A state historically known for its athletic, polished signal-callers has an impressive crop.
Video: Top 10 California quarterbacks
Four ranked among the Top 10 nationally.
The lineage of great quarterbacks produced at California high schools is more than impressive.
Among
the future or current Hall of Fame signal-callers from the Golden State
include Tom Brady, John Elway, Aaron Rodgers, Warren Moon and Dan
Fouts.
The current lot of California
quarterbacks is awfully impressive also. Four of the
Top 10 quarterbacks
ranked nationally by MaxPreps football editor Zack Poff are from
California.
Here are the the Top 10 high school quarterbacks from California heading into the 2019 season regardless of recruiting class.
Top 10 California Quarterbacks
The
6-foot-2, 195-pound rising junior threw for 2,714 yards and 19
touchdowns last season. He's ranked the ninth best pro-style quarterback
nationally in his class.
247Sports evaluation: Strong-armed quarterback
who’s a pure thrower with nice pocket
presence ... arm strength to make every throw on the field ... understands when to throw with touch and accuracy.
The
6-2, 200-pound incoming junior has 16 college offers, but has already
committed to Notre Dame. Impressive list considering he missed all but
one play of his sophomore year with a torn ACL. He could have monster
season.
247Sports evaluation: Live arm, spins it consistently and shows
an effortless release ... He’s able to make off-platform throws
rolling out to his right or his left ... A natural leader and well liked
by his peers.
Already
committed to Washington, the 6-3, 190-pound rising senior threw for a
whopping 4,135 yards and 55 touchdowns last season for the 11-2-1 Sea
Kings. He competed at the Elite 11 national quarterback camp as part of The
Opening.
247Sports evaluation: Finished (Elite 11) 42 of 64 for
six touchdowns and no
interceptions ... Did a nice job of limiting
turnovers and taking what the defense gave him, mainly targeting the
short and intermediate areas of the field.
Another
pro-style quarterback, the 6-6, 235-pound incoming senior is the
state's No. 17 recruit overall. He's thrown for 3,352 career yards and 39
touchdowns against seven interceptions for the Cougars who've gone
16-8 the last two seasons. The Oklahoma State commit has 16 offers,
including most of the Pac-12 Conference schools and Notre Dame.
247Sports evaluation: Has quite an arm as he can flick
it and the ball will go 50 to 60-yards ... He moves around well in the pocket ... Best part of his game outside of that really strong arm is his
demeanor as for a young quarterback he does not seem to panic.
The
winner of the Elite 11 competition at The Opening, Stroud is making his
way up recruiting rankings. The 6-3, 195-pound rising senior currently
holds 13 college offers, with Oregon, Baylor, Cal, Utah State and
Washington State as possible favorites. Last season,
he completed 180-of-300 passes for 2,343 yards and 19 touchdowns for the
7-5 Cougars. He was also a varsity basketball starter.
247Sports evaluation: A long, wiry and athletic
quarterback, Stroud impressed us with his
ability to deliver on deeper breaking routes ... He had a quick release
with consistent tight spin.
Yet
another pro-style quarterback, the 6-6, 202-pound incoming senior is
the son of former Stanford quarterback Marc Butterfield, who played in
the NFL. Jay Butterfield led the Lions to their first state title after throwing for
3,294 yards and 43 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Ranked the No. 2
pro-style quarterback in the country, Butterfield has already committed
to Oregon.
247Sports evaluation: Can make
all of the throws ... High
football IQ with incredible poise and pocket awareness ... Is a pure pocket
passer, who throws with timing and great anticipation. Extremely
polished.
Oregon-bound Jay Butterfield ranks fifth on California's Top 10 quarterbacks of 2019.
File photo by Louis Lopez
The
talented 2022 quarterback has a chance to be the No. 1 rated overall
sophomore when 247sports releases its player rankings later this summer.
The 6-4, 202-pounder already has 14 offers, including Oregon, Arkansas,
Florida and Florida State.
247Sports evaluation: A player we first heard about when he was still in middle school
and his recruitment has really taken off this off-season ... He has blown
past the double-digit scholarship offer mark and gave a little taste of his immense talent at
The QB Retreat ... Murphy won the long ball competition,
that included the college quarterbacks, with a 74-yard throw and
impressed in the drills as well.
Expect
a huge junior season for the 4-star standout who stands 6-3 and weights
180 pounds. He's ranked the No. 19 recruit overall from the Class of
2021. He's already piled up 23 college offers, including Alabama, Miami,
Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Texas, Tennessee and
of course locals, USC and UCLA.
247Sports evaluation: A pure pocket passer
with a pure stroke and effortless delivery ... He
throws with touch and accuracy, can change speeds and already has an
advanced feel for the position ... Shows toughness in the
pocket and will stand in and take a hit to deliver the football."
2. Bryce Young — Mater Dei (Santa Ana)Showed
why he's one of the best players in the country during his first year
at Mater Dei, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 39 touchdowns playing
against high school football's toughest competition. At 5-11, 183 pounds, his size isn't a big concern because of his sheer
athleticism and feel for the position. He's ranked the No. 37 player
overall in the Class of 2020. He's shown time and time again, a knack
for delivering in the clutch.
He has 28 offers, but is a hard commit to USC.
247Sports evaluation: Has a live arm and is
able to throw just as well outside the pocket as does from inside ... His
ability to escape pressure and extend plays is as good as you'll see at
the high school level.
1. DJ Uiagalelei — St. John Bosco (Bellflower)The
2020 Clemson commit was the California Gatorade Football Player of the
Year after throwing for over 3,300 yards and 48 touchdowns while leading
St. John Bosco to a Top 5 finish during his junior season. The rugged
6-5, 245-pound star already has NFL size, but it's surprisingly good
feet, escapability and a big arm that makes him the 13th-ranked recruit
overall in the country and No. 1 Pro-Style quarterback.
247Sports evaluation: Big, strong armed quarterback with generational arm strength ... Has a big
frame but looks lean and is well put together ... A plus athlete and natural
leader."
DJ Uiagalelei's strong right arm is considered "generational."
File photo by Louis Lopez
