Pre-Spring: Region 4-6A QB Outlook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We take a look at the projected QB outlook for the teams in Region 4-6A. Projections are based solely on stats and our best guess and we can't wait till Spring to see how they all play out on the field. We will look at each team based on their order of finish in '24. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Grayson Rams</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nobody did more for their stock in last years post season than '26 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283913' first='Travis' last='Burgess']</strong> (6'5 205), leading the Rams to the 6A State Title. The dual threat QB had a great playoff run throwing for 959 yards and 11 total TDs. Burgess is blessed with the perfect QB height and is starting to fill out his frame. He already holds 22 D1 offers and the multisport athlete who has his basketball team into the 3rd Round of the State playoffs will be one to watch in '25. I look for the Rams to challenge for the repeat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Newton Rams</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams return QB1 '26 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='681162' first='Deron' last='Benson'] </strong>(6'1 170) for 2025. The 2-year starter has been very consistent for Newton and is an excellent game manager. He has passed for 3800 yards with 48 TDs and has thrown only 9 INTs in 456 attempts. Benson has put in the work in the weight room during the off-seasons, gaining 15 pounds of muscle and has the long frame to add more good weight. He has excellent footwork and gets the ball out of his hands quick with velocity. A highly touted kid out of the middle school ranks that has lived up to the hype. High ceiling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>South Gwinnett Comets</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Comets had a good season last year going 7-3 and qualifying for the State Playoffs. They will be looking for a new QB1 this Spring/Summer as last seasons starter, highly recruited '26 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1558794' first='Xavier' last='Butler']</strong>, has made the move to Lithonia High School. 2027 dual threat<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1686398' first='Shamar' last='Banner']</strong> (6'2 195) looks next in line to compete for the QB1 spot. He saw limited action last season, throwing for 120 yards and 2 TDs on 20 attempts. He looked good running the football, averaging over 6.5 yards per carry. A long lean rising Junior that has good foot speed and has shown he has the ability to deliver the ball downfield. Banner is a player to keep an eye on this offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Archer Tigers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers were only 3-7 during the regular season but pulled off the surprise of the playoffs knocking off Harrison in the 1st Round of the playoffs. '26 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1109172' first='Jordan' last='Do']</strong> (5'11 180) returns under center after having a breakout season in '24. The 2-year dual threat starter accounted for 3502 total yards with 40 TDs last Fall. Do accounted for over 500 yards total offense in their playoff upset win over Harrison. He recently earned "Top Performer" honors at the Prep Redzone 7v7 Tournament to go along with the many accolades he received this off season. An under the radar kid that may not meet the "metrics" but on the field he has proved he can play. Underrated. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Rockdale County Bulldogs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs started '24 3-0 but had a rough go down the stretch finishing 5-5 and missing the post season. '27 <strong>Deontae Burtts</strong> (6'1 180) returns after handling the QB1 duties last Fall. Burtts has a good pocket presence and stays calm under pressure. He has good mechanics and delivers the short passes with velocity and has nice touch on the long throws. Burtts has been a starter since his freshman season and is starting to mature into a real threat at QB. He puts the work in off the field in the classroom and the weight room. If the Bulldogs have a good off season they should be able to get back into the post season hunt behind this young man at QB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Grovetown Warriors </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors had a tough season last Fall going 1-9 in maybe the toughest 6A Region in the State. 2026<strong> Jowell Jackson-Henriquez</strong> (6'1 170) is slated to return after starting last year. The multisport athlete has the ability to make plays on the run when flushed out of the pocket. A good field general and an excellent student in the classroom. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Heritage Patriots</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A very young Patriots team had a tough go last season going 0-6 in the Region. Rising Sophomore '28 <strong>Jaycob Jones</strong> (5'10 180) returns after getting the nod last Fall. Jones was a kid that caught our attention last year at the Prep Red Zone Middle School Combine. He throws a nice tight spiral and has real good velocity on the short throws. He was one of the best campers when it came to timing the curl routes. A solid built 180 pounds that is a true dual threat averaging over 6 ypc last Fall in the 4 games that were reported. A young name to keep an eye on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->