Mid Season: Top performing Underclassmen QBs
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There has surprisingly been a crop of underclassmen QBs performing well to the mid-season. Some of these talented signal callers have experience from last season, like Cameron Walter Cameron Walter 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Woodland Hills | 2026…
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Continue ReadingThere has surprisingly been a crop of underclassmen QBs performing well to the mid-season. Some of these talented signal callers have experience from last season, like Cameron Walter Cameron Walter 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Woodland Hills | 2026 State PA and Matt Sieg Matt Sieg 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH Fort Cherry | 2026 State PA , while freshman players such as Jaivin Peel and Aaron Strader have come into high school roles seamlessly, excelling on the gridiron. I’ve compiled a list of these top-performing underclassmen in a 2-part series. Without further delay, this is part one of the Top Performing Underclassmen QBs.
Sieg is by far the most dynamic out of this crew of underclassmen. The sophomore prospect has FBS Power Five offers from Penn State, West Virginia, Nebraska, Pitt, and Syracuse. The 6’0, 170-pound athlete runs a 4.4 40-yard dash and is as quick as he is fast. He’s a dual-threat QB that can score from anywhere on the field. He’s the more dangerous option on zone reads out of him and the RB. He runs with balance, explosion, vision, and elusiveness. On defense, he showcases a sharp football IQ on the backend. He has next-level DB footwork and mechanics. His ball skills and the ability to score once he intercepts the ball are elite. Sieg has showcased a variety of special team skills in ‘23, including kick returning.
Highlights
Jaivin Peel
Jaivin Peel
Peel is a freshman QB from the ’27 class, and he presently leads the WPIAL in passing yards. Last week, he was 12/22 for 254 yards while tossing 4 TDs. The freshman field general is football intelligent and makes the right decisions with the football. He’s very accurate overall but excels at making passes from the pocket. He’s versatile and has produced from the shotgun or under center. He distributes the ball well to his weapons with great placement. He’s accurate on rollouts or when he’s surveying the field from the pocket. Peel’s size at 6’1 is good now, and he has a good release mixed with arm strength. He throws timing routes with anticipation and is a smart football player overall. So far, Peel has been keeping his pace as the top passer in Western Pa.
Tavares is a tough passer with a lot of potential. He utilizes all of his targets when completing the football. Tristyn gets the ball out quickly to his weapons. He’s solid at executing play-action and the zone read. He’s mobile and decently athletic. He distributes the ball equally among his receivers. He throws hitches and quick-hitting 3-step patterns with zip. Tavares takes what the defense gives him and utilizes his check-down option. He’s a dangerous passer capable of completing passes on all three levels. Tristyn’s variety of high-volume passes will be an asset in pressure moments coming down the stretch in the second half of 2023. Tavares has thrown 13 TDs to just 4 interceptions this season.
Highlights
Cameron is another dual-threat D1 prospect, whose ceiling continues to rise athletically. He has next-level pocket presence and footwork. He has a quick release and gets the ball out quickly to his weapons. Walter is sharp on play-actions and doesn’t lock onto his favorite targets. His arm is strong, and he does a good job of giving his receivers a chance with his throws. Cam is a dangerous runner capable of scoring when he chooses to run. His agility aids him on rollouts and eluding blitzers attempting to pressure him. One of his best stat lines as a high-volume passer is having a 63% completion percentage to go along with 1,195 passing yards and 14 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions.
Jonah Williamson Jonah Williamson 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Trinity Area | 2026 State PA
Jonah Williamson Jonah Williamson 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Trinity Area | 2026 State PA
Jonah is another promising underclassmen QB that has the tools. He’s very mobile with elusiveness and speed. His athleticism is evident when watching him scramble and run the zone read. He has good size already at 6’3, 190 lbs. Jonah has a quick release and does a good job of going through the correct reads. Williamson has a strong arm and consistently completes passes from the pocket on all three levels. He throws an accurate deep ball and is a dangerous runner when he decides to scramble. The ‘26 signal caller executes play action well and displays solid QB mechanics in general. Jonah has next-level potential written all over him.
Elizabeth Forward’s sophomore QB has performed well thus far. Messina has completed 53/89 passes for 911 yards and 7 TDs this season. He has good footwork in the pocket and keeps his vision downfield. The 6’3, 190-pound field general does a good job of throwing over the top. His deep ball is accurate and placed well regularly. Ryan is skilled at throwing intermediate passes into smaller windows. The ‘26 prospect anticipates well, especially on outbreaking routes. He’s decently mobile but only uses his scrambling to buy time to throw. I’m interested to see how much damage Messina will do in the middle of the field throwing to his slot, Charlie Nigut Charlie Nigut 5’6″ | 145 lbs | ATH Elizabeth Forward | 2025 State PA .
Nolan showcases a lot of ability for only being a sophomore. He’s another prospect that leaves it all on the field on offense and defense. He has sharp mechanics executing play action and RPOs. He’s a true dual-threat that has a strong enough arm to go downfield on five-step patterns. His athleticism is an advantageous asset for scrambling and extending plays. He’s competitive in coverage and displays next-level football intelligence. He’s a tough safety that regularly runs the alley. Nolan has good hips and does a solid job of covering the back end from FS. Dilucia is competitive in coverage and has the ball skills to turn ball over. His toughness and athleticism are also assets for special teams as well.