Top 40 quarterbacks in CIF Southern Section high school football

The traits are many — big arms, dual threats, game managers, clutch performers — but here are 40 who get the job done in a hotbed for the sport and for the position of quarterback.
Top 40 quarterbacks in CIF Southern Section high school football
Top 40 quarterbacks in CIF Southern Section high school football /
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The football season in California has passed the midway mark and the top players have begun separating themselves.

SBLive is taking a look at the top players in the state, beginning with the top quarterbacks in the CIF Southern Section.

The selection of players — listed here in alphabetical order — are based on a combination of next-level projection and current production.

TOP 40 QUARTERBACKS IN SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL

Parker Awad — Senior — Edison

  • 2022 stats: Completed 102 of 145 passes (70%) for 1,779 yards, 19 TDs, 1 INT, 34 carries for 175 yards, 4 TDs
  • Recruiting: Alabama State offer
  • Best trait: Rarely makes mistakes

Bear Bachmeier - Sophomore - Murrieta Valley

  • 2022 stats: Completed 119 of 168 passes (71%) for 1,780 yards, 15 TDs, 2 INTs, 32 carries for 495 yards, 13 TDs
  • Recruiting: Boise State and Michigan offers
  • Best trait: A true dual-threat

Dieter Barr - Senior - St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy

  • 2022 stats: Completed 25 of 36 passes (69%) for 523 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT*
  • Recruiting: Cal Poly offer
  • Best trait: Movement in the pocket to extend plays
  • *Has missed time due to injury

Reyn Beal - Senior Yorba Linda

  • 2022 stats: Completed 79 of 115 passes (68%) for 1,203 yards, 11 TDs, 3 INT's
  • Recruiting: Division 3 interest
  • Best trait: Consistency

Wyatt Becker - Sophomore - Sherman Oaks Notre Dame

  • 2022 stats: Completed 104 of 169 passes (61%) for 1,394 yards, 13 TDs, 5 INTs, 82 rushing yards, 2 TDs
  • Recruiting: 16 Division 1 offers including Florida State and Georgia
  • Best trait: Rises to the occasion

Elijah Brown - Junior - Mater Dei

  • 2022 stats: Completed 105 of 154 passes (68%) for 1,495 yards, 17 TDs, 2 INTs, 2 rushing TDs
  • Recruiting: 13 offers including Alabama and USC
  • Best trait: The complete package

Israel Carter - Senior - Corona Centennial

  • 2022 stats: Completed 49 of 85 passes (58%) for 1,108 yards, 17 TDs, 0 INTs, 30 carries for 430 yards and 8 TDs
  • Recruiting: Arizona State commit
  • Best trait: Lightning fast speed

Aidan Chiles - Senior - Downey

  • 2022 stats: Completed 87 of 114 passes (76%) for 1,546 yards, 20 TDs, 2 INTs, 24 carries for 306 yards and 3 TDs
  • Recruiting: Oregon State commit
  • Best trait: Strength. Has great arm strength and is very difficult to tackle. 

Pierce Clarkson - Senior - St. John Bosco

  • 2022 stats: Completed 50 of 84 passes (59%) for 959 yards, 13 TDs, 5 INTs, 23 carries  for 219 yards and 2 TDs
  • Recruiting: Louisville commit
  • Best trait: A true dual-threat

Carson Conklin - Senior - Corona Centennial

  • 2022 stats: Completed 28 of 52 passes (54%) for 471 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT*
  • Recruiting: Sacramento State commit
  • Best trait: Pocket passing, also more athletic than he gets credit for

*Has missed time due to injury

Alonzo Contreras - Junior - Calabasas

  • 2022 stats: Completed 93 of 154 passes (60%) for 1,518 yards, 18 TDs and 3 INTs
  • Recruiting: UNLV offer 
  • Best trait: Big arm

Darius Curry - Junior - Long Beach Poly

  • 2022 stats: Completed 134 of 191 passes (70%) for 1,817 yards, 15 TDs, 3 INTs, 31 carries for 102 yards and 5 TDs
  • Recruiting: Five offers including Arizona State and Georgia
  • Best trait: Great quarterback, great person

Dereun Dortch - Senior - San Jacinto

  • 2022 stats: Completed 108 of 158 passes (68%) for 1,730 yards, 21 TDs, 2 INTs, 39 carries for 338 yards and 5 TDs
  • Recruiting: N/A
  • Best trait: Playmaking in the air and on the ground

Tyler Dudden - Junior - Norco

  • 2022 stats: Completed 115 of 180 passes (64%) for 1,486 yards, 21 TDs, 2 INTs, 48 carries for 287 yards, 1 TD
  • Recruiting: N/A
  • Best trait: Lethal combination of pocket passing and running

Aidan Houston - Junior - Cypress

  • 2022 stats: Completed 84 of 127 passes (66%) for 1,643 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INTs, 45 carries for 406 yards and 8 TDs
  • Recruiting: N/A
  • Best trait: A true dual-threat

Nico Iamaleava - Senior - Warren

  • 2022 stats: Completed 72 of 124 passes (58%) for 1,190 yards, 17 TDs, 4 INTs, 22 carries for 218 yards and 4 TDs
  • Recruiting: University of Tennessee commit
  • Best trait: The complete package

Myles Jackson - Junior - Long Beach Millikan

  • 2022 stats: Completed 105 of 165 passes (64%) for 2,006 yards, 26 TDs, 5 INTs, 57 carries for 255 yards and 3 TDs
  • Recruiting: 20 offers including Auburn, Oregon and Texas A&M
  • Best trait: Gunslinger 

Jack Jacobs - Senior - St. Francis

  • 2022 stats: Completed 112 of 187 passes (60%) for 1,813 yards, 20 TDs, 4 INTs, 76 carries for 142 yards and 3 TDS
  • Recruiting: N/A
  • Best trait: Pocket passing

Nathan Johnson - Senior - Ramona

  • 2022 stats: Completed 71 of 107 passes (66%) for 1,254 yards, 16 TDs, 1 INT, 14 carries for 65 yards and 1 TD
  • Recruiting: N/A
  • Best trait: Pocket passing

Trey Kukuk - Senior - Capo Valley

  • 2022 stats: Completed 150 of 268 passes (56%) for 1,985 yards, 17 TDs, 6 INTs, 73 carries for 499 yards and 10 TDs
  • Recruiting: Division 3 interest
  • Best trait: Gunslinger with great running ability

TJ Lateef - Sophomore - Orange Lutheran

  • 2022 stats: Completed 144 of 220 passes (65%) for 1,786 yards, 14 TDs, 6 INTs, 53 carries for 129 yards and 1 TD
  • Recruiting: Arizona, Colorado and Florida State offers
  • Best trait: Stays cool under pressure

Husan Longstreet - Sophomore - Inglewood

  • 2022 stats: Completed 91 of 135 passes (67%) for 2,030 yards, 21 TDs, 4 INTs, 7 carries for 93 yards and 1 TD
  • Recruiting: 12 offers including Florida State and Ole Miss
  • Best trait: Plays like a senior, wise beyond his years

Diego Lopez - Junior - Oak Hills

  • 2022 stats: Completed 97 of 130 passes (75%) for 1,615 yards, 19 TDs, 3 INTs, 18 carries, for 76 yards, 1 TD
  • Recruiting: N/A
  • Best trait: Accuracy

Boone Lourd - Junior - Brentwood School

  • 2022 stats: Completed 97 of 150 passes (65%) for 1,440 yards, 21 TDs, 2 INTs, 39 carries for 296 yards and 4 TDs
  • Recruiting: Five offers including Florida State and Purdue
  • Best trait: Gunslinger

Anders "Christian" Lundsberg - Senior - Anaheim Canyon

  • 2022 stats: Completed 152 of 217 passes (70%) for 2,451 yards, 34 TDs, 4 INTs
  • Recruiting: N/A
  • Best trait: Consistent producer (video game like stats)

Malachi Nelson - Senior - Los Alamitos

  • 2022 stats: 1,716 yards passing, 68% completion percentage, 20 TDs, 2 INTs
  • Recruiting: USC commit
  • Best trait: The complete package

Richie Munoz - Senior - Charter Oak

  • 2022 stats: Completed 94 of 145 passes (65%) for 1,776 yards, 26 TDs, 2. INTs, 37 carries for 176 yards and 1 TD
  • Recruiting: Weber State commit
  • Best trait: Play making

Jaxon Potter - Senior - Santa Margarita

  • 2022 stats: Completed 142 of 199 passes (71%) for 1762 yards, 18 TDs, 1 INT, 30 carries for 116 yards, 4 TDs
  • Recruiting: UAB commit
  • Best trait: All around good QB who's made impressive jump from junior to senior year

Michael Ramos - Sophomore Yucca Valley

  • 2022 stats: Completed 94 of 144 passes (65%) for 1,590 yards, 18 TDs, 2 INTs, 69 carries for 239 yards and 5 TDs
  • Recruiting: N/A
  • Best trait: A true dual-threat

David Rasor - Senior - Corona del Mar

  • 2022 stats: Completed 64 of 92 passes (70%) for 687 yards, 10 TDs, 1 INT, 1 rushing TD
  • Recruiting: UC Davis commit
  • Best trait: Pocket passing

Byron Rivas - Senior - Granite Hills

  • 2022 stats: Completed 96 of 161 passes for 1,601 yards, 22 TDs, 2 INTs, 1 rushing TD
  • Recruiting: N/A
  • Best trait: Pocket mobility

Gavin Rogers - Senior - Crean Lutheran

  • 2022 stats: Completed 90 of 125 passes (72%) for 1,493 yards, 28 TDs, 0 INTs, 1 rushing TD
  • Recruiting: N/A
  • Best trait: Rarely makes mistakes

Kadin Semonza - Senior - Mission Viejo

  • 2022 stats: Completed 106 of 158 passes (67%) for 1,597 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INTs, 43 carries for 148 yards and 7 TDs
  • Recruiting: Ball State commit
  • Best trait(s): Intelligence and consistency 

Brady Smigiel - Freshman - Newbury Park

  • 2022 stats: Completed 153 of 228 passes for 2,251 yards (67%), 31 TDs, 7 INTs, 47 carries for 155 yards and 5 TDs
  • Recruiting: Arizona, Florida Atlantic and San Jose State offers
  • Best trait: Gunslinger with clear next level potential

Akili Smith Jr. - Sophomore - Vista Murietta

  • 2022 stats: Completed 89 of 122 passes (73%) for 1,309 yards, 16 TDs, 1 INT
  • Recruiting: Arizona and Fresno State offers
  • Best trait: Accuracy

Ryan Staub - Senior - West Ranch

  • 2022 stats: Completed 129 of 212 passes (61%) for 1,996 yards, 26 TDs, 2 INTs, 21 carries for 215 yards and 2 TDs
  • Recruiting: Colorado commit
  • Best trait: The complete package

Anthony Tafoya - Sophomore - Fillmore

  • 2022 stats: Completed 98 of 142 passes (69%) for 1,384 yards, 22 TDs, 1 INT, 1 rushing TD
  • Recruiting: N/A
  • Best trait: Hard worker with bright future

Evan Tomich - Senior - Mayfair

  • 2022 stats: Completed 65 of 121 passes (54%) for 940 yards, 11 TDs, 5 INTs, 52 carries for 251 yards and 3 TDs
  • Recruiting: Eight offers including Arizona State and Oregon State
  • Best trait: A true dual-threat

Javance Tupouata-Johnson - Senior - Chaminade

  • 2022 stats: Completed 50 of 86 passes (58%) for 1,036 yards, 12 TDs, 0 INTs, 30 carries for 348 yards, and 5 TDs
  • Recruiting: San Diego State commit
  • Best trait: A true dual-threat

Bryan Wilson - Junior - Ayala

  • 2022 stats: Completed 61 of 105 passes (58%) for 1,228 yards, 12 TDs, 6 INTs, 18 carries for 55 yards and 2 TDs
  • Recruiting: Florida State and Texas A&M offers
  • Best trait: Arm strength

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