Alabama high school football will lose a few familiar names to graduation at the quarterback position, including Conner Harrell, Khalib Johnson and Caleb Nix. With those three moving on to the next level, who are the top 10 Alabama high school quarterbacks returning for the 2022 season?
1. Earl Woods (Hueytown)
The 2021 Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year, as well as a Class 6A First Team All-State selection, Woods heads our list of top 10 returning quarterbacks in Alabama high school football. He returns for his senior season as arguably the state’s top offensive playmaker, having thrown for 3,071 yards and 32 touchdowns with nine interceptions a year ago for Class 6A runner-up Hueytown. Woods also rush for 2,120 yards and 35 touchdowns.
2. Christopher Vizzina (Briarwood Christian)
Vizzina, the state’s top quarterback recruit and one of top 2023 quarterback recruits nationally, is coming off an impressive junior season in which he threw for 2,247 yards with 18 touchdowns and only five interceptions. The four-star Clemson commit also added 649 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground a year ago.
3. Ethan Crawford (Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa)
A three-star prospect, Crawford is not only one of the state’s top 2023 quarterback recruits, but also one of the top playmakers overall. The rising senior threw for 2,386 yards and 24 touchdowns for the Patriots a year ago, and rushed for 795 yards with 18 touchdowns.
4. Josh Flowers (Baker)
Flowers, one of the state’s top 2024 quarterback recruits, is coming off a phenomenal sophomore season in which he threw for 1,992 yards with 20 touchdowns to only two interceptions. A fast-rising junior, Flowers also accounted for 859 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground a year ago.
5. KJ Jackson (St. James)
Jackson, a four-star prospect, is coming off an outstanding sophomore season in which he threw for 1,992 yards, 28 touchdowns and only three interceptions, while also rushing for seven touchdowns. Jackson should be one of the top quarterbacks in Class 3A this upcoming season.
6. Gio Lopez (James Clemens)
A First Team All-State selection, Lopez is one of the more notable returning starters in 2022 in Class 7A. The South Alabama commit is coming off a junior season in which he threw for 2,767 yards and 29 touchdowns for the Jets.
7. Hayden Garrison (Chelsea)
The three-star Chelsea signal caller is also among the state’s top 2023 quarterback recruits, and is coming off an impressive junior season in which he recorded 2,262 passing yards and 22 touchdowns for the Hornets.
8. Rayshawn Hardy (Bob Jones)
Hardy, one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the state, is coming off a remarkable season in which he threw for 1,682 yards and 12 touchdowns. A Class 7A First Team All-State selection, Hardy also rushed for a total of 1,562 yards with 27 touchdowns.
9. Kamari McClellan (Clay-Chalkville)
McClelland is a fast-rising, four-star prospect in the Class of 2024. The junior transfer joins defending 6A state champion Clay-Chalkville, where he could be set for a massive season with the Cougars.
10. Brendon Byrd (Gulf Shores)
Our final pick as one of the top 10 returning QBs in Alabama high school football was one of the top signal callers in Class 6A a year ago. Byrd transferred in the offseason from Spanish Fort to Gulf Shores, where he will take over as the Dolphins’ starter. The rising senior threw for 16 touchdowns a year ago with the Toros, while also rushing for 655 yards and 10 more scores.
Honorable Mention:
Andrew Hunter (Randolph), Caleb McCreary (Montgomery Catholic), Jim Ogle (Jacksonville), Owen Schall (Ragland), Clyde Pittman (Auburn), Stone Lawless (Huntsville), Jack Hayes (Piedmont), Eric Handley (Fairfield), Pace Young (Clarke County), Carson Creehan (Madison Academy)
