A dozen difference makers: high school quarterbacks

Roger Staubach, Johnny Unitas, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Earl Morrall, Otto Graham, Joe Namath, Donovan McNabb, Jeff George and Joe Burrow. The Great Lakes states have produced several notable quarterbacks. Below is the latest batch. Too early to tell if there are any Hall of Famers or Heisman winners here, but the talent is undeniable.

Heading into the 2020 high school football season, these are 12 of the top signal callers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. All player rankings referenced are according to 247sports.com.

Who is the best? You tell us. Vote in the poll below to support your QB. Voting closes at noon (EST) on May 26. You may vote as many times as you like.

We will release additional positional "Difference Makers" articles over the next two weeks. The pieces are a precursor to the Great Lakes Preseason Football Teams, which will be unveiled in June.

Brady Allen, Gibson Southern (Fort Branch, Ind.), 6-5, 196, 2022
Indiana’s No. 4 overall 2022 prospect and a Top 10 pro-style quarterback prospect nationally. Has thrown for 5,109 yards and 60 touchdowns the last two years. Holds seven offers, including Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Kansas and Virginia Tech.

Noah Bodden, Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.), 6-4, 216, 2021
New York’s No. 4 overall prospect holds 17 offers including Oregon, Arizona State, Baylor, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Tennessee, Purdue, West Virginia and Virginia Tech. Threw for 2,840 yards and 23 touchdowns last season.

Sam Jackson, Naperville Central (Naperville, Ill.), 5-11, 170, 2021
Ranked the No. 7 overall prospect in Illinois and the No. 24 overall athlete prospect nationally. Committed to Minnesota over Notre Dame, Oregon, Iowa, Michigan State and Virginia Tech. Caught 14 touchdowns as a sophomore. Played QB last year.

Athan Kaliakmanis, Antioch (Ill.), 6-4, 190, 2021
Minnesota commit is Illinois’ No. 3 overall prospect and the nation’s No. 11 dual threat quarterback prospect. Picked the Gophers over Tennessee, Purdue, Boston College, Virginia Tech and Syracuse.

Ian Kipp, Mentor (Ohio), 6-2, 195, 2021
Considered the No. 31 dual threat quarterback prospect nationally. Was the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association (OPSWA) Division I State Co-Offensive Player of the Year last season. Has thrown for 3,525 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushed for 1,449 yards and 24 touchdowns in two years. Holds five offers.

Joe Labas, Brecksville-Broadview Heights (Ohio), 6-4, 190, 2021
Top 50 prospect overall in Ohio and nationally as a pro-style quarterback. Threw for 2,233 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 435 yards and eight touchdowns last season as the Bees rebounded from an 0-10 season to reach the OHSAA D-II playoffs and win the Suburban League National Division title. Committed to Ball State over Toledo, Bowling Green, Akron, Central Michigan and Massachusetts. OPSWA D-II All-Ohio.

Brady Lichtenberg, St. John's Jesuit (Toledo, Ohio), 6-2, 190, 2021
Cincinnati commit selected the Bearcats over Ohio, Bowling Green, Akron, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Toledo and Western Michigan. Top 40 pro-style quarterback prospect nationally. Two-time OPSWA D-II All-Ohio.

Tyler Macon, East St. Louis (Ill.), 6-0, 185, 2021
Missouri recruit is a Top 25 dual threat quarterback prospect nationally. Passed for 4,241 yards and 39 touchdowns and ran for 879 yards and 18 touchdowns last season as the Flyers racked up 715 points, finished 14-0 and won the IHSA Class 6A state title.

J.J. McCarthy, Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park, Ill.), 6-2, 195, 2021
Michigan commit is the No. 1 overall prospect in Illinois and the No. 15 overall prospect nationwide. Has thrown for 6,268 yards and 73 touchdowns the last two years.

Kyle McCord, St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.), 6-3, 204, 2021
Ohio State commit is the No. 2 overall prospect in Pennsylvania and the No. 25 overall prospect nationwide. Threw for a school record 2,883 yards as a sophomore. Missed the last month of the season last year with injury. Looking to lead Hawks to a third straight PIAA title. Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 6A All-State.

Donaven McCulley, Lawrence North (Indianapolis, Ind.), 6-5, 195, 2021
Indiana’s No. 3 overall recruit and the country’s No. 12 dual threat quarterback recruit. Completed 140-of-224 passes for 1,958 yards and 17 touchdowns and ran for 563 rushing yards and two touchdowns last season. Has narrowed his 12 offers to a final five (in no particular order): Indiana, Purdue, Iowa, Mississippi and Missouri. 

Brendan Sullivan, Davison (Mich.), 6-3, 180, 2021
Northwestern commit is a Top 25 pro-style quarterback prospect nationally and Michigan’s No. 17 overall prospect. Threw for 3,044 yards and 33 touchdowns and rushed for 407 yards and 11 touchdowns last year en route to leading Davison to its first state title. Holds 14 offers.