State Continues to Produce Country’s Top High School QBs
The list of high school quarterbacks that the state of Georgia has produced is impressive. Many of the talented names on that list are or were ranked as five-, four-, or three-star recruits. Many have no stars by their names – yet, anyway.
Last year, the state of Georgia produced the nation’s No. 7 overall 2024 recruit in Dylan Raiola. The Buford High School quarterback went on to play collegiately for Nebraska, where he immediately became the starter for the Cornhuskers this past year.
The 2024 Georgia high school football season saw Carollton’s Julian “JuJu” Lewis ranked as the top quarterback for the entire season. The five-star recruit is headed to Colorado after switching his commitment from USC, where he had been committed to since his sophomore season.
The 2024 Georgia high school football season also saw Milton signal-caller Luke Nickel, who was rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports, lead his team to a second straight state championship. While he was officially ranked as the No. 23 QB nationally, Nickel will be the highest-rated QB on the Miami Hurricanes’ 2025 roster. Nickel is also a pure winner who oversaw one of the most prolific offensive units in the state in his final two seasons as Milton’s starting QB.
So, yes, while Lewis, Raiola, and Nickel were at the top of the QB charts, the truth remains: There’s a lot more from where that came from. Georgia is just oozing with top QB talent.
Consider the 2024 recruiting class. According to 247Sports, 11 of the Top 100 quarterbacks in the 2024 Class were from Georgia. Three of those 11 were ranked within the Top 10, led by Railoa at No. 2 and including Benedictine’s Luke Kromenhoek at No. 4 and Langston Hughes’ Air Noland at No. 7. Kromenhoek is now at FSU, and Noland is now at South Carolina.
The remaining quarterbacks from Georgia among the Top 100 at the position from the 2024 Class were:
- Jake Merlinger from Calvary Day at No. 13
- Jeremy Hecklinski from Walton at No. 25
- Aaron Philo from Prince Avenue Christian at No. 47
- Jakhari Williams from First Presbyterian Day at No. 51
- Judd Anderson from Warner Robins at No. 53
- EJ Colson from Cedar Grove at No. 64
- Bryce Clavon from Kell at No. 76
- JD Davis II from Grayson at No. 89
That was an especially talented class, admittedly.
In the Class of 2025, Georgia high schools produced five quarterbacks that were ranked in the Top 100 at the position nationally. Although the total number from Georgia within the Top 100 was lower overall compared to the previous recruiting cycle, the quality of those QBs certainly wasn’t a question.
In addition to Lewis at No. 9 and Nickel at No. 23, the other Class of 2025 quarterbacks from Georgia ranked in Top 100 at the position are AJ Hill from Houston County at No. 10, Hezekiah Millender from Clarke Central at No. 79, and Marcus Romain from Wheeler at No. 87.
QBs to Keep an Eye On in 2025
There are already a growing number of 2026 and even 2027 recruits rated at three-stars or higher who are preparing to lead their teams into the 2025 season. Eight quarterbacks from Georgia are ranked in the Top 100 at the position for the Class of 2026, with that number expected to grow as the 2025 season draws closer.
Of those eight, two will be returning starters who led their teams to a state championship in 2024 as juniors. Grayson quarterback Travis Burgess and his teammates capped off a 14-1 season by winning the Class 6A state title. North Oconee quarterback Harrison Faulkner led the Titans to an undefeated season and the Class 4A state title.
The six remaining 2026 QBs from Georgia who are ranked in the Top 100 at the position all led their teams to the state playoffs in 2024. They are Brodie McWhorter from Cass, Michael Johnson from Dutchtown, DJ Bordeaux from Douglas County, Stephen Cannon from Benedictine, Dayton Raiola from Buford, and Gavin Owens from Rabun Gap.
Whether they are ranked in this Top 100 or that Top 300 or whatever other recruiting service you want to look at, the fact remains that Georgia will have some serious quarterback talent to boast of in the next couple of seasons.
You’ll be hearing a lot from these quarterbacks in 2025 and beyond as they all are likely to be moving on to play collegiately following their high school careers.
Class of 2026
Thomas County Central quarterback Jaylen Johnson led the Yellow Jackets to the 2023 GHSA Class 6A state championship as a sophomore. In 2024 Johnson led a Thomas County Central team that came within a game of playing for a second straight state championship. A loss to Langston Hughes in the Class 5A semifinals ended Thomas County Central’s season with an 11-2 record. Despite displaying a strong and accurate arm and above-average mobility, Johnson remains under-recruited. That will likely change for this three-year starter as he leads an explosive Thomas County Central offense in 2025.
Peachtree Ridge quarterback Darnell Kelly is ranked as a three-star recruit by Rivals, and he has started to create a buzz following the 2024 season. The rising senior currently has 13 college offers. Expect that number to grow in 2025.
Carver (Columbus) quarterback Matthew Mungin III went 19-for-20 passing in the state title game versus Burke County. He threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns to lead Carver to the Class 2A state championship. This pro-style signal-caller will likely draw a lot of attention in 2025 as Carver will be a favorite to repeat for the title.
2025 will be Thomasville quarterback Camren Hill’s fourth year as a starter, as he took over the job as a freshman.
Other rising senior quarterbacks to keep an eye on in 2025 are Dutchtown’s Mike Johnson, Camden County’s Parks Riendeau, and Burke County’s Sean Vandiver.
Class of 2027: Younger QBs Making Names for Themselves
These QBs are already receiving a lot of attention as they prepare for their junior seasons in 2025:
- JR Harris at Central (Carrollton)
- Jayce Johnson at Lowndes
- Lyndon Worthy at Worth County
- Makyree Cross at Collins Hill
- Kain Mincey at Dodge County
- Braylon Carter at Southwest DeKalb
Yes, there are more. Georgia is blessed with quarterback talent.
