Arkansas High School Football Spring Watchlist: 2026 QBs

<p>Off-season training and weight room activities are active. Spring football and college camps are approaching. This report evaluates their 2024 season and current off-season development, highlighting ten quarterbacks from the class of 2026 to watch this spring.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='866986' first='Mitchell' last='Polk'] had an impressive 2024 season after transferring from El Dorado to Smackover. He possesses a strong arm capable of reaching all levels of the field. Polk exhibits good pocket mobility and awareness, allowing him to evade pressure and throw while on the run. He can also adjust his release point and throw off-platform effectively. His velocity across the middle is impressive. </p>   <p>Note - 4.7 40</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MitchellPolk/status/1859415401714626638 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1627941' first='Blake' last='Forsgren'] showcases good awareness and feel in the pocket post-snap. He is able to recognize pressure effectively and evade it while keeping his eyes downfield. Forsgren sisplays solid ball placement near the boundary when attacking the short to intermediate levels of the field. Keep an eye on him throughout 2025.</p>   <p>Note - 3.6 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BlakeForsgren5/status/1867287359139844206 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='382978' first='John' last='Thompson III'] is a dual-threat quarterback who attended our camp in January. His athleticism is dangerous, and he can throw on the run effectively. Thompson displays good pocket mobility and awareness of incoming pressure while showcasing his ability to keep his eyes downfield and deliver the ball accurately and with poise. He's a natural improviser, as he showcases the ability to extend plays while sliding in and out of the pocket. Solid ball placement within the short and intermediate levels of the field with solid anticipation to lead his receivers off breaks.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.8 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Tre__Thompson3/status/1861209539892142126 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1208297' first='Zayden' last='Walker'] is gearing up for an exciting senior season with good potential. He possesses a quick release, solid footwork, and mechanics with the velocity needed to thread the ball through tight windows. Walker effectively steps into his throws, utilizing good hip torque and demonstrating poise in the pocket. He showcases solid touch at all levels of the field and exhibits good mobility and awareness in the pocket. </p>   <p>Note - Multi Position Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ZaydenWalk14/status/1877839511398269051 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1354817' first='Colt' last='Barrett'] possesses a rare size for a quarterback. He is a multi-sport athlete and a standout player in 2A football in Arkansas. He throws with solid velocity, allowing him to deliver the ball accurately into tight windows. Barrett shows solid ball placement and can anticipate openings at all levels of the field, effectively leading his receivers on deep routes and on breaks across the middle. Moreover, he demonstrates solid poise and awareness in the pocket.</p>   <p>Note - Multi Sport Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Colt183018/status/1883345228964540598 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1594296' first='Cooper' last='Ridenoure'] looks to continue his rise this spring. He showcases good decision-making, along with solid footwork with a strong base. He uses his hips to generate torque, allowing him to put velocity on the football. Ridenoure demonstrates solid velocity and ball placement, allowing him to hit tight passing windows at all levels of the field. He displays poise and toughness, standing confidently in the pocket and delivering the ball under pressure. His solid pocket mobility and post-snap awareness allow him to evade defenders and create plays outside of the structure.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.9 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/c_ridenoure/status/1856517478152601898 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1351445' first='Jack' last='Palmer'] is a promising athlete eager to excel in his senior season. Keep an eye on him throughout the spring. He showcases good arm strength and ball placement at all field levels. With his torque, Palmer generates good velocity, allowing him to deliver the ball into tight windows with good anticipation to lead his receivers. His overall pocket presence is characterized by solid footwork, awareness, and sound mechanics. He can hit the deep ball against Cover 2 efficiently. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi Sport Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jack_Palmer9/status/1893134396762267822 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1216601' first='Jackson' last='Taylor'] is set to be an intriguing prospect for colleges this year due to his strong performance, experience in the option, and ability to throw the football. He possesses a strong arm with good ball placement. He displays very good poise and footwork in the pocket, allowing him to slide or step up while keeping his eyes downfield. His pocket mobility and post-snap awareness help him evade pressure effectively. Taylor's decision-making is consistent with the ability to lead modern-day offenses or option-focused. He is a threat to opponents with his legs, showcasing his solid athletic ability.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.8 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JacksonTay07/status/1876069788726022165 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='586869' first='Dorien' last='Bowers'] has the ideal size for a quarterback, along with solid athletic ability and the awareness to evade pressure. He displays solid footwork and mechanics in each rep. Bowers also shows solid ball placement at all levels of the field, coupled with a strong arm to get the vertical game going as he can make it look effortless. He's a player to watch throughout 2025.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/dbowelite/status/1848043662514835710 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='202575' first='Kane' last='Archer'] is the top quarterback and player in the 2026 class, coming out of Arkansas. He is a P4 talent with pro potential along with impressive leadership. He possesses the mental processing you want for a quarterback. Archer demonstrates good pocket mobility, both inside and outside, allowing him to extend plays and throw accurately on the run. Within the pocket, he is agile and exhibits good hip fluidity while keeping his eyes downfield. He effectively processes blitzes and coverages pre-snap and has a strong pocket awareness. He can diagnose and anticipate where the pocket may break down, enabling him to evade pressure. He has very good ball placement and anticipation at all levels of the field, hitting receivers in stride off breaks and putting them into YAC opportunities. </p>   <p>Note - 10 1/8" Hands</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KaneArcher9/status/1892363781654663618 </div></figure>

Off-season training and weight room activities are active. Spring football and college camps are approaching. This report evaluates their 2024 season and current off-season development, highlighting ten quarterbacks from the class of 2026 to watch this spring.