I asked Grok to assume HH starts and provide a projection, our record prediction does not change under the assumption HH starts instead of Flores. Based on practically no P4 snaps to review, Grok seems to think Flores and HH are very similar QB's right now in terms of the team's ceiling for 2025, but with different skill sets. Flores has an advantage in that he has more springs under his belt than HH IMO.
Hauss Hejny High School Film Analysis
Background and Context
Hejny’s high school film showcases a dynamic dual-threat quarterback with elite speed, quick decision-making, and a developing passing game, tailored for a spread offense. Below, I’ll break down his attributes, supported by specific examples and evaluations, and assess their translation to Oklahoma State’s 2025 season, assuming he starts as QB1.
Hauss Hejny High School Film Analysis
Background and Context
- High School Career: Hejny, a 6-foot, 190-pound quarterback from Aledo High School (Texas), played under coach Tim Buchanan from 2021-2023. He led Aledo to a 30-game win streak as a starter, winning 5A Division I state titles in 2022 (junior) and 2023 (senior). His senior season (2023) saw him throw for 2,773 yards, 27 touchdowns, and an estimated 5-7 interceptions (62.8% completion rate, per 247Sports) while rushing for 1,041 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a junior (2022), he completed 62.6% of passes for 2,094 yards, 20 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,276 yards and 15 touchdowns. Over his final two seasons, he accounted for over 7,100 total yards and 75 touchdowns (passing and rushing). He was named Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Fort Worth-area Offensive Player of the Year (2023), Texas District 3-5A Division I MVP (2022), and District 5-5A Division I Newcomer of the Year (2021).
- Recruiting Profile: A four-star recruit (No. 201 overall, No. 12 QB in 2024 class, per 247Sports), Hejny was the No. 43 prospect in Texas (On3). He committed to TCU over offers from Oklahoma State, Baylor, Duke, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Utah, and West Virginia, later transferring to OSU (December 29, 2024) to reunite with Meacham. His Elite 11 Finals and All-American Bowl invitations highlight his national recognition, with coaches praising his dual-threat ability and speed (10.68 100-meter dash, per 247Sports).
- Film Sources: While direct film isn’t accessible, 247Sports provides a 20-minute highlight reel summary, emphasizing his dual-threat prowess (2,773 passing yards, 1,041 rushing yards in 2023). The Oklahoman and Tulsa World detail his growth in Aledo’s spread offense, with specific games like the 2023 Region I-5A final vs. Abilene High (56-21 win). X posts and On3 note his TCU scout team touchdown (40-yard run), offering insight into his athleticism. These sources, combined with Meacham’s endorsement, form the basis for the analysis.
Hejny’s high school film showcases a dynamic dual-threat quarterback with elite speed, quick decision-making, and a developing passing game, tailored for a spread offense. Below, I’ll break down his attributes, supported by specific examples and evaluations, and assess their translation to Oklahoma State’s 2025 season, assuming he starts as QB1.
- Arm Talent and Passing Accuracy
- Strengths: Hejny’s film highlights a quick, compact release and solid accuracy on short-to-intermediate throws (0-15 yards), particularly in RPO and spread concepts. The Oklahoman notes his junior-year progression, evolving from a run-first QB to hitting “fourth-step” reads for touchdowns by the 2022 playoffs (e.g., a TD throw in the quarterfinals vs. Longview). His 62.8% completion rate (2023, estimated 180-of-287) and 62.6% (2022, 147-of-235) reflect consistency in Aledo’s high-tempo offense, which averaged 75 plays per game. In the 2023 state championship, he threw for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns (per okstate.com), likely showcasing slants, outs, and crossing routes with touch. His 27 passing TDs in 2023 indicate red-zone efficiency, hitting receivers like Jalen Pope (OSU teammate) in tight windows.
- Weaknesses: Hejny’s arm strength is described as “decent” but not elite (per Pokes Report forum), limiting his ability to consistently drive deep balls (40+ yards) against Big 12 secondaries (e.g., Iowa State’s 7.0 yards per attempt allowed). His 5-7 interceptions in 2023 suggest occasional misreads or forced throws, likely visible on film when pressured (e.g., vs. Abilene High’s blitzes). 247Sports notes he’s “not going to wow with physical tools,” implying his passing relies on timing rather than velocity, a challenge against faster college DBs.
- OSU Fit: Meacham’s air raid offense, which produced 533 yards per game at TCU, emphasizes quick throws and tempo, aligning with Hejny’s short-to-intermediate accuracy. His 62.8% completion rate projects to 55-60% in Big 12 play, with 1,800-2,200 passing yards and 12-15 touchdowns if starting 12 games. Transfer WRs Terrill Davis (1,609 yards), Cameron Abshire (1,057 yards), and Christian Fitzpatrick (576 yards) provide reliable targets, while the offensive line (Bob Schick, Markell Samuel; 3,800+ snaps) projects 1.5 sacks allowed per game, giving Hejny time for quick reads. His arm strength limitation may reduce deep-ball attempts, relying on Lloyd’s speed (10.5 100-meter) for YAC.
- Decision-Making and Pocket Presence
- Strengths: Hejny’s film reveals rapid growth in decision-making, per coach Buchanan’s praise of his “unbelievable” improvement from Week 1 to Week 16 in 2022 (The Oklahoman). As a junior, he progressed from pulling the ball to run if his first read wasn’t open to hitting fourth-read throws by the playoffs, showcasing football IQ. His low interception rate (estimated 2-3% over 522 attempts, 2022-2023) reflects sound choices, seen in the 2023 Region I-5A final (56-21 vs. Abilene High), where he scrambled effectively and avoided turnovers. His 30-game win streak and 202 yards in the 2023 state title game highlight composure under pressure, critical for OSU’s high-stakes games (e.g., vs. Kansas State). His TCU scout team 40-yard TD run (per Tulsa World) suggests confidence in chaotic situations.
- Weaknesses: Early 2022 film likely shows Hejny defaulting to runs when reads broke down, a habit he outgrew but could resurface against Big 12 blitzes (e.g., Texas Tech’s 2.5 sacks per game). His 5-7 interceptions in 2023 indicate occasional overconfidence in tight windows, potentially visible in games against top 5A defenses (e.g., Denton Ryan). With no college passing reps, his pocket presence against Power 4 speed is untested, a concern for road games like UCF. Film may show moments of holding the ball too long, risking sacks without college-level protection.
- OSU Fit: Meacham’s quick-read system, seen in TCU’s 75-play tempo, mitigates Hejny’s interception risk, projecting 8-10 INTs with disciplined progressions. His high school progression growth (fourth-read TDs) aligns with Meacham’s air raid, which relies on pre-snap adjustments. The line’s 1.5 sacks allowed (per prior projection) supports his pocket presence, and his composure (30-0 as a starter) suits close Big 12 games (e.g., 31-27 vs. Iowa State). Meacham’s coaching, which cut Boykin’s interceptions from 10 to 7 (2013-14), refines Hejny’s decisions, but his lack of college snaps risks early-season errors (e.g., vs. Oregon).
