Early Preview of the 2026 Class: Underrated Quarterbacks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2024 season behind us, we would like to preview some underrated offensive players in the state's 2026 graduating class. These players have not received the full credit they deserve for the fantastic seasons that they had this previous year and should be considered top prospects in the state for the next season. We will now look at some of the most underrated signal callers set to return next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["739454"],"_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-67b1347138f06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='739454' first='Kainan' last='Manna'] had a historic junior season that he won't forget. He posted a 59% completion percentage, 2,366 passing yards, 22 passing TDs to 4 INTs, 226 rushing yards, and 2 rushing TDs on the season. More importantly, he helped lead one of the state's biggest comeback stories ever, winning the 6A state championship with a 3-7 regular season team record. This includes a spectacular performance in that state title game with a 65% completion, 350 passing yards, and 2 passing TDs. His ability to throw the ball either with touch or zip is incredible. It allows him to have almost perfect ball placement both on short-yardage throws and deep throws. He has excellent pocket presence for his size, not afraid to stand in and deliver a strike downfield while getting hit. Not enough good things can be said about Manna's junior season, and he should be a must see player next season as he leads the Coyote's offense for his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16069796/679b0c3ff13ff68fef22b2a1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b13471391d6"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1587252"],"_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-67b1347139244"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1587252' first='Evan' last='Heinrich'] had an amazing junior year campaign that led his team all the way to a 4A state championship appearance. His season stats include a 64.7% completion percentage, 2410 passing yards, 30 passing TDs to only 1 INT, along with 108 rushing yards and 7 TDs, which is all just unbelievable. His ability to play turnover-free football is the standard trait you always want for the quarterback position, and he does it perfectly. It is evident in his decision-making as Heinrich is always magnificent about reading the field pre-snap and knowing where to go with the football. He throws the ball with tons of velocity and superb leverage, only allowing his receivers to have a chance at making the play downfield. If Heinrich can match or even improve from this kind of season, he should absolutely be in the conversation for AZ's best quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17644955/675b02dc6d3675ff8ea0e185' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b134713926b"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1177569"],"_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-67b13471392f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Quarterback Damir llicic is ready to put the whole state on notice this next season. Finishing off his junior year with a 56% completion percentage, 2,237 passing yards, and 21 passing TDs in his first full season is no easy task. He showed true progress over the season, finishing his last 5 games with 1,211 passing yards and 12 TDs. He airs out the ball with tons of power and velocity, consistently delivering it to his receivers in stride downfield. He is able to throw in multiple different ways, such as standing within the pocket or bootlegging on the run. He has some remarkable touch when throwing over the middle, just getting it over the linebackers and hitting his target right on the money. Despite his team's struggles last season, Illicic will be a huge asset for his Valley Vista team for his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17729880/673bf62fa04173ed2856f8a7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b39321a105c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Sean Helgeson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"210","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Scottsdale Christian Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b13471393cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A player who deserves far more recognition for his talents is 2026 Quarterback Sean Helgeson. He capped off a brilliant junior season with a 60% completion percentage, 1,896 passing yards, 28 passing TDs, 261 rushing yards, and 2 rushing TDs. Helgeson throws the ball with outstanding anticipation, getting it to his playmakers right on time. He has an impressive knack for throwing off platform, able to throw off his back foot or even from a sidearm throw and still get the ball to his target. He also displays some nice dual threat ability, having solid mobility and shiftiness in the open field. Helgeson has the stature and tons of athletic traits to truly excel in his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19324970/67644794f237854a421010d8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b13471393f7"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1603537' first='Darren' last='Justman']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"165","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Holbrook","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b39321a2867"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two-way star who really shows top-level stuff at the QB position is 2026 Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1603537' first='Darren' last='Justman'].His offensive output at QB included a 63% completion percentage, 2,056 passing yards, 30 passing TDs, 437 rushing yards, and 7 rushing TDs. His throwing motion is heavily catered to modern-day football, throwing it effortlessly from the flick of his wrist. He has remarkable poise that can elevate a team in the right moments, using his mobility to avoid rushers and keeping his eyes downfield. He not only can hurt you from the passing game but the running game as well, with his niftiness and sound agility in space. The progression Justman has shown every year since playing in his freshman season suggests that he will put up an insane season for the Holbrook offense in his senior year campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17852016/67903d90b4511635b0492c1c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b39321a2899"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->