2026 RANKINGS UPDATE: Quarterback Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FALL UPDATE:</strong> We have officially released a new set of rankings for the class of 2026 in Arkansas. In this article, we will showcase the 2026 quarterbacks with analysis. Over the next month, I will break down these rankings by position in each class, including other segments. For the quarterbacks, I will provide you with evaluations of some of the top prospects and the players flying under the radar:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2409","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2456","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b871e9b816c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["204462"],"_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-68b871e9bafdb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='204462' first='Dax' last='McMellon'] comes in at number 51 overall and fifth at the position. In his opening week last week, he went 26/40 for 457 yards and five touchdowns. McMellon is a gunslinger who will thread the needle at any field level. He displays good velocity on the football with the pocket awareness to evade pressure post-snap. He displays solid ball placement and can attack the boundary effectively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - 4.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/dax_QB15","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/dax_QB15 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["382978"],"_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-68b871e9bb072"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='382978' first='John' last='Thompson III'] lands at number 93 overall and 10th at the position. Thompson led his team down to the wire against the multi-time championship team, the Greenwood Bulldogs. 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, showcasing the ability to extend plays while sliding in and out of the pocket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.8 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Tre__Thompson3/status/1959036860757377365","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Tre__Thompson3/status/1959036860757377365 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["685765"],"_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-68b871e9bb0eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='685765' first='Tyler' last='Hampton'] started the season off strong, leading his team to a 55-54 victory over Maumelle. Hampton is another athletic quarterback that can be dangerous on the ground. He displays solid footwork both inside and outside the pocket, with the ability to roll out and deliver an accurate strike on the run. His release is quick and sharp, delivering the ball with accuracy and solid velocity at short and intermediate levels. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - Multi-Position Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Tyler_11Hampton/status/1961789202103980494","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Tyler_11Hampton/status/1961789202103980494 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1655939"],"_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-68b871e9bb13e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1655939' first='Drew' last='Newport'] comes in at number 422 overall and 41 at the position. He displays solid velocity on the football. He generates torque from his hips. He uses his upper body strength to create velocity and fit the ball into tight windows. Newport demonstrates solid ball placement at all levels of the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.3 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DrewNewport13/status/1959028192003649983","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DrewNewport13/status/1959028192003649983 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1337933"],"_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-68b871e9bb1dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1337933' first='Tristan' last='Ray'] looks to lead his team to the playoffs. Ray excels in the details of the game, demonstrating solid decision-making post-snap. He has a quick release and delivers the football with solid velocity and ball placement. Keep an eye on him throughout the fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - 4.3 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/trisranray8/status/1947440715761410549","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/trisranray8/status/1947440715761410549 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER TOP 100 QUARTERBACKS:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='202575' first='Kane' last='Archer'] (Greenwood)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='203768' first='Drew' last='Davis'] (Benton)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='237071' first='Kemp' last='Keller'] (Little Rock Christian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. [player_tooltip player_id='1301127' first='Wesley' last='Tapp'] (Conway)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='1060603' first='Ayden' last='Lester'] (Farmington)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='335132' first='Talan' last='Williams'] (Gentry)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8 [player_tooltip player_id='338065' first='Creed' last='Vega'] (Dardanelle)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='430626' first='Andrew' last='Bjork'] (Little Rock Central)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. [player_tooltip player_id='848066' first='Wyatt' last='R. Golden'] (White Hall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. [player_tooltip player_id='866986' first='Mitchell' last='Polk'] (Smackover)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->