Interview: 2021 Missouri QB Kannon Nesslage is Setting Records in Breakout Year
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2019 high school football season has given rise to a new gunslinger – Class of 2021 quarterback Kannon Nesslage. In Kirkwood, Missouri, a town of about 28,000 outside of St. Louis, Nesslage has taken Class 6 competition by storm throwing for 2,286 yards with 23 touchdowns while completing 61 percent of his attempts in his first go at the varsity level. Beyond a strong arm, Nesslage has an uncanny knack of being able to deliver the ball with poise to his play-makers in just about every way possible throwing from different arm angles with defenders in his face. The results for the 6-5, 190-pound, pro-style talent has been a 5-3 record on the field for the Pioneers and college interest mounting along the recruiting trail.
In an RNG exclusive interview, I got time in with Nesslage after a visit to Iowa State over the weekend covering his visit with insight on his growing play on the field.
Interview
Kannon, before we get into the nitty-gritty of the season, I want ask you about your arm angles. You throw from every different way possible. How has that come about? Is that something you have worked on over time?
“Some of it is from baseball. Being natural with different arm angles, seeing different windows I can deliver the ball to my receivers. Baseball has helped me with that.”
What style of offense are the Pioneers running this season?
“A lot of Spread. We are throwing the ball around, get the ball into the receiver’s hands.”
How do your skills fit the offense?
“It fits it well. Because of how much we throw and spread it around, as I am not seen as the dual-threat, throwing it fits what I do best.”
Which routes are you throwing to this year?
“We have a lot of short to intermediate passes then we throw some longer routes downfield later in the game after the defense start to come closer. We throw outs and digs, and we hit them with posts later in the game.”
For any game, how are you preparing for the opposition?
“Preparation includes a lot of film study. I am learning their coverages and tendencies, and how they will line up based on different formations. I am prepared for the different looks we will see.”
When you get up to the line, what is your pre-snap routine?
“The first thing I am looking at is the safety – are there two safeties, one high, or are they in a Cover 0. Then I look at the corner to see if they are in a zone or in man. After that I am looking at the backers – are they lined up against the run or the pass. I am looking to see if they will drop or blitz.”
After all the games played this season, how are you seeing your skills grow?
“As the season has progressed, I am more comfortable. This is my first year at the varsity level. I am more comfortable with playbook and recognizing coverages. The varsity level, it is a lot faster.”
So far this season, which game has been your best?
“I’d say our first game against Jefferson City. I threw nine touchdown passes for 437 yards. Those were school records.”
Did I hear you right? Nine touchdown passes?
“Yes.”
Wow. Congratulations on that.
“Thank you.”
With your play on the field, which schools are now showing interest?
“I have visited three schools so far. I was at Iowa State yesterday and I have visited Mizzou and Iowa. I have talked to different schools, but those are the main three I have talked to and visited so far. I want to see as many colleges as I can to help make the right decision.”
Understood. How was the Iowa State visit on Saturday?
“It was cool. Iowa State has a cool atmosphere. That was their homecoming game – they packed the house. That was cool to be a part of.”
And the visit to Mizzou, how did that go for you?
“That was cool. I have been up there for a couple of games as a kid. Seeing the behind the scenes was cool for me.”
Iowa is another big one, how did that go?
“That was one, with the offense, that fits me. I like how they do things. They run a pro-style offense that fits what I do and how I play. I saw them at a spring practice and for a game day, that has helped me get a better understanding of their offense.”
Going into the classroom, what is your cumulative GPA?
“3.7.”
Earlier you mentioned baseball, do you play any other sports?
“Basketball.”
In baseball, which positions do you play?
“Pitcher and first.”
Back to football. The 36-35 win over Laude Horton Watkins was a thriller. How did that game play out?
“We started off hot and scored first. Then they had two big plays to pull ahead. Their offense caught fire in the second quarter. We scored on our first drive in the third quarter to make it 35-14. Our defense shut them down in the third quarter and our offense kept scoring. To tie it, our outside linebacker caught a speed option. He tipped it to himself and scored. That put us down by one. We ran a Philly Special for two points. I caught it for the two-point conversion.”
Wow. What a game. What does the team need to do to close out the regular season with wins against Northwest and Webster Groves?
“We have to Keep doing what we do in practice – prepare like we always do. We have to keep up with the game like practices and focus on what we need to do to get the job done.”
Kannon, it was great covering all this ground with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you and the team success going forward.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Kannon Nesslage at Iowa and Missouri