A mobile left-handed quarterback, Holton Ahlers is an intriguing upcoming prospect with two years of eligibility left entering 2021. Ahlers won the starting job as a true freshman after becoming the first quarterback to play through an entire game in 2018, throwing for 406 yards against UCF. I don’t mean to be negative about a prospect, but I am genuinely curious why the Senior Bowl put Ahlers on their watchlist this year. As a pro prospect, I don’t believe that he has a chance.
HT: 6021
WT: 230
Year: Super Senior
High School: D H Conley (Greenville, NC)
Rating: 3-star (0.8755)
Holton Ahlers scouting notes
Pros:
- Maneuvers the pocket well. I think it would be nice to see him keep his eyes downfield. Takes his eyes off the play downfield too quickly and looks to run.
- Very consistent feet.
- Offers decent improvability. He can work decently well off script.
Cons:
- Ahlers has a very limited arm. Doesn’t show the ability to drive the football well with velocity. Offers little to no deep ball. He struggles to throw the ball properly and, with a lack of a spiral, loses much of his ability to control it.
- He has little to no ability to throw with arc or touch because of the circular motion of his release. Every ball is on a line.
- Has a very awkward and uncomfortable-looking circular release. The ball looks like a dying duck, even on short throws underneath. He tends to put a downward spiral on his throws.
- Accuracy is very spotty. Very large box accuracy. Can throw with timing and anticipation.
- His placement is awful consistently.
- Average pocket positioning during his drop back.
- Little heavy-footed for my liking.
- Limited downfield ability. Offers some ability as a runner. Has a little bit of power to his game, has the body size to take contact.
- He doesn’t offer much ability to extend plays.
