5 Underrated Senior Quarterbacks to Watch in 2026

The Tennessee Class of 2027 is one of the most talent-rich recruiting classes in recent memory, featuring quality prospects at every position, including several who are flying well under the radar. In this new series breaking down Tennessee's top 2027 recruits, I'll spotlight the most overlooked athletes at each position as we enter the most critical stretch of the recruiting calendar.   To kick things off, here are five rising senior quarterbacks in the Tennessee Class of 2027 who have flashed serious potential throughout their careers. Whether it's inconsistency, a limited body of film or questions about size, each signal caller on this list is not receiving the necessary respect heading into their senior seasons.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/45-Corbin-Hobson-crop-1060x696-1779733749.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2215933" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: GCA (Knox) QB [player_tooltip player_id='1292341' first='Corbin' last='Hobson'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1292341' first='Corbin' last='Hobson'] – Grace Christian Academy (Knox)   [player_tooltip player_id='1292341' first='Corbin' last='Hobson'] is one of the most slept-on players in Tennessee, regardless of classification. He was solid at Farragut before transferring to GCA in Knoxville, where he's due for a huge season with a team that has several weapons and a legitimate offensive line. He isn't the biggest name, but he has the physical tools and traits to be one of the best quarterbacks in 2026.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CSmithMedia/status/2059049117993611644?s=20 </div></figure>   He offers good size for his position, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 215 pounds, with a strong, athletic, well-built frame. Hobson is an excellent distributor of the football, but I wouldn't just call him a game manager. He does things of that nature, but has nice arm talent and the ability to make big-time throws down the field.   The rising senior throws with good anticipation, has nice accuracy, solid velocity on his passes and has an underrated amount of athleticism. He isn't a true dual-threat quarterback, but Hobson has enough to extend plays and pick up yardage when he needs to. The 2027 prospect holds three Division I offers, but has FBS potential.   <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']. Taken by @865flics on Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='496084' first='Mack' last='Bartholomew'] – Knoxville Catholic High School   [player_tooltip player_id='496084' first='Mack' last='Bartholomew'] is one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2027 class. He's shown a lot of good things over his time with Knoxville Catholic, but must put everything together to maximize his potential. He has the traits and physical tools to be a solid quarterback at the Division I level, but I'd like to see it all come together in his senior season with the Fighting Irish.   The rising senior offers nice size, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 205 pounds, in a thick, athletic frame that allows him to remain mobile while playing physically. Bartholomew is a signal caller, but he is very athletic for the position and proved that in 2025. His running ability was a problem for several teams, as he gashed them on the ground or picked up key first downs with his legs.   He has solid arm talent, good accuracy and the ability to push the ball downfield. You'd like to see him become more polished as a passer, but the tools are all there. Bartholomew is the No. 18 quarterback in 2027, per Prep Redzone. But if he puts it all together for 2026, he will certainly be one of the biggest risers for the end-of-season rankings.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/dcovington-crop-401x263-1780254986.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2220233" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: East Nashville QB [player_tooltip player_id='1668630' first='Dallas' last='Covington'] before a game.</figcaption></figure>   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1668630' first='Dallas' last='Covington'] – East Nashville Magnet School   [player_tooltip player_id='1668630' first='Dallas' last='Covington'] from East Nashville is one of the most talented players in Tennessee. He is a true dual-threat player with tremendous ability on the ground and impressive arm talent that has improved throughout his high school career. As a first-year starter in 2025, the 2027 prospect racked up 2,776 total yards on a 76% completion percentage and 29 touchdowns.   Covington has a nice frame, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 180 pounds, and an athletic build that allows him to stay agile as a signal caller. He has some of the best speed and elusiveness among players in Tennessee, which makes him a weapon in multiple ways. The rising senior possesses a strong right arm, good accuracy, nice touch on his passes and the ability to layer throws.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Photo-Mar-06-2026-12-11-49-PM-crop-1320x867-1772820827.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2146231" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Silverdale QB [player_tooltip player_id='1535798' first='Connor' last='Jenne'] during a game. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1535798' first='Connor' last='Jenne'] – Silverdale Baptist Academy   Silverdale Baptist's [player_tooltip player_id='1535798' first='Connor' last='Jenne'] may be the most underrated quarterback in his class. Despite not getting the necessary respect, he has produced at a high level with the Seahawks. He took that next step in his junior season, where he threw for 2,218 yards with 32 total scores and 11 interceptions.   The interception number is higher than you'd like, but he's cut down on his number of turnovers every season in high school. Jenne has also worked with DGA Flight Squad 7v7 this offseason and has shown improvement in multiple areas. Being with that group has elevated his game, as he has been properly developed and put in positions that challenge him and further his growth.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1855116124704096463?s=20 </div></figure>   He offers solid size for the position, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 195 pounds with a strong frame and plenty of arm talent. Jenne can make just about every throw on the field, shows good pocket awareness, puts nice touch on his passes, throws with nice anticipation and looks to have improved his decision-making skills.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/tmanu.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2169190" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Alcoa QB [player_tooltip player_id='2058759' first='Thomas' last='Manu'].</figcaption></figure>   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2058759' first='Thomas' last='Manu'] – Alcoa High School   [player_tooltip player_id='2058759' first='Thomas' last='Manu'] is quietly one of the most productive players in Tennessee and possesses some nice tools. He's coming off an excellent 2025 campaign, where he completed 80% of his passes for 3,099 yards and 49 total touchdowns with 0 turnovers. He recently picked up his first collegiate offer from Georgetown College, but has the potential to contribute at the FBS level.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1997375651485978977?s=20 </div></figure>   He's a compact player, standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 170 pounds in an athletic frame built to dominate on the gridiron. Manu controls the game at a high level, consistently leading his team downfield while protecting the football. He has nice arm talent with solid arm strength, excellent accuracy, nice touch on his passes and the ability to make just about every throw on the field.   The rising senior is not your true dual-threat quarterback, but he has some nice wheels. Manu ran for 327 yards and four touchdowns this past season, making him dynamic in a multitude of ways. He's flying under the radar, but programs need to take another look at him. Yes, he is an undersized quarterback. But Manu can flat-out play football.

The Tennessee Class of 2027 is one of the most talent-rich recruiting classes in recent memory, featuring quality prospects at every position, including several who are flying well under the radar. In this new series breaking down Tennessee's top 2027 recruits, I'll spotlight the most overlooked athletes at each position as we enter the most critical stretch of the recruiting calendar.