3A/4A Quarterbacks To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Summer is one of my favorite parts of the Prep Redzone Calendar because everyone is excited to gear up for the season. One thing I loved last year was taking the time to break down players by classification. Players in the smaller classifications get overlooked, and it can be helpful to spotlight the guys who will play huge roles in the playoff picture. Here, we'll look at five quarterbacks to know in North Carolina's 3A and 4A classifications.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Five 3A/4A QBs to Know in 2026</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 3A class in particular had some of the state's top passers last season, but many were outgoing seniors. Still, there are plenty of returners who will look to build on strong 2025 seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1854319' first='Zak' last='Ishman']</strong> | Northeastern</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ishman is the top returning passer in the state, regardless of classification, throwing for 3,200 yards and 36 touchdowns in his first year as a starter. A legitimate college prospect, Ishman gets three of his top five targets back, and there's no reason to think he won't replicate last year's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678610' first='Rashad' last='Lynch']</strong> | Lincolnton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lynch is one of the top dual-threat passers in the state, and though he's not the biggest guy, he's electric for a high-powered Lincolnton offense. He had 42 total touchdowns for the Wolves, while throwing for 2,700 yards and adding another 1,100 on the ground. He can fly (4.65 laser-timed 40) and has a great arm, especially for his size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1106521' first='JaRon' last='Ward']</strong> | Hendersonville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ward took a massive step forward as a passer in 2025, completing 68 percent of his attempts as a junior. He threw for 25 touchdowns and just six interceptions for an ascending Hendersonville squad. That helped the Bearcats go from a five-win to a nine-win team in one season. He's not a true dual-threat, but he has some mobility and moves well in the pocket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607912' first='Elan' last='Lipford']</strong> | Hibriten</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lipford isn't getting a lot of hype for a guy who was one of the state's top dual threats on an 11-win team. He threw for 2,400 yards, best among returning 4A passers, and added 700 on the ground. Lipford accounted for 34 touchdowns on an impressive, balanced offense that returns a few key playmakers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897126' first='Miles' last='McCallop']</strong> | Clinton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCallop was a transfer into Clinton last season, and there were times early in the year when he looked like a guy adjusting to a new offense. By the end of the year, though, he was cruising. McCallop threw for 22 touchdowns and just five picks (spread across just two games) and added four more scores on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other 3A/4A QBs To Know</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050807' first='Tyson' last='Broadway']</strong> | Reidsville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1790573' first='Santana' last='Garcia']</strong> | Walkertown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1278252' first='Lincoln' last='Carlberg']</strong> | South Rowan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2142470' first='Josiah' last='Rice']</strong> | Bunn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616122' first='Ja'Braylan' last='Patterson']</strong> | West Iredell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2154709' first='Reid' last='Herring'] </strong>| Randleman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2123427' first='Bryce' last='Cox']</strong> | North Pitt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Our preseason coverage is just getting started. 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