ESPN released an interesting article and video indicating college coaches’ preference for “multi-sport” players at the quarterback position. Some college coaches going so far to say specialization is a “hindrance” to young quarterback development. http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/13509324/recruits-college-coaches-see-days-qb-specialization-ending
This is a stark contrast from prevailing media attitudes about specialization, particularly regarding the high school quarterback position. The explosion of year-round individualized position training and series of specialized “elite” camps only reinforces the supposed need for high school players to specialize.
TrackingFootball’s research indicates 27 of 34 (79%) of this year’s SEC and Big Ten quarterback recruits were multi-sport athletes in high school. Almost 1/3rd were high school baseball players and over half played basketball. Approximately 180 quarterback recruits were signed by Division I-FBS schools in 2014. Nearly 70% of those recruits were high school multi-sport athletes.
The numbers indicate being a multi-sport high school athlete does not harm the development of quarterbacks. It might actually be helpful. Parents, players, trainers and GURUS please take note.