Hello: Victor Viramontes

Photo via 247

Now this is a Jim Harbaugh recruit. Norco (CA) QB/ATH Victor Viramontes committed to Michigan last night after earning an offer at the Fresno satellite camp. He's a dual-threat quarterback who can also play—wait for it—linebacker at the next level. A quarterback/linebacker. Nicknamed "Vicious Vic" if his Hudl page is any indication. Harbaugh.

Viramontes is the 14th commit in the 2016 class, joining Brandon Peters at quarterback, and the eighth to pledge this month, which is only half over.

GURU RATINGS

Viramontes is ranked as a three-star on every site save ESPN, which apparently hasn't bothered to evaluate a significant portion of this class. He's relatively close to four-star status on both Scout and Rivals—three position rank spots away on Rivals, seven on Scout—while he's further off the pace on 247.

The listed heights for Viramontes range from 6'0" (Scout, ESPN) to 6'2" (247), with his weight listed anywhere between 205 and 220 pounds. Those extra couple inches would be of great use if he winds up at quarterback.

SCOUTING

Viramontes is a run-first dual-threat quarterback—SouthernCaliforniaPreps went so far as to list him at running back on their 2014-15 All-SoCal offense team—but that doesn't mean he lack ability as a thrower. His arm strength is consistently noted as a positive in scouting reports, and Scout's free evaluation indicates he has the potential to stick at the position in college:

Evaluation

Viramontes is dual threat quarterback who can beat a team with his arm or his legs. He might actually be more advanced as a runner than a pure thrower but in the right system, he can definitely play QB in college. He has the size, athleticism and toughness to move to defense as well and could end up at LB or safety. He's a very physical player, loves contact and is a highly competitive kid-Biggins

Strengths

• Competitiveness
• Strength
• Toughness

Areas to Improve

• Change of Direction

At the B2G Los Angeles camp in May, Viramontes worked out on both sides of the ball, and Rivals named him their #3 performer in a field with some big-time talent ($):

This was the first time this offseason we've seen Viramontes in action and he was really impressive both at quarterback and linebacker. The Norco prospect is not going to play [blow?] anyone away with his size but he's a compact, physical prospect who has as much zip on his passes as any quarterback in California. On defense he flies around, reads the quarterback's eyes and has a real passion for playing the game.

At this month's Rivals Five-Star Challenge, Viramontes was the best quarterback in attendance, and he showed he's got more than just arm strength and athleticism to work with, per Blair Angulo ($):

Whether it was hitting receivers on underneath routes or completing passes deep, the strong-armed Viramontes did a bit of everything in Baltimore. The shaggy hairdo might suggest he's laid back -- something that is often the stereotype for prospects from California -- but the three-star prospect proved to be a fiery competitor and it showed, especially during the 7-on-7 competition. Though his future position has yet to be determined, particularly since he has garnered looks at linebacker, Viramontes showed the accuracy and timing that would make him a formidable signal caller at the next level.

Viramontes was the only quarterback to make the overall top performers list from the 7-on-7 portion, coming in at #12 after throwing seven touchdowns and no picks in five games ($). In the aftermath, Mike Farrell wrote that Rivals will have to debate whether to give him a fourth star ($):

Viramontes did emerge as the First-Team All-Challenge quarterback, so this is an impressive call, but the jury is out when it comes to four-star status. As a highly-rated three-star, Viramontes will be discussed at length during our next rankings meetings. He has a cannon of an arm, but doesn't show a ton of touch and despite some offensive talent his team, finished out of the finals in the 7-on-7. But he was the best of a group that struggled. Whether that earns him a fourth star or not will be determined.

We'll see what happens in the rankings; it's impressive for a dual-threat prospect to perform that well in a camp setting, which eliminates half the threat; at the same time, Viramontes' size could prevent him from being ranked higher as long as he's considered a quarterback, and there's much less film on him as a defensive player. Regardless, we know he can be very productive with the ball in his hands:

In one of the most memorable games of the year last season, Norco beat St. Bonaventure and USC QB signee Ricky Town in triple OT 71-70. Viramontes rushed for 354 yards, threw for 235 and accounted for eight touchdowns. When you look at his size, athleticism and toughness, it's easy to see why a lot of schools feel he's best suited to play on the defensive side of the ball but he's definitely a play maker with the ball in his hands as well.

That is a lot of yards.

OFFERS

Viramontes holds offers from Colorado, Colorado State, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Nevada, San Diego State, Washington State, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, among others. The Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Nevada, and Washington State offers are especially intriguing for a quarterback prospect with Viramontes' skill set.

HIGH SCHOOL

Norco has consistently sent talent to Pac-12 schools, most notably former Stanford running back and Heisman finalist Toby Gerhart. Three-star 2016 safety Troy Dye also added an offer at the Fresno satellite camp.

STATS

MaxPreps has complete stats for Viramontes, and they're impressive. He completed 123 of 228 passes (53.9%) for 1,784 yards (7.8 YPA), 18 TDs, and only two INTs as a junior. He also rushed for 1,757 yards and 18 TDs on 214 carries (8.2 YPC), posting eight 100-yard games in 13 games played.

Since taking over at quarterback as a sophomore, Viramontes hasn't played much defense, but he's contributed on the side of the ball since he was a freshman; he recorded an interception in each of his first two high school seasons.

FAKE 40 TIME

Viramontes' Hudl page lists a three-FAKE 4.58; ESPN posts zero-FAKE SPARQ testing results that include a 4.71 40, which is still pretty fast for a high school quarterback.

VIDEO

Junior highlights:

Sophomore highlights and single-game reels can be found on his Hudl page.

PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE

Viramontes looks like a viable quarterback prospect, and you've probably noticed Michigan aquiring quite a few of those recently. When he gets to campus in 2016, Shane Morris, John O'Korn, Wilton Speight, Alex Malzone, and Zach Gentry are all slated to be on the roster, as well as fellow 2016 commit Brandon Peters. With Viramontes much more experienced on the offensive side of the ball, he's a lock to redshirt whether he ends up at quarterback or linebacker. He told Scout's Greg Biggins his future position isn't of major concern to him:

“I’m coming in as an athlete,” Viramontes said. “I trust the coaches so wherever they want to play me, I’m fine with. I worked out at quarterback and got great feedback from the staff. They said I remind them of Kap (Colin Kaepernick) because of how I can run and throw but we’ll see where I end up.

“It’s really not an issue for me, I’ll play wherever they want me. This is such an exciting time for me and it feels great to have the decision out of the way. My goal all along was to commit sometime in the summer so I can focus on Norco football and having a great senior year with my brothers on the team.

After watching his film, I'd love to see what a Harbaugh offense would look like with Viramontes at the helm, whether as the full-time starter or a situational option. If he doesn't beat out the considerable competition at quarterback, linebacker seems like a solid backup plan.

UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS

Michigan has filled all 14 spots currently open in the class. Of course, they're not done recruiting. Wide receiver, tight end (likely Naseir Upshur or Chase Claypool), offensive line, defensive tackle, weakside DE, outside linebacker, cornerback, and safety all remain needs, and recruiting shows no sign of slowing down. Again, I'll be taking a deeper look into the scholarship numbers in a post later this week. It's safe to say Michigan is set at quarterback for 2016, at least.