Freshmen Quarterbacks That Are on The Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's well-known in the football world that California has among the top talent in the entire country. At one point this year, one conference alone featured the nation's number one and number two team. It's a true football state, with some serious talent coming up in the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we wanted to focus in on some of those 2026s, in particular, which freshmen quarterbacks are starting to rise up. Aside from one prospect (Brady Smiegiel), these guys haven't received any scholarship offers. However, that doesn't mean they aren't coming. With three more years of eligibility and more &amp; more time to develop each off-season, these guys should be serious forces for their respective programs. Keep an eye on them as we head into the home stretch of this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Kreet Makihele, 5'10" 170, San Marcos</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Is an absolute gunslinger on tape.</li><li>Anticipation and timing are outstanding.</li><li>Will take a shot vertically if given 1 on 1 coverage on the outside.</li><li>Looks off defenders before throwing opposite.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401274' first='Khalil' last='Abdul-Aziz'], 6'2" 170, Orange Vista</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Feet are easy and compact.</li><li>Uses his eyes as a weapon to move safeties.</li><li>Steady three-level passer.</li><li>extremely accurate as a redzone thrower.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1000878' first='Brady' last='Palmer'], 6'3" 180, St. Augustine</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Stands in the pocket with no hesitation as blitzers come.</li><li>Has some serious wheels and can pull a zone read &amp; create chunk plays on the ground.</li><li>Quite effective on called sprint out concepts.</li><li>Has plenty of arm talent to challenge opposing safeties.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='282755' first='Brady' last='Smigiel'], 6'4" 185, Newbury Park</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Has the touch and arm strength to make long vertical throws off-platform.</li><li>Excellent ball placement on throws of thirty yards plus.</li><li>Can generate enough velocity to muscle the football into tight closing windows.</li><li>Athleticism is on full display when the protection breaks down.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1000930' first='Jacob' last='Chambers'], 6'1" 165, Rancho Cucamonga</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Has shown a quick setup and the ability to drive the football.</li><li>Shows no issues working through lengthier progressions.</li><li>A natural throwing on the move.</li><li>Can expedite his release to get the ball out against the rush.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='283681' first='Oscar' last='Rios'], 6'3" 165, Orange</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Equipped with a lightning-quick release. </li><li>Highly effective on called RPOs.</li><li>Eyes stay downfield, regardless of what's going on in front of him.</li><li>Has a gamer-type feel to him, where things seem to come naturally to him.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='450169' first='Deagan' last='Rose'], 6'3" 180, Clovis</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Puts enough air under his vertical throws for his target to run right underneath it. </li><li>More than willing to work down to his checkdown and take the free/easy yards.</li><li>Places the back shoulder ball where only his man can go and get it.</li><li>Glides forward through the pocket with a defensive end bearing down.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>Other Names to Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Michael Mitchell, 5'10" 160, Archbishop Riordan</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Max Medina, N/A, Patterson</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Skyler Bell, 5'11" 165, McNair</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->