Q1 Stock-Risers: 2026 QBs on the Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the season concluded, we've updated our rankings. The 2026 class is on the clock as most colleges have completed their 2025 classes and moved onto the rising seniors. Here, we'll break down several 2026 quarterbacks who impressed us enough this season to move up in our Quarter 1 rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Stock-Risers: Quarterbacks</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612118"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67872839a54d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Norman impressed us as a sophomore, but improved his consistency (and grew an inch or two) as a junior. He's a guy with high-level production whose physical tools are catching up to his natural accuracy and high football I.Q. He's a modern pocket passer with plenty of escapability. When he gets out of the pocket, his eyes are downfield, but he isn't afraid to ruck it and pick up tough yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["870217"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67872839a553b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sunshine Payne hit our radar before the season and we ranked him higher than we'd typically rank a guy with no varsity film. After a strong junior season and great varsity film, we decided we weren't aggressive enough with his initial ranking. The ball jumps out of his hand and he flashed strong pocket movement this season. He's looking to take the next step by being a bit more consistent, but he's a guy we really like as an FCS or even Group of Five prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1228977"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67872839a557f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cato had a solid junior season that led us initially to bump him marginally in the rankings. But once he hit the camp circuit, he really shined. We saw him in multiple settings, including our Prep Redzone Showcase and came away impressed every time. He has a huge arm, great height, and the frame and mechanics to hold more weight and add even more zip on his passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["901164"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67872839a55bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a passer, Hall is raw, struggling some with consistent accuracy. However, his upside is ridiculous. He's one of the three or four toolsiest quarterbacks in the state, with tremendous arm strength and 4.6 speed. He's not close to his ceiling and he's flashed the ability to throw beautiful deep balls. Recently on my radar, Hall's a guy I'm watching closely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1278670"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67872839a55f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite missing some time early in the year with an injury, Norris developed quickly as a junior. He plays in a run-heavy East Duplin offense, but displayed excellent accuracy on the move. He's big enough and fast enough to break contain and he's usually looking down the field. I'm impressed with his mechanics and think he's a guy who could develop into a really solid college starter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1333070"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67872839a5631"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sales is still developing as a quarterback as he played very limited snaps before this season, but he has a good arm and great athleticism. He just makes things happen when the ball is in his hands. Not only did he move up in our rankings, but he's also a guy with the upside to take another leap in the next update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->