When Wisconsin Badgers head coach Gary Andersen took over the program, he has always said he wants a more mobile and athletic quarterback. He has that this year with Tanner McEvoy. He recruited freshman D.J. Gillins, who has the seventh ranked dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2014. Andersen now has a gem out in Utah and his name is Austin Kafentzis. And he’s having one memorable senior year of high school.
The Jordan High senior from Sandy, UT is taking the high school football world by storm this season. Kafentzis is the sixth-best recruit out of Utah and 15th best dual-threat quarterback in the country according to 247Sports.com. Jordan High School has compiled a record of 4-1 this year.
The real story is the great season Kafentzis is having. In five games, Kafentzis is averaging 268 yards per game passing, thrown for 14 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. But that’s not all, remember he is a dual-threat. He’s averaging 179.6 yards per game with his legs, and has compiled 11 touchdowns on the ground. Kafentzis has racked up 2,238 total yards so far this season and 25 total touchdowns.
Thanks to hudl.com, Kafentzis’ highlights from Jordan’s loss to Herriman can be found below.
What I noticed right away is that when he takes off running, Kafentzis reminds me a lot of Johnny Manziel. Now I may catch some flack for comparing him to Johnny Football, but it’s very true and hopefully Austin has a better head on his shoulders. Another thing I noticed was how when he was rolling out of the pocket his eyes were always downfield looking for an open receiver. Most dual-threat quarterbacks tend to take off running sooner than they should. I don’t see that with Kafentzis.
I also like how he steps into his throws and makes a throw with ease. Kafentzis is very poised and confident in the pocket. He is also patient in the pocket, with almost a pass first run second mentality. The six interceptions in five games is something to work on, but I’m also not horribly concerned about it.
Honestly I think the Badgers could end up having special player here in Kafentzis. He more than likely will take a redshirt and take a couple of years within the program before he is the starter. But once he takes the field, we as Badger fans will be watching something we haven’t seen since Russell Wilson was leading the Badgers to the Rose Bowl.