PRZPA 2024 Rankings Update: The State’s Top Ten Quarterbacks
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Samaj Jones PA #16 QB #1 HEIGHT 6'0" WEIGHT 215 POS QB CLASS 2024 View Profile Samaj Jones Instagram Twitter State: Pennsylvania School: St. Joseph's Prep St. Joseph’s Prep’s Samaj Jones Samaj Jones 6’0″ | 215 lbs | QB St.…
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Continue ReadingSt. Joseph’s Prep’s Samaj Jones Samaj Jones 6’0″ | 215 lbs | QB St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA has cemented himself a tier above the rest at his position. For some years, dating back to 2021, many including us at Prep Redzone wanted to see which quarterback would separate themselves at the top of this class. Without a doubt, that passer was Samaj Jones Samaj Jones 6’0″ | 215 lbs | QB St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA . The future Bearcat has vastly improved physical and mental traits across the board, all in an effort to be the best possible quarterback prospect he can be. Samaj Jones Samaj Jones 6’0″ | 215 lbs | QB St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA will lead the 2023 SJP Hawks into a Fall season where they are once again favored to win the 6A State Title. A top-15 ranking stands as his highest rank yet.
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Another ranking update comes and goes with Steelton-Highspire’s Alex Erby Alex Erby 6’4″ | 210 lbs | QB Steelton-Highspire | 2024 State PA ranking as the best quarterback not named Samaj Jones Samaj Jones 6’0″ | 215 lbs | QB St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA . A loud statement that is, as many below Erby have flirted with the possibility of surmounting his spot at number two. I still can’t pull the trigger on “dropping” Erby out of this two spot. A class act, one of the more consistent producers who will lead his own offense into State-Title-Favorite conversations for yet another year. That’s impressive in his own right. We are now squarely focused on Erby’s commitment decision, a decision that should be made in the coming weeks. Ranking aside, wherever Erby decides to go, we at PRZ will keep a watchful eye in hopes he succeeds at the next level.
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Julian Dugger Julian Dugger 6’4″ | 200 lbs | QB Penn Hills | 2024 State PA cracks the top three this update, just one spot behind Steelton-Highspire’s Alex Erby Alex Erby 6’4″ | 210 lbs | QB Steelton-Highspire | 2024 State PA . Glowing reviews coming out of Pitt’s most recent passing camp with Dugger making headlines in his hometown. I enjoy seeing a young man blossom and develop both in build and in confidence, especially at the quarterback position. There is a ton of speculation and here-say about where Dugger could commit, with multiple FCS schools pulling the trigger on Dugger as of late. This time last year, you could argue that Dugger’s stock was at its ceiling, with UMass, Toledo, and Pitt offering him within a week. With Dugger heating back up lately, will an FBS program reach out again before the Fall season begins? We are excited to see where he intends to play ball in 2024.
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Quinn Henicle Quinn Henicle 6’2″ | 190 lbs | QB Downingtown West | 2024 State PA lands inside the top five, now back-to-back updates achieving that feat. The gem of the state, as many don’t know how special a player Henicle is despite our consistent preaching. Henicle is committed to Old Dominion University, a perfect landing spot for someone of his caliber. Expect another big year out of Henicle behind center, you can’t help but be excited at his production potential when you take a look at the offensive weapons he’s working with. Dugger and Erby are the big names in the state, that being said, I won’t be afraid to rank him second over both Erby and Dugger if his November tape calls for it.
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Brad Birch Brad Birch 6’0″ | 190 lbs | QB Gateway | 2024 State PA takes a bit of a tumble on our ranks simply because of a lack of recruiting traction, hardly because of his game. I have a difficult time ranking passers ahead of him, even passers with FBS offers under their belt. If we are talking pure talent, Birch will remain at the top with the best names in the state until he proves he’s not worthy. I have a good feeling he’s going to prove otherwise this coming Fall at Gateway. Rarely do you see a prospect meet his ceiling and floor within a span of three years, we think that’s happened here with Birch. This rank is most likely his floor, a high floor at that. He very well might’ve reached his ceiling as well.
Cole Meehan Cole Meehan 6’2″ | 190 lbs | QB Lansdale Catholic | 2024 State PA is the last quarterback to place inside the top 100. More recent recruiting traction headed Cole Meehan Cole Meehan 6’2″ | 190 lbs | QB Lansdale Catholic | 2024 State PA ‘s way, bringing in more offers than Birch and Dugger combined. Buffalo, Maine, and Saint Francis have all offered Meehan within the last two months, cementing Meehan’s belonging inside the Top 100 for another update. Many were skeptical of our placement of the Lansdale Catholic passer in previous updates. I, however, will stand on the kid’s ability. One of the better high school to college-ready prospects you’ll find in the state. Meehan sits atop the third tier, beating out Johnson and Wharton.
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I gave real consideration to Hayden Johnson Hayden Johnson 6’1″ | 195 lbs | QB Manheim Township | 2024 State PA placing above Brad Birch Brad Birch 6’0″ | 190 lbs | QB Gateway | 2024 State PA and into the top five. I think Manheim Township’s man behind center has that type of ceiling. Lehigh and Sacred Heart have reached out to Johnson in the form of a scholarship offer. Hayden might have an FCS ceiling, possibly because of so-called height deficiencies, yet there’s clear interest among FBS schools, his camp performances have earned him that interest. I could see a G5 or P5 school name him a PWO candidate soon, yet my grade still teters between FCS and Group of Five. One thing’s for sure, Hayden Johnson Hayden Johnson 6’1″ | 195 lbs | QB Manheim Township | 2024 State PA is going to light up fields this coming Fall, expect a high volume of production.
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I’m not ready to flip on my Mekhi Wharton Mekhi Wharton 6’5″ | 215 lbs | QB Neumann-Goretti | 2024 State PA grade. As we progress closer and closer to the final senior ranking update, I more I have to reflect current recruiting boards. Wharton might have “dropped” on our ranks, yet his FBS grade remains intact. The first three games of Wharton’s senior year will likely decide his fate among collegiate suitors, I’m not ready to back off high praise until we see what happens this Fall. A drop could come, yet we at PRZ are banking on Wharton succeeding early this September.
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Offers out of UPenn, Brown, and Cornell, Ivy-League schools are closely monitoring Epsicopal Academies Quarterback prospect Na’Rome Rayborn Na’Rome Rayborn 6’1″ | 190 lbs | QB Episcopal Academy | 2024 State PA . Talking to Rayborn and others courting the young man, they like the kid at quarterback, no positional change in sight. We’ve flirted with ranking Rayborn as an ATH in the past, yet it’s long overdue that we treat him like the passing prospect that he is. Rayborn’s squarely on radar among FCS schools looking for a leader, the work he’s put in on tape, as well as throughout this summer, has him climbing into the top ten rankings among his positional peers. I’m hardly surprised, yet two years ago this time, Rayborn was hanging around and outside the top 300, an awesome rise to witness.
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West Perry’s Marcus Quaker Marcus Quaker 5’11” | 170 lbs | QB West Perry | 2024 State PA and Imhotep Charter’s Mikal Davis Jr. Mikal Davis Jr. 6’0″ | 200 lbs | QB Imhotep Charter | 2024 State PA each had a case to land inside the top ten. We gave the spot to Lower Merion’s Mekhai Smith Mekhai Smith 6’2″ | 200 lbs | QB Lower Merion | 2024 State PA , simply because of the upside he provides at the position. Equally as gifted an athlete as Rayborn, Quaker, and Davis Jr., Mekhai Smith Mekhai Smith 6’2″ | 200 lbs | QB Lower Merion | 2024 State PA brings a multi-faceted approach without giving up much in terms of size. a chiseled 200, 6’2 body frame that helps him excel on the diamond as well as the court, Mekhai Smith Mekhai Smith 6’2″ | 200 lbs | QB Lower Merion | 2024 State PA stands as the ideal prospect to build around. Quaker has the production, Davis Jr. has the wins and play-making abilities to his name. We think Mekhai puts it all together. Cornell football has extended an offer to the Lower Merion prospect.