Top Wichita-Area Returning QB's Based on Passer Rating

Anytime a player analysis is performed these days there is a mountain of data and statistics available to conduct the assessment. Ideally, one couples the statistical with first-hand optics in order to fully appreciate a player's potential.   Quarterbacks, being a critical position regardless of level, are analyzed relentlessly. No one stat or formula will suffice in creating an overall picture of QB productivity, but some can be effective indicators when trying to group together the apex-level signal callers.   In regard to a QB's ability to throw the football and manage the passing game, the traditional passer rating analysis is useful to get a macro-level look at passing capability. The passer rating formula is based on a scale from 0 to 158.3 and includes five variables: pass attempts, completions, passing yards, touchdown passes, and interceptions.   By definition the passer rating equation only measures passing statistics. It does not take into account sacks, fumbles, a quarterback's running ability, or the all-important intangibles, like how quickly information can be processed, or the ability to adapt to pressure. Consequently, it is an incomplete yardstick for overall QB play, but it is a good tool for looking a little closer at how effective a QB handles the passing game.   Interestingly, a perfect passer rating must meet the following criteria: 77.5% completion percentage (31 completions in 40 attempts); 12.5 yards per attempt; 11.9% TD / ATT (1 TD / 8.4 ATT); No interceptions.   On the flip-side, to achieve the dreaded 0% rating the QB play must hit below the following numbers: 30.0% completion percentage; 3.0 yards per attempt; No touchdowns; 9.5% INT / ATT (1INT / 10.5 ATT)   In this report, I took a look at the returning quarterbacks with the highest passer ratings regardless of class within approximately 100 miles of Wichita. As a criteria cutoff point, the minimum passing yards to be considered was set at 1,200 yards, coupled with at least a minimum of a 105.0 passer rating. Anything 100+ or above is considered an elite-level QB rating number.   Based on these criteria the subsequent analysis revealed no starting freshmen QB's from a year ago who met the minimum criteria. From the sophomore class, there were two and from the juniors, three more who produced good enough numbers to be considered.   So, without further adieu, I bring you the Top Wichita-Area Passer Rating QB's heading into the fall season:   [player_tooltip player_id='1112380' first='Corey' last='Crumrine'], 5'10, 155, QB/P, Sedgwick. 2025. [Pictured Above]. Passer Rating: 131.0. He is coming off an unusually prolific junior season when he passed for over 3,148 yards, on 208 of 318 passes, for an impressive 65% completion percentage. He also added 34 touchdown passes with only two interceptions for the year. He led the state (all classes) in passing yards per game at 315 yards per contest and also had one of the best TD-to-interception ratios in the state (34-2) . Overall, he has solid mechanics setting up, with good feet seamlessly moving around the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield. He has a compact shoulder rotation and quick release and can make any of the throws in a spread offense. In the short-to-medium passing game he throws surgical strikes over the middle and in the flats. On the long ball he throws a good touch pass and has a strong enough arm to burn teams down the seams and sidelines. He also throws well on the move, particularly getting his shoulders square moving left. If 2023 was any indication, he is getting ready to light things up this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='676467' first='Derek' last='Morgan'], 6'2, 195, QB, Eisenhower. 2025. Passer Rating: 122.0. He is coming off a brilliant junior season when he threw for just under 2,000 yards and ran for another 302 yards. He also completed over 60 percent of his passes and threw 30 touchdown passes with only five interceptions for the year. All numbers that contributed to his lofty quarterback rating number. An excellent all-around athlete and dual-threat QB, he runs well when called on to do so as well as when extending plays. He is comfortable throwing on the run, and making things happen when the play breaks down. He has excellent pocket presence, staying focused downfield while he seamlessly shuffles within the pocket. He has a nice symmetry to his shoulder rotation and with the flick of a wrist rifles bullets all over the field. He throws a very accurate deep ball down the seams and sidelines and can make the velocity throws on deep comebacks and post routes. He has a rare maturity to his game and handles himself on the gridiron the way you want your star QB to operate. He is getting ready to go full throttle in 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113456' first='Kris' last='Harding II'], 6'0, 180, QB, Chanute. 2026. Passer Rating: 109.0. Although he is coming off one of the best sophomore seasons in the state a year ago he is still flying under the radar playing in Southeast Kansas. Last fall he passed for 1,669 yards, with 15 touchdowns and a scant four interceptions, for a sparkling 109 passer rating. He also showed off his wheels when needed, rushing for just under 200 yards. He is an athletic dual-threat quarterback, who runs the ball well extending plays and scrambling, and has good feet and quickness negotiating traffic. He has good pocket presence, keeping his eyes locked downfield while calmly manipulating incoming traffic. He has a strong, accurate arm capable of throwing dimes on outs and crossing routes in the short-to-intermediate passing game. He throws the deep ball well, roasting defenders down the seams and sidelines with his accurate, catchable passes. He has a disciplined throwing motion with a good tight rotation and release. He can throw off platform and from different launch angles as needed whenever the play breaks down. This guy is getting ready to fly high this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='585904' first='Jaylen' last='Mason'], 6'3, 195, QB, Wichita Northwest. 2026. Passer Rating: 106.0. He is coming off to a good start to his high school career putting up top-end numbers for a sophomore QB. He passed for over 1,200 yards and added another 180 on the ground. He is skilled in the run-pass option and a good runner whether it is on designed runs or extending plays. In the passing game, he fired 16 touchdown passes to only seven picks and ended up with an upper-echelon passer rating of 106.0 for his first season as a starter. He has prototype size and athleticism and is a dangerous dual-threat quarterback who seems to be getting better every game. He is poised in the pocket, with athletic feet and uses his eyes to move defenders while rapidly moving through progressions. He has a compact shoulder rotation, with a lightening-like release. He throws an accurate ball at any level, and can put velocity on the deep seam routes as needed or when hitting quick-release outs and slants. He is a wizard extending plays and is creative in throwing off-platform and from different launch angles. He throws well on the move and has good mechanics throwing to the left. Get your popcorn out this fall, this kid is for real.   [player_tooltip player_id='570171' first='Josh' last='Burdick'], 6'0, 185, QB, Cheney. 2025. Passer Rating: N/A. No passer rating available, but based on his incredible passing numbers from a year ago, if his rating were calculated it would rank among the apex-level QB's in the state. He is coming in riding the wave of a Cheney state championship and an undefeated season, as well as being all-state along the way. He also compiled some jaw-dropping stats, passing for 2,625 yds and 37 TD's on 182 for 262 passes for a high-flying 69% completion percentage. He added 234 rushing yards and six rushing TD's to give him an impressive 43 total touchdowns for the season. Working out of the powerful Cheney offense, he demonstrates poised pocket awareness and has excellent set up and passing mechanics. He has a nice, compact throwing motion and shows good ball placement. He slices and dices the defense with quick, surgical strikes and excellent decision making. He sets up the long ball well, and is one of the few QB's I have scouted who has incorporated an excellent pump fake into his game. He is an elusive runner and scrambles well, but is disciplined and always keeps his eyes downfield looking to make a pass before running. This guy is a stud and is getting ready to dominate in 2024.   In conclusion, these guys are going to light things up this fall, so get out and see them excel while you still can. And, in keeping with my approach, if you know of any players "flying under the radar" please reach out to me via DM on X.

Anytime a player analysis is performed these days there is a mountain of data and statistics available to conduct the assessment. Ideally, one couples the statistical with first-hand optics in order to fully appreciate a player's potential.