Dual-Threat Quarterbacks in the Spotlight
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Both the 2025 and 2026 classes are deep when it comes to quarterbacks who are going to be able to take their talents to the next level. So far this year, I have written reports on quite a few from…
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Continue ReadingBoth the 2025 and 2026 classes are deep when it comes to quarterbacks who are going to be able to take their talents to the next level. So far this year, I have written reports on quite a few from both classes who have impressed me. Guys like Max Huston Max Huston 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB Seaman | 2025 State KS , 6’1, 190, Topeka Seaman, who led all classes a year ago in passing, total yards, and touchdowns, and recently ripped off a blistering 4.54 forty at the Shawnee Heights Junior Day; Josh Burdick Josh Burdick 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Cheney | 2025 State KS , 6’0, 185, Cheney, a proven winner who led his team to a state-championship while completing 70% of his passes and throwing for 37 TDs; and Tate McNew Tate McNew 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Maize South | 2025 State KS , 6’1, 190, Maize South, the highest-ranked QB in the 2025 rankings, who had a sizzling 124.0 QBR and 45 total TDs a year ago.
These guys are starting to get the attention they deserve, and rightfully so as they combined for a staggering 135 total touchdowns last year. But in today’s report, I am going to shift gears and touch on five QB’s who played exceptionally well last year but have been flying under the radar somewhat.
And, in a little bit of a departure from my usual format, I am including three quarterbacks from 2025, and two up-and-coming signal callers from the class of 2026. These guys may not be getting as much attention as they deserve but they can flat out ball and are getting ready to put a definitive stamp on their play this fall.
Without further adieu, I bring you the “Mid-Week Five“:
Jace Jefferson, 6’0, 180, Andover Central, ’25. He is coming off an outstanding junior season when he completed 165 out of 295 passes for 2,214 and a 56% completion percentage. He also fired 24 touchdown passes for the year. He has solid pocket mechanics, standing tall in the pocket without getting happy feet and bouncing around behind the line of scrimmage. His mechanics are good, with a compact shoulder rotation and release. He throws a very accurate ball, whether it is on quick strike short-to-medium bullets in the flats or layering the ball over the middle. He throws an excellent, easy-to-catch long ball, hitting his receivers in stride. He also throws well on the run and in extending plays, particularly squaring his shoulders going to the left. This kid is a stud in the making, get out and see him while you still can. He is getting ready to take his game to the next level this fall.
Jack Gordon Jack Gordon 5'11" | 185 lbs | QB Salina Central | 2025 State KS , 6’0, 185, Salina Central, ’25. He is an athletic dual threat quarterback who had a tremendous junior season and is poised and ready to really shine in 2024. Last year he completed 155 out of 259 passes for a sparkling 62% completion percentage and accumulated 2,300 total yards and 29 touchdowns. He has excellent mechanics in the pocket, quick, nimble feet setting up and reads and works through progressions quickly. He has a nice compact shoulder rotation and quick release which enables him to get the ball out in a hurry, anticipate throws and hit timing routes consistently. He is fluid in play action, throws well on the run either way and consistently throws an accurate ball, whether it is zipping the short pass or launching the long touch pass down the sideline or burning up the seams. He is also effective in the run-pass option and can extend plays with his legs. He is definitely one to get on your watchlist for this fall.
Eli Jones Eli Jones 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Norton | 2025 State KS , 6’2, 205, Norton, ’25. He is coming off an excellent junior season as one of the most productive QB’s in the state, passing for 2,274 yards and rushing for another 858 to give him 3,137 total yards and 38 touchdowns running and passing. He is also one of the top dual-threat QB’s in the state and is primed and ready for a standout senior campaign. He has excellent size and is a deceptively fast, strong runner with the ball in his hands. He is dangerous running the RPO, shredding arm tackles and demonstrating a good burst getting into into the secondary. He sets up strong in the pocket and has a smooth, quick release, but where he really puts the pressure on the other team is when he throws on the move. He throws an accurate ball in the short-to-medium passing game and has a strong enough arm to burn teams with the deep ball. This kid is a baller in a small market but he is going to make some significant noise this fall.
Kris Harding II Kris Harding II 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Chanute | 2026 State KS , 6’0, 185, Chanute, ’26. He is coming off an excellent sophomore season when he passed for 1,669 yards, 15 touchdowns, with a sparkling 109 QBR, and rushed for 177 yards. He has not received near the attention he deserves playing in southeast Kansas, but he matured quickly into a dangerous dual-threat quarterback, who runs the ball well extending plays and scrambling, and is tough, slashing runner when he breaks into the secondary. As a passer he really stands out, with a strong, accurate arm capable of throwing surgical strikes on outs, posts and crossing routes in the short-to-intermediate passing game. He has good pocket presence and has a compact, smooth shoulder rotation, mechanics and release. His arm is strong enough to throw the deep out or comeback with impressive velocity. He can also launch the deep ball with touch, and can throw off platform and from different launch angles. This guy is going to ball this fall.
Jordey Pierce Jordey Pierce 6'4" | 185 lbs | QB Arkansas City | 2026 State KS , 6’4, 200, Arkansas City, ’26. 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. He has been hard at it in the offseason getting ready for this fall. 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 a strong 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 young guns blow up the gridiron this fall. And, as always, if you know of anyone flying under the radar feel free to reach out to me via DM on X.