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Clayton Thorson (4-star QB, Wheaton North) commits to Northwestern

NU landed a 4-star QB - their second in as many classes - in Clayton Thorson, beating out Iowa, Illinois, Penn State, and Ole Miss for the speedy 6'4 signal-caller.

By Rodger Sherman
Jonathan Daniel

Northwestern's 2014 class is off to a crazy good start, as the Wildcats landed their second recruit - and their second four-star, per 247 - a quarterback, 4-star Clayton Thorson from Wheaton North.

This is a big get for the Wildcats. For starters, he's the second four-star QB in as many classes, right behind Matt Alviti. Those two will hopefully handle business under center for the Wildcats for some time to come. And when you look at the schools he took Northwestern over - Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Ole Miss (Ole Miss!) - you can tell he's a good one.

Northwestern's really been able to get solid quarterback prospects over the past few years. The spread is a fun system to want to quarterback in, and top prospects know they'll be able to put up gaudy stats in it if given the opportunity. Thus, Alviti, and now Thorson.

The skinny on Thorson is that he's got the passing ability, and, at 6'4, the size of a pocket guy - 247 lists him as a pro-style QB- but the speed of a dual-threat guy - Rivals has him as one of those, with many thinking he'll be able to play wide receiver if needs be. He was part of a two-QB system at Wheaton North this year behind Johnny Peltz, but will presumably start this year.

Wheaton North is Mike Trumpy's school, so there's a pipeline.

Here's the low-down:

Physical: 6'4, 190

Offers: BC, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, NIU, Ole Miss, Penn State, Syracuse, Toledo

Ratings: Rivals: 4-star dual-threat QB, No. 234 nationally. Scout: 3-stars, No. 41 QB. ESPN: "ESPN Watch List" QB. 247: 4-star pro-style QB, No. 14 positionally, No. 9 Illinois

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