Lake Forest’s Daniel Van Camp has long had certain traits that are valued in quarterbacks.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior has obvious physical attributes, including a powerful right arm.
But he has also become comfortable in the role. Very comfortable.
“I just sit back there, make the right reads and get the ball to the right guys,” Van Camp said. “I’m just there to throw the balls. I do my part, they do theirs and it all works out.”
It does seem to be working well for the Scouts, if their season-opening 35-12 win at Lakes on Friday is any indication. Van Camp, one of 40 seniors on the roster, completed 11 of 16 passes for 240 yards and four touchdowns.
“It sets the tone for what we want to be as a team,” Van Camp said. “We put in all this work for nine games, plus the playoffs. So to win in the fashion that we did, that’s what we want for the rest of the season.”
Last season also began for the Scouts with a lopsided win against Lakes, but this one felt different to Van Camp.
“Last year was definitely nerve-wracking because it was a new experience that I didn’t know if I was ready for,” he said. “This year, I totally know what I’m doing. I know the playbook inside and out, and everything is second nature to me. I knew I’d play my best.”
The headlining play for Van Camp, who completed 109 of 190 passes for 1,363 yards with 13 touchdowns and just four interceptions for the Scouts (6-5) last season, was a 93-yard scoring strike to senior wide receiver Charlie Markee.
When plays like that happen, they have a tendency to look easy. But there was more to it than met the eye.
“It was a post route, and my job is to run by my guy,” Markee said. “They blitzed, so it was man on the cornerback, and (Van Camp) knew pre-snap that there was no deep safety.”
Sending seven on the blitz left Lakes’ secondary vulnerable, but Van Camp had to unload the ball quickly. That’s when his progress was plain to see.
“I saw the rush coming at me and threw off my back foot but put it on the money,” Van Camp said. “Last year, I probably would have tried to run with it or thrown it away. Pressure doesn’t feel as remotely difficult to deal with.”
With Van Camp in control, Lake Forest coach Chuck Spagnoli and his staff have confidence.
“Having him back there gives you optimism, and a lot of the ambiguity is out of the equation,” Spagnoli said. “There’s no way to put a price on experience, especially at that position.”
Spagnoli describes Van Camp as more of a drop-back quarterback, but that doesn’t mean he’s a statue in the pocket. He can scramble for yards.
Van Camp’s mobility shouldn’t come as a surprise. He also plays lacrosse and excels at it. He has committed to play the sport at Rutgers, and he helped Lake Forest win the state title in the spring.
“That was a crazy experience,” he said. “We hope to emulate that in football. Being able to balance the two sports is awesome.”
Van Camp is a defenseman in lacrosse and sees parallels.
“One of the main parts of playing defense in lacrosse is being quick on my toes, staying in front of guys and anticipating what the offense is going to do,” Van Camp said. “Being nimble and agile translates well to football, where I’m anticipating what the defense might do.”
For about a month this summer, Van Camp traveled on the East Coast with his club team, True Lacrosse Illinois, and played in showcases to drum up college interest. He committed to Rutgers on July 10.
“This summer was really good for me,” he said. “It’s very relieving knowing what my future will be, and there’s a little less stress. I can focus on football now.”
That focus is the perfect complement to Van Camp’s physical gifts.
“He’s always been a great athlete with a huge arm,” Markee said. “But the maturity he’s made from sophomore year to junior year and from junior to senior has been great. When he’s calm, everyone else is calm, and that helps us all take on his persona.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
