New York Scouting Notes: Section II 2026 Quarterbacks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Through the summer as I continue to update our class of 2025/2026/2027 rankings I will spotlight areas of the state that go a little underrepresented on our site. While we have writers based in Buffalo and Rochester covering Sections VI and V in addition to some consistent Long Island coverage. Section II, the Albany area for those who are unfamiliar continues to churn talent to the next level and this past season sent a good number of players to Division One schools. Some of the top schools from this area continuously compete for State Championships and showcase the strong talent base near the state capital. This article will take a look at some of the top quarterback prospects in the 2026 class from the area which has seen its fair share of athletic quarterback prospects move onto the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So far the 2026 quarterback class has yet to shake out over the entire state with a ton of new guys starting this season putting their first reps on tape. Currently, Section II has some of the top QB prospects in the state that have proven play and tape at the quarterback position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Prospects</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["726060"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='726060' first='Marcus' last='Snipes Jr'] who sits atop the 2026 quarterback rankings debuted as the starter for Shaker this season and was a big reason that the Shaker offense pushed the ball downfield more than it seems they ever have. Snipes Jr a poised passer who can distribute the ball to all three levels of the field from the pocket. One of the few quarterbacks in the state that does a lot of work under center and consistently takes 5-step and 3-step drops Snipes Jr has some of the best footwork at the position in the state regardless of class. He has loose hips and quick feet showcasing the ability to move and adjust in the pocket. Snipes Jr has the arm talent that on tape jumps off the screen, he is confident in his velocity and ability to throw guys open but also showcases the touch necessary to hit open guys in stride. Snipes Jr is not the type of QB you build a QB run game around but showcases the athleticism to move in the pocket, escape defenders behind the LOS, and make throws on the run with different arm angles and body positions. Snipes Jr first season lived up to the hype and should continue to put up impressive reps on tape.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1260032"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1260032' first='Archie' last='Jones'] joined a very stacked backfield of dual-threat athletes in [player_tooltip player_id='404686' first='Jake' last='Iacobaccio'] and older brother [player_tooltip player_id='528469' first='Donald' last='Jones'] who both not only were top prospects in the state but both moved on to Division One schools. CBA-Albany will not rely even more on [player_tooltip player_id='1260032' first='Archie' last='Jones'] as the main returning offensive producer on their roster. Jones is a very talented athlete, his athletic ability is why he is so dangerous as a quarterback because his ability to move in the pocket and be a threat as a runner makes him a playmaker in all situations. Jones has high-level arm talent and can make throws off one foot or with different arm angles often making plays on the run. Jones can continue to develop his ability as a passer with improved footwork and more consistent mechanics but he shows flashes of being one of the best athletes and producers in the 2026 class. Jones has the frame and athleticism that projects to the next level and the arm talent that belongs at a Division One school. His first full season as a starter was a success and my expectations are high for a player who looks to be the top player on one of the top teams in the section.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1260033"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Berschwinger, who also represented Guilderland as a freshman joins Jones and Snipes Jr as one of the top QBs in the section. With the most experience, Berschwinger who is already a captain for his team has one of the best deep balls in the area. Berschwinger pushes the ball vertically better than anyone in the area and he showcases the arm talent to make all the vertical throws you would ask of a quarterback. At 6'2 Berschwinger has the frame and arm to play at the next level and sees the field well when is on the move. Berschwinger is athletic enough to escape the pocket and make throws on the run but also showed he can contribute as a runner on designed QB runs. Berschwinger has a strong lower half which prevents him from being taken down by just one-defender as a runner or in the pocket. I am impressed with his physical attributes and his arm talent, I would like to see some more variety in the throws he makes on tape but he showcases that he can make the difficult throws down the field and is easily a top prospect not just in the area but in the entire state.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662eaf5a5dfc7"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Intriguing Prospects</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While these guys seemed to have all played varsity snaps in some capacity there is either not enough film or information I have to make a full evaluation, however, they are prospects that I will continue to track as they head into their Junior Season. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1260036"],"_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":"Tirado who actually has some solid varsity experience is more of an athlete prospect than a pure quarterback and while he does flash some arm talent his quickness, speed, and overall athleticism project him to potentially play another position at the next level. Tirado flashes some twitch and change of direction skills that would make him a dangerous player with the ball in his hands down the field, at 5'10 150 Tirado has the movement skills to make plays for Amsterdam at the quarterback position but plays well when he keeps the ball in his hands and uses his athleticism to past the LOS.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1260037"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Carkner who is an effective two-way player for Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk may not have lit up the state sheet from the quarterback position but he was effective as both a runner and a passer and helped his team to a 12-1 record. Carkner will be taking over the QB position full-time after being a backup reserve QB to one of Section II's top senior QBs [player_tooltip player_id='1210168' first='Kaden' last='Potter']. Carkner shows on film good athleticism in his defensive tape and will be a dual-threat type of player at quarterback. He showed good poise for a player who did not have a ton of reps at the position and was not afraid to trust his arm to make throws in traffic. Intrigued to see what Carkner can do taking over the reigns this season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1260039"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1260039' first='Jack' last='Rigabar'] who debuted for Saratoga Springs as a Freshman was an effective player for Saratoga Springs this season throwing for 1,000+ yards. Rigabar just has limited film available but in that film, you see a quarterback prospect that looks to be a solid athlete and showcases the ability to make solid throws. There is not enough information or film to make a full evaluation but Rigabar is also a solid baseball player who seems to be an impressive overall athlete. Rigabar has the production and reps at the position, I am looking forward to seeing more film from him this fall.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1260038"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1260038' first='Aidan' last='Callanan'] got some run at the quarterback position behind senior [player_tooltip player_id='604498' first='Jaxon' last='Mueller'] at times last season and although Stillwater is a primarily run-first team that finished amongst the highest rushing teams in the state Callanan brought some production as a passer and runner in his 7 varsity appearances. With the top 2 rushers on Stillwater graduated, Callanan has a chance to become one of the top-producing quarterbacks in the area with a primarily focus skillset. Callanan does not have film but his production as a sophomore and the production that needs to be replaced next year could mean he is set up to be a very intriguing prospect in Section II.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662eaf5a5e0c9"} /-->