Young Guns - Wichita Area '27/'28 QB Watchlist

Now that we have covered some of the top junior and senior quarterbacks in the Wichita and surrounding area, its time to shift gears and take a closer look at some of the rising star quarterbacks who played as sophomore and freshman this past fall (class '27/'28).   In this report we will take a look at five sophomore quarterbacks who have already been busy establishing themselves and then take a quick look at a couple of rising star freshman quarterbacks who backed up all-state QBs this past fall but who will no doubt hit the ground running in the 2025 season.   The first three sophomore QBs below were all not only starters, but generated impressive numbers as well as each being recognized as honorable-mention all-state quarterbacks. The others are poised and ready for their full-time opportunity in the coming years.   So, without further adieu, let's check out the next wave of gunslinger quarterbacks.   Sizzling Sophomore QBs:   [player_tooltip player_id='1522503' first='Zac' last='Zimmerman'], 6'1, 175, Wichita Trinity, '27, was not just one of the top sophomore gunslingers in the state, but was among the best regardless of class, passing for just under 2,700 yards in only nine games and ranking in the top five in the state. He already has a maturity and poise to his game at a young age and can make all of the throws, from quick bullets in the short-to-intermediate game, to deep touch passes and even layering the ball in between defenders. He really turbocharged his season early in the year when he went off in a three-game span, completing 83 of 110 passes for 1,263 yards, 15 TDs and only a pair of picks. Yep, in three games. For the year he aired it out in a big-time way, completing 194 passes in 389 attempts for a 67% completion percentage, 24 TDs, 11 interceptions and a solid 108.0 passer rating. He was also an honorable mention all-state selection. Sky is the limit for this kid.   [player_tooltip player_id='1579585' first='Jerick' last='Humphreys'], 6'1, 175, Hesston, '27, is another sophomore standout who led his team to an 8-2 record and earned honorable mention all-state for his efforts. On the year he completed 102 of 162 passes for 1,687 yards and a 63% completion percentage. He also fired 14 touchdown passes to nine picks for a 104.0 passer rating. He really showed his promise early in the year when he completed 11 of 11 passes for 182 yards and four TDs in a win over Smoky Valley and then later in the year against Goodland when he went 16-21 for just under 300 yards and a touchdown. He can make all of the throws and has demonstrated accuracy and great ball placement all year, and in five games completed 70+% of his passes. He stepped up to the challenge of being a young-gun starter all year. The future is bright for Swather football.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113114' first='Luke' last='Stewart'], 5'11, 165, Council Grove, '27, was a force to be reckoned with all year and in the process set numerous school records, led the team to their first final four showing in the playoffs in school history and was awarded honorable mention all-state in the process. He hit the ground running early on and never looked back, completing 131 of 238 passes for 1,678 yards, a 55% completion percentage, and fired 17 TD passes to 10 picks. Along the way he set records for pass yards and TDs in a season, and for pass yards in a game with 271. This kid has a live arm capable of throwing surgical strikes on slants and outs, high-velocity comebacks and deep posts and throws an easy-to-catch homerun ball down the sidelines. Get your popcorn out in 2025, he is getting ready to dominate.   [player_tooltip player_id='1530356' first='Maddox' last='Wells'], 5'9, 155, Salina Sacred Heart, '27, was another sophomore gunslinger who had a standout year but has been flying under radar for the most part and not getting the exposure he deserves. For the year he sliced and diced defenses, completing 118 out 194 passes for just under 1,600 yards, a 61% completion percentage, 17 touchdowns, only six interceptions and a solid passer rating of 102.0. He really came on strong down the homestretch, and in the final three games of the season he lit teams up, completing 35 of 56 passes for 670 yards, 10 touchdowns and only a pair of picks. He also shined on defense, piling up 18 tackles and an interception from the secondary. He may be flying under the radar now but not for long as this kid is a playmaker who is just getting started.   [player_tooltip player_id='1579589' first='Griffin' last='Hall'], 5'9, 165, Salina Central, '27, backed up an all-state quarterback and so did not get as much game time as desired, but when he got his opportunities he made the most of them. For the year he completed 22 of 25 passes for an eye-popping 88% completion percentage, just under 300 yards, four touchdowns and a big fat goose egg when it came to interceptions. When he was called on to step up, he answered the challenge. Against playoff-bound Eisenhower he went 13 for 16 for just under 200 yards, an 81% completion percentage and a pair of touchdown passes. The three incompletions thrown would be the only ones he would throw all year. Every other pass he threw in the 2024 season was a completion. After learning from an all-stater and demonstrating he can rise to the occasion when called on, he is getting ready to go off the next few years.     En Fuego Freshmen QBs:   [player_tooltip player_id='1487563' first='Colton' last='Elmore'], 5'9, 160, Wellington, '28, is an athletic three-sport stud in the making who also backed up an all-state quarterback so he didn't get the kind of reps he would have liked but definitely stepped up when he got his opportunities. On the year he completed five of 11 passes and ran and passed for 105 yards and a touchdown, with most of his game time coming against Ulysses when he completed four of seven passes, and ran and passed for 60 yards and a score. He also picked up eight tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack when he got in on defense. With the ball in his hands he is lightening in a bottle, a fast, elusive playmaker who is used to dominating, as he piled up a jaw-dropping 100+ touchdowns in youth football. He will continue to hone his skills this spring playing 7v7 for the Kansas Colts.   [player_tooltip player_id='1147299' first='Holden' last='Ferralez'], 5'10, 155, Sedgwick, '28, was also backing up an all-state QB so didn't get a lot of reps but was outstanding when he did, completing seven of nine passes for a sizzling 78% completion percentage. He is a dangerous dual-threat QB who can destroy defenses with his arm or his legs. He has a mature pocket presence and can throw strikes off platform and from different launch angles. He will be a good fit for Sedgwick's Air-Raid offense. He is also a ballhawk free safety on defense and game-breaking return man. In JV action he was almost unstoppable. In his final two games completed 24 of 35 passes for 619 yards and nine TD's, to go along with 297 yards rushing on only 23 carries and another seven touchdowns. En fuego to say the least. He will also continue to hone his high-end skill sets for the Kansas Colts 7v7 15U team.   In conclusion, get these guys on your watchlists and follow their high school careers. And, as always, if you know of any players/teams flying under the radar give me a shout via DM on X.

Now that we have covered some of the top junior and senior quarterbacks in the Wichita and surrounding area, its time to shift gears and take a closer look at some of the rising star quarterbacks who played as sophomore and freshman this past fall (class '27/'28).