Arkansas' best high school football players: Meet the state's top quarterbacks

Some of the state's top prep quarterbacks

By Kyle Sutherland 

With a new football season approaching, SBLive is taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Arkansas high school football. This list focuses on the quarterbacks. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: There are many standout quarterbacks in Arkansas, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. With multiple athletes competing at different positions, some might be listed at their secondary spot. You can discuss the other quarterbacks worthy of fans’ attention in 2023 by connecting with us on Twitter at @SBLiveARK or by emailing nate@scorebooklive.com. 

Photo of Bentonville senior quarterback Carter Nye by Tommy Land 

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Bradon Allen | Lonoke | 6-2, 205 | SR

Allen has thrived for the Jackrabbits since his freshman season and looks to end his prep career with a bang. As a junior, he completed 63% of his passes for 1,628 yards and 13 touchdowns to six interceptions, while also scoring 17 touchdowns on the ground with 854 rushing yards.

Kane Archer | Greenwood | 6-1, 200 | SO

After splitting reps a season ago, Archer will take over as the full-time signal caller. He has a strong chance to be the most sought after recruit in state history and is considered the nation’s top quarterback in the class of 2026 with offers including Arkansas, Florida State, Michigan, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and multiple other Division I programs. As a freshman, Archer completed 61% of his passes for 709 yards and nine touchdowns, along with 129 yards and four scores on the ground.

Kenyon Carter | Marked Tree | 5-10, 175 | JR

One to watch both on the gridiron as well as the basketball court over the next couple of seasons, Carter compiled 31 total touchdowns (21 passing, 10 rushing) as a first year starter while leading the Indians to a nine-win season and a trip to the 2A quarterfinals. Carter was also tabbed all-state and all-state tournament as a sophomore for Marked Tree's basketball team that made it to the 1A state finals.

Jake Casey | Bentonville West | 6-4, 195 | SR

Casey took a big step forward as a junior and helped the Wolverines to their second-best win total in the program’s seven year history (8). He eclipsed 2,000 yards for the second consecutive season finishing with 2,650 along with 27 touchdowns while helping Bentonville West to its first playoff victory since 2019.

Matt Contreras | Hot Springs | 5-10, 180 | SR

There was a lot of promise for Contreras as a first-time starter coming into last season and he did not let his team down. He passed for 2,725 yards and 34 touchdowns - including eight against Little Rock Southwest - to just four interceptions while helping the Trojans to their third straight playoff appearance.

Slade “Dizzy” Dean | Elkins | 6-2, 190 | SR

In his first season with the Elks as a junior, Dean was exceptional as the signal caller for one of the top offenses in Class 4A. He passed for 2,850 yards and compiled 41 total touchdowns (37 through the air) while completing and eye-popping 73.2% of his passes which ranks in the Top 5 for a single season per the AAA record book.

Evan Erwin | Mineral Springs | 5-11, 170 | JR

Mineral Springs was known more for its rushing attack last season due to a stacked running back duo, but Erwin’s efforts did not go unnoticed helping the Hornets to a seven-win season as a sophomore after the program's winless campaign in 2021. Erwin passed for 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns, while adding three scores on the ground. He also plays safety on defense.

Ashton Gray | Marion | 6-2, 200 | SR

Gray missed two games due to injury and toughed out pain in others. Despite the adversity, he was effective when on the field as he compiled over 1,500 total yards (1,324 passing, 147 rushing) and 16 touchdowns. Assuming he stays healthy, the offers could roll in for Gray over the summer and into his senior year.

Maddox Hampton | Nettleton | 6-0, 180 | JR

Hampton also just completed a quality sophomore campaign in baseball on the mound (47.1 IP, 62 K’s), but first made a name for himself during the fall on the gridiron. He finished the 2022 season with 1,880 passing yards and 22 touchdowns while helping the Raiders get back to the 5A playoffs.

Cline Hooten | Benton | 6-4, 200 | SR

The quarterback position was a bit of a revolving door for the Panthers last season, mainly due to injuries. Hooten took over full time around the midway point and led Benton to the 6A semifinals where it fell by seven points to Greenwood. Hooten completed 66% of his passes for 1,278 yards and 11 touchdowns while also adding three scores on the ground.

Easton Hurley | Lake Hamilton | 5-11, 170 | SR

Hurley brought a new dimension to the Wolves’ Wing T offense with his ability to throw the ball, along with use his legs to make plays. While his 142 yards rushing may not jump off of the stat sheet, he was second on the team in touchdowns on the ground (9) while passing for 1,354 yards and 16 touchdowns to just two interceptions.

Caleb Johnson | Camden Harmony Grove | 6-0, 190 | SR

The two-time all-state selection - as well as three time selection in baseball - hopes to take the Hornets even further in his final prep season after a humbling exit from the second round of the 3A playoffs. The dual-threat signal caller passed for 1,852 yards and 18 touchdowns, as well as 754 yards on the ground with 14 scores while averaging a solid 7.1 yards per carry. Defensively, Johnson totaled 43 tackles with eight pass deflections, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries while notching three defensive touchdowns.

Drake Lindsey | Fayetteville | 6-5, 220 | SR

The Lindsey name may be well-known in Northwest Arkansas, but few outside the area were familiar with Drake prior to last season after patiently waiting his turn behind Bladen Fike. It did not take long for the Minnesota commit to burst onto the scene as he was one of the state’s top passers finishing with 3,620 yards and 37 touchdowns to just three interceptions.

Eric McGehee | Parkview | 5-11, 170 | SR

McGehee had the tall task of taking the reins from back-to-back Division I signees and did so admirably as somewhat of an unsung hero throughout the year. It all worked out for the best in the end as he led the ultra-talented Patriots to their first state title since and earned game MVP honors along the way. On the season, McGehee passed for over 2,000 yards and compiled 26 total touchdowns.

Owen Miller | Harding Academy | 6-1, 185 | JR

Likely no one outside of Harding Academy - and maybe not even them - saw Miller having the kind of season he produced while leading the Wildcats back to the state finals for the fourth consecutive season. After Razorback baseball signee Kade Smith decided to focus on his future, Miller was notified around a month before the season that he would be the guy and it worked out well. He finished with 3,677 passing yards, 38 touchdowns to just four interceptions, and a mind-boggling completion percentage of 79%, a state record earning him the SBLive Arkansas Underclassmen of the Year.

Keland Mills | West Memphis | 6-0, 200 | SR

West Memphis fell on some tough times but with Mills under center the Blue Devils regained some confidence last season, nearly doubling their win total from 2021. Mills showed his true dual-threat ability throwing for 2,380 yards and 22 scores, while also putting up 825 yards on the ground with 13 scores and averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

Drew Moore | Lincoln | 6-2, 190 | SR

2022 was an inconsistent season for the Wolves and Moore had his fair share of ups and downs, but his overall production seemed to go unnoticed other than outside of Northwest Arkansas. He passed for 2,904 yards in 11 games with 36 touchdowns and hopes continue progressing in his final prep season as does Lincoln. 

Quentin Murphy | Robinson | 6-1, 205 | JR

Murphy is one of the top targets in the 2025 class from The Natural State as the nation’s No. 32 overall athlete per 247Sports. His offers include Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and many other Power 5 programs. As a sophomore, Murphy passed for 1,388 yards and 19 touchdowns, along with 569 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, which both ranked second on the team.

Carter Nye | Bentonville | 6-1, 185 | SR

Nye led a great Tigers squad all the way to the program's first state finals since 2017 with the offense being the strength off the team from the start of the season.  He finished just shy of 3,000 passing yards - 2,968 to be exact - while completing 66% of his passes along with 28 touchdowns to just four interceptions and also added a score on the ground. 

Donovyn Omolo | Conway | 6-2, 210 | SR 

Omolo returns for his third season as Conway's signal caller and has consistently proven to be one of the top quarterbacks in the state. He helped the Wampus Cats to semifinal finishes the past two seasons and looks to take it a step further with new head coach Buck James. As a junior, Omolo passed for 2,848 yards with 27 touchdowns while adding 276 yards and 10 scores on the ground. 

Bryce Perkins | Van Buren | 6-2, 175 | SR

The Pointers have experienced some tough times, as has Perkins having to overcome an injury halfway through his sophomore season, but his presence has been felt when healthy. The Division I prospect compiled 2,067 total yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior, and also enjoyed some success on the defensive side with four pass breakups and an interception in three starts.

Achillies Ringo | Mills | 6-3, 215 | SR

One of the more underrated players in the 2024 class, Ringo impressed each Friday night last year finishing with 3,869 yards passing (second in Arkansas per stats published) and 30 touchdowns to eight interceptions while also adding a team-leading 11 touchdowns on the ground. The majority of Ringo's top targets graduated, but with another strong season the future could be very bright for him.

Tyler Strickland | Searcy | 6-2, 180 | SR

The Lions had their share of frustrations in 2022, but Strickland did not lack in production, teaming with departed star running back Dede Johnson to lead a Searcy offense that compiled over 5,000 total yards. Strickland passed for 2,496 yards and 22 touchdowns while completing 63% of his passes and rushed for 691 yards and seven touchdowns averaging a solid 7.5 yards per carry.

Carson Turley | Valley View | 5-10, 160 | SR

Turley led the Blazers to their first ever 5A playoff victory, as well as the third conference title in five years. He passed for 1,872 yards and 18 touchdowns, while also leading the team in rushing with 839 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

Cameron Vanzant | Farmington | 6-1, 175 | SR

Vanzant exploded onto the scene as a sophomore and had high expectations in 2022 before an ankle injury sidelined him for five games, though he did return during the playoffs. He finished his junior season with 1,135 passing yards and 13 touchdowns to just three interceptions while completing a solid 69.4% of his passes.

Jordan Walker | Bryant | 6-1, 205 | JR

Walker split reps under center throughout Bryant's fifth consecutive state championship season. Despite a steep learning curve, he flashed strong potential on multiple occasions catching the eyes of college coaches. Walker passed for 1,660 yards with 17 touchdowns while adding 464 yards and three scores on the ground. 

Nate Wall | Arkansas High | 5-11, 160 | SR

Wall transferred in from Trinity Christian (Texas) and showed out in his first season with the Razorbacks. He earned all-state recognition compiling 1,750 total yards (1,249 passing, 500 rushing) and 20 touchdowns. He also returned an interception for 17 yards defensively. 

Cavonta Washington | Rivercrest | 6-2, 185 | JR

As a young sophomore, Washington helped the Colts rebound from a 1-3 start and reel off eight straight victories before falling to Arkadelphia in the 4A quarterfinals. Washington completed 66% of his passes while compiling over 2,000 total yards of offense on the year and 23 total touchdowns.

Walker White | Little Rock Christian | 6-3, 215 | SR

The Auburn commit will be extra motivated in his final prep season after the Warriors’ 2022 season ended via heartbreaking fashion in the final seconds of the 6A quarterfinals. White, the 78th overall player in the 2024 class per 247Sports, passed for 1,972 yards and 25 touchdowns as well as 821 yards on the ground with a team-leading 16 scores.

Dane Williams | Rogers | 6-0, 175 | SR

Williams took over at quarterback last season for the Mounties and thrived leading the team to a nine-win season finishing in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. Along the way, Williams completed 62% of his passes for 2,369 yards and 25 touchdowns while also adding 11 scores on the ground. 

Conner Willis | Barton | 6-3, 210 | SR 

Barton may not be the program it once was, but has shown flashes of improvement with Willis being one of the primary cogs in the machine as the Bears look forward to the new era under Steve Sexton. Willis compiled over 2,000 yards of offense as a junior passing for 1,582 yards while rushing for 486 yards and 24 total touchdowns. 

Grayson Wilson | CAC | 6-3, 185 | JR

The Arkansas commit has proven to be one of the state’s better multi-sport athletes after earning all-state recognition in football, basketball, and baseball during the 2022-23 school year as a sophomore. Wilson passed for 1,778 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Mustangs as the full-time starter after gaining experience as a freshman for two games at the end of the 2021 season.