MEET
LUKE PENICK

ABOUT 

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Luke (8th Grade, DOB Jan 2010, San Diego, Ca.).   Luke has been playing quarterback since he was 9.  In 2019, his San Carlos coaches discovered he could throw, as well as run, so they platooned him in at QB near the end of the season.  He threw 2 TD passes in a playoff win.  The next year was lost to Covid.  The last two seasons, he’s been the starting QB for the Rancho Hills Titans (Blue) in the 12U division.  In that time, Luke’s thrown for 1,847 yds and 29 TD's.  He averaged a whooping 19 yds per completion.  29 TD's in 197 pass attempts is 1 TD every 7 throws-- consistently for two years.  Just for comparison, the NFL record is 1 TD every 15 pass attempts--half as many as Luke.  He's also ran for 4 TD’s.

 

His coaches say that Luke is “like a coach on the field”, “he’s a really good leader”, “he handles pressure well”, “he makes plays.”   Luke has several important skill-sets that lead to success at QB.  He has a very good memory, knows all his plays and where his players need to be.  In many of the film clips, you’ll see him moving players around, getting them in the right spot pre-snap.  He reads coverages and can audible at the line of scrimmage.  He doesn’t turn right, when he’s supposed to turn left.   He doesn’t fumble snaps, go on “1” when it’s supposed to be on “2”, those sorts of basic, but crucial 12U QB things. 

 

Luke reads defenses well and is quick to decide where to go with the ball.  Then, he quickly and accurately delivers the ball even with rushers near or on him.    He’s completely unafraid to the throw the ball.  He doesn’t get rattled by pressure in the pocket or tight coverage.  He, at times, throws people open.  He is good about keeping his eyes downfield, always looking to make a play through the air.  He has a short, compact motion and generates velocity with his core and with a “no-step” throw.  All these traits are demonstrated in the hudl film below.

 

Perhaps, most importantly, Luke demonstrably thrives under pressure.  In 2022, 5 of his 15 TD’s came on 4th down.  The Titans only punted twice all season.   The Titans converted 11 of 23 4th downs with 5 of those going for TD’s.  In 2021, the story was similar, 4 TD’s on 4th down, including 41yd and 73yd TD’s on 4th down in the playoff game against Eric Weddle’s RB Broncos—the most point given up by coach Weddle's team all year. 

 

In December of 2021, Luke started bi-weekly, higher-level QB training with Doug Brady www.bradyperformance.com .  With some breaks for other sports and vacations, we work out with Coach Brady for the entire off-season.  During the season, we do weekly film review with Coach Brady. 

 

Luke played 7 on 7 with the El Cajon Falcons Pop Warner in Spring 2023.  He's joined the Lakeside Vaqueros Black team for the Fall campaign. 

 

Luke has this last year of Pop Warner, and then he's looking for a great high school opportunity.