2027 Rankings Update: The QB Room

It's easy to look at the quarterbacks in the Prep RedZone Class of 2027 rankings and prevent your eyes from drifting to the top.   Daniel's [player_tooltip player_id='309825' first='Grayson' last='Clary'] is our No. 2 overall player. Berkeley's [player_tooltip player_id='1036733' first='Henry' last='Rivers'] is No. 4. And Oceanside Collegiate's [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] has risen all the way up to No. 5.   Yes, that impressive trio has done just about everything right. And they've found themselves in situations that accentuate their strong points and bring them even more into the forefront.   But to have this many quarterbacks joining them in the rankings this early the evaluation cycle is telling, too.   South Carolina is already well on its way to building another class that could make a tremendous run of its own.    Breaking Down The Top Four   [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] Ridge View (pictured)   If Howard's freshman season was about pulling ever-so-slightly on the adhesive while he shared reps, 2024 was all about yanking that band-aid off in one motion. He got every meaningful snap for the Blazers and used it to dwarf his own numbers from the prior year. And the scary part is that while his own physical tools are growing, so are those of one of the most loaded receiving corps in the state. Next fall, Ridge View should be a really fun offense to watch.   [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] Oceanside Collegiate   As we wrote at the beginning of the month, Manavian's sophomore numbers are behind only two other players we've found in the last 20 years. That's how good he was for the Class 3A state champ. Manavian finished 234-of-336 for 2,507 yards and 42 touchdowns. His seven-to-one touchdown-to-interception rate was another reason why he moved up to the No. 5 overall spot in our rankings. The second state title ring didn't hurt, either.    [player_tooltip player_id='1036733' first='Henry' last='Rivers'] Berkeley   We don't differentiate between the pro-style and dual-threat quarterbacks in our system. But you better believe that Rivers is the top of the heap when it comes to the latter in this class. His sophomore campaign was even better than his eye-opening freshman one. Don't trust us? On top of his second straight 2,000-yard passing year, he added 239 rushing yards while boosting his yards per carry, saw an uptick in his completion percentage and decreased his interceptions and fumble total by four.    [player_tooltip player_id='309825' first='Grayson' last='Clary'] Daniel    We waited for two years to see what Clary would do when he was finally handed the keys to the Dillon offense. The wait was worth it. The still-growing 6-foot-2, 215-pound quarterback threw for 2,841 yards. He completed 72 percent of his passes. He finished with 41 touchdowns (against just two picks). And he ran for 310 yards and another seven touchdowns. His skill set is so vast that he makes it all look so routine.    The Second Tier   [player_tooltip player_id='1603963' first='Mason' last='Evans'] Crescent   The Tigers have some holes to fill at tailback, receiver and on the line. But where they don't have any questions is behind center. Evans finished his sophomore season with 13 touchdowns and 1,460 yards through the air and another five scores and 335 yards on the ground. His best attribute is the cannon attached to his right shoulder. He can wing it 50 yards no problem, and throwing on the run isn't a chore for him.    [player_tooltip player_id='1603798' first='Jervaze' last='Salley'] Woodland   Salley is losing his favorite target (big brother Ja'Kease) this offseason. But what we saw out of the younger Salley is that he's got no fear and the type of arm to pull it off splendidly. He loves working the sideline and can squeeze balls into tight windows. He has more than enough arm strength to go over the top, and he's plenty big enough to tuck it an run when the pocket collapses. The Wolverines have a difference maker there again.   [player_tooltip player_id='640683' first='Kevin' last='Johnson'] Fort Dorchester   Johnson toed the line very well for a Patriots' squad that hopes 2024 was the last of a significant transitional period. Three head coaches and different schemes later, the 6-foot, 185-pound quarterback is coming out of it looking like he's about to explode. While his sophomore numbers weren't fantastic, the throws he can make with a flick of the wrist can't be ignored. When he reins it all in, Fort D should have a dynamic passing attack again.   [player_tooltip player_id='463113' first='Gideon' last='Merhib'] Riverside   Merhib started his sophomore year hot as all get-up. And while he struggled down the stretch some with interceptions - seven of his eight on the year came in the last four games - he still threw for 500 yards and five touchdowns during that same span. We see a lot more four-touchdown games in his future that we do the multi-interception ones. We should have a good read on that prediction early on in 2025.    [player_tooltip player_id='429920' first='Sam' last='Holliday'] Fountain Inn   When we evaluated Holliday nearly a year ago, we saw a gritty young freshman who at times left us wondering how what he was trying to actually worked. When we look through the growth he displayed as a sophomore, woo boy. Holliday threw for 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns. He rushed for another 1,000 yards and 15 scores. And he's still gritty. He's got nine career games with north of 20 carries. Did we mention he basically never turns the ball over?    Time To Erase The Sleeper Tag?   [player_tooltip player_id='1407416' first='Aaron' last='Shealey'] Clover   Shealey proved in 2024 that he could play the role of game manager when needed. Clover ran the ball more than 60 percent of its offensive snaps, and Shealey's job was to pick his spots without throwing picks. For the most part, he achieved that. His 1,275 passing yards and 11 touchdowns were accompanied by a nice completion percentage (64%) and only four interceptions. The Eagles will have others back in tow for Shealey's next go, and that likely means expansion time.   [player_tooltip player_id='1604046' first='Jackson' last='Free'] Hillcrest   Thanks to some unexpected playing time and some that was, Free was able to solidify his spot heading into the offseason. He threw for 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns, rushed for another four touchdowns. What's more important is that he's now got time to set things in motion with a whole bunch of other first-year starters for next fall. The Rams' younger classes are loaded, and Free is very much part of that descriptive list.    [player_tooltip player_id='1604028' first='Tyler' last='Harris'] Cross   There are certainly 10 throws that Harris would love to have back from his sophomore season. But there are also a whole bunch of quarterbacks who would have trades places with him in a heart beat. In helping the Trojans to the Class A state title game, Harris threw for 1,500 yard and 18 touchdowns. Yes, those 10 picks - three of which came against Abbeville in the championship loss - hurt. But Harris will regroup and could have Cross right back in the championship game again in 2025.    [player_tooltip player_id='1603974' first='Franklin' last='Richardson'] Sumter   By the time most teams figured out that Richardson was more electric running the option that he appeared on film, it was too late. The sophomore piled up 984 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns last fall. The fact that he casually threw for 1,200 yards and 15 more touchdowns made him a one-man lure for defenses so worried about tackling him on the run that he could suck them into poor pass coverage.

It's easy to look at the quarterbacks in the Prep RedZone Class of 2027 rankings and prevent your eyes from drifting to the top.