academy in 1986. What once
was a small, lightly popu-
lated “island” of QB train-
ers, Whitfield says, is now
an oversaturated, crowded
place where wrong meth-
ods are taught, parents are
scammed and coaches are
out for themselves.
“The island,” Whitfield
says, discouragingly, “is
going to implode one day.”
Pricing structures can
vary, from as low as $50 an
hour to more than $250, as
can age limitations. Many
coaches, like Veal, will not
train kids under 10 years
old. Some coaches, like
Atlanta-based Tony Ballard,
are content with taking on
only 30 to 40 quarterbacks
at one time, while guys like
Hernandez, in Los Ange-
les, have well over 50. David
Morris, a former Ole Miss
quarterback, is the found-
er of a business that last
year trained nearly 1,000
quarterbacks. QB Country
employs 10 full-time instructors at 11 locations in eight
states, with a home base in Mobile. In a sign of the youth
movement, QB Country’s minimum applicant age recently
moved from sixth grade to fourth grade.
Its list of clients range from elementary school kids to
those in the NFL, with names that include Georgia’s Fromm
and Daniel Jones, the Giants’ first-round pick this spring.
The coaches are aware they have critics. “There are a
lot of people down on the independent training world,”
acknowledges Morris. “I think it’s silly.”
The likability of those in the industry is “50-50,” Veal
says. “Some people like us and some hate our guts.”
Some critics believe the biggest issue with private trainers
is their relationship with their pupil’s high school or college
coaches. It can get sticky. Broddrick Archie’s 15-year-old
son Bryce, a Veal client, was taught by his high school
coach the “exact opposite” on a technique, he says. Some
trainers communicate regularly with high school or college
coaches. Others do not.
Lawrence’s high school coach, Joey King, says the most
important thing is to not overwork the player, something
he never felt happened with Lawrence.
College coaches have for years pushed back against
Trevor or Tua? Justin or Jake? Quarterbacks
headline this year’s Heisman race, but these
standouts could also dash off with the award
AND
THEY’RE
OFF...
J.K. DOBBINS
RB OHIO STATE
His rushing numbers dipped after
he shattered Ohio State’s freshman
record in 2017—mostly because the
Bucks leaned on Dwayne Haskins.
This year, Dobbins will be the focus.
HEISMAN CANDIDATES
TRAVIS ETIENNE
RB CLEMSON
With Trevor Lawrence at QB the
Tigers will move the ball, and that’s
the problem: Etienne notched 8.1(!)
yards a carry and 24 TDs last year,
but his load is limited in a stacked O.
JERRY JEUDY
WR ALABAMA
A receiver hasn’t won the award
since Desmond Howard in 1991, but
Jeudy’s blinding speed and A+ route
running make him a rare talent.
Having Tua throw him the ball helps.
RONDALE MOORE
WR PURDUE
As a frosh last year, Moore led the
Big Ten with 1,258 receiving yards
and 14 TDs. He loves the spotlight:
In a win over OSU, he had 12
catches—two TDs—and 170 yards.
JONATHAN TAYLOR
RB WISCONSIN
Taylor led the nation last year with
2,194 rushing yards. This year the
Badgers feature a strong O-line and
a freshman QB, which means more
carries for the senior.
THE VEAL DEAL
Veal (crouching)
teaches how to drop
back and throw under
duress just like his
prized pupil Lawrence.
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