Surging Sophomore Signal Callers
In this article:
Nevada’s 2026 class is taking shape as we enter the 2023 season. There are several sophomore quarterbacks who will have to sit behind upperclassmen this fall. However, during the 2022 season there was numerous freshmen who flashed collegiate abilities on…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingNevada’s 2026 class is taking shape as we enter the 2023 season. There are several sophomore quarterbacks who will have to sit behind upperclassmen this fall. However, during the 2022 season there was numerous freshmen who flashed collegiate abilities on varsity and JV film alike. Below, I detail five passers who are set to make great strides in their quarterback development this fall.
Kellon Trubey
Kellon Trubey
Kellon Trubey is an intriguing prospect as he will be one of the first quarterbacks to go through all four years of Pinecrest’s new football program. Don’t be surprised when the strong-armed sophomore turns heads across Nevada this fall. Kellon shows a good combination of size and athleticism escaping freshmen speed rushers in the backfield. Next level arm strength flashes leading receivers vertically down the opposite sideline. Kellon’s potential to extend plays shows delivering accurate throws without setting his feet and using his eyes instead of his legs to create outside of the pocket.
Ethan Kraintz Ethan Kraintz 5’9″ | 145 lbs | QB Elko | 2026 NV saw time sparingly as a varsity quarterback for Elko High School in 2022. I immediately noticed Ethan’s arm strength on Elko’s freshmen tape, and I would expect college coaches to overlook Ethan’s height and do the same this season. While Ethan’s dual-threat potential shows during freshmen games, watch for Ethan to show real development as a passer in 2023. Varsity dual-threat ability gets displayed in Ethan’s strength and balance that allows him to run over freshmen defenders in the box. Ethan’s accuracy shows leading receivers thirty yards downfield while on the run. Good anticipation gets displayed consistently delivering well-timed throws in between defenders’ zones over the middle. Mobility, arm strength, and good decision making when forced out of pocket are all tools that evaluators hope Ethan will continue to show as a sophomore passer for Elko this fall.
Ashton Hunt Ashton Hunt 6’1″ | 155 lbs | QB Centennial | 2026 State NV immediately jumped off the film to me as a good-sized freshman quarterback. With a talented senior on Centennial’s roster we may only see glimpses of Ashton this fall. However, keep an eye on Ashton to make a big jump in his sophomore year regardless of how much time he spends on the JV squad. Ashton’s poise under pressure and arm strength on the run highlight his Friday night ready abilities. Good size and strength show breaking freshmen arm tackles on the run. Ashton’s anticipation shows placing well-timed seam shots in between defenders. Flashes of next level mobility and good use of his eyes outside of the pocket allow Ashton to extend plays with his arm while on the run. Expect coaches to keep an eye on the talented sophomore throughout the rest of 2023.
Jerome Edward Kaeo Kalama Jerome Edward Kaeo Kalama 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Eldorado | 2026 State NV
Jerome Edward Kaeo Kalama Jerome Edward Kaeo Kalama 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Eldorado | 2026 State NV
Jerome Edward Kaeo Kalama Jerome Edward Kaeo Kalama 6’3″ | 195 lbs | QB Eldorado | 2026 State NV is one of the fastest rising sophomores in Nevada. I have been unable to locate the sophomore passer on social media, but Jerome was one of two representatives for Eldorado High School at last week’s Las Vegas Sun’s Media Day. Don’t be surprised when Jerome’s sophomore season leads to multiple west coast recruiters sprinting to Las Vegas to meet the Eldorado passer. Jerome shows a good combination of size, toughness, and arm strength delivering throws over the middle in the face of pressure. Jerome’s anticipation and good decision-making shows making the correct decision in half field passing concepts, where the intended target has small windows to complete the catch. Flashes of next level accuracy show precisely completing downfield passes with touch when forced to throw off-balance and out of the pocket.
Maika Eugenio Maika Eugenio 6’0″ | 180 lbs | QB Bishop Gorman | 2026 State NV has had a busy couple months since I last turned on his tape. I saw him tweet a list of ten camps he planned to attend last month and then follow up with a couple photos with PAC-12 coaches. He received an offer from UNLV in June and also attended a camp at Boise State with his fellow Bishop Gorman quarterbacks. Maika holds four division one offers and is already one of the heaviest recruited 2026 prospects in the state. I saw footage of Maika at a 7 on 7 tournament and immediately his rare combination of size, arm strength, setup time, and anticipation showed delivering intermediate throws with velocity. Do not be surprised if Bishop Gorman’s quarterback battle includes the talented sophomore right in between the two college bound upperclassmen ahead of him.