The parallels between current Freshman QB Spencer Brasch and his successor at Higley HS are uncanny. Both are/were two-year year starters at Higley High School. Both are beanpole QBs. Both were no-doubt P5 prospects. Both throw an accurate long ball that focuses more on touch/loft than arm strength/velocity. Both remind me of Davis Webb in look and style.
Higley runs a lot of 11 personnel package (1 RB, 1 TE) with the 3 WR going on top-of-the-tree pro routes that stretch the field vertically rather than bottom-of-the-tree spread-option that focus on creating width space/mismatch/change of direction. As a result, you see Brasch and Millner make a primary read and usually stick with it and complete a long pass. Both Brasch and Millner had a decent amount of rushing TDs, but that may be due to scheme because the verticals routes left giant holes in the middle. I don’t think Brasch nor Millner can be called dual-threat in the Pac12, but perhaps be mobile enough to not be statues.
In terms of positive, Millner looks the part. Tall, quick throwing motion, good eye for seeing downfield windows, and very accurate touch. He is accurate to the point where he drops his passes into a very small window even when his man is partly covered. And his numbers don’t lie. Despite having a 13.9 YPC, he had a .642 completion average and a tiny 2.2 INT % rate. Those stats are comparable to the best stats that Brett Favre ever recorded during his pro-career.
And he did well against quality teams. While Higley did not play in the division with the largest schools – they played a very difficult schedule that included local 5A football program royalty Williams Field, Horizon, Millennium, Campo Verde, Mission – plus Miller Moss lead Alemany.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s talk about things he needs to work on. He appears to be an ectomorph, so like Brasch, may struggle to put on some muscle. And his arm strength is not great. Like Brasch before him, the speed of the Pac12 defenders will close passing windows that were previously open to him at the high school level. He will struggle to complete anything until he gets stronger. Second, Higley’s quick-release long-ball game means that Millner needs more experience going through progressions rather than locking in on his first look. Lastly – this may signal that elite prospect of Miller Moss coming to Cal just dimmed.
But the talent is absolutely there. The Coaching is there. He’s a smart kid. If he picks up Davis Webb’s work ethic, I will be all too happy to see all those long touchdowns that will happen in the near future. Have a fantastic senior season Kai (hopefully it gets played). You’re in for a special time at Cal.
Thank you for the fun news!!! Looks like a great get, and I'm sure we have Charlie Rangle to thank, along with Coach Musgrave! I SO need this sort of hopeful post at times like this......
The biggest thing for me is that he was prioritized by Musgrave, the only guy he offered, and they brought him in. So now, if they get Moss then great. If not, it's not the end of the world because Musgrave got HIS guy.
Wonder why Musgrave prioritized him over Moss. Nice, quick release, good at throwing on the run, mobile, but would really like to see more film of him going through progressions.
Kai Millner
QB – Higley HS (Gilbert AZ)
6’2” 180 lbs (self-declared)
c/o 2021
3 star consensus (#33 QB National)
The parallels between current Freshman QB Spencer Brasch and his successor at Higley HS are uncanny. Both are/were two-year year starters at Higley High School. Both are beanpole QBs. Both were no-doubt P5 prospects. Both throw an accurate long ball that focuses more on touch/loft than arm strength/velocity. Both remind me of Davis Webb in look and style.
Higley runs a lot of 11 personnel package (1 RB, 1 TE) with the 3 WR going on top-of-the-tree pro routes that stretch the field vertically rather than bottom-of-the-tree spread-option that focus on creating width space/mismatch/change of direction. As a result, you see Brasch and Millner make a primary read and usually stick with it and complete a long pass. Both Brasch and Millner had a decent amount of rushing TDs, but that may be due to scheme because the verticals routes left giant holes in the middle. I don’t think Brasch nor Millner can be called dual-threat in the Pac12, but perhaps be mobile enough to not be statues.
In terms of positive, Millner looks the part. Tall, quick throwing motion, good eye for seeing downfield windows, and very accurate touch. He is accurate to the point where he drops his passes into a very small window even when his man is partly covered. And his numbers don’t lie. Despite having a 13.9 YPC, he had a .642 completion average and a tiny 2.2 INT % rate. Those stats are comparable to the best stats that Brett Favre ever recorded during his pro-career.
And he did well against quality teams. While Higley did not play in the division with the largest schools – they played a very difficult schedule that included local 5A football program royalty Williams Field, Horizon, Millennium, Campo Verde, Mission – plus Miller Moss lead Alemany.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s talk about things he needs to work on. He appears to be an ectomorph, so like Brasch, may struggle to put on some muscle. And his arm strength is not great. Like Brasch before him, the speed of the Pac12 defenders will close passing windows that were previously open to him at the high school level. He will struggle to complete anything until he gets stronger. Second, Higley’s quick-release long-ball game means that Millner needs more experience going through progressions rather than locking in on his first look. Lastly – this may signal that elite prospect of Miller Moss coming to Cal just dimmed.
But the talent is absolutely there. The Coaching is there. He’s a smart kid. If he picks up Davis Webb’s work ethic, I will be all too happy to see all those long touchdowns that will happen in the near future. Have a fantastic senior season Kai (hopefully it gets played). You’re in for a special time at Cal.
Thank you for the fun news!!! Looks like a great get, and I'm sure we have Charlie Rangle to thank, along with Coach Musgrave! I SO need this sort of hopeful post at times like this......
Arizona is Ragle country!
The biggest thing for me is that he was prioritized by Musgrave, the only guy he offered, and they brought him in. So now, if they get Moss then great. If not, it's not the end of the world because Musgrave got HIS guy.
Wonder why Musgrave prioritized him over Moss. Nice, quick release, good at throwing on the run, mobile, but would really like to see more film of him going through progressions.
I know star ratings are often silly, but if he's 10th overall pro style QB, why's he only a 3-star? Is this a weak class or something?
Where do those graphics come from on the “committed” tweets? Appears to be in the style of LDS promotional videos.
Great.