Jake Fromm Names Top 2: Which School Is Best Fit for 2017 4-Star QB?
Georgia quarterback recruit Jake Fromm is just a month into his junior season at Houston County High School, but collegiate possibilities are already playing a big role.
The 6'3", 220-pound passer holds more than a dozen scholarship offers, including a few from SEC squads. He pointed to a pair of programs from the conference as key contenders during his discussion with David Johnson of 247Sports.
"I would have to say that Ole Miss and Alabama are my top two," Fromm told Johnson.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Both teams extended an offer this spring, identifying him as a premier prospect based on underclassman evaluation. Opportunities in Tuscaloosa and Oxford stand out on a list that also features SEC foes South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
Beyond the conference, Fromm claims offers from Michigan State, Virginia Tech, Nebraska and Miami, among others. With all three 5-star quarterbacks now committed in the 2017 recruiting cycle, Fromm is a coveted commodity.
Rated ninth nationally among pro-style passers in class composite rankings, Fromm has flourished as a starter. He completed 63 percent of pass attempts last season, per MaxPreps, throwing for 3,629 yards and 31 touchdowns.
During his past 18 games, Fromm was largely dominant. He posted 41 scores and just nine interceptions during that span, solidifying his status as a promising prospect.
Alabama and Ole Miss currently carry intriguing playmakers at the position in 2016 classes, but both coaching staffs aim to enhance depth with big additions down the road. Fromm fits the bill for either team.
Ole Miss landed Elite 11 MVP Shea Patterson, who is rated No. 1 overall among 2016 quarterbacks, while Alabama holds a commitment from dynamic 4-star Texas talent Jalen Hurts.
The Crimson Tide appear to be trending toward mobile quarterbacks with Hurts and 5-star 2015 signee Blake Barnett, but Fromm is at his best between the tackles. He operates most effectively from the pocket, utilizing quality decision-making and precise touch while pushing passes downfield.
Alabama hosted him on campus earlier this season. Fromm was in Tuscaloosa to see the Crimson Tide face Ole Miss. The Rebels claimed the victory, leading to a rise in national polls.
“It was awesome, the atmosphere of the game was incredible,” he told Hank South of 247Sports. “It was hard, because both teams I’m looking really hard at."
Though South Carolina still seemingly plays a role in this recruitment, the Gamecocks look like a somewhat distant third. Just like on the field, Alabama may also be a stride behind its conference rival in this race.
"I really have to say I like Ole Miss," he told Johnson, who also reported the Rebels have Fromm atop their 2017 quarterback board.
His on-field characteristics are slightly reminiscent of Patterson and current Ole Miss starter Chad Kelly. Fromm can excel in improvisational settings and move around if needed, delivering darts when provided a slice of space to operate.
The path to playing time won't be an easy process at either school, so he must ultimately seek out an offensive attack that suits him well and looks stable for the future. Right now, that edge goes to Ole Miss.
"It's exactly what I do in high school," Fromm told Johnson. "It's the same tempo, same pass options. It's almost identical."
Fromm will soon have a chance to assess the situation in person. He plans to visit Oxford in the coming weeks for the first time since a July camp, per Johnson, targeting games against Texas A&M (Oct. 24) and LSU (Nov. 21).
Expect him to reach a decision sometime after this season, setting the stage for Fromm to become the face of whichever recruiting class he joins. The SEC is his likely destination, with Ole Miss at least momentarily standing out as a slight favorite.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
