Alabama commit Elijah Haven headlines top 15 quarterbacks entering 2026 season
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Regardless of level, quarterbacks are the most polarizing players both on and off the football field.
At the high school level, the top quarterbacks in the country always tend to steal the spotlight — even if they're not ranked as the top player in the country.
This year is no different as the level of play at the quarterback position only continues to improve. Between the upcoming senior and junior classes, there's no shortage of elite talent that will one day play high-level Power Four football.
Here's a look at the top 15 quarterbacks in the country heading into the start of the 2026 high school football season.
1. Elijah Haven
High School: The Dunham School (Baton Rouge, LA)
Class: 2027
College Commitment: Alabama
Breakdown:Haven is coming off of a monster state championship season where he completed 72% of his passes for 3,931 yards and set state records for passing touchdowns (62) and total touchdowns (73). He committed to Alabama on April 25.
2. Trae Taylor
High School: Trae Taylor, Millard South (Omaha, NE)
Class: 2027
College Commitment: Nebraska
Breakdown: Taylor made the move to Nebraska from Illinois ahead of his senior season to play near his future college home. He comes to the state's top team following a season where he completed 82% of his passes for 3,571 yards and 38 touchdowns, while also rushing for 633 yards and 12 more touchdowns.
3. Israel Abrams
High School: Montini Catholic (Arlington Heights, IL)
Class: 2027
College Commitment: Miami
Breakdown: Abrams announced his commitment to Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes on April 3. Last season he led Montini Catholic to a perfect 14-0 record and 4A state championship, completing 69% of his passes for 4,072 yards and 40 touchdowns to go along with 10 rushing touchdowns.
4. Kavian Bryant
High School: Palestine Westwood (TX)
Class: 2027
College Commitment: Texas Tech
Breakdown: The Red Raiders landed one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country when Bryant announced his commitment last November. He led Palestine Westwood to a 9-3 record, totaling 4,147 total yards of offense including 37 passing touchdowns to only one interception.
5. Jayden Wade
High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)
Class: 2028
College Commitment: Georgia
Breakdown: Leading the No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports Preseason Super 25, Wade went ahead and got his college commitment out of the way during his sophomore year. He led the Ascenders to an unbeaten record in 2025, completing 61% of his passes for 1,383 yards and 20 touchdowns.
6. Lukas Prock
High School: Hun School (Princeton, NJ)
Class: 2028
College Commitment: Indiana
Breakdown: Prock announced his commitment to the defending national champions on June 23. He may not be the highest-ranked prospect in his class, but there weren't many who had a better sophomore season than him as he completed 73% of his passes for 4,330 yards 41 touchdowns.
7. Trent Seaborn
High School: Thompson (Alabaster, AL)
Class: 2027
College Commitment: Alabama
Breakdown: Seaborn's entering his fifth season as the Warriors' starting quarterback and has the opportunity to lead the program to its fourth state championship during that span. He's coming off of his best season statistically as he completed 72% of his passes for 3,692 yards and 35 touchdowns.
8. Neimann Lawrence
High School: American Heritage (Miami, FL)
Class: 2028
College Commitment: Texas
Breakdown: Lawrence will play at one of Florida's premier programs after helping lead Northwestern (FL) to a 13-1 record in 2025. He completed 71% of his passes for 1,971 yards and 32 touchdowns with only one interception in 10 appearances.
9. Peyton Houston
High School: Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport, LA)
Class: 2027
College Commitment: LSU
Breakdown: Lane Kiffin has his quarterback of the future in Houston — and even better, he’s one of Louisiana’s best signal-callers. Last season he threw for 3,836 yards and 42 touchdowns while also rushing for 942 yards and 12 more touchdowns.
10. Peter Bourque
High School: Tabor Academy (Marion, MA)
Class: 2027
College Commitment: Virginia Tech
Breakdown: Bourque was a massive recruiting win for James Franklin when he became the Hokies’ highest-rated commitment in several cycles. He’s coming off a year where he was named Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year after throwing for 18 touchdowns and rushing for 15 more.
11. Christopher Vargas
High School: St. John's Prep (Danvers, MA)
Class: 2028
College Commitment: Uncommitted
Breakdown: Vargas followed up a standout freshman campaign by leading St. John’s Prep to a state championship appearance. During that run he completed 67% of his passes for 2,038 yards and 24 touchdowns.
12. Will Mencl
High School: Chandler (AZ)
Class: 2027
College Commitment: Oregon
Breakdown: Mencl led the Wolves to the 2025 Arizona Open Division championship game, establishing himself as one of the best players in the country. During that run, he completed 70% of his passes for 3,815 yards and 33 touchdowns while also rushing for 17 more touchdowns.
13. Jake Nawrot
High School: John Hersey (Arlington Heights, IL)
Class: 2027
College Commitment: Kentucky
Breakdown: In his first full year as a starter, Narwot proved that he not was only one of the best quarterbacks in the state, but in the entire country. He led John Hersey to a 9-3 record, completing 71% of his passes for 3,078 yards and 41 touchdowns with only two interceptions.
14. Donald Tabron II
High School: Cass Technical (Detroit, MI)
Class: 2028
College Commitment: Uncommitted
Breakdown: Tabron improved upon a standout freshman season by leading Cass Tech to a 13-1 record and the MHSAA Division I state championship game. On the year, he threw for 2,819 yards and 35 touchdowns.
15. Kingston Preyear
High School: Benjamin Russell (Alexander City, AL)
Class: 2028
College Commitment: Alabama
Breakdown: The third and final Alabama commitment on this list, Preyear was one of the best all-around players in the state last season. He led Benjamin Russell to a 12-2 record, completing 62% of his passes for 3,026 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow @usatodayhss on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alabama commit Elijah Haven headlines top 15 quarterbacks entering 2026 season
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