I had the pleasure of watching Sawyer Edbenshade live this week as he clinched a perfect regular season for his team. He made some of the best passes I have seen from a quarterback we have seen all year. Esbenshade has pinpoint accuracy. On back-to-back plays at the end of the half, he hit his receiver perfectly in stride for big plays. They both were inside post/seam routes, and he threw it only where the receiver could catch it. It was two impressive throws. He also did a good job running the ball for tough yards. Esbenshade is a talented quarterback in the 2026 class.

Sawyer Esbenshade Sawyer Esbenshade 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Conestoga Valley | 2026 State PA continues to shine for Conestoga Valley. He is one of the best quarterbacks in the District 3 area, as he has played at a high level all year. Conestoga Valley is 7-0 on the year, as Esbenshade is one of the biggest reasons why. So far, he has 2 300-yard passing games. Including this week against Governor Mifflin, when he threw for 318 yards. He also threw for 319 yards against Lebanon earlier this year. Esbenshade deserves a game ball for his performance.

Sawyer Esbenshade Sawyer Esbenshade 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Conestoga Valley | 2026 State PA had a good year last year starting for Conestoga Valley, but this season, he has taken it up a level. His ability to sit in the pocket and pick apart a defense is outstanding. He has good mechanics and footwork as well, and moves well inside the pocket to avoid pressure from defenders. Through 3 games, he has thrown for 478 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Esbenshade is having a strong season for Conestoga Valley.

I got the pleasure of seeing Sawyer Esbenshade Sawyer Esbenshade 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Conestoga Valley | 2026 State PA as quarterback live last year when he played Muhlenberg. I was impressed with his ability to throw the ball. He is like a machine in the pocket, as he reads the defense well and throws an excellent pass. His mechanics and footwork are excellent. He also has a good arm and puts the perfect amount of touch on the ball. Esbenshade did an excellent job last year, but I expect he will play even better this season. In the 2nd year of a starting quarterback, the game slows down, and they usually play even better. I expect that will happen for Esbenshade.

A deeper tape evaluation will come post-rankings drop.

STANDOUT TRAIT ON TAPE: Field Vision, Consistent Mechs

Every single rep on Sawyer Esbenshade Sawyer Esbenshade 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Conestoga Valley | 2026 State PA ‘s tape looked the same, this for his reps where he was passing the football. Replicatable mechanics that look the same each time, consistency in this area is crucial when evaluating a passer’s development. Esbenshade displayed little dip, a good elbow placement, good arm angles, good base in the pocket too. I applaud his overall field vision. Yes, Esbenshade can get loose and run for yards if you let him, yet the kid can sit in the pocket, bounce between reads/targets, and deliver catchable balls. Sometimes that’s all you can ask for in a kid. He’s going to come off our watch list.

Sawyer Esbenshade Sawyer Esbenshade 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Conestoga Valley | 2026 State PA is a talented thrower of football who is also good as a runner. In the pocket, he does a good job reading the defense and delivering the ball. He has a great feel for the pocket when he throws the ball or when the play breaks down and he needs to run. He is also good at designed run plays from his quarterback position. Esbenshade showed a ton of progress this year at quarterback.

As part of the broadcast that I mentioned above, I got to see Muhlenberg play Conestoga Valley. This was the first time seeing Sawyer Esbenshade Sawyer Esbenshade 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Conestoga Valley | 2026 State PA in person. Boy can this kid throw the ball. He is exceptional at sitting in the pocket and delivering a good football. He also does a good job of reading the defense and finding an open receiver. He is a machine in the pocket the way he delivers the football to his receivers. Esbenshade has elite tools as a quarterback and should continue to play well this season.