William Crest is one of the better dual-threat quarterbacks nationally. Out of Baltimore (Md.) Dunbar High School, Crest stands 6'2 and weighs in at 200 pounds. Crest is rated as a four-star recruit by 247 and Rivals, a three-star recruit by Scout and ESPN.
As of early April, Crest has offers from West Virginia, Maryland, Marshall, Rutgers, Purdue, UTEP, Virginia and Virginia Tech. He committed to West Virginia later in the month.
Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: There is a lot to like about Crest as a recruit, not the least of which is that he comes from the same program that produced Tavon Austin.
The first thing to evaluate with a quarterback is arm strength, and Crest definitely has that. He can make all of the throws. I need to see him use his hips and lower body more on short throws, which can be erratic.
Crest is very athletic and can escape the pocket and make defenders miss in open space. Defenses must account for his scrambling, and for his legs via the designed run.
Crest is a raw quarterback who is not nearly as polished as some of his peers. He needs time in a system to work on timing, accuracy, mechanics and footwork. I would also like to see him elevate his arm angle on some of his throws, because while 6'2, he could get them batted at the next level.
Crest is best fit in a system that will take advantage of his mobility and not just his arm, particularly in a spread system. West Virginia's offense does not do this historically under Dana Holgorsen, but that doesn't mean it won't change its ways some for Crest, who hopes to be the next Geno Smith.
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