Indiana.

In addition to having the speed and athletic ability that made him a factor at several positions during his football career, Turpin is a Wyoming record-holder in the pole vault, and state champion in the decathlon.

Turpin will pursue his goal for a career as an opthamologist while at Indiana.

Make the FIT. Get next level. Get-2-0!

–CD