Vote: Which CIF Sac-Joaquin Section quarterback will have the biggest season?

Sacramento high school football is known for producing some formidable slingers – vote your favorite

Folsom 2025 Ryder Lyons is one of the top 50 California QBs to watch in 2024 / Photo: Joe Bergman

Every year, the Sacramento area produces a serious contingent of the most highly-touted and statistically dominant quarterbacks in California high school football. It appears that 2024 won't be any different.

Last month, we gave you a rundown of the best quarterbacks in the CIF-SJS with the season around the corner. Now we're asking you to let us know who you think is the Sac-Joaquin Section's top signal caller based on the candidates from that list.

Vote as many times as you'd like through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. The results will be announced Sunday.

Meet the candidates:

Ryder Lyons, Folsom, Jr (no college commitment): Dynamic, dual-threat passer threw for 3,578 yards and 38 touchdowns, and rushed for 929 yards and 23 more scores for the state Division 1-A champions. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder already has 31 college offers. He’s ranked the No. 2 California recruit overall from the Class of 2026 and the nation’s No. 2 quarterback overall.

Robert McDaniel, Hughson, Sr. (Arizona): The 6-1, 195-pounder has already committed to the Wildcats after throwing for nearly 5,000 yards and 62 touchdowns in his first three seasons. The 44th top California recruit from The Class of 2025 completed 181 of 304 last season with 33 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He has 18 college offers but picked Arizona over such schools as Fresno State, Oregon State, Virginia and Cal.

Luke Alexander, Grant, Sr.: Alexander (6-0, 185) is still looking for his first college offer despite ranking second in the SJS last year in passing yards (3,105) while throwing for 43 touchdowns. He led Grant (12-3) to a NorCal Division 2-AA title. He left the state championship game, a 21-19 loss to La Serna, late in the first half with a head injury and never returned. Alexander likely will try to make up for a lost half in 2024.

Ricky Cole, Inderkum, Sr.: A first-team All-Sac Bee all-purpose performer, College threw for a section high 49 touchdowns (only four interceptions) while completing 63% of his passes (168 of 265). He also rushed for 12 touchdowns for the 11-2 Tigers. 

Kalani McLeod, Vanden, Sr.: In three less games than section-leading Lyons, McLeod threw for 3,268 yards while completing 223 of 341 (66%) and 30 touchdowns. The 6-1, 185-pounder also rushed for four touchdowns for the 9-3 Vikings, who lost their top four receivers to graduation. 

Max Medina, Patterson, Jr.: What Medina lacks in size (5-10, 175) he makes up for two-fold in production, arm strength, accuracy and judgment — he threw for 34 touchdowns and just four interceptions last season. He also threw for 2,624 yards while completing 150 of 227. 

Reeve Slone, Rocklin, Jr.: The 6-1, 175-pounder has an offer from Utah State after a superb sophomore season when he threw for 2,454 yards and 22 touchdowns against six interceptions. With 350 more rushing yards and seven other scores, he led the Thunder to a 12-2 record. 

Connor Campbell, Casa Roble, Sr.: Another All-Sacramento Bee first-team All-Purpose performer in 2023, the 6-2, 200-pound three-sport standout completed 156 of 267 passes for 2,660 yards and 34 touchdowns in 14 games. He threw just four interceptions.  

Jaden Jackson, West Park, Jr.: An All-Sac Bee performer, Jackson (6-2, 190) completed 166 of 263 (63%) for 2,467 yards and 29 touchdowns as a sophomore for the Panthers (10-3). Blessed with good feet, Jackson also scrambled for 205 yards and four touchdowns. He spread the ball around beautifully with five receivers catching more than 20 passes, including returner Mason Johnson (36 catches, 705 yards, 12 TDs). 

Joaquin Graves-Mercado, Oak Ridge, Sr.: Threw for 2,709 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior for the 10-3 Trojans. The 6-foot, 180-pounder was perhaps at his best, accounting for 246 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-6 win over Turlock in the CCS D1 quarterfinals. 

David Hale, Elk Grove, Sr.: 2023 stats – 393 yards, five TDs passing on 30-55 (54.5-percent completion); 591 yards, 14 TDs rushing on 6.8 yards per carry

Carson Lamb, Downey, Sr.: 2023 stats – 2,173 yards, 20 TDs passing to six interceptions on 151-215 (70.1-percent) completion, 122.1 passer rating; 319 yards, 3 TDs rushing on 7.6 yards per carry

Bryan Martinez, Waterford, So.: 2023 stats – 2,121 yards, 23 TDs passing on 167-290 (57.6-percent) completion; 78 yards, one TD rushing

Diego Martinez, Le Grand, Jr.: 2023 stats – 2,279 yards, 31 TDs passing to six interceptions on 111-187 (59.4-percent) completion, 128.5 passer rating; 104 yards, five TDs rushing

Matthew Schallberger, Linden, Sr.: 2023 stats – 2,342 yards, 22 TDs passing on 162-317 (51.1-percent) completion; 88 yards, four TDs rushing

Ross Widemon, Modesto Christian, Sr.: 2023 stats – 2,589 yards, 25 TDs passing on 151-304 (49.7-percent) completion; 220 yards, two TDs rushing

Zak Wilson, Sierra, Sr.: 2023 stats – 2,317 yards, 23 TDs passing on 145-250 (58-percent) completion, 103.0 passer rating; 153 yards, six TDs rushing