High school football: Nation's best QBs continue to shine during senior years

We’re deep into high school football season across the country, with the playoffs starting in a few states later this month. The nation’s top quarterback prospects, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, have been showing exactly why they were ranked there to begin with.

Led by a couple of five-stars, this group of quarterbacks came out of the gates on fire this season, and they’ve continued that momentum.

After another weekend of big performances, here’s how the season is shaping up for some of the country’s best passers:

5-star Jared Curtis – Georgia

High School: Nashville Christian (Tenn.)
Stats: 52/79, 693 yards, 10 TDs
28 CAR, 193 YDS, 3 TD

Curtis has lived up to the billing as one of the nation’s premier quarterbacks early in his senior year, but missed multiple games due to injury. He returned last weekend and will look to lead the undefeated Eagles to a state title.

5-star Dia Bell – Texas

High School: American Heritage (Fla.)
Stats: 42/68 (61.8%) 522 yards, 4 TD

Bell opened the season with a couple strong performances, but is sidelined for the rest of his senior campaign due to an injury.

5-star Faizon Brandon – Tennessee

High School: Grimsley (N.C.)
Stats: 11/15 (73.3%), 155 yards, 1 TD
13 CAR, 62 YDS, 1 TD

Brandon, one of the top overall prospects not only in North Carolina but nationally, has struggled with injuries so far. With only one game under his belt, Brandon is looking to get back on the field soon.

5-star Keisean Henderson – Houston

High School: Legacy School of Sports Sciences (Texas)
Stats: 132/168 (79%), 2,044 yards, 25 TDs
22 CAR, 369 YDS, 4 TD

Henderson has had an electric start to his senior season, putting up huge numbers across multiple games for Houston Legacy SSS. Despite his efforts, the Titans sit at 2-3 on the year.

5-star Ryder Lyons – BYU

High School: Folsom (Calif.)
Stats: 116/156 (74%), 1,495 yards, 14 TDs

Folsom is off to a 5-1 start behind Lyons, who has been one of the country’s most accurate passers this season. The BYU pledge is as good as anyone at standing in the pocket and delivering.

4-star Helaman Casuga – Texas A&M

High School: Corner Canyon (Utah)
Stats: 110/175 (63%), 1,964 yards, 20 TDs

The future Texas A&M quarterback leads one of the nation’s most dynamic offenses for perennial powerhouse Corner Canyon. They sit at 6-1 with a couple of huge games coming the next two weekends.

4-star Matt Ponatoski – Kentucky

High School: Moeller (Ohio)
Stats: 126/183 (69%), 1,425 yards, 18 TDs

A two-sport standout, Ponatoski has been carving up defenses this fall for Ohio powerhouse Moeller. In addition to throwing 18 touchdowns on nearly 70% passing, he only has thrown one interception as the No. 2-ranked Crusaders look to make a run at a state title.

4-star Jett Thomalla – Alabama

High School: Millard South (Neb.)
Stats: 104/135 (77%), 1,790 yards, 31 TDs

You could make a strong argument that Thomalla is having the best season of any blue-chip quarterback in the country this season. Last month, he set the Nebraska Class A career record for touchdown passes, and it’s only been better from there. While playing just a half or three-quarters of most games, he has already racked up 31 passing touchdowns and could be on pace to touch 50 or even 60.

Other notable top quarterbacks in the 2026 class

4-star Bryson Beaver – Oregon
High School: Vista Murrieta (Calif.)
Stats: 99/153 (65%), 1,170 yards, 13 TDs

4-star Bowe Bentley – Oklahoma
High School: Celina (Texas)
Stats: 94/126 (75%), 1,284 yards, 9 TDs
60 CAR, 296 YDS, 8 TDs

4-star Briggs Cherry – Louisville
High School: Baylor School (Tenn.)
Stats: 81/108 (75%), 1,562 yards, 14 TDs

4-star Landon Duckworth – South Carolina
High School: Jackson (Ala.)
Stats: 60/98 (61%), 970 yards, 9 TDs
27 CAR, 191 YDS, 3 TDs

4-star Jake Fette – Arizona State
High School: Del Valle (Texas)
Stats: 87/138 (63%), 1,139 yards, 12 TDs
34 CAR, 267 YDS, 5 TDs

4-star Will Griffin – Florida
High School: Jesuit (Fla.)
Stats: 76/128 (60%), 1,129 yards, 13 TDs
26 CAR, 102 YDS, 2 TD

4-star Troy Huhn – Penn State
High School: Mission Hills (Calif.)
Stats: 100/127 (79%), 1,281 yards, 16 TDs

4-star Oscar Rios – Arizona
High School: Downey (Calif.)
Stats: 79/136 (58%), 1,311 yards, 13 TDs
36 CAR, 298 YDS, 1 TD

4-star Jonas Williams – USC
High School: Lincoln-Way East (Ill.)
Stats: 104/150 (69%), 1,653 yards, 22 TDs

4-star Derek Zammit – Washington
High School: DePaul Catholic (N.J.)
Stats: 88/134 (66%), 1,204 yards, 10 TD
49 CAR, 407 YDS, 3 TD

4-star Dereon Coleman – Miami
High School: Jones (Lakeland, FL)
Stats: 84/124 (68%), 1,070 yards, 10 TDs
36 CAR, 218 YDS, 1 TD