2026 Quarterbacks on the Rise

With the 2026 Ranking updates coming up in May, the Prep Redzone Kansas Team has been hard at it grinding through as much talent as possible who deserves to be upgraded or added. I will be finalizing my recommendations this weekend.   As such, my marathon film study will really kick into gear between now and the end of the week. I have been focusing on players lately who jumped off the tape regardless of position. As we come down the home stretch to the 2026 ranking updates, I will shift gears to focusing each report by position to try and fine tune who the best and the brightest are going forward.   In this report, I will be focusing on quarterbacks, with all of them being ranked. I have already targeted quite a few 2026 QB's who caught my eye, among them: [player_tooltip player_id='585904' first='Jaylen' last='Mason'], Wichita Northwest, who is ranked #2; [player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek'], Nemaha Central, who is #10; [player_tooltip player_id='780340' first='Eli' last='Ribaudo'], Maize, who is ranked #42; [player_tooltip player_id='1113368' first='Daxton' last='Minton'], Great Bend, #45; and [player_tooltip player_id='1113456' first='Kris' last='Harding II'], Chanute, who is ranked #97.   Here are five more for consideration as we head full throttle into the 2024 season.   The Five-on-the-Rise QB's are listed below:   [player_tooltip player_id='611096' first='Aiden' last='Scott'], 6'4, 185, QB, Shawnee Heights, is ranked #12. He is coming off a solid start to his high school career, throwing for just under 400 yards on 33 of 51 passing for a 65% completion percentage, a sparkling 113 QBR and five touchdowns to only one interception, in seven games of action. A tall, rangy, athletic player, he has excellent pocket presence, setting up with poise and with well-schooled mechanics. He can make all of the throws, from quick surgical strikes over the middle to the long deep ball for the touchdown. He moves well if the pocket breaks down and has excellent vision seeing the entire field. He has been fine-tuning his game via the 7-on-7 circuit and is primed and ready for a breakout season this fall. Get out and see a star on the rise.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113371' first='Kam' last='Staton'], 6'0, 175, QB, Pleasanton, is ranked #54. He is coming off a standout sophomore season a year ago when he had the second-most passing yards in the state as a sophomore with 1,686 yards on 85 for 191 passing, with 22 touchdowns to only nine interceptions and a 95 QBR in nine games. He is an excellent pocket passer who can make the immediate throws with a quick release over the middle and in the flats, but can also burn up the seams and sidelines with the deep ball. Although not an aggressive runner, he has good feet and is elusive when extending the play. When he scrambles he keeps his eyes down field and is looking for the pass as opposed to bailing out on the run. This kid is already playing a mature game, get out and see him really explode this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='904442' first='Robert' last='Hunter'], 6'0, 180, Wichita East, is ranked #67. He is coming off an interesting start to his high school career as a multi-talented athlete who transferred from Hutchinson to Wichita East since last fall, when he totaled 855 yards on 671 passing yards, completing 53 out of 101 passes with seven touchdowns and also ran for just under 200 yards. He is an excellent dual-threat quarterback who is fast and elusive in the run-pass option game, but is also a well-rounded passer. He has a compact throwing motion and quick release and is comfortable throwing on the run to either side of the field. He is a very fluid and athletic playmaker of a quarterback and joins a loaded Wichita East team. Get your popcorn out for this guy.   [player_tooltip player_id='586963' first='Zane' last='Smith'], 5'10, 180, QB, Topeka High, is ranked #98. He is coming off a solid sophomore year when he passed for 554 yards on 48 out of 96 passes for a 50% completion percentage and five touchdowns in five games. He is an excellent all-around quarterback who can throw an accurate pass in the short-to-intermediate attack or drop a long ball with soft touch over the top. Although not typically looking for the run, he is an elusive runner who extends plays well. When he scrambles he can throw off platform or from different launch angles. He has good mechanics and throwing motion setting up in the pocket and throws the ball very well on the move going either way. Get out and see a player getting ready to make some noise this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113458' first='Jordey' last='Pierce'], 6'4, 205, QB, Ark City, is ranked #113. He is coming off an excellent start to his high school career, totaling 1,288 yards, with 1,203 passing yards on 123 of 240 passes for a 57% completion percentage, 11 touchdowns and 85 yards rushing in nine games last year. A tall, athletic southpaw, he has an excellent arm and will thread the needle on the short-to-intermediate game as well as deliver an accurate deep ball down the seams. He has solid pocket mechanics, with a consistent, accurate delivery. He is also very effective on rollout passes and when throwing on the move, going either direction. He is an effective runner who extends plays well and is a threat anytime he touches the ball. Get out and see a kid coming into his own in 2024.     In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action this fall. You will not be disappointed. And, as always, if you know of someone flying under the radar, feel free to reach out to me via DM on X.

With the 2026 Ranking updates coming up in May, the Prep Redzone Kansas Team has been hard at it grinding through as much talent as possible who deserves to be upgraded or added. I will be finalizing my recommendations this weekend.