Inside Look: SWFL Rising QB Insights

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rise of QB play across Southwest Florida has been hard to miss. The region is producing a deeper group of quarterbacks with legitimate arm talent, mobility, experience and overall command of the position — from established 2027s to young prospects already making an impact on Friday nights. This year's group also includes proven producers and several younger QBs starting to emerge, showing that SWFL continues to develop into a strong area for quarterback talent. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1909446' first='Davin' last='Davidson'] | Cardinal Mooney</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Previous notes: 6-6 QB, big-time arm talent, can make throws all over the field, uses his legs effectively, and has the physical tools to be a major prospect. You previously described him as a player with star potential and someone who always has Cardinal Mooney in contention against tough competition. His ability to extend plays and make teammates better was also a big part of the evaluation. You had him as a Florida commit and viewed his championship experience as another important piece of his profile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158090' first='Logan' last='Flaherty'] | Port Charlotte</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Previous notes: Florida State commit and one of the more complete QBs in the 941 area. Flaherty can make throws across the full route tree, has legitimate deep-ball ability and brings dual-threat athleticism to the position. You've highlighted his command of the offense, consistency and leadership, while also noting that his play has helped elevate his exposure in the 941.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2265468' first='Hudson' last='West'] | QB | 2028 | Sarasota</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the fastest-rising 2028 QBs in the state. West has a college-ready 6-5 frame and has continued developing his arm talent and overall game. colleges were able to get their eyes on him throughout the offseason. He's composed, processes quickly and throws with confidence in key situations. I think Florida is high on him, and another productive season could push West even further into the conversation among the top young QBs in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Logan Carillo | Riverview Sarasota</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Previous notes: 2027 QB with strong command of the position. You've described Carillo as a quick processor who is detail-oriented and brings leadership to the position. His timing and decision-making have stood out in your previous evaluations, and you've viewed him as a quarterback who has continued to develop into a reliable leader for Riverview Sarasota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Noah Patton | QB | 2028 | Venice</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patton is starting to come into his groove at Venice and continues to showcase his dual-threat abilities. Came over from IMG. At 6-3, 190 pounds, he has a good frame to work with and brings some of the better arm talent in the class. Natural passer with a smooth arm action and quick, compact release that allows him to get the ball out on time. He can change arm angles, throw accurately from different platforms, layer deep balls and drive tight-window throws. With the amount of talent around him at Venice, this is a good opportunity for Patton to keep building confidence and show what he can do against quality competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1084758' first='Dominick' last='Sgambellone III'] | QB | 2028 | FBA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more productive QBs so far, and he's not even finishing games. Sgambellone took all of his offseason momentum into Friday nights after putting together a strong 7v7 offseason that included helping lead his team to a 7v7 Elite National Championship. He's a Florida boy now, and you can see the confidence from competing against high-level competition all offseason. He has better-than-expected size, intriguing arm talent and a clean ball release. The way he's carried that momentum into the regular season has made him one of the 2028 QBs I'll be watching closely down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2376745' first='Nolan' last='Downes'] | QB | 2029 | Manatee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fast-rising 2029 prospect picking up some college attention. Downes has the production and experience for a sophomore, giving Manatee a solid signal-caller who can push the ball downfield. He's gaining confidence as the season moves along, and the more reps he gets, the more his upside starts to show.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2201098' first='Owen' last='Sterling'] | QB | 2029 | Riverview Sarasota</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up for this program is a 6-4 dot thrower who's steadily developing and working on the fundamentals. Sterling has gotten a few reps this season so far that will pay off as the offseason work approaches. For now, midway through the season, his number can be called anytime. Having that size and arm talent gives him a nice foundation to keep building on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1636240' first='Mason' last='Polley'] | QB | 2030 | Venice</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Has been getting key reps for a top 8 program and handling his own, showing he can throw the full route tree and push the ball downfield. For a young QB getting reps in a program like Venice, that experience is valuable and should only help his development moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jack Grimes | QB | 2030 | Charlotte</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Has taken the starting position and hasn't looked back, leading this program to an undefeated start. Doesn't get rattled, has the mental part down and continues to grow into his frame. Can flat out spin it. The confidence he's playing with right now is impressive for a young QB, and every game is another opportunity to build on that foundation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2346441' first='Noah' last='Wireman'] | QB | 2029 | Wellen Park</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wireman is doing it all to give this program some juice under center as a rising sophomore. At the midway point of the season, he's put together 778 yards passing with 9 TDs, along with 211 rushing yards and 6 TDs on the ground. That production shows the impact he's having on this offense. He's becoming a real playmaker for Wellen Park and one of those young QBs worth keeping an eye on moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Steven LeBlanc | QB | 2029 | Saint Stephen's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big-bodied frame kid who has dual-threat abilities. I've watched him develop for a couple years now, and it's good to see him taking over a program and already setting school records. LeBlanc has used both his arm and legs to show his playmaking ability and give the offense another dimension. For a young QB, the combination of his size, athleticism and experience gives him plenty to build on as he continues developing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jake Carr | QB | 2030 | Bayshore</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another rising freshman who I got eyes on this offseason, and it's translating to Friday nights fast. I like this kid, and he can spin it. Mobile enough to move around the pocket and find guys downfield, while showing the confidence to make plays when things break down. Starting already is a good sign. Now it's about continuing to stack reps and developing the consistency that comes with being a young starter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->