Quarterback recruiting is always a big deal for college football fans around the country. Fans constantly want information about who the next signal-callers will be for the team they root for. In recruiting, quarterbacks generally commit so early that Husker fans were getting nervous about not having one in the class of 2022.
That all changed on Monday when Texas native Richard Torres (6-6, 210) announced he was committed to the program. Torres wasn’t able to raise his stock nationally over the last year because of the pandemic. He never went to a combine, showcase or camp before this summer. That didn’t stop some college like Nebraska, Kansas State and TCU from noticing his film. Torres’ coach at San Antonio’s Southside High School, Ricky Lock, knows exactly what jumped out to college coaches about his star quarterback on film.
“Oh, his arm strength is unbelievable. He’s got one of the strongest arms of the 2022 kids in the country,” Lock said.
“He can spin it and he’s very elusive. Straight line speed I don’t know about that. But he’s very elusive in the pocket. He’s tall, so he can see. But he’s very athletic. He’s a tall guy, that’s pretty athletic.”
Torres is also a point guard in basketball which helps him with his great hand-eye coordination. He’s got huge upside as an under-the-radar quarterback that came on the scene late. Lock describes Torres as a great kid that is low maintenance and driven. He loves his quarterback’s demeanor, too. That’s why he was surprised that Torres didn’t have more offers.
“He’s so low maintenance that Coach Frost is going to love him,” Lock said. “They’re going to love him there because he’s going to work and he’s going to put his head down to just drive. He’s not going to be one of these party guys, out and about and all that stuff. He’s pretty impressive in that regard because he’s pretty mature.”
When talking about Torres’ upside Lock doesn’t think he just has room to grow with his skill set. Since Torres is a multi-sport athlete, it’s been difficult for him to truly be in a weight lifting program. That’s something that Lock believes will benefit the Huskers’ latest commit in a big way.
“He’s a tall kid. I think that his frame, he’s going to carry between 20 and 30 more pounds,” Lock said.
“He goes from one season to the other not really getting the extensive offseason or weights. Summer is about the only time when we get the guy in the weight room because he played every sport. Once he gets on a campus with a strength coach and nutritionist and stuff like that, that he’s going to blow up just get bigger and stronger.”
It will be interesting to see how Torres progresses through his senior year. Now that he’ll firmly be on opponents’ radar it will be fun to see him take his game to another level. Then it sounds like the Huskers are getting a good player they can mold for the future.
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
