NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. Archbishop Stepinac quarterback Danny Hoffer was one of 25 quarterbacks from Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut who participated in MSG Varsitys first Tri-State Quarterback Showdown at New Rochelle High School on Sunday.
Former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms and former Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer judged the skills competition. Hoffer and many others were excited to be in the presence of the Super Bowl champions.
Its awesome. Its great. I love everything about this, Hoffer said. Its a blessing to be here. Its awesome.
Hoffer knew some of the participants before they gathered on the field Sunday. He has known Khalil Edney of New Rochelle High School for a long time and threw with him on Saturday. Hoffer also knew Kevin Olsen of Wayne Hills High School in Wayne, N.J. from the Elite 11 competition in April and knew both Mario Biaggi from Iona Prep and his wide receiver.
One of Hoffers wide receivers, Christian Lopez, also caught passes at the event.
Hoffer started playing football as a lineman in fifth and sixth grade. Then one day, he went to a camp at Stepinac with his older brother, who played there before him.
I was just throwing around the ball and (he told me), Youre going to be a QB when you get here, Hoffer said. And thats how it all started.
The soon-to-be senior will be busy with trips to colleges in the coming weeks. He will visit Syracuse University on Friday and Marshall University on Sunday, June 10. Hoffer said that University of Albany is about to make him an offer, Monmouth University has high interest and Marshall told him they would make him an offer on the spot if he has a strong day when he visits them.
Hoffer threw for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. His competitive nature was on display again on Sunday.
Its a great experience. Im just going to try and have fun with it but Im going to compete. Im going to try to win, Hoffer said. I really want to win.
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