One year after playing a back-up role, 2018 Tyler Sprouse is expected to take over the reigns as the starting quarterback at Francis Howell.

At 6’2, 185-pounds, Sprouse is coming off a junior season in which he backed up McGwire Dean who helped lead the Vikings to a 9-3 record.

This season, Sprouse is taking over a leadership role with the team and says he is ready to help the team continue its winning ways.

“I feel I bring leadership, sportsmanship, and strong play as a quarterback to my team,” he said. “I support every player on the team I also feel I can run out offense very affectionately.”

Last season, Sprouse got some key varsity experience in the Vikings’ first-round playoff win over Troy as he came in and attempted seven passes and threw for 32 yards. He has spent much of the offseason focusing on improving his arm strength and overall speed and is working out at Elite Performance Academy in Chesterfield.

“For my position I am trying to work on my arm strength and my speed, I am doing resistance band training … I am working on my agility, speed, and ability as a quarterback,” he said.

Sprouse began playing football in kindergarten for a flag football team and has been playing ever since and says he has always played as a quarterback.

He says the most influential people in my football life have been my father and my old quarterback coach at Clyde High School, Alex Gillett.

“I watched him play not only when he was in high school but also at Eastern Michigan I learned a lot from him over the years,” Sprouse said.

A fan of former NFL standout Peyton Manning, Sprouse says he has tried to take elements of the star QB’s game and make them his own.

“Not only on the field but as a leader, he knows the game inside and out and I want to be like him or better one day,” he said.

Sprouse does not currently hold any offers, but has been in contact with several schools throughout the offseason, including Missouri Valley, Southeast Missouri State and Missouri State.