FUTURE AGGIE? SHELBY'S QB ISAIAH BESS IS THE TRUTH

Is it just me or are college coaches blind? Are they Ray Charles to the bullshit, or what? Because something just ain't right here. How is it that the best Quarterback in North Carolina has no scholarship offers? Come on now. What if I told you that he threw for over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns? You'd be interested right? Now what if I told you that this same guy stood at 6'4 and weighted 200 pounds? I don't know about you but I would like that. Now what if I told you that as a junior this past season, this same very guy was the leader of a State championship winning team after a 1-3 start to the season. I know you like that. YOU LIKE THAT DON'T YOU? (Kirk Cousins voice.)

I don't know about anybody else, but if I was a college recruiter I would be at his mother's front door with apple pie offering him a scholarship faster than she can say "hello." But apparently all of the college coaches across the country are sleeeeep on this man. Enough of all the talk, let me introduce you to the most underrated high school QB in the nation, Isaiah Bess from Shelby High school , in Shelby, North Carolina.

2018 Junior Season Stats:

Total Passing Yards

4171

Passing TDs

42

Passing Yards/Game

219.5

Pass Completions

291

Pass Attempts

497

Interceptions

14

BACKGROUND

Bess took over the starting QB position for Shelby High school in 2018, as senior Malik Surratt graduated the year before- a two-year starter who led the Golden Lions to a state championship in 2016. So the pressure and expectations were high. The pressure only intensified over the course of his first four starts, with Shelby losing three of them - including loses to Cleveland County rivals Burns and Crest. The offense was under performing in each of those three losses, failing to score more than 14 points. But, despite the early season struggles Shelby football coach Lance Ware stuck with Bess, on the faith that his QB will eventually find a light at the end of the tunnel. And oh was Coach Ware right as a Bess led Golden Lions didn't lose a single game again. In the Western 2AA title game, Bess orchestrated a late touchdown drive to help his team to a 28-21 win over defending state champion Hibriten. The following week, his late-season heroics all came into fruition as Bess threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-21 victory in the state title game over North Davidson. “Isaiah was on fire (that night),” Ware said.

INTANGIBLES : LEADERSHIP, POISE, CHAMPION, WINNING MENTALITY.

Not only is Bess a tremendous leader but he is a winner with a championship mindset and the right attitude. It would be easy for Bess to mail it in after the 1-3 start to the season, but instead he had the mental toughness, leadership and heart to never lose again, leading his squad to a State Championship title. This shows a lot about the kid's attitude, worth ethic, and overall character. I know for a fact he was under immense pressure coming up to the season and during the 1-3 start; but he didn't shrink under the pressure, he thrived under it. This is just a testament to the most important intangibles a Quarterback can have. Leadership and poise. Mind you Isaiah Bess isn't even a senior yet.

“I think he’s shown as much improvement throughout the season as anybody. It’s been great watching him grow up and mature as a leader,” said Shelby head coach Lance Ware.

THROWING ACCURACY AND ARM STRENGTH

When I'm watching Mr. Bess' Junior season tape I find myself rewinding over and over again in amazement, asking myself "Did I really just see that!?" Isaiah Bess is any coach's dream Quarterback. He's a high reward but low risk thrower of the football. He has the confidence and ability to make the big throws, all while taking very low risk to the tune of 42 passing TD's to only 14 interceptions. That's a 3 to 1 turnover, differential which is elite. The rocket arm this kid possess is so rare to find at the high school level. It's even harder to find a QB with this strong of a arm that the elite accuracy that Bess possesses. He makes all the throws. Back shoulder, deep, short, middle, with touch, or with velocity, man it doesn't matter the throw because, this kid is out there throwing straight dimes. Bess has excellent ball placement, and a NFL level arm as he makes the most accurate of throws into the tightest of windows. I love his deep throwing ability, he hits receivers right in stride every time, rarely missing his targets. What I also love about Bess is how he plays the game like a veteran; looking off safeties, and throwing his receivers open with anticipatory throws.

POCKET PRESENCE/ESCAPEBILITY/ MECHANICS

Bess throwing motion could get tighter, and his release could be quicker but hey that's what coaching is for right? Bess also has very good pocket presence. Pocket presence isn’t mobility; it’s the ability to see and feel pressure. Tom Brady is one of the slower quarterbacks in the NFL, but he’s able to feel and see pressure and step up in the pocket or slide away from pass-rushers to keep the play alive, and Isaiah Bess is the same way. And way more mobile than Brady. Just because Isaiah Bess is a 6'4 pocket passer, that doesn't mean Bess is a scarecrow in the pocket, has an innate ability to escape to extend plays when protection breaks down. Either keeping his eyes down field and making throws or using his legs running the ball.

RECRUITING OUTLOOK

As a North Carolina A&T football fan and insider I absolutely refuse to let Isaiah Bess go unnoticed by the Aggies. Here we have a in my opinion a 4 star Quarterback in our home state, who isn't getting love from the big boys such as North Carolina, NC State, and ECU. We must start talking to Mr. Bess real early before other teams get hip to him because, if we are able to recruit and land this kid I promise you he has potential to be the next Lamar Raynard, our current Quarterback GOAT.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS : http://www.hudl.com/v/2AnxNA