“It wasn’t a big factor.” Kelly said Lacey will savor competing for the starting job regardless of who is already there. “Arch is two years ahead of me,” Lacey said. I’ve been doing this since 2004 and, at this age, there’s never been one like him.” Whether or not Manning is in Austin when Lacey enrolls early in December 2024 doesn’t matter to him. … He’s not even a once-in-a-decade player. He’s ahead of his years from an anticipation and a pure arm standpoint. He’s as good as this state has ever seen and he’s not done developing. “His arm is NFL (caliber) right now in terms of pure arm strength. “He can throw it as good as a lot of guys in college right now,” Morris said. Between the time he makes the decision to throw the ball to it leaving his hand, it’s next-level fast.” QB Country founder David Morris, who works with Lacey, said last December Lacey has the potential to be one of the best quarterbacks to come from the state. at his best has got one of the quickest releases I’ve ever seen.

“The guys who make those decisions understand his potential. “You could see it coming when you look at his ability and what he did last year,” Kelly said at the time. “But my parents said, ‘Whatever you want to do.’ That was the easiest part, that they’re with me.” Lacey’s recruiting profile was elevated nationally in the aftermath of the Spartans winning the Class 6A state championship last December. “The majority of my family was Alabama and Auburn,” he said. Lacey said he felt natural pressure to commit to Alabama or Auburn but his parents made it easy for him. “Rebuilding Texas is something to be a part of,” he said. “It was one of my best visits by far.” Lacey said his two finalists were Texas and Alabama and helping the Longhorns regain their place as a national power appealed to him. He’s a thoughtful and methodical guy and I’m proud of him.” Lacey said his first visit to Texas in mid-April was a turning point.

“Also, coach Sarkisian, with his reputation of recruiting and developing quarterbacks and putting them in a great situation to be successful, was a draw for K.J. He did an outstanding job of building a relationship with him. “He came down and spent some time with K.J. “I think the University of Texas and specifically coach Milwee did an amazing job of recruiting him and making him a priority,” Kelly said. Milwee developed a strong relationship with Lacey. They told me once you leave Texas, there is no doubt the NFL scouts will find you because they run all the stuff they do in the NFL.” Saraland coach Jeff Kelly said he wasn’t surprised by the decision, noting Longhorns quarterbacks coach A.J. And I love what they’re doing offensively with coach Sark. “I’ve been in contact with Texas every week about two or three times a week. 5 quarterback by the 247Sports Composite - said he was attracted by Sarkisian’s offensive-minded reputation, which he believes will help him reach the NFL, and the way Sarkisian’s staff made him feel comfortable. 47 nationally in the ESPN Junior 300 for the class of 2025 and the No. During a visit to Austin, he became the first commitment for coach Steve Sarkisian’s 2025 recruiting class and gave the Longhorns another highly rated quarterback along with All-American Arch Manning, who signed last December. Earlier in the weekend, Lacey, who turned 16 in January, winnowed his choices to Auburn, Alabama, Texas, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Oregon and Oklahoma. He led the Spartans to a state championship last year as a sophomore, using his nearly instantaneous release to complete 64% of his passes for 3,177 yards, 40 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions.

I did it quick.” Lacey is used to achieving things rapidly. “The first one to eat seven wings won,” Lacey said. The four-star prospect - who drew offers from most of the top programs in the country - found himself celebrating his decision at a pool party in Austin, where he and the other recruits were challenged to a wing-eating contest. Lacey showed he is intent on being a leader and winning the starting job, football games and even in the chow line.

(Call News file photo) By JIMMY WIGFIELD After committing to Texas on Saturday, Saraland quarterback K.J. Lacey fires a pass during the 38-17 win over Mountain Brook for the Class 6A state title last December.

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