Breakout Candidates: Quarterbacks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've subtly shifted from postseason mode to offseason mode and now to preseason mode, with plenty of pieces this week previewing the 2026 North Carolina high school football season. In this series, we're looking at potential breakouts. Here, I'm starting by identifying five possible breakout quarterbacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Quarterback Breakouts in 2026</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: While the term "breakout" elicits varying thoughts from readers, I'm not holding myself to one particular definition. A "breakout candidate" for these purposes could be a new starter, a guy who is getting his first extended run, or simply somebody I think could improve as a player in 2026.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616112' first='Jonah' last='El-Amin']</strong> | Jordan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>El-Amin flashed as a freshman before transferring and sitting behind a talented senior last year. The rising junior has elite athleticism and high-level arm talent. He has the type of upside to take over games, given the opportunity. Because he has both the talent around him and some previous starting experience, I don't think Jordan will try to "ease him in" this season. Instead, I think he's a guy who could come out swinging from the first kickoff.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='651090' first='Devin' last='Shoulars']</strong> | South Garner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Had Shoulars stayed healthy last season, he would have ranked among the state's upper-classification leaders in passing. The rising senior was on pace for a 30-touchdown, 3,000-yard season as a dual-threat for South Garner. The Titans were looking great, too, before Shoulars went down, and the entire offensive approach was upended. Now healthy, Shoulars looks like a guy who could emerge as one of the state's premier quarterbacks in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1132904' first='Tyler' last='Vickers']</strong> | Topsail</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some passers had to change schools to get a "change of scenery." But despite remaining at Topsail, Vickers' situation has changed drastically. With a new coaching staff and offensive system, there's little doubt that Vickers will see an uptick in production in 2026. He has the arm talent and the experience to put together a really nice junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2135309' first='Mason' last='Karras']</strong> | Cardinal Gibbons</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cardinal Gibbons made the 7A semifinals last season behind a strong passing attack. However, the Crusaders lose a multi-year starter, a guy who will play at the Power Four level in college. In conversations with the coaching staff and even other players, there isn't much worry of a dropoff. The plan has always been for Karras to take over in 2026, and the confidence in his abilities is such that we ranked him early this offseason. What he lacks in varsity experience, he makes up for with talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866234' first='Kylen' last='Crisp']</strong> | Cummings</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crisp has been on our radar for a while as a talented junior varsity passer, but he hasn't gotten the chance to start. He moves over to Cummings this offseason with the chance to compete for a starting job on a team that loves to throw the ball and returns several veteran pass-catchers. Crisp is a true dual-threat who can move in the pocket and throw on the run. We're not entirely sure if he'll officially win the starting job, but if he gets the chance, expect a strong season from the rising junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Our preseason coverage is just getting started. Coaches, if you want your team featured in a team preview, <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=118251332469799088451">fill out our survey</a>. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Help them get 30% off their first billing cycle with promo code Helms30.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->