September Superlatives: NJ's Top QBs of the Month

New Jersey quarterbacks absolutely balled out in the first month of competition. Some of these players put up stats that most QBs in the state never even put up in their career. It has been extremely impressive through the first few weeks, and I am sure we will continue to be impressed as we enter into October and inch towards playoff season.    If there is one player that has raised their status through the first few weeks of play, it is The Hun School's [player_tooltip player_id='1295981' first='Jack' last='Moran']. Committed to Charlotte, [player_tooltip player_id='1295981' first='Jack' last='Moran'] has put up the most impressive passing statistics in the entire state thus far this season. In only 5 games, Jack has found very little resistance in his pass attack as he has torched his four opponents for 2379 yards and 25 touchdowns. That's right, Jack is averaging 5 touchdown passes a game and 476 yards through the air. That is traditionally unheard of in New Jersey. If he keeps up at this pace, Jack would throw for 55 touchdowns and 5235 yards, both of which would be new records in the state of New Jersey.   In his last game against Mt. Zion Prep, Jack threw for over 600 yards, found the end zone 7 times, and did not throw a single interception. With nearly a 70% completion percentage, Jack rarely misses his target. With a quick release, towering height, and pinpoint accuracy, Jack is everything you are looking for in an elite pocket passer. This type of season is sure to increase interest in Jack's direction.     [player_tooltip player_id='275127' first='Derek' last='Zammit'] has been leading one of the most impressive offensive units in the entire state. In the first month of the season, Derek threw for an astonishing 1217 yards and found the end zone through the air 14 times. Through the month of September, Derek lead DePaul to a perfect 5-0 record (6-0 now) with impressive wins over Good Counsel (MD) and Cardinal Hayes (NY). As he does so well, Derek has impressed with his ability to stay poised under pressure and continue to navigate his offense down the field. He has been a reliable centerpiece to DePaul's offense, as his athletic ability has boosted his team's odds of success and his arm talent allows him to drive the ball into any window. As long as the ball is in Derek's hands, the play is never dead and there is always a chance for touchdown strike.   Derek is no secret any longer, as he has received offers from Washington, Virginia, Rutgers, Mississippi State, and many, many more. As the number #1 QB in the NJ 2026 class and one more year to show what he can do, Derek is on his way to national notoriety.     Leading his team to a 4-1 record through the first 5 weeks of the season, [player_tooltip player_id='1513519' first='Nick' last='Cardone'] is a name worth getting familiar with. Nick's efforts on the field has paid off dividends thus far for his tam, as all his efforts and preparations have put him up there with some of the best QBs in the state. Lighting up his opponent's defenses for 1286 yards and 16 touchdowns, Nick has demonstrated many of the qualities programs are looking for in a confident, playmaking signal caller. Nick really shines when the play breaks down and he needs to extend it with his legs. He's not quick to tuck it and run, but prefers to stay behind the line and continue to look at his options downfield. Nick trusts in his arm, just as he should. He has deep arm talent with the accuracy to hit his man in stride and let him run underneath it. There are countless examples of Nick slipping the ball into tight coverage for huge gains downfield. While Nick is a little undersized and has unorthodox throwing mechanics, neither seems to prevent Nick from picking opposing defenses apart.     A player I am very familiar with, [player_tooltip player_id='933995' first='Stephen' last='Paradiso'] started off the 2024 season with yet another impressive September. Stephen has been on my radar for a quite a bit of time, as he has consistently put up some of the most prolific numbers in the entire state year in and year out. In the early part of this season, Stephen did not disappoint one bit as he through for 16 touchdowns to only 4 interceptions. One of my predictions of the offseason was that Cedar Grove was going to be one of the toughest teams to beat in 2024. And after a month of play, that seems to be the case. Stephen's arm has a lot to do with the continued success of the program. He is a weapon the team can build around, unleashing his aerial assault against vulnerable secondary's.   A 5'11" QB with a larger frame, Stephen is able to take command of his offensive unit and guide them down the field with ease. There a many traits you could focus in on that sets Stephen apart from others in the state, but what really draws my attention is his football intelligence and arm power. Stephen is able to move through his reads in an unrushed manner, pivoting in the pocket to line up with his target and deliver a strike. Even more impressive, Stephen truly can out throw any coverage. If a DB is caught with his eyes in the backfield you can be sure he will be torching them deep downfield.      Once again, Colonia is a team opponents need to worry about when they see them on their schedule. Going 4-1 through the month of September, Dylan Chiera put on a show for the Patriots as he threw for just under 1000 yards and 12 touchdowns. Dylan is a QB I was not familiar with before this article, but am very excited to have found. If there is one QB in the NJ 2026 class that I could see climbing quickly into the rankings, it is Dylan. Dylan has ideal size for the position. Standing tall above his competition at 6'3", all Dylan needs is a little more weight added to his frame to become one of the most talked about QBs in the state. From a throwing perspective, Dylan has showed off exceptional chemistry with his receivers through the first few games and is dialed in with hitting his receivers on time. His quick release allows him to hold the ball until the last moment if needed in order to let his man get out of his break and be open. Just as impressive, Dylan understands how to put the right amount of touch on his passes, as he's able to zip the ball across the middle on a crossing route and can also loft it over coverages when throwing to the corner of the end zone.   Dylan may not be a speed demon, but his mobility within the pocket and ability to scramble outside of it gives his team more time and opportunities to find success. He is able keep the play alive by squaring up his shoulders and delivering an accurate ball to the outside.

New Jersey quarterbacks absolutely balled out in the first month of competition. Some of these players put up stats that most QBs in the state never even put up in their career. It has been extremely impressive through the first few weeks, and I am sure we will continue to be impressed as we enter into October and inch towards playoff season.