ESPN College Football Recruiting

Friday night's Oaks Christian-Skyline game (ESPNU, 10 p.m. ET) features two of the nation's top quarterbacks. Nick Montana is the 12th-ranked QB prospect and heading to Washington. Heaps is the sixth-ranked QB prospect and heading to BYU in the fall.

Here is a breakdown of the two quarterbacks.

Jake Heaps

2009 stats (two games): Completed 24 of 41 attempts (58 percent) for 267 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
2008 stats: Completed 203 of 312 attempts (65 percent) for 2,910 yards, 38 touchdowns and four interceptions. Also rushed for seven touchdowns.

Heaps is one of the more polished quarterbacks in the country. He is is well-coached and will enter college ahead of the curve in regards to fundamentals. The reigning Washington ESPN Rise Gatorade Player of the Year is highly productive out of Skyline's spread scheme that has prepared him very well for the BYU offense he will play in next year. He's accurate with good zip in the short-to-intermediate range, but his arm strength fades as the throws get deeper. Heaps is consistent, productive and can carry his Skyline squad when he gets in a rhythm. Look for him to remain poised and not try to play outside of the system on Friday night.

Nick Montana

2009 stats (two games): Completed 24 of 44 (55 percent) passes for 311 yards, five TDs and one interception.
2008 stats: Completed 133 of 241 passes (55 percent) for 2,402 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Montana is a very polished passer who has a lot of upside physically and overall as a quarterback. The Under Armour All-American is sound in his footwork, delivery and overall mechanics. Like his father, NFL Hall of Fame QB Joe Montana, he's also very poised under center and not easily rattled. Accuracy and arm strength are both good and aided by sound timing. His ability to throw the deep ball should improve as he continues to get bigger and stronger. A well-rounded quarterback, Montana has chosen a school in Washington that fits his pro-style attributes. Coach Bill Redell has been most impressed this year with his quarterback's ability to throw on the run and make plays outside of the pocket.

Tale of the tape

Measurables

Heaps: 6-foot-2, 198 pounds.

Montana: 6-foot-2, 177 pounds.

Breakdown: Both lack ideal height but can change their launch points and throw on the run to create passing lanes. While well-defined, Montana is lanky and has more upside to develop physically in terms of strength and a more athletic physique. But at this time Heaps has more bulk and sturdiness needed to hang in the pocket, absorb the hit and remain durable. Edge: Heaps.

Mechanics

Heaps: Very polished and consistent in throwing mechanics, footwork and as a ball handler. Props the ball up by his ear a bit too much and can push it at times as a result, but nevertheless gets the ball out quickly.

Montana: Well-groomed in pocket setup and balance; delivery is smooth and compact. He does possess a three-quarters delivery at times.

Breakdown: While both are refined, sound and ahead of the curve at the high school level, Heaps may be a bit more polished and consistent in his delivery at this time. We do like Montana's ball carriage in his drop at chest level as opposed to Heaps' propping the ball up by his ear. Edge: Heaps.

Release

Heaps: Gets rid of ball quickly, on time and with good zip off his hand.

Montana: Little wasted motion in his release and ball comes off his hand quick and smooth.

Breakdown: Both have very similar deliveries. Edge: Push.

Accuracy

Heaps: Very consistent in his ball placement, particularly when he gets in a rhythm. Has the timing on throws to fit his passes into tight spots to underneath and intermediate areas of the field.

Montana: Very accurate underneath and throwing on the run; aided by his good footwork and anticipation skills.

Breakdown: Equally precise on timing routes and both can throw accurately on the run and from different launch points. Heaps may throw to a spot more consistently at this time, but that could be attributed to having more experience in his high school offense. Edge: Heaps.

Arm Strength

Heaps: Arm strength and velocity fade on deeper balls but he can make most of the college throws to the sideline.

Montana: Has deceptive downfield arm strength and good underneath zip.

Breakdown: Both quarterbacks lack elite arm strength but are aided by good timing and anticipation skills. Heaps has the slight edge here at this time, but Montana, who transfers his body well into throws, could eventually have a stronger college arm once he adds the necessary strength and bulk. Edge: Heaps.

Upside

Heaps: Very crisp and polished but body lacks significant room for both fundamental and physical development.

Montana: A late bloomer who should improve most facets of his game with added size, strength and power on his lanky frame.

Breakdown: Heaps is very consistent and should be a very productive college quarterback, but we feel he could be close to the same player four years from now. Montana's best football is definitely ahead of him. Edge: Montana.

Billy Tucker is a recruiting coordinator for Scouts Inc. and has close to a decade of coaching experience at the college and high school level.