Underrated Upperclassmen Quarterbacks to Know for 2026

With the new year beginning, I'll be starting a new series surrounding underrated upperclassmen at every position. The 2027 class is loaded, which means some kids will go under the radar, and I'm here to make sure they get the recognition they deserve.   Kicking off this new series, I'll dive in and discuss five underrated quarterbacks who need some respect. All of the ones I've selected are talented players who have earned starting jobs at their respective schools.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Photo-Jan-16-2026-7-19-27-PM-crop-1320x867-1768612900.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2107410" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knox Catholic QB [player_tooltip player_id='496084' first='Mack' last='Bartholomew'].</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='496084' first='Mack' last='Bartholomew'] – Knoxville Catholic   Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='496084' first='Mack' last='Bartholomew'] is one of the more intriguing prospects in this class. He's raw in certain areas, but has the necessary physical tools to be one of the big risers heading into the 2026 season.   The 6-foot-2, 200-pound player is tough to bring down because of his excellent speed, burst, vision and elusiveness. While he has the legs to outrun a lot of people, he doesn't abuse them, only taking off when he absolutely must.   When you talk about him as a passer, he shows some impressive stuff on tape. Bartholomew has a big arm and excellent touch on his deep balls, while also taking what the defense gives him if the big play isn't open. He moves well in the pocket and shows nice awareness to avoid sacks.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/30-Cayden-Creech-crop-661x434-1768612954.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2107411" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: USJ QB [player_tooltip player_id='446208' first='Cayden' last='Creech'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='446208' first='Cayden' last='Creech'] – University School of Jackson   [player_tooltip player_id='446208' first='Cayden' last='Creech'] had a breakout 2025 campaign, throwing for 2,563 yards and 33 touchdowns to just four interceptions.   Creech has a solid build, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 195 pounds, with a strong frame. He's an excellent pocket passer who excels at fitting passes into tight windows because of the velocity on his throws.   The 2027 prospect has good footwork and nice pocket awareness, allowing him to extend plays. He can make every throw on the field with his impressive accuracy and touch on his passes.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/dcovington2-crop-1000x657-1768613006.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-2107414" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: East Nashville QB [player_tooltip player_id='1668630' first='Dallas' last='Covington']. Photo by East Nash Athletics.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1668630' first='Dallas' last='Covington'] – East Nashville Magnet   East Nashville's [player_tooltip player_id='1668630' first='Dallas' last='Covington'] is one of my favorite high school players, regardless of classification. He's a little raw in certain areas, but the 6-foot-3, 180-pound quarterback is a baller who elevates his team.   As a full-time starter in 2025, he threw for 2,110 yards while running for another 666 and scoring 29 total touchdowns.   Covington is an efficient dual-threat quarterback who needs to clean things up, but has a very high ceiling. The 2027 prospect has a strong arm, good pocket awareness, elite running ability and solid touch on his passes.   He's a guy who's going under the radar but could grow into one of the top players in Tennessee next season.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/11-Donte-Cameron-crop-4257x2796-1768613087.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2107416" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Oakland QB [player_tooltip player_id='866735' first='Donte' last='Cameron'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='866735' first='Donte' last='Cameron'] – Oakland High School   [player_tooltip player_id='866735' first='Donte' last='Cameron'] is quietly one of the top quarterbacks in the 2027 class, but he doesn't get much recognition because he's in a two-quarterback system at Oakland.   While sharing the backfield in 2025, he threw for 658 yards and ran for another 861, with 17 total touchdowns to one turnover. The rising senior is undoubtedly more of a runner, but he also completed 84% of his passes, proving he can throw the ball efficiently.   Cameron throws the deep ball extremely well while being able to hit short and intermediate stuff as well. The 2027 prospect is underrated, but he is due for a big senior season.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-02-2025-4-09-55-PM-crop-1293x849-1759439864-crop-800x525-1759441318.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1925332" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins']. Taken by 615 Preps.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins'] – Brentwood Academy   [player_tooltip player_id='834810' first='Crews' last='Jenkins'] took over as Brentwood Academy's starting quarterback as a junior and had a terrific season for a first-year starter. He led his team to an 11-1 finish and an appearance in the state title game, while showing the ability to make tough plays when it mattered most.   The 6-foot-1, 185-pound signal caller has all the necessary tools to be one of the top players in Tennessee. He's accurate, has excellent pocket awareness, good technique and can make every throw on the field. The rising senior is also relatively mobile and can scramble to extend plays or just take off if needed.   He's a good player who doesn't always get the respect that he deserves, but he'll have a chance to prove everyone wrong with a standout 2026 season and a potential state championship.

With the new year beginning, I'll be starting a new series surrounding underrated upperclassmen at every position. The 2027 class is loaded, which means some kids will go under the radar, and I'm here to make sure they get the recognition they deserve.