Stanford offers future QBs — Class of 2022’s Braden Davis, AJ Duffy

The Stanford Cardinal are making quick work of their evaluations and scholarship offerings to the Class of 2022. And just months after receiving a commitment from Ari Patu for the class of 2021, the Cardinal have made recruiting headlines for the rising junior class already.

According to 247Sports, head coach David Shaw and Co. have offered quarterbacks Braden Davis and AJ Duffy. The Cardinal have haven’t signed two quarterbacks in the same class since 2018 when they brought in Tanner McKee and Jack West, and the obvious there being that McKee was going to take his mission trip.

“You’re definitely catching us at a time where I think the whole recruiting thing is a lot different with the current climate with the COVID situation and whatnot,” QB coach Tavita Pritchard told 247Sports. “So I think the short of it is we are having to adjust our thinking to a certain degree on how we think about quarterback recruiting and recruiting by and large. Not being able to get out and see guys physically this past spring is a part of that challenge. Not having a summer camp is part of the challenge. So I think there will be some adjustments that we’ll have to make just in terms of how we’ve normally thought of recruiting quarterbacks. Whether or not that’s the last cycle playing role, I don’t know that I can separate that out other than to say, I think with all things being added up I think we’re at a point now where we are planning on taking a ‘22 quarterback and we’re in that evaluation process and really shortening that list.”

So — who are they — and what do they bring to the table?

Braden Davis is a four-star, dual-threat quarterback from Lake Minneola High School in Lake Minneola, Florida. He reportedly has offers from just about every school you could throw out there including the Florida Gators, LSU Tigers. Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs and Clemson Tigers.

He’s the fifth-ranked dual-threat quarterback for the class of 2022 and ranks as the state of Florida’s 10th-best player for his class. He cracked the top 100 list as the 100th-best overall prospect for the class of 2022.

At 6’5, 195 pounds, Davis projects as a Day 3 pick and is the son of former NFL offensive lineman and No. 8 overall pick of the 1991 NFL Draft Antone Davis.

Excellent frame with length. Athletic with escapability. Does not panic under pressure. Good pocket awareness. Good arm strength that will improve with maturity. Shows very good touch on intermediate and deep balls. Throws catchable ball. Gets through progressions. Extends plays. Strong work ethic. Good foot speed and feet work in unison with arm. Has to tighten lengthy delivery. Drops elbow at times. Must continue to get stronger and add weight. Added strength will increase arm strength. Multi-year starter at Top 15 program. Day 3 NFL draft potential.

As far as Duffy, he’s the nation’s fifth-ranked pro-style quarterback for the class of 2022, and hails from a much closer high school. He’s from Moreno Valley, California and plays at Rancho Verde High School. Though predicted to be high on Oregon at this time, his Stanford offer is the most recent of his 32 reported scholarship offers.

At 6’1, 197, he possesses an incredibly strong arm and should be in action this January with the CIF resumes fall football this winter.

Duffy has said that his visits will be very important to help decide where he’ll be playing in college. Fortunately, the Cardinal have a ton of time to get him on campus once those restrictions are lifted.

Either way — it’s big news when a historically sound quarterback university offers two quarterbacks within the span of 30 minutes.

And after watching some of their highlights, it’s clear to see why they did.