QB1: Beyond the Lights is a popular documentary series that follows the lives and careers of high school quarterbacks who are on the verge of making it big in college football and beyond. The show, created by Peter Berg, has three seasons on Netflix, each featuring three different QBs from different backgrounds and regions. The show gives an intimate glimpse into the challenges, pressures and joys of being a young athlete with a bright future.
But what happened to the nine quarterbacks who starred in the show? Where are they now and how are they doing in their college careers or beyond? Here is a quick update on each of them.
Season 1: Tate Martell, Jake Fromm and Tayvon Bowers
The first season of QB1 aired in 2017 and introduced us to three talented QBs: Tate Martell from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada; Jake Fromm from Houston County High School in Warner Robins, Georgia; and Tayvon Bowers from Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Tate Martell
Tate Martell was ranked as the #1 QB in the nation after leading Bishop Gorman to back to back national championships and was committed to Ohio State University. However, his college career has been a roller coaster ride of transfers, position changes and controversies. He redshirted his freshman year at Ohio State and played sparingly as a backup in his sophomore year. He then transferred to Miami in 2019, where he switched to wide receiver after losing the QB competition. He opted out of the 2020 season due to personal reasons and entered the transfer portal again. He landed at UNLV, his hometown school, where he is currently competing for the starting QB job for the 2021 season.
Jake Fromm
Jake Fromm was a four-star recruit who flipped his commitment from Alabama to Georgia, where he became an instant star as a freshman. He led the Bulldogs to three consecutive SEC East titles, a SEC championship, a Rose Bowl victory and a national championship appearance. He threw for 8,224 yards and 78 touchdowns in his three-year career at Georgia, earning several accolades and awards. He decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round. He spent his rookie season as the fourth-string QB and did not see any game action. He is currently competing for a backup role behind Josh Allen.
Tayvon Bowers
Tayvon Bowers was a prolific passer who threw for over 4,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in his junior year at Bishop McDevitt. He faced some adversity in his senior year, as he lost most of his receivers and had to deal with a new coaching staff. He also had to cope with the absence of his father, who passed away when he was young. He committed to Wake Forest, where he redshirted his freshman year and played sparingly as a backup in his sophomore year. He then transferred to Gardner-Webb, a FCS school, where he became the starter in 2019. He threw for 2,214 yards and 17 touchdowns in his junior year, leading the Runnin’ Bulldogs to a 3-9 record. He opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns and is expected to return for his senior year in 2021.
Season 2: Justin Fields, Sam Hartman and Re-al Mitchell
The second season of QB1 aired in 2018 and featured three more QBs: Justin Fields from Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia; Sam Hartman from Oceanside Collegiate Academy in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; and Re-al Mitchell from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California.
Justin Fields
Justin Fields was the #1 dual-threat QB and #2 overall recruit in the nation after dominating at Harrison High School. He committed to Georgia, where he played as a backup to Jake Fromm in his freshman year. He then transferred to Ohio State, where he became one of the best QBs in college football history. He led the Buckeyes to two Big Ten titles, two College Football Playoff appearances and a national championship game. He threw for 5,373 yards and 63 touchdowns and ran for 867 yards and 15 touchdowns in his two-year career at Ohio State, winning several awards and honors. He decided to enter the 2021 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round. He is currently competing for the starting QB job with veteran Andy Dalton.
Sam Hartman
Sam Hartman was a three-star recruit who enrolled early at Wake Forest, where he won the starting QB job as a true freshman. He threw for 1,984 yards and 16 touchdowns in nine games before suffering a season-ending leg injury. He then lost his starting job to Jamie Newman in his sophomore year and played in only four games. He regained his starting role in his junior year, after Newman transferred to Georgia. He threw for 2,224 yards and 13 touchdowns in nine games, leading the Demon Deacons to a 4-5 record and a bowl game. He is expected to return for his senior year in 2021.
Re-al Mitchell
Re-al Mitchell was a four-star recruit who was known for his speed and athleticism. He committed to Iowa State, where he redshirted his freshman year and played as a backup and a gadget player in his sophomore year. He threw for 100 yards and one touchdown and ran for 100 yards and one touchdown in seven games. He then transferred to Temple, where he sat out the 2020 season due to NCAA rules. He is currently competing for the starting QB job for the 2021 season.
Season 3: Spencer Rattler, Lance LeGendre and Nik Scalzo
The third season of QB1 aired in 2019 and introduced us to three more QBs: Spencer Rattler from Pinnacle High School in Phoenix, Arizona; Lance LeGendre from Warren Easton High School in New Orleans, Louisiana; and Nik Scalzo from Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Spencer Rattler
Spencer Rattler was the #1 pro-style QB and #11 overall recruit in the nation after breaking several records at Pinnacle High School. He committed to Oklahoma, where he redshirted his freshman year and learned from Jalen Hurts. He became the starter in his sophomore year, throwing for 3,031 yards and 28 touchdowns and running for 160 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games. He led the Sooners to a Big 12 title and a Cotton Bowl victory, earning the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year award. He is expected to return for his junior year in 2021 and is considered one of the top candidates for the Heisman Trophy and the 2022 NFL Draft.
Lance LeGendre
Lance LeGendre was a four-star recruit who was rated as the #9 dual-threat QB in the nation after leading Warren Easton to a state championship game. He committed to Maryland, where he played as a backup in his freshman year, throwing for 86 yards and one touchdown and running for 104 yards in four games. He then transferred to Louisiana, where he sat out the 2020 season due to NCAA rules. He is currently competing for the starting QB job for the 2021 season.
Nik Scalzo
Nik Scalzo was a three-star recruit who threw for over 9,000 yards and 111 touchdowns in his high school career at Cardinal Gibbons. He committed to Kentucky, where he suffered a torn ACL in his freshman year and missed the entire season. He then suffered another torn ACL in his sophomore year and missed most of the season. He played in only one game, throwing for six yards. He is expected to return for his junior year in 2021 and compete for playing time behind starter Will Levis.