2026 Wichita Area/Western KS - QB's Under the Radar

The class of 2026 is loaded with top-end quarterbacks across the state. There are numerous QB's in the Topeka-Kansas City area that my teammate Jeremy Deckard will be keeping an eye on and there are a few gunslingers in the southeast region that we will both be covering in different reports.   In this article, I will be focusing on productive quarterbacks coming up on their junior season in the Wichita Area and in Western Kansas. Guys who haven't received the spotlight they probably deserve and have been working their collective butts off to change that dynamic.   These are the kinds of kids I love to report on. Guys who are hungry and working hard at their craft in the off-season.   Playing quarterback at an elite-level in high school these days is a full-time job. If you want to excel at this level and take the next step in a couple of years requires an incredible amount of work.   And not just busy work, but disciplined, focused training with an eye on the prize.   So, without further adieu, I bring you the Junior QB Five getting ready to amp things up and grab the prize this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1347133' first='Max' last='Olson'], 6'1, 200, El Dorado. He is currently not ranked. I covered him recently when I saw him in action at Bethel College where I was checking out Midwest Passing Academy (MPA) and how Coach Brad Cagle trains his young gunslingers. I was impressed with what I saw and then even more so when I heard later that he was the MPA MVP for the summer. He is a versatile playmaker who not only handles quarterbacking responsibilities, but can also play LB or defensive back, and perform kicking duties and special teams support as needed. He has good size and athleticism and has been making serious progress on his passing mechanics. He throws well on the move, particularly making the quick laser strikes in the mid-level game. He also has the arm strength and velocity to gun the ball deep. With his weaponized training this off-season he is starting to take his game to the next level. Get out and see him shine this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113458' first='Jordey' last='Pierce']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jordey-pierce/"></a> , 6'4, 205, QB, Ark City, is ranked #69. The first of three southpaws in this report, he is coming off a good start a year ago, passing for 1,203 yards on 123 of 240 passes for a 57% completion percentage, 11 touchdowns and 85 yards rushing in nine games. A tall, athletic lefty, he has a live arm that he has been fine-tuning this off-season. His pocket mechanics are solid, with an efficient shoulder spin and release. He can effectively thread the needle in the short-to-intermediate passing game and has the arm strength and velocity to deliver an accurate deep ball or wing it on across-the-field throws. 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. This kid is getting ready to take it it to another level in 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='904442' first='Robert' last='Hunter']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/robert-hunter/"></a> , 6'0, 180, Wichita East, is ranked #84. A multi-talented athlete who transferred from Hutchinson to Wichita East in the off-season, he piled up 855 total yards a year ago. Passing for 671 yards, he completed 53 out of 101 passes with seven touchdowns and also ran for just under 200 yards. This year he is joining a loaded Wichita East team that should help him produce standout numbers this fall. He is a dangerous dual-threat, RPO quarterback who is fast and elusive when he scrambles or when he tucks it and cuts up field into daylight. He is comfortable making plays throwing on the run and from different platforms and launch angles. He has solid passing mechanics that he has been fine-tuning in the off-season, with a tight shoulder rotation and release that is quick and fluid. Get out and see a future star in the making this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1229066' first='Manny' last='Myers'], 5'11 175, QB, Mulvane, He is ranked #123. Southpaw number two in this report, he is coming off a shortened season a year ago when he briefly dazzled fans and opponents alike, totaling just under 900 total yards in only five games. An athletic, multi-sport, stud baseball player, he is flying under the radar so far on the football field but is ready to change all that this fall. He completed 72 out of 114 passes for an impressive 63% completion percentage last fall and fired seven touchdown passes, including a 93-yard TD play, and only threw two interceptions. A lefty with good passing mechanics, he throws the short passing game well and can go deep with a nice touch pass. He is an elusive, dangerous runner who is quick and has good burst when he cuts up off the option or hits the perimeter out of the shotgun. He gave everyone a glimpse last year. This fall he is getting ready to produce some big-time fireworks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1229077' first='Wade' last='Keller'], 6'0, 180, Sunrise, is ranked #182 . Southpaw number three in this report, he is coming off a solid start to his high school career, getting his feet wet enough to know what needed to be focused on in the off-season. He stands strong in the pocket using his eyes effectively to manipulate the secondary, look off defenders and help create separation for his receivers. In the pocket or throwing from the shotgun he has good feet, with a compact throwing motion and a quick release. He can throw the pin-point passes in the short-to-medium game with accuracy and ball placement. He also has the arm strength to go deep, throwing with good loft and touch to hit the receivers in stride. He is an athletic playmaker who is getting ready to light things up in Bel Aire this fall.   In conclusion, get out and see these kids shine this fall. And, as always, if you know of other studs flying under the radar or playing in obscure corners of the state feel free to reach out to CoolDaddyO via DM on X.

The class of 2026 is loaded with top-end quarterbacks across the state. There are numerous QB's in the Topeka-Kansas City area that my teammate Jeremy Deckard will be keeping an eye on and there are a few gunslingers in the southeast region that we will both be covering in different reports.