Evaluating Quarterbacks in the updated Maryland 2026 rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone Maryland's Ed O'Brien evaluates the newcomers to the Class of 2026 prospect rankings. Today's article features quarterbacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note: These rankings include players from Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Delaware</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/january-rankings-update-who-was-added-to-our-maryland-2026-list/"><em>CHECK OUT THE CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS HERE</em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1089263"],"_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-67acaab0041b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yates completed 88 of 184 passes for 1,206 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 10 games during the 2024 season. He also rushed 102 times for 581 yards and six touchdowns. Yates is fast, agile, and capable of playing with his legs. He can push the ball downfield effectively and make plays when the pocket collapses. While he does run frequently, Yates has shown the ability to stand and deliver passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Improving his accuracy (47.8% completion rate) and reducing turnovers, particularly interceptions, will help him improve as a quarterback. Throwing more high-percentage passes can also help him increase his completion percentage. Yates can elevate his game if he can improve his accuracy and decision-making.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["909760"],"_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-67acaab004252"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kennedy completed 86-of-131 passes for 1,700 plus yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions last season. He is an accurate and efficient quarterback with a solid completion percentage (65.6%) and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 3:1. Kennedy's highlights show him manipulating safeties with his eyes to move them out of position to make a play on the ball. He also does a good job of finding soft spots in zone coverage and making the correct read. Kennedy has a strong arm. There are a few plays where he throws deep and hits receivers in stride for long touchdowns. Kennedy can also make timing throws, including outs that show his arm strength. He has poise in the pocket as well. Kennedy stands in the pocket and takes hits without flinching while throwing completions. He doesn't panic under pressure and extends plays when necessary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's worth noting that I recently saw Kennedy in a camp setting. Once I receive his film, I'll be able to give a more complete evaluation of how he throws timing routes and how his footwork looks. It's worth noting that he won the Pro Day Challenge among 28 quarterbacks at the camp I attended last weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1098360"],"_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-67acabaed46b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jayden completed 92-of-134 passes for 1,342 yards and 13 touchdowns during the 2024 season. He also rushed 20 times for 233 yards and two touchdowns. He's an efficient passer with mobility and a strong deep ball. Jayden can extend plays and hit receivers in stride. He's comfortable with pushing the ball vertically. Jayden's highlights show him scrambling to extend plays and, in one case, direct receivers mid-play. He was a dangerous runner when needed (11 yards per carry on just 20 carries). Jayden is also good at moving up in the pocket when pressured instead of panicking. He's good at keeping his eyes downfield and is looking to pass first before running.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'd like to see him run more. His YPC says he could double his 2024 season output this upcoming season. I would also like to see him work on his progressions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["377542"],"_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-67acabaed4701"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arnold is a poised quarterback who thrives under pressure and excels in short-to-intermediate passing. His highlights showcase him efficiently delivering swing passes, crossers, and timing routes. Arnold often hits receivers in stride, allowing them to get that YAC (yards after the catch). He can escape the pocket and extend plays when needed. There's a highlight of Arnold running for a 30-plus yard gain, showing that he is a dual threat when needed. I also think that he throws well on the move. Arnold can roll out and make accurate passes. In his highlights, a few plays show him completing off-platform passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arnold only played three games this past season, so the season highlights evaluation is limited. From a recruiting standpoint, he's a little on the smaller side. I think he'll have to have a strong showing this spring and summer at camps to show what he can do until he gets another opportunity on the field this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1089255"],"_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-67acabaed4747"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bell is a strong-armed, tough, and composed quarterback who can push the ball downfield and make plays under pressure. His ability to scramble without panicking and his willingness to attack defenses vertically make him a solid quarterback prospect. Bell has multiple plays of him hitting receivers in stride for at least 40-plus yards. There's one play where he throws a seam route over a defender, showing his accuracy. Bell does a good job of keeping his eyes downfield when scrambling. He's not a run-first quarterback but can extend plays and scramble when needed. There's one play on his highlight where he avoids multiple tacklers in the backfield to eventually gain 15-plus yards on the run, showing his elusiveness. Bell also indicates a willingness to take a hit in the pocket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As with a few other quarterbacks in this article, his size may limit the scope of his recruiting. He's a mechanically sound quarterback with pocket poise, field vision, athleticism, and playmaking ability. There are plenty of schools that can use a player like that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other articles to read</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/2025-season-souther-maryland-skills-players-to-know-part-1/">Southern Maryland&nbsp; 2025 Season Players to Know - Part 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/meet-some-of-the-iacs-offensive-stars-in-the-2026-class-pt-1/">Meet some of the IAC's offensive stars in the 2026 Class – Pt . 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/maryland-d-c-2027-prospects-already-on-the-radar-pt-1/">Maryland/D.C. 2027 prospects already on the radar – Pt. 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/maryland-d-c-2027-prospects-already-on-the-radar-pt-2/">Maryland/D.C. 2027 prospects already on the radar - Pt. 2</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/maryland-d-c-2027-prospects-already-on-the-radar-pt-3/">Maryland/D.C. 2027 prospects already on the radar – Pt. 3</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/2025-season-western-maryland-skill-players-to-know-part-1/">2025 Season: Western Maryland Skill Players to Know – Part 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/maryland-4a-footballs-next-wave-2026-evaluations-part-1/">Maryland 4A Football's Next Wave: 2026 Evaluations – Part 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/maryland-4a-footballs-next-wave-2026-evaluations-part-2/">Maryland 4A Football's Next Wave: 2026 Evaluations – Part 2</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/maryland-4a-footballs-next-wave-2026-evaluations-part-3/">Maryland 4A Football's Next Wave: 2026 Evaluations - Part 3</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/the-next-wave-scouting-md-dcs-2026-class-film-review-pt-1/">The Next Wave: Scouting MD/DC's 2026 class: Film Review Pt. 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/the-next-wave-scouting-md-dcs-2026-class-film-review-pt-2/">The Next Wave: Scouting MD/DC's 2026 class: Film Review Pt. 2</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/scouting-the-ranked-2026-maryland-prospects-running-backs/">Scouting the ranked 2026 Maryland prospects: Running Backs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/02/the-new-editions-evaluating-wrs-in-the-md-2026-rankings/">The New Editions: Evaluating WR's in the MD 2026 Rankings</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/02/the-new-editions-new-edge-defenders-in-the-md-2026-rankings/">The New Editions: New edge defenders in the MD 2026 rankings</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/02/the-new-editions-new-linebackers-in-the-md-2026-rankings/">The New Editions: New linebackers in the MD 2026 rankings</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->