In the hyper-competitive world of the NFL, quarterbacks are always seeking an edge. Now, a new era of specialized training is resetting expectations for how these elite athletes prepare. At the forefront of this movement are two of the game’s brightest young stars: Caleb Williams and Brock Purdy.
The CORTX System: A Game-Changer for QBs
Williams and Purdy have turned to Tom Gormely and his team at CORTX Sports Performance in Jacksonville, Florida. There, quarterbacks undergo a comprehensive biomechanical analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement in their throwing motion.
“If I hadn’t come to Tom, I would have already topped out,” said Purdy, crediting the CORTX system for his rapid rise from last pick in the draft to Super Bowl starter.
Personalized Plans for Peak Performance
Using high-speed cameras and motion capture technology, Gormely and his team develop customized training regimens for each quarterback. The goal is to optimize mechanics, boost velocity and accuracy, and unlock untapped potential.
Caleb never wanted a pat on the back. In fact, it was the opposite. He only wanted to know how he could get better.
Tom Gormely on working with Caleb Williams
For Williams, the presumptive top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the focus was on fine-tuning his already prodigious talents. “Mechanically he did some things the best we’ve ever seen on any quarterback,” noted CORTX quarterback coach Will Hewlett.
Building Better Quarterbacks, Block by Block
The CORTX approach revolves around breaking down a quarterback’s throwing motion into its component parts, then rebuilding it from the ground up. Physical therapy addresses joint mobility and soft tissue restrictions, while targeted exercises develop the muscles and movement patterns that power a dynamic throw.
“These guys broke me up, loosened me up, and got me throwing like I needed to,” Purdy said of his pre-draft work with Gormely’s team.
A Proactive Approach to Arm Health
Another key aspect of the CORTX system is its focus on arm care and injury prevention. Quarterbacks follow a carefully structured throwing program that gradually builds volume and intensity while allowing for adequate recovery.
It was the first time I had never felt a sore arm or a fatigued, weak arm during the season. And I knew I was going to keep coming back every offseason.
Nathan Peterman on training with Gormely
This proactive approach has helped quarterbacks like Nathan Peterman, now with the Atlanta Falcons, stay healthy and perform at their peak throughout the grueling NFL season.
The Future of Quarterback Development
As word spreads of the success enjoyed by Purdy, Williams, and others, more quarterbacks are seeking out the CORTX system. The appeal lies in its data-driven, individualized approach – a stark contrast to the one-size-fits-all training many QBs are accustomed to.
- Biomechanical analysis pinpoints areas for improvement
- Customized plans optimize each QB’s unique talents
- Structured throwing programs promote arm health
- Ongoing training fosters continuous growth
“We’re trying to identify: Is this inefficiency physical, something we’re able to address through work on the soft tissues? Is this structurally how they’re built, or is it just a pattern that’s been trained over and over?” explained biomechanics expert Chris Hess, a key member of the CORTX team.
By answering these questions and crafting targeted interventions, Gormely and his colleagues are redefining what it means to prepare for success as a quarterback at the highest level. For rising stars like Williams and Purdy, that preparation never stops.
I come in here with a purpose every day. Not just coming in and throwing, but actually working on your mechanics. It’s always going to be a thing with my career. I’m not going to perfect it this season or next season. I can get closer and closer but that’s the beauty of this sport … the science is off the field. Once I step on, I let it rip and those habits take over.
Brock Purdy on his commitment to continuous improvement
As more quarterbacks adopt this mindset and embrace cutting-edge training methods, the NFL’s most important position is primed for a new era of unprecedented talent and performance. And at the vanguard of this movement are two young signal-callers determined to push the boundaries of what’s possible: Caleb Williams and Brock Purdy.
