15 of New Jersey's Top 2029 Dual-Threat Quarterbacks - Dec. '24

On the youth level of football, in many cases the most athletic kid is usually playing Quarterback because they touch the ball on every play. As development continues to roll out, some of the guys below may shift from dual-threat to pocket passer and some may no longer even play the Quarterback position. However, at this point, these 15 prospects who played Quarterback in 2024 separated themselves.    Missed some time this year, which caused the Eastern Jr. Vikings to significantly alter their roster and depth chart--which speaks to his ability. Despite the Vikings 2-8 record in a tough Tri-County United Football League, Roy was a bright spot. Mobile righty who knows how to use his legs to escape danger and try to keep plays alive.     A former Wide Receiver and also a standout basketball player, [player_tooltip player_id='1466123' first='Bray' last='Brown'] emerged as an impressive dual-threat Quarterback in 2024. He's listed at 6-foot and 160-pounds on his profile, but I'm sure he's grown since September 2024 when I got those measurements. Good length and moves well in space, outside the tackle box and in the boundary. Looks very comfortable rolling out to his right and throwing it. Has shown no fear about taking off and using his legs to make a big play. With further QB coaching and development, he's going to be a name to know over the next four years.     Missed nearly all of the 2024 season after suffering a lower-body injury, but was and should still be considered one of the top dual-threat QBs in South Jersey. Not the thickest prospect in the world right now and will need to beef up for the beating of high school ball, but Loatman delivers a nice pass when he has the time. His speed and vision checks out when he takes off out of the pocket, too. Recently announcing that he's off to St. Augustin Prep for high school ball, keep an eye on his bounce back and physical development.     An exciting Quarterback to watch off of a tough Brick City Lions team. Thomas is one of the Quarterbacks that not enough people in youth football are talking about as of December 2024. Built like an action figure with a ton of cut up muscle all over. How he continues to develop physically will be interesting to watch. Had to be one of the most frustrating QBs for a defense to play in 2024. At times looking very Michael Vick-like behind his Offensive Line with quick feet, effortless stop and starts and a very strong arm when he let it unleash.     A four-sport athlete (football/baseball/basketball/lacrosse) Vinci wrapped up his youth football career with a Northern Bergen Junior Football League championship in 2024. A righty with the ability to get out of bad situations with his feet, yet keeps his head downfield and is always looking to throw. Wouldn't necessarily call him a burner with his speed, but has exceptional quickness when defenders are in close proximity. Tough to bring down for a sack because he's constantly moving in the pocket.     No matter how you want to slice it, or how you want to label it, [player_tooltip player_id='1514895' first='Damien' last='Pierro'] is a kid that any coach in New Jersey should want on their team. Played this season for a very tough Silk City team and showed off his dual-threat ability in nearly every game. The consummate competitor, there's a Tim Tebow-like vibe to Pierro, meaning that he is going to do anything and everything he physically can to win a game. I agree with <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/top-quarterbacks-from-northeast-next-combine/">our latest assessment</a> at the PRZ Next Middle School Camp in December 2024, he's trending towards becoming an Athlete with his complete skill set, but there's no questioning what he's accomplished during this pre-high school career as a Quarterback. If he stays at the QB position, whatever school he ends up at, is getting an absolute gamer.     Without question one of the top Dual-Threat Quarterbacks in the entire state of New Jersey, quite possibly the top overall in South Jersey. Has been a winner or MVP in nearly every regular season game, tournament and All-Star event he's played in over the last two years. This year he helped Deptford finish with an SJIYFA league title--one of the best leagues in the entire state. In December 2024, he capped off his youth career with an MVP Performance in the County vs. County All-Star Game and recently announced he'll be off to Camden High School next fall.     Just like several other 2029 prospects in this write up, I'm not sure if slapping a label of "dual-threat" is a good move considering the future, but it fits the bill right now. Bottomline, [player_tooltip player_id='1401014' first='Gregory' last='Wyche Jr.'] is a Quarterback to know in New Jersey. His throwing motion looks effortless and he plays the game with a high football IQ, based off what I've seen. He knows when to stand in the pocket, when to roll out, when to take off or when to simply eat the football. Wyche Jr. helped lead the Rancocas Valley Hurricanes to a 9-1 record season and there was more than one designed run and/or RPO play in the playbook for Wyche Jr. Keep an eye here.     I don't claim to be a historian, but in recent memory there hasn't been a ton of Sussex County, NJ prospects (born and bred) that go one to make a ton of noise. Scarpone is a dual-threat guy that I would caution people to continue to watch. At times in 2024, simply looked like one of the best athletes on the team playing the QB position; Then, in other times, looked like a youth Quarterback with a ton of potential at this position. Either way, he's an athletic kid that can do some impressive things and despite missing some time with an injury, helped lead Wallkill Valley to a championship season in the Morris County Youth Football League.     Merriman has had a tremendous youth career playing for the Manalapan Braves in a deep Jersey Shore AYF Conference. This regular season, he really separated himself from the pack and helped lead the Braves to a playoff appearance. Selected as QB1 of the New Jersey 14U AYF All-Star team, he helped the team to a fifth place finish at the tournament in December 2024. The son of three-time NFL Pro Bowler Shawne Merriman, Justin has announced he'll be headed to DePaul Catholic to play high school ball for the reigning State Champion Spartans.     Darji and the Woodbury Steelers were can't-miss excitement this past season; A point proven by the fact that their game against [player_tooltip player_id='1396244' first='Darnell' last='Davis Jr'] and the Deptford Spartans had to be called at half time due to the crowd of several thousands was getting out of hand for security personnel. A late-season injury wasn't an ideal ending to an excellent youth career, but Darji and Steelers still finished the year 10-1. Darji is an exciting kid to watch on the field with his ability to find throwing lanes by being mobile. Also throws one of the prettiest balls I've seen in the state. Look for him to call one of the Philly Catholic schools home, if I had to guess.     A prospect I came across late during the 2024 season, [player_tooltip player_id='1558872' first='Manny' last='Roberson Jr.'] had an excellent season helping the Jackie Robinson Bears to within one game of heading to the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Florida. Somewhat similar to [player_tooltip player_id='972832' first='Keeanu' last='Darji'] (listed above) he'll get the nod from me as a Dual-Threat Quarterback because he's very quick and can run well, but it's his arm that has me most excited. He's on the smaller side in comparison to some of the other QBs in this writeup, yet still throws a better deep ball than some of them. I look forward to seeing him with a few more inches and more physical development--because the raw ability is there, no question.     I'm not sure how high [player_tooltip player_id='1524962' first='Mikey' last='Castellitto']'s ceiling is at this point, but he certainly established himself as one of New Jersey's top 2029 dual-threat Quarterbacks during the 2024 season. His height is seemingly something of question, because he doesn't look all that big. With that said, he's very quick and knows his way around a pocket. Very similar to Cole Vinci (listed above) in the fact that he's difficult to bring down for a sack because of how quick he is close proximity.     The way Rivera has transformed his game from a kid "who can throw a nice ball" to one of the best 2029s in all of the Garden State, has been a joy to watch. This past regular season, he helped Toms River win a Jersey Shore AYF 14U title. Following that, he played like a man possessed at the AYF National tournament in Florida in December 2024, leading Toms River to the AYF 14U D2 Championship Game. Playing in some very physical games, Rivera did everything he could with his legs and arm. An ode to his much-improved quickness and speed, Rivera was even tasked with playing Safety on the opposite side of the ball and didn't blink. Easy kid and family to root for.     I finally broke down and now have Snee listed internally as a Dual-Threat Quarterback, based off his complete body of work as a youth football player. He put on a show with both his arm and legs, going 55-0 over the last five seasons with five league championships. I've said it all before, but Snee is the best Quarterback in New Jersey for the class of 2029. Also ranked the No.1 right-handed pitcher in New Jersey with an 87-mph fast ball, he'll be off to Bergen Catholic and looks to be the future at QB for the Crusaders. Don't be surprised if Snee starts the season as QB1 when the Crusaders go looking for their fifth consecutive State Championship in 2025.

On the youth level of football, in many cases the most athletic kid is usually playing Quarterback because they touch the ball on every play. As development continues to roll out, some of the guys below may shift from dual-threat to pocket passer and some may no longer even play the Quarterback position. However, at this point, these 15 prospects who played Quarterback in 2024 separated themselves.