2026 Quarterbacks Check-in: Week 5

<p>Over the last few weeks, I've broken down some freshmen and sophomores who have impressed me. Now, I'm moving up to the junior class and I'm going to go position by position. We'll start with the quarterbacks. I'm going to check in on the top three in our 2026 rankings, then talk about a few guys who have really impressed me early this season. </p>   <p>Here, we'll scout the top three and write about a few other who are moving up our rankings.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Midseason Junior Quarterback Check-In</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">While the Tennessee commit hasn't put up gaudy numbers early this season, Brandon has been extremely efficient this year. Last week against Reagan, he completed all 13 of his passes, using all three levels of the field.</p>   <p>He hasn't used his legs as much this year as he's stayed more in the pocket and showed off his ability to read defenses and deliver with accuracy.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Debe had an uncharacteristically rocky start to the year against Ardrey Kell, but the film from that game told the story of an offense just being a step or two off. Debe really got it going in Week 3, completing 11 of 12 passes for 243 yards and four touchdowns. He's a guy we've always been very impressed with as we're generally higher on him than the national media seems to be.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">The traits are on full display in Lott's first games as the varsity starter. While the height and arm strength are obvious, I've been most impressed with his poise and anticipation as he's flashed high-level ability to throw before his receivers are out of their breaks, something that typically takes much longer to learn. </p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Quarterbacks Impressing Early</h3>   <p>Obviously, we're paying attention to what the top prospects are doing, but there are a few guys further down are rankings who are really impressing.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Norman has been the most efficient quarterback in the state through three games, completing 80% of his passes and just picking defenses apart both as a passer and runner. He's a guy we loved in camp so it's great to see that talent translate to the field. The offers will come and he's the perfect candidate for a spread option college system.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">I broke a self-imposed rule when I put Payne in the rankings before he had offers or varsity film based on the advice of several coaches in his area. I have no regrets. Payne has lived up to his gun-slinger moniker, effectively pushing the ball down the field and spreading the ball around to several different receivers.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Sanchez has led a really impressive Cape Fear team that should make some noise this season. He's still refining some of the smaller parts of his game, but he throws a fantastic deep ball and is a bruiser of a runner. Those are two things that translate to the next level. A looming clash with Seventy First has us at Prep Redzone very excited.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other 2026 Quarterbacks Who Have Impressed</h2>   <p>Here are some more guys we've liked early. Myabe we'll break them down with full scouting reports later this season.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='948088' first='Andre' last='(DJ) Davis'], West Craven</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='752104' first='Jaylen' last='Hewitt'], Havelock</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1228977' first='Chance' last='Cato'], Olympic</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1206967' first='Landon' last='Flynn'], East Rutherford</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1453997' first='Brady' last='Swett'], Bandys</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1449673' first='Christian' last='Myers'], Porter Ridge</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='690769' first='Gannon' last='Jones'], Cardinal Gibbons</h3>

Over the last few weeks, I've broken down some freshmen and sophomores who have impressed me. Now, I'm moving up to the junior class and I'm going to go position by position. We'll start with the quarterbacks. I'm going to check in on the top three in our 2026 rankings, then talk about a few guys who have really impressed me early this season.