Next Man Up: 6A QB’s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New names will have to fill some big shoes and takeover for last year's starters. Take a look at 5 QB's that look to be touted with a major new role: <img class="wp-image-910393" style="width: 300px" src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/top-8-3.webp" alt=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212203' first='Jayden' last='Pico'], <em>Liberty '26</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pico is touted with the biggest shoes in the state to fill as he'll takeover the defending open division champs QB1 role with [player_tooltip player_id='115509' first='Navi' last='Bruzon'] graduating. Pico recently transferred over from Shadow Ridge where he was a starter since his freshman season. Pico is a talented kid and his ability to make stuff happen with his feet seems slept on, as he's set up in a perfect scenario and system to really bust loose. A legit escape artist with the ability to make those off platform throws at all levels. Really excited to see what this kid can do the next couple years at Liberty. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='368944' first='Richard' last='Lucero'] Jr., <em>Hamilton '25</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lucero saw a ton of time last year as a Junior, putting up 1,298 yards and 11 TD's while adding 4 TD's on the ground. If your that Hamilton staff, you have to feel pretty comfortable and excited with Lucero's ability to take care of the football, as he only threw 1 pick last season on 154 attempts in the toughest region in the state as a young Jr. QB. He sizes up as your ideal pocket passer at 6'4" 198lbs and looks like he still has room to add mass. Smart kid with a high football IQ and checks all the boxes as a legit leader to officially takeover as the QB1 for Hamilton. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='739443' first='Marcel' last='Jones'], <em>Saguaro '26</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After transferring in the middle of the year to Saguaro from rival Chaparral, Jones is one of the most talked about prospects in the state, especially in Scottsdale. Super athletic kid with dual-threat ability, as he checks all the boxes as your next breakout QB in the 2026 class. Obviously he'll have to earn the starting spot at Saguaro, but his athleticism and experience at the 6A level gives him a big upside, and he turned heads at the Fiesta Bowl Youth Clinic a few weeks back as well. Smooth, effortless looking release with the ability to utilize touch or velocity depending on the situation. Definitely a kid that has the ability to blow up and see those flood gates open with offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/mj_era7/status/1758910620748091845?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/mj_era7/status/1758910620748091845?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='401158' first='Dominic' last='Carmigiano'], <em>Chandler '26</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All the eyes in the state are always on Chandler. Carmigiano looks like the favorite in my opinion to takeover for [player_tooltip player_id='169416' first='Blake' last='Heffron'], and you can't ask for a bigger opportunity. Carmigiano stands 6'3" 180lbs and displays a short, quick release. He flashes a nice flick of the wrist at the end of his release which allows him to get that velocity with ease. He's looked the part in offseason workouts thus far and holds a ton of hype going into the summer. Looking forward to seeing Carmigiano grow and progress in a prolific program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='472630' first='Matthew' last='Avelar'], <em>Salpointe Catholic '27</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside looking in, it would appear that Avelar would take over the QB1 reigns at Salpointe Catholic with Taylor Nagore graduating. Avelar comes off a very impressive freshman season, putting up 528 yards and 4 TD's while adding 2 TD's on the ground. He'll have to really lock in and focus on making the correct reads and not force throws, but I think he'll take a big leap in maturity heading into the fall given his experience as a freshman. He's built with a solid 6'2" 195lb frame and possesses a ton of tools to develop and become one of the next best young Q's in Arizona. A big role at a big program means a big opportunity for the young QB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->