Meet the Final 9 QBs in the Super 7 Competition
Credit: Don De Mars/ EVT Sports
After two preliminary rounds, more than thirty of San Diego county’s premier high school quarterbacks have been cut to nine.
The best and brightest quarterbacks were fed through a series of drills by ex-SDSU quarterback Christian Chapman, Left Coast Athletix’s Jose Mohler, Carlsbad head coach Thadd MacNeal, and current Denver Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien.
The final competition, the Freak Show Friday final, will take place on Friday, May 13, at La Costa Canyon High School.
The nine competitors range from long shots to five-star recruits, but it will be an exciting day full of premier quarterbacking talent.
Julian Sayin, Carlsbad, Class of 2024
Julian Sayin is arguably the most talented quarterback of his recruiting class. The Carlsbad quarterback is a five-star recruit, and he’s ranked second among 2024 quarterbacks. Sayin has offers from Notre Dame, Georgia, Texas, Michigan, Florida, Auburn, and more. He is the kind of talent who will expect to play in the NFL someday.
Sayin does everything well. He throws a tight spiral, completing passes with tremendous accuracy and speed. The right-handed thrower exudes the quiet confidence that a quarterback needs to have. Sayin works with Christian Chapman every day at Carlsbad, something that he said helps him greatly. He is going to be a hard quarterback to beat, but there are certainly many other talented players on the field.
Jax Leatherwood, Scripps Ranch, Class of 2023
Jax Leatherwood is an uber-talented quarterback who already has committed to play for Nevada after high school. Leatherwood stands at a monumental 6’6”, saying that his height “helps with the IQ of the game.” He’s also the only quarterback who is already committed to a college in the final nine. Still, he said, “I think this type of competition only makes you better, I know I’m already committed, but I think there’s still room for improvement.
Leatherwood’s height, in combination with his strong arm and high football IQ (he’s got a 4.3 in the classroom as well), make him an extremely strong pick for the competition. He will also be one to watch for Aztecs fans, as Leatherwood will face off against San Diego State four times in his college career.
Samuel Cooper, University City, Class of 2023
Samuel Cooper might be the best pure athlete left in the competition. He is a dual-threat quarterback, running a 4.65 40-yard dash. He also can squat over 550 pounds. He is a three-star recruit, and the ball just flies out of his hand. Cooper’s abilities have drawn interest from both Army and Navy, who run option-style offenses.
The two service academies are Cooper’s only Division 1 offers, but he has many Division 2 offers. The Super 7 competition will serve as a great opportunity for Cooper to showcase his talented arm and potentially earn even more scholarship opportunities.
Russell Chavez, Vista, Class of 2023
Russell Chavez is another dual-threat quarterback who has starred at Vista. “I have been playing quarterback since I was seven years old, and it’s always been a goal to compete at the college level, Chavez said following Sunday’s event.” Chavez found a way to be clutch when Vista needed it, as the Panthers went 3-0 in one-score games. Chavez has a big arm, and his size and mobility will make him a hard man to tackle. However, with the competition all about throwing, Chavez will need to play at his absolute best against so many talented quarterbacks.
Conner Annicharico, La Costa Canyon, Class of 2023
Conner Annicharico is one of the sharpest tools in the box. He has a 4.5 GPA, and he works hard to get better at every opportunity. Coach Jose Mohler, Founder of Super 7, said, “Big Conner Annicharico fan! Smart kid and good at asking great questions.” Annicharico may not have any offers from colleges yet, but he’s always putting in the effort to become as talented as he can be. He recognizes the importance of working with coaches to learn more, a tremendous skill.
Garrett Bass-Sulpizio, La Jolla Country Day, Class of 2023
Garrett Bass-Sulpizio is another extremely talented player with a great resume. He picked up Coastal League Offensive Player of the Year honors, as well as first-team all-league for La Jolla Country Day last season. He threw for 3380 yards and scored 46 total touchdowns for the Torrey’s. He is another tall quarterback, measuring in at 6’5”. Bass-Sulpizio said, “I just want to come out here and learn the best I can because I’m still young to this (sic) sport.” Bass-Sulpizio is tall, and he utilizes that to throw with a lot of power. When he is consistent, he is one of the finest quarterbacks in San Diego.
Johnny Limon, Lincoln, Class of 2024
Johnny Limon is the only sophomore besides Julian Sayin to make the final nine. He recently transferred away from Eastlake to move to Lincoln, saying that he was “loving” his new school. Limon was complemented by Jax Leatherwood, who said, “He was very consistent, and he threw a nice ball.” Limon has a great arm, and his decision to transfer to Lincoln, moving himself to a tougher league, will definitely give him a better chance at being recruited. Limon is one to watch, not just for this year but for next year as well.
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Connor Underhill, Rancho Buena Vista, Class of 2023
Connor Underhill is another dual-threat quarterback, and he is team leader. He was a captain for Rancho Buena Vista. While he is an underdog for the Super 7 competitor, that does not phase him. He said, “I’m extremely grateful to be selected as one of the quarterbacks for the Freak Show Friday Event. Since I’ve started high school, I’ve always been an underdog, and to get that recognition goes a long way and motivates me even more than I already am.” Underhill is one of the hardest workers out there, and Johnny Limon called him underrated on KUSI’s Prep Pigskin Report Podcast.
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Sa’ne Thompson, Oceanside, Class of 2023
Sa’ne Thompson is the only dual-way player to make the list. He also plays defensive end for the Pirates. Thompson is 6’3” and 205 pounds. He uses both his size and speed to make a difference on the field. His short but smooth throwing motion drew plenty of attention from the coaches in attendance. Thompson will not be a favorite, but he’s definitely got a chance to impress on Freak Show Friday.
It will be a tremendous competition, as the finest quarterbacks in San Diego will compete, learn, and improve.
Sam is a Senior in High School. He has been writing for three years, and started at EVT in June of 2021. He’s headed to Syracuse’s Newhouse School of Communications in the fall of 2023.