Eleven high school football QBs most likely to lead the nation in passing

Every year, passing yardage totals get more outrageous. With several quarterbacks who threw for more than 5,000 yards last year returning, along with a handful of others who threw for 4,000 yards or more, the 2013 season could be filled with record-breaking passing performances.

Here's a look at 11 quarterbacks who could challenge for the national passing yardage lead in 2013.

Will Grier, Davidson Day (Davidson, N.C.)



Last year: 5,785 yards

Grier's 5,785 yards from last season are the third-best total in national history, although since Davidson Day is not a part of the state federation, Grier's totals aren't recognized in the national record books. That goes for his record-breaking 837 yards in a 104-80 win over Harrells Christian Academy as well. With 9,576 career yards, Grier could become only the fourth quarterback in national history with more than 15,000 career yards. He got off to a good start in a 61-6 win over Albemarle on Friday with 309 yards passing and seven touchdown passes. He also ran for a touchdown.

Why he will lead the nation in passing: Grier's average of 445 yards per game last year was the best in the nation and he is the only returning quarterback who averaged more than 400 yards per game. Grier's father, Chad Grier, is also his coach, and that won't hurt. Davidson Day's schedule only features three teams that ranked higher than No. 5,000 in the country. As a Division I talent (Grier has committed to Florida), he shouldn't have any trouble shredding opposing defenses.

Why he won't: Davidson Day only played 13 games last year and it won an NCISAA state championship. Quarterbacks that play 15 or 16 games might be able to sneak past Grier despite averaging fewer yards per game.

Jake Browning, Folsom (Calif.)



Last year: 5,248 yards

Browning made high school football fans sit up and take notice when he threw 10 touchdown passes in his varsity debut as a sophomore last year. Browning showed the performance wasn't a fluke as he threw for more yards than any sophomore in American history. He also helped Folsom win a section championship and advance to a NorCal Regional Bowl against De La Salle.

Why he will lead the nation in passing: Folsom quarterbacks have thrown for more than 5,000 yards each of the past two seasons with Tanner Trosin throwing for 5,185 in 2011. Only six quarterbacks in national history have attempted more passes than the 605 Browning had last season. Expect Browning to also be stronger, more experienced and more mature as a junior.

Why he won't: Despite throwing for 5,248 yards, Browning still finished more than 500 yards behind Grier. Also consider that Grier averaged 445 yards per game and Browning only topped that total once, a 689-yard effort in week 1.

Shuler Bentley, Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.)

Last year: 4,718 yards

Bentley threw for the second-highest total in South Carolina history last year, surpassed only by Justin Worley's 5,313 yards for Northwestern in 2010. His total was the most ever in state history for a junior and with 8,213 career yards, and Bentley has a shot at surpassing Worley's state record of 13,385 yards. He opened the season with 288 yards and six touchdowns while completing 22 of 40 passes in a 51-36 win over Apopka.

Why he will lead the nation in passing: Byrnes is one of the state's top programs and could reach the state championship game. That would mean a lot of contests for Bentley, who is coached by his father Bobby, to add to his season totals. Only Gaffney was able to beat Byrnes last season, once during the regular season and once in the playoffs. Byrnes also has a great passing tradition with Bentley expected to join Chas Dodd and William Korn with more than 10,000 career passing yards.

Why he won't: While Byrnes has been one of the dominant teams in South Carolina over the past 10 years, it still plays in one of the toughest divisions in the state. The defenses Byrnes plays each week won't make it easy for Bentley.

Ty Storey, Charleston (Ark.)


Last year: 4,397 yards

The next great quarterback from Arkansas could be Storey, who threw for 4,397 yards as a sophomore last season. Twice Storey threw for more than 500 yards, including a high of 553 in a 52-21 win over Gentry in Week 2. He was named to the MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Team.

Why he will lead the nation in passing: Storey's 366 yards passing per game is the third-highest among returning quarterbacks this year. He also plays in pass-happy Arkansas, a state that holds five of the top 20 all-time single season passing performances in national history.

Why he won't: Storey's team only played 12 games last year. Charleston will have to go deep into the playoffs if Storey is to have a chance.

Tucker Israel, Lake Nona (Orlando, Fla.)

Last year: 4,195 yards

As a freshman, Israel set a Florida state record with 10 touchdown passes in one game. He showed even more promise last year as a sophomore by becoming the sixth Florida quarterback (and the first Florida sophomore quarterback) to throw for more than 4,000 yards in a season.

Why he will lead the nation in passing: Lake Nona has improved each season since Israel has been on the varsity team, going from 5-5 as a freshman to 8-3 last year. Israel has also grown and added 20 pounds to his frame since his freshman year.

Why he won't: Lake Nona still has a ways to go to be an elite team in Class 7A in Florida and the lack of total games will likely keep Israel from approaching 5,000 yards.

Adam Dycus, Mayflower (Ark.)

Last year: 4,084 yards

Dycus is yet another junior quarterback from Arkansas who will likely finish among the state's all-time leaders by the time he is done. He had one of the top outings of the season last year with a 601-yard effort against Bald Knob. His 690 yards of total offense in that game set a state record.

Why he will lead the nation in passing: Mayflower plays at the 3A level, so the competition could allow for some big outings for Dycus.

Why he won't: Dycus isn't the biggest guy on the field, standing just 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds. Although a gamer, he doesn't have the prototypical passer's frame.

Grant Sherman, Kenton (Ohio)

Last year: 4,076 yards

Playing for one of the most pass-happy coaches in national history, Sherman will get every opportunity to be the nation's leading passer at Kenton. Coach Mike Mauk's quarterbacks (namely his two sons Ben and Maty) have led the nation in passing yardage four times in the past 12 seasons. Sherman has shown he has the ability to do the same as he threw for 682 yards in one outing last year.

Why he will lead the nation in passing: Sherman's 407 yards passing per game is the second-highest average among returning quarterbacks this year. Kenton quarterbacks hold four of the top eight all-time single season passing marks in national history. Sherman also has one of the nation's all-time leading receivers in Justin Sawmiller, who could set a national record for career receptions by the time he graduates.

Why he won't: Kenton needs to get better for Sherman to lead the nation. He threw for all of his yardage in just 10 games as Kenton did not reach the postseason.

Deshaun Watson, Gainesville (Ga.)



Last year: 4,024 yards

The preseason first team MaxPreps All-American is a dual threat at quarterback, racking up more than 5,500 yards of total offense last year for the Red Elephants. He is already the all-time leading passer in Georgia history.

Why he will lead the nation in passing: Watson is one of the top talents in the country and his team is expected to contend for a state championship. That would mean Watson could get plenty of opportunity to throw the ball during a potential 15-game season.

Why he won't: Watson can also run the ball as he rushed for 1,441 yards last year. The more he runs the ball, the less yardage he will have passing. Of course running the ball worked well for Watson and the Red Elephants last year, so don't expect any kind of change in Gainesville's offensive attack.

Hunter Lile, Booker (Texas)

Last year: 3,996 yards

Only a sophomore, Lile had a big season for Booker, throwing for 3,996 yards and leading the team to the third round of the Texas 1A state playoffs. His best game was a 509-yard effort in a 58-56 loss to Clarendon.

Why he will lead the nation in passing: Booker throws the ball a lot. Lile's 535 attempts were among the most in the country last year, as were his 310 completions. Lile also plays against 1A competition in Texas, which will help.

Why he won't: Booker will have to make a deeper run into the playoffs. Lile also had just five games with more than 300 yards passing last year.

Mason Rudolph, Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.)

Last year: 3,990 yards

Rudolph is the latest in a long line of outstanding quarterbacks at Northwestern. He threw for 3,990 yards in his junior season and he opened the 2013 season with a very impressive effort that included 28 of 37 passing for 262 yards and five touchdowns in a 51-19 win over Gaffney. Rudolph, who is headed to Oklahoma State, has already thrown for more than 6,500 career yards.

Why he will lead the nation in passing: Northwestern quarterbacks have been among the national leaders before, particularly Justin Worley with 5,313 yards in 2010. The win over Gaffney also shows that Northwestern is a potential state championship contender, which means more games for Rudolph.

Why he won't: Rudolph threw for less than 4,000 yards last year. At least 5,000 yards will be needed to lead the nation in passing yardage.

Travis Quintanilla, Refugio (Texas)

Last year: 3,965 yards

Quintanilla has thrown for close to 4,000 yards in each of his two years on the varsity team, including 3,965 yards last year. Refugio is 27-1 over the past two seasons with a state championship in 2011. Quintanilla has been a big reason why. Last year he joined Grier and Browning in the 10-touchdown club when he threw 10 touchdown passes in an 80-0 win over Taft.

Why he will lead the nation in passing: Refugio is a small school powerhouse that simply overwhelms teams. It scored more than 50 points nine times last year, including seven over 70. Quintanilla threw for more than 300 yards seven times last year and is in his third year as the Refugio starter.

Why he won't: If Refugio continues to romp in all of its games, Quintanilla will probably have fewer than 20 attempts per game. In fact he had more than 20 attempts just seven times in 13 games last year.