The thing Beau Pribula is most known for is his ability to run with the ball.
But as he prepares for his first spring camp with the Missouri Tigers looking to take over the starting quarterback spot, he’s making sure his passing game is top notch as well.
For the past few years, Pribula has worked with Rob Williams, a quarterback kinesiologist and movement coach, who has worked with numerous quarterbacks across the past 13 years. Kinesiology is the study of movement.
Williams has been a practicing kinesiologist for the past 33 years, but got into coaching quarterbacks when his son started playing football
“At the time, I had already worked with numerous throwers, including pitchers, quarterbacks and track & field athletes and had a very good understanding of the kinesiology of throwing,” Williams said. “As I searched for the best QB coaching for my son, I ran into a disappointing issue, the mechanics concepts he was being taught were causing problems. He very quickly developed debilitating arm pain that made him frustrated and discouraged.”
So Williams decided he couldn’t keep watching and allowing the coaching to hurt his son’s development. With his knowledge of throwing mechanics, he helped his son better understand the mechanics of throwing and began regularly working with quarterbacks to help them achieve more-optimal passing motions.
Over the years, Williams has worked with quarterbacks such as Will Levis, Bo Nix, Sean Clifford and Tanner Morgan, who all went on to the NFL.
“I have researched, studied and experimented extensively in all aspects of quarterback movement and throwing mechanics,” Williams said. “In-game movement and throwing of the football involves a very complicated and specialized set of motor skills. To play QB at a high level requires a degree of mastery of these skills and every aspect of play can be analyzed and optimized.”
Now, Pribula is bringing that optimization to the Tigers’ spring camp.
The redshirt junior is the likely next Tiger starter, taking over for Brady Cook after coming over in the transfer portal from Penn State.
But in his time with the Nittany Lions, Pribula has mainly showcased his running ability, while leaving his ability to throw in question.
“That’s always the hard part when a QB is in the No. 2 spot,” Williams said. “You rarely get to see what they can really do. I’ve worked with a lot of quarterbacks and am totally confident in Beau as an elite passer. He’s got the power to make every throw on the field with a high-quality ball that is on time and on target, whether touched in over a defender’s head or driven into tight windows.
“He’s very athletic, so his footwork and pocket movement are clean and efficient, which helps his passing game. I’m really looking forward to seeing him light it up this season.”
Part of Williams’ business is his instagram account @qbmotion where he has posted a couple of clips of Pribula since the quarterback got to Columbia.
“In those videos, Beau and I are primarily working on optimizing how he loads the ball, from the pre-pass position in front of his chest to the load position behind his head,” Williams said. “This is a very under-appreciated aspect of throwing mechanics because it sets up how the rest of the throw comes together, including the lag-whip mechanism that generates speed and spin.”
Williams said his training method includes a different arm path on throws than fans would normally see from other quarterback coaches because of the difference in his research.
“By improving arm path, we can improve velocity, accuracy and release quickness, while reducing strain on the arm,” Williams said.
Now, Pribula will take all that training to the field in Columbia as he attempts to lead the Tigers to their third consecutive season with double-digit wins, but he will have big shoes to fill with Cook exiting. Missouri fans have gotten used to someone willing to do anything to win, but Williams said he isn’t worried about the transition to Pribula.
“Beau is one of those athletes that ‘gets it,’” Williams said. “By that I mean, he prioritizes what is important and beneficial to achieving his goals. He’s professional, respectful and disciplined, with a great attitude, which makes him very rewarding to work with. He’ll go out of his way to grasp opportunities for improvement.”
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