California high school football: Top quarterbacks in CIF Central Section

Oregon State commit Deagan Rose heads an impressive list of proven and prolific Central Section signal-callers

Clovis High School junior Deagan Rose has already accepted a scholarship to Oregon State. He's the top QB prospect from the Central Section heading into the 2024 season. / Photo: Bobby Medellin

Of the 35 California high school quarterbacks who threw for more than 3,000 yards in 2023, six were from the Central Section. 

According to the MaxPreps leaderboard, six more from the section threw for more than 2,800. Of those dozen, eight return for what promises to be a pass-happy 2024 season in California’s central-most section. 

The Central Section has boasted some of the state’s greatest, including NFL legends Daryle Lamonica (Clovis) and Mark Brunell (St. Joseph) along with current day Sunday signal-callers Derek Carr (Bakersfield Christian, Saints), Jordan Love (Liberty, Packers) and Josh Allen (Firebaugh, Bills). 

This is a look at the top 10 quarterbacks to watch in the CIF Central Section this fall, plus a few more. If we missed anyone, email mitch@scorebooklive.com. The season starts for most CS teams in about a month, Aug. 22-24. 

See other quarterback lists: California’s Top 50 | San Diego Section | Southern Section | North Coast Section | Central Coast Section

CENTRAL SECTION'S TOP 10 QBS TO WATCH IN 2024

1. Deagan Rose, Clovis, Jr. (Oregon State)

A two-year starter, Rose upped his numbers considerably as a sophomore to nearly 2,900 passing yards and 38 touchdowns between passing and rushing. Could break plenty of Central Section records before his career is done. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder was identified as a potential section great his first snap as a freshman and he hasn’t disappointed. He’s ranked the No. 45 junior prospect in the state by 247Sports. 

2. Daniel Gomez, Hanford, Jr. (undecided) 

The 6-1, 193-pounder is one of the most coveted college players on the list with five offers: Fresno State, Montana State, San Diego State, San Jose State and Toledo. He completed 71% of his passes in 2023 (191 of 270) for 2,885 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also rushed for 307 yards and three scores for the 9-2 Bullpups. 

3. Tyus Miller, Clovis East, Sr. (Davis)

One of the most productive quarterbacks in the state in 2023, Davis piled up 3,503 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, 612 rushing yards and five more TDs

Tyus Miller (10), a senior at Clovis East, is one of the Central Section's top 10 quarterbacks to watch heading into the 2024 season / Photo: Bobby Medellin

4. Caleb Matthews, Garza, Sr. (undecided)

Only two offers thus far — Cornell and San Jose State — that number should rise drastically as Matthews’ numbers grow his senior season. As a junior, the 3-star prospect completed 190 of 302 for 2,752 yards and 27 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Another dual threat, he rushed for 544 yards and four touchdowns. 

5. Jordan Crisp, Tulare Union, Jr. (undecided)

The 5-10, 200-pounder led the state as a sophomore with 4,288 passing yards in 13 games after completing 293 of 408 passes (72%) and 48 touchdowns. The Tribe (8-5) return their top three receivers, so remarkably, look for Crisp’s numbers to actually grow. 

6. Tanner Wilson, Sunnyside, Sr. (Army)

Over two seasons, Wilson has put up pinball numbers, completing 532 of 700 pass attempts, an astonishing 70% for 7,510 yards and 91 touchdowns. He’s also excellent on his feet with 1,322 career rushing yards and 21 more scores. 

7. Jarod “Bubba” Smith, Fowler, Sr. (undecided)

An SBLive All-CS performer, Smith did it all for the late-charging Redcats (6-7), completing 217 of 334 for 3,288 yards and 36 touchdowns. He also rushed for nearly 500 yards and seven more scores. 

8. Ezekiel Osborne, Shafter, Jr. (undecided)

The 6-3, 175-pounder threw for 2,677 yards and a whopping 35 touchdowns in 2023 for the 11-1 Generals. He opened his sophomore season with a bang, throwing for a career high 402 yards, completing 16 of 22 with seven TDs in a 55-7 win over West.  

9. Noah Tasi, Coalinga, Sr. (undecided)

Tasi completed 169 of 254 (67%) for 2,883 yards and 28 touchdowns last season for the 9-3 Horned Toads after throwing for 2,819 and 32 touchdowns as a sophomore. With his top two receivers Dylan Teixeira and Gavin Watson returning, look for Tasi to break the 3,000-yard barrier in 2024. 

10. Ty’shawn Flowers, Rosamond, Sr. 

The 6-3, 180-pound standout had a monster junior season, throwing for 2,880 yards and 32 touchdowns for the 6-5 Roadrunners. His leading receiver C Gomez (55 catches, 927 yards, nine TDs) returns for his junior season. 

More QBs (alphabetical) to watch

• Blayne Lowry, Nipomo, So. 

• Landon McKee, Sierra Pacific, Sr. 

• Jacob Molina, Exeter, Sr. 

• Jude Pritchard, Santa Ynez, Jr. 

• Earl Riley IV, TBD, Sr. 

• Andrew Rosales, Arvin, Jr. 

• Adrian Torres, Kerman, Jr. 

• Noah Zamora, McLane, Sr.