Elite Quarterback Play in Georgia
We are now two weeks into the high school football season in Georgia, and it's easy to see the quarterback talent on display across the state.
The 2019 group of quarterbacks are weak compared to most classes, but there are some elite arms emerging in the 2020, 2021, and 2022 classes.
In the 2019 class, Lanier QB Zach Calzada leads a somewhat underwhelming group with his strong, accurate arm. The Texas A&M commit continues to get better and better and is the top-ranked senior quarterback in the state at this time. His recruitment took off this spring and earned offers from Georgia, Tennessee, UCLA, among others before committing to the Aggies in June.
Rome QB Knox Kadum is an absolute winner. Kadum has a few smaller offers, but schools are still sleeping on him. He plays his best on the biggest stage and will be an absolute steal for whoever lands him.
The 2020 quarterback class is a strong one. Marietta junior Harrison Bailey has been on the recruiting scene for years now and has elite arm talent and big play ability. He's consistently accurate and has really worked on his mobility in the offseason. He has not heard much from the Georgia Bulldogs, possibly because of Oconee County star Max Johnson. The big lefty won't light up the stat sheet like Bailey will, but he has a live arm that the Georgia staff loves. Many thought Max, son of Super Bowl winner Brad Johnson and nephew of former Bulldog coach Mark Richt, would be heading to only Florida State or Miami in the beginning. Sources say the Bulldogs are very much in the race here and he appears to be Georgia's top QB target in the 2020 class at the moment.
Grayson's C.J Dixon, Cartersville's Tee Webb, Woodward Academy's Michael Wright Jr., and Pelham's Kendrick Patterson also headline the 2020 class and will sign with a power 5 school down the road.
Not to be outdone, the 2021 class is making noise with their group of gunslingers as well. Buford QB Aaron McLaughlin is another guy who has been known since his middle school days and he will be looking to lead the Wolves to a state championship as a sophomore. He's got great size at 6-foot-5 225-pounds with good accuracy and leadership. He can put some zip on the ball when needed but has shown nice touch on some deep passes as well. He holds offers from Auburn, Southern Cal, Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Michigan. The Wolves are 2-0 and are set up nicely at quarterback for at least the next three seasons.
Prince Avenue QB Brock Vandagriff saw his recruitment take off this spring, adding offers from Georgia, Auburn, Miami, Michigan, and Tennessee. He looks the part physically with a strong arm and a quick release. He doesn't play against great competition, but the arm is easy to notice. Look for Vandagriff, like McLaughlin, to be one of the top quarterback prospects in the country in the 2021 class.
McEachern's Carlos Del Rio is another name to know. At 6-foot-2 200-pounds, Del Rio took over for the Indians late last year as a freshman and is poised for a stellar career moving forward. He looks the part physically and still developing as a passer. He's naturally gifted with lots up upside that has led to offers from Florida, FSU, Miami, Michigan, and Arkansas.
They might only be freshman, but there are two 2022 quarterbacks who are about to take the state by storm. There has been chatter about up and coming quarterback Chad Mascoe for years now, and he has been very impressive so far as the starter for Thomasville. He is a dual-threat kid with great instincts and arm strength for his size. On Friday night, Mascoe was 14-20 for 255 yards, 4 TDs, and one rushing TD. The 6-foot-0 180-pound freshman has already earned offers from Florida State and South Carolina with many more on the way soon.
Rabun County QB Gunner Stockton also has the potential to be really special. The freshman trains with some of the best around and already displays great footwork and arm strength. He's a true gunslinger who sure doesn't play like a freshman. Sources from all over believe he has sky high potential and so does Dawg Post. Stockton was 22-29 for 260 yards and 4 TDs on Friday night with 40 yards rushing.