2026 RDU Quarterbacks to Watch

The 2026 class is loaded with strong quarterbacks, so we wanted to break them down by area while updating their evaluations heading into Junior year. While there's no cleaar top guy in the Raleigh-Durham area, there are plenty of talented signal callers near the state's capital. Here are some of the best.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Raleigh-Durham Area Quarterbacks to Know</h2>    There's an obvious knock on Jones when you look at him on paper and that's his size. Let's get past that though and focus on his arm, which is unbelievably strong. He makes throws most high schoolers simply can't make and the ball jumps out of his hand. He only attempted about 17 passes a game as a sophomore, but had an unreal 29-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He's effective as a runner, averaging over six yards a carry on limited attempts.     Williams excels at creating in the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield and is accurate on touch passes to the second and third levels of the defense. He has good speed and can break off long runs when he breaks contain, but he's always a pass-first player. The arm strength is good, but not great, but his ability to stay calm under pressure and deliver to the open man is probably his best trait.     Physically, Smith has the tools to be the best quarterback in the state, with a huge frame and rocket for an arm. He needs to improve his accuracy after completing less than half of his attempts as a sophomore, but the potential is there. While his throwing motion can be a bit unconventional at times, he flashes the ability to change arm slots to avoid defenders and has a natural feel for moving within the pocket.     Minter doesn't have the extensive varsity experience that some of the other top 2026 quaarterbacks have, but his potential is evident. He's decisive with the football and while that quick decision-making can sometimes get him in trouble, he rarely holds the ball too long or gets caught between choices. He's a good runner who could actually benefit from using his legs a bit more. I love the upside here.     Cox has only started two varsity games, but threw for over 300 yards in each of them. He has great athleticism and a solid feel for how and when he should use it. He displays good touch on medium and long throws and can throw accurately on the run. Northwood does and excellent job of moving the pocket for Cox, who can throw when moving towards his left or right. With more starter experience, he could be a solid recruit for an FCS program.     Jones is a fun evaluation in that he's both mechanically sound and plays with a sort of backyard style that is more synonomous with gunslingers and less developed quarterbacks. That leads to a lot of "no, no, no, yes!" throws that few quarterbacks can make. Jones is a smart player who has great poise under pressure.

The 2026 class is loaded with strong quarterbacks, so we wanted to break them down by area while updating their evaluations heading into Junior year. While there's no cleaar top guy in the Raleigh-Durham area, there are plenty of talented signal callers near the state's capital. Here are some of the best.