2026’s Watchlist QBs Ready to Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we inch towards the 2024 season, there are a host of 2026 QBs stepping up into bigger roles within their offenses. While a few QBs in the class have gotten a ton of attention early in their careers, here are five quarterbacks I think deserve more recognition heading into the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1105237"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A QB with an impressive combination of speed and throwing skills, [player_tooltip player_id='1105237' first='Sayvien' last='Adams'] is a hybrid athlete that can lineup anywhere and find success. What was most impressive in 2023 was how the offense utilized Sayvien in multiple packages. He could line up in the backfield or line up out wide and still have the ability to pass or run. Sayvien is clearly an emerging talent on his team, and defenses need to be worried about him as a thrower but also a receiver. 2024 will be interesting for his program as the starting QB from a year ago will be graduating, opening the door for Sayvien to take on the full time role as the leader of Rancocas Valley's offense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a0be"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18235003/655a358a176d350b6cdc34ad' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc470"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1027688"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A smaller QB with a very strong arm, [player_tooltip player_id='1027688' first='Cole' last='Aquino'] can outthrow coverages game in and game out as he gets his whole body in on the throw. Tossing 14 passing touchdowns in 2023, Cole displayed great timing with his receivers as he dropped the ball right over their shoulders on the deep routes. A mobile threat as well, Cole made a name for himself on the run and outside of the pocket as he delivered the ball into tight windows while in a near full sprint. Mobile enough to escape the pressure and scurry downfield for a big gain, defenses need to keep a spy on Cole if they want to slow him down.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a169"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17798686/655768975cb38e03c8ed2f20' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc520"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["760086"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of my favorite QBs in the class, [player_tooltip player_id='760086' first='Jack' last='Cannon'] has lived up to his name thus far in his high school career. A fitting name for a man with the arm strength Jack is equipped with, Jack stayed composed in the pocket all season long as he delivered on time throws with just the right amount of touch to his receivers. Throwing for 1049 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023, Jack really thrived as a thrower on the run, as his quick release allowed him to get rid of the ball even under severe duress. Complimenting his passing skills with outstanding run capabilities, Jack's 508 yards on the ground and 7 touchdowns strikes fear into his opponents anytime he is on the move.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a1de"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17949038/652f36134deb6c08a0be1b51' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6573b8a818f84"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["534373"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"An athletic duel threat QB that can carve up defenses in multiple ways, [player_tooltip player_id='534373' first='Adam' last='Shaw'] has the greatest ability to get off of the watchlist and into the rankings quickly. A technical quarterback with a fluid throwing motion, Adam makes deep throws downfield look routine. Surveying the field as he stands in the pocket, Adam has the vision to make smart throws that help his team move the ball down the field consistently. A burner with the ball in his hands as well, Adam can take off with it and out run the defenders as he breaks into the open field. Look for Adam to make some u0022Wowu0022 throws and runs in 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a24e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18193369/653eee2a96809706a48bd624' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a26c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1022163"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the most prolific passers from the 2026 class a season ago, [player_tooltip player_id='1022163' first='Xavier' last='Smith'] is a QB demanding more attention. Throwing for 1275 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushing for another 6, Lamar is a duel threat QB in the truest sense. Not sure if it was by design or pure coincidence, but with the number 8 on Xavier's jersey you can't help but see glimpses of Lamar Jackson in his game. For Xavier, his stature does not matter because his raw talent and skills sets him apart from every opponent he goes up against. He is an extremely quick quarterback and delivers the ball with a ton of power behind it, giving him the ability to really stretch the ball deep downfield. With only 3 interceptions as a sophomore, Xavier is a smart, reliable passer that rarely puts his team in a bad position. Get some eyes on Xavier before it's too late.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a2cb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17841558/65a76b18c123eb032c337ba3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656741a275c00"} /-->