2022 Quarterback Intro: Braedyn Locke

With the 2021 recruiting cycle coming to an end in several months, it’s always good to look ahead to the next class, and there’s no more important position to look at than quarterback. Over the next few weeks, I'll be doing little intro pieces on different 2022 QB’s, a class that is stacked at that position.

The first quarterback I’m taking a look at comes from the great state of Texas, 3-star Braedyn Locke out of Rockwall High School. Locke was offered by Miami back in late January, shortly after Rhett Lashlee was hired as offensive coordinator at UM. Locke received his first offers from Arkansas and SMU last September, when Lashlee was still OC for the Mustangs. So one thing is clear, Lashlee is a fan of this kid. Locke also has an offer from Kansas.

247 Sports has Locke ranked as the #18 pro-style quarterback in the 2022 class, and #62 overall player in Texas.

Last year as a junior, Locke put up jaw-dropping numbers, throwing for 4,282 yards, 53 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, leading his school to a 12-3 record and a birth in the state semifinal.

In Brockwall’s first game of the 2020 season last Friday, Locke picked up right where he left off, throwing for 372 yards and 4 touchdowns, and also rushed for a score, as Brockwall won 59-40.

With the way Locke has played so far as the starter, it’s only a matter of time until his recruiting rankings get a significant bump, and begins to gain more national attention.

As a quarterback, there’s so much to like about Locke. For one, he can launch the football downfield, and has shown exceptional awareness in the pocket for a younger QB. He also has a quick release with his passes, which is key for Lashlee’s offense. Athleticism and mobility moving around the pocket is something Locke will need to improve on.

I know that most Canes fans are under the impression that Miami has to have a dual-threat scrambling quarterback like D’Eriq King from now on, but that’s not the case.

Lashlee’s offense last year at SMU was led by quarterback Shane Buechele, who Locke has been compared to, and who threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2019, as the Mustangs had a top-10 offense. Buechele isn’t a runner like King is, but he still produced at a high level and put up points for SMU.

When it comes to Locke, if he can put up those kind of numbers as a sophomore in Texas, then I couldn’t care less if he’s a pro-style or dual-threat guy.

Locke spent some time on Miami’s campus during a family vacation to South Florida over the summer, so he knows what Coral Gables is like and was a fan. With his connection to Lashlee, I'd definitely keep my eye on Locke, as he could be a prospect that Manny Diaz and his staff make a push at as time goes on.