2026 Rankings: QB Class Locking In For Stretch Run

By this time a year ago, South Carolina knew it was in for something special from its soon-to-be senior class of quarterbacks.    [player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods'] and [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] and [player_tooltip player_id='272698' first='Will' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk'] and [player_tooltip player_id='367350' first='Jaden' last='Cummings'] were all known commodities for NCAA Division-I programs, and the supporting cast was nothing to scoff at, either.   This spring, we're seeing a slightly different dynamic from the signal callers in the Class of 2026: A fast-rising bunch prepared to give the previous class a run for its money.    All told, 13 quarterbacks now stand inside the overall Top 100 in the class. For perspective, that's four more than 2025 had in its final rankings update.   The view from the top might not be quite as stout, but there's no reason to believe this positional group is done, either.    Let's start by looking at quarterback rankings as a whole.     TOP FIVE   [player_tooltip player_id='473002' first='Cameron' last='McMillon'] South Pointe   McMillon is going to make some college program happy soon enough. What he's charged with over the course of the next seven months is keeping Stallions' fans happy. South Pointe can put up big numbers behind their all-state quarterback.    [player_tooltip player_id='284134' first='Jayvon' last='Gilmore'] Gaffney   The Arkansas commitment couldn't possible ask for a better situation for his final high school season than what's in front of him at Gaffney. The pressure will be there, but so, too, will be an offense that is freakishly developed and capable of playing in December.   [player_tooltip player_id='1025784' first='Roper' last='Wentzky'] AC Flora   The Falcons are going to light up some scoreboards this fall, and Wentzky's right arm - one that's maybe more notable for his baseball acumen - is going to be a big part of it. This will be the first time he has all of his receiver threats on the field at the same time.   [player_tooltip player_id='402509' first='Trevor' last='Kalisz'] Ashley Ridge   Kalisz will enter his senior year with 6,549 yards and 61 touchdowns already in his back pocket from his first two seasons as the Swamp Foxes' starter. Reaching the 10,000-yard career mark doesn't seem out of the question.    [player_tooltip player_id='1394988' first='Aedan' last='McCarthy'] Bluffton   When McCarthy jumped 24 spots in our overall rankings this cycle, it wasn't because we were thinking he *might* do something special this fall. It's because he has every tool in his arsenal to make sure that exactly that happens.     DON'T SLEEP ON…    [player_tooltip player_id='1165108' first='Zori' last='Pierce'] Lamar (pictured)   Pierce will have some adjustments to make after losing his head coach and his favorite receiver. But don't doubt his athleticism - he topped 22 miles per hour at the Carolinas Coaches Combines - or his rocket of a right arm.   [player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson'] South Florence   Do you know how hard it is to convince everyone that South Florence wasn't simply a championship team because of LaNorris Sellers? Yeah, Jackson helped accomplish that last fall with the Bruins' second title in three years.   [player_tooltip player_id='283891' first='Noah' last='Thomas'] Belton-Honea Path   Everything BHP did the last two years revolved around a certain star-studded tailback. But we'd be remiss to not point out that Thomas is one of the single-most accurate quarterbacks in the state and his own numbers have been as efficient as they come.   [player_tooltip player_id='860400' first='Drevon' last='Dopson'] Irmo   Dopson is a two-time high-school transfer who now finds himself as the likely starting quarterback for a loaded Irmo squad needing to replace its departed quarterback. Big numbers aren't a possibility; they're expected.    [player_tooltip player_id='1639712' first='Triston' last='Lewis'] Greenwood   Lewis was one of just two new additions to jump directly into the Top 100 of our Class of 2026 rankings this time around. He can throw. He can run. And he meshes in perfectly with the pieces around him. He's the key to another Greenwood run.   [player_tooltip player_id='1592310' first='Quinn' last='Mahoney'] Bishop England   The first-year Bishops' quarterback threw for 2,461 yards and 23 touchdowns last fall. But here's the thing: He might just be scratching the surface. If he can improve on his completion percentage (55.7), his numbers will be even more impressive.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165148' first='Jachin' last='Davis'] Stratford   When Davis verbally committed to Liberty at the beginning of the month, it should have been an indication to everyone in the Lowcountry that he was ready to put the recruiting cycle behind him and put the final touches on getting ready for what could be a huge senior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller'] Gray Collegiate   A Gray Collegiate team that has often gone run first, run second has every reason to open up the passing attack unlike any Eagles' squad in the last few years. Faith in the receiving corps is only part of it. Waller is the other.    [player_tooltip player_id='797160' first='Moon' last='Gerald'] Loris   This time a year ago, Gerald was just earning the Lions' QB1 job. He then went out there as a junior and threw for 1,557 yards and owned a 19-to-2 touchdown-interception rate while rushing for another 231 yards.    [player_tooltip player_id='1395094' first='Jaylen' last='Augustus'] Darlington    Augustus is a fun study in watching a staff adjust to a player's biggest strengths. After having him throw the ball 244 times as a sophomore, Darlington pivoted and let their big quarterback run wild in 2024. Augustus went for 1,298 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground alone.    NAMES TO REMEMBER   [player_tooltip player_id='1639886' first='Banks' last='Wickersham'] Fort Dorchester   When Fort Dorchester started planning for the future, it turned to Wickersham late in 2024 and cut him loose. He performed well in a first-round playoff win and then owned the reins for the postseason. The prep time tells us to keep our eyes peeled.   [player_tooltip player_id='1639782' first='Jayden' last='Johnson'] Ware Shoals   Johnson is already going to go down as one of the top quarterbacks in Ware Shoals history. And that's before we take into account that the talent around him has been building for the last two campaigns, too.    [player_tooltip player_id='1429140' first='Christian' last='Royals'] Socastee   Royals is one of those guys who has been hamstrung numerically a bit by a revolving door of skill players the last couple years. But that roller coaster ride of a Braves' offense only toughened him up even more.    [player_tooltip player_id='1592374' first='Trey' last='Burke'] Spartanburg   While everyone is quick to point out everything the Vikings lost, it's important to also note that 2024 was Burke's first full season at the varsity level after losing his sophomore year to an off-field injury. His accuracy improved quickly, and his ball placement is very low risk.

By this time a year ago, South Carolina knew it was in for something special from its soon-to-be senior class of quarterbacks.