Will Hewlett (above) and Rich Bartel, two nationally-known quarterback trainers, join Matt Waldman’s RSP Cast for a conversation about private QB instruction and why it’s getting more credit and criticism than it deserves in the national media when it comes to talent development and opportunity for advancement at the game’s highest levels.

When the Raiders cut Christian Hackenberg shortly after it acquired him in a trade with the New York Jets, Sports Illustrated writer Robert Klemko reflected upon Hackenberg and what he learned while reporting and writing a feature on the former Penn State star:

The Hackenberg career arc is demonstrative of a big reason for weak QB play in the NFL. More so than any other position, QB at the youth level is specialized to the extent that wealth/resources are more important than the actual traits required to thrive: mental acuity/composure.

— robertklemko (@RobertKlemko) June 13, 2018

Hackenberg was bred to be a QB by a father who spent tens of thousands of $$$ connecting CH with QB gurus across the country. Those relationships helped CH thrive and get recognized, which led to Penn State, where he had an initial competitive advantage because of the experience. pic.twitter.com/2GDoOSmGTj

— robertklemko (@RobertKlemko) June 13, 2018

You don't need to do this to get recruited as a DT or win a job as a TE. It sure helps to travel to camps and pay to train at a higher level, but it's not essential. It has become essential for QBs. Who gets left out? Poor kids. Black kids. Kids who might have thrived in the NFL.

— robertklemko (@RobertKlemko) June 13, 2018

Rich Bartell and Will Hewlett, two former college quarterbacks and current coaches of the position, responded to Klemko’s statements on Twitter with a pair of short videos about the nature of private training and while they agree with Klemko that race and socioeconomics in America are variables that affect opportunities for success in football, they disagree with Klemko’s statement that private training “has become essential for QBs” — something you wouldn’t expect from two individuals in this industry who are critical about the world of private QB instruction.

On this week’s podcast, Bartell and Hewlett join Matt Waldman for a discussion about private training and where they believe racism and socioeconomics has the greatest impact on the quarterback development process.

For analysis of skill players, get the 2018  Rookie Scouting Portfolio. If you’re a fantasy owner the Post-Draft Add-on comes with the 2012 – 2018 RSPs at no additional charge. Best, yet, 10 percent of every sale is donated to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse. You can purchase past editions of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio for just $9.95 each.

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