Big junior season has Weirick on the radar
After a shoulder injury derailed his sophomore season, class of 2018 Pickerington (Ohio) North quarterback Jimmy Weirick bounced back in a big way this fall. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound dual-threat prospect threw for 2,827 yards and 28 touchdowns while adding another 355 yards and eight scores on the ground.
Weirick's play resulted in being named his league's player of the year and it carried North to an eight win season and a berth in the regional semifinals. But for Weirick, just getting back on the field with his teammates and regaining his confidence was the biggest thing.
"It was a big confidence builder," said Weirick. "I put my trust and my time into what I was doing while I was hurt and rehabbing and it was just nice to see that all of that work that I put in paid off. I just stuck with getting my shoulder stronger and it was just nice to see all of the work pay off and everything come through and to have a good season for my team."
As Weirick's junior film has made the rounds, the list of interested programs has steadily grown. He has tried to make as many visits as possible recently and has a few more he'd like to make in the near future.
"I've been making some trips around," he said. "My first one was to Miami (Ohio) and then I went to Ball State and most recently this past weekend I went to Robert Morris. I'm trying to plan a couple more. I plan on going to Eastern Kentucky and hopefully Cincinnati."
Robert Morris has offered Weirick a scholarship and it would not be a surprise if some MAC schools followed suit.
"Ball State, I just came in contact with their quarterbacks coach a few weeks ago and then I went up there for a visit," he explained. "They told me that during the spring time they wouldn't be surprised if there was something coming my way. They don't offer any quarterbacks until they see them throw live, that's the one thing that could be keeping me from an offer. I've also been talking to Miami (Ohio) since my freshman year, so they've been good to me throughout the years."
Weirick's critics will point to his height as a detriment, but there have been plenty of quarterbacks of similar size that have excelled in both college and the NFL in recent years and he looks at those guys for inspiration.
"I'm not really in control of getting taller," he said. "I am undersized and that comes up with a lot of coaches but some teams are seeing past that. I have a playmaking ability and control of the offense and I just try to be as versatile as I can. I loved Johnny Manziel and tried to mimic some of his stuff on the field. I really like Drew Brees, but as a dual-threat I really like to look at guys like Johnny Manziel and Russell Wilson. But my all-time favorite quarterback is Cam Newton."
Weirick added that he plans to be active on the college camp circuit in June, but will sort out the specific stops after the Spring Evaluation Period wraps up.