Vote now: Who is Florida’s top-returning senior quarterback heading into 2023?

We have 25 candidates for your consideration

Let’s take a closer look at some of the top returning senior quarterbacks in high school football for the 2023 season in the Sunshine State.

Our list includes some of the best in the country and players who look to be the top up and coming signal callers throughout the Sunshine State in 2023. We compiled 25 names of quarterbacks who figure to among the best in Florida as juniors turning into seniors. 

There are plenty of worthy names on this list, so be sure to vote in our poll for who you think will be the top returning senior signal caller for the upcoming season. Voting will close on August 31st, just in time for the start of the regular season.

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.

JP Pickles, North Florida Christian: Coming off a stellar 2022 season, Pickles was extremely efficient for North Florida Christian. As a junior, Pickles threw for 3,382 yards and 39 touchdowns. 

Cedrick Bailey, Chaminade-Madonna: One of the most prolific statistical performances for a season came from Bailey, who led the Lions to the Class 1M state championship. Bailey put up some video game-like numbers, throwing for over 3,300 yards and 45 touchdowns to just five picks. Bailey has committed to NC State. 

AJ Hairston, Monarch: How Hairston has fallen under the radar of so many colleges after the kind of 2022 campaign he had is somewhat mind boggling. With the prototypical size already (6-foot-3, 233-pounds), Hairston has an offer from Miami and his numbers last fall back up his play. The junior threw for over 3,200 yards and 32 touchdowns. Hairston is a UMass commit. 

Jadyn Glasser, Venice: Glasser played at South Plantation High School in 2022, but transferred over to Venice after the season concluded. He's been impressive at several combines and 7-on-7's and will be a quarterback seeing his stock continue to rise. Glasser threw for 2,624 yards and 25 touchdowns last season.

Jacob Drackett, Clearwater Calvary Christian: Though the junior quarterback doesn't have any notable offers as of yet, there's no denying his numbers from a year ago. Drackett threw for 2,606 yards and 33 touchdowns for the Class 2M region finalist Warriors.

DJ Moore, Bolles: The Bulldogs' quarterback really saw his stock soar more after the season concluded. Though the junior threw for just over 1,100 yards, Moore has everyone chasing him for his services. Moore has committed to Coastal Carolina. 

Alberto Mendoza, Columbus: The Class 4M champions will bring back one of arguably not only best signal callers in South Florida, but in the state. Mendoza engineered the Explorers to victory over Apopka for the title back in December, capping a stellar campaign. Mendoza threw for 2,470 yards and 34 touchdowns and holds offers from Charlotte, FIU and Toledo.

Kael Alexander, Miramar: Alexander’s senior 2022 season rivaled just about anyones down in South Florida. The quarterback threw for 2,272 yards and 24 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. 

Luke Warnock, Cardinal Newman: There was no doubt that Warnock returns as one of Palm Beach County’s top quarterbacks. The signal caller threw for 2,296 yards, 34 touchdowns last season. 

Anthony Barbar, Westminster Academy: The junior quarterback had a strong 2022 season under center and could be in line for another big year. Barber completed 125-of-191 for 2,204 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Evans Chuba, Clearwater Academy International: The Knights’ quarterback was solid in leading the club to an independent state championship last season. Chuba threw for 2,173 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2022. 

Trever Jackson, West Orange: Jackson was very impressive at the Elite 11 camp and looks to be primed for a big 2023 campaign with West Orange. The dual-threat quarterback threw for 1,559 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2022. 

Trey Hedden III, Tampa Catholic: Just recently committed to Furman, Hedden III comes back as one of the top signal callers out of Tampa Bay. Hedden III has Clemson commit TJ Moore to throw to which is nice. 

Jesse Winslette, Choctawhatchee: Winslette can hurt you with his arm or his legs. Don't let the lack of offers throw you off, this kid can play. The junior threw for 1,881 yards and rushed for over 500 and scored 33 total touchdowns for the Indians.

Colin Hurley, Trinity Christian: Hurley impresses everyone anytime he hits the field. Already a hard commit to play for Brian Kelly in Baton Rogue, Hurley last season threw for 1,513 yards and 17 touchdowns through nine games played.

Davi Belfort, Western: The Virginia Tech commit played at Gulliver Prep last season and heads to Western with some big expectations under his belt. Belfort had over 2,300 yards of offense in 2022 and could topple those numbers easily this fall. 

Jayden Bradford, IMG Academy: Want to talk about efficiency? Bradford's stats from a season ago will make your head spin. Bradford completed 71-of-91 passes for 1,071 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has offers from Cincinnati, East Carolina and Penn State.

Joshua Townsend, Homestead: The elusive dual-threat quarterback got the Broncos into the Class 3M state championship before falling to St. Thomas Aquinas. With plenty of weapons back, Townsend is primed for a huge fall. 

Juan Gainous, Olympia: Getting off Gainous off his spot as a passer was hard for would-be defensive lineman. Gainous last season made a strong case in being amongst the best in the state, throwing for 1,575 yards, 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions. 

Clayton Dees, Palmetto: Dees had himself a strong junior campaign for the Mustangs and he had the stats to back it up. The quarterback completed 118-of-229 for 1,704 yards and 13 touchdowns to just a mere three interceptions.

Marcelis Tate, Fletcher: The future USF Bull has reaffirmed his commitment in heading over to Tampa once his high school days are over. Tate didn't have the big numbers, but there's no denying his talent. He threw for 1,771 and 12 touchdowns in 2022.

Riley Trujillo, Bartram Trail: The UCF commitment is arguably the top senior signal caller out of the Northeast Florida region. Trujillo threw for 1,910 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, the junior has a great frame for the position.

James Resar, Bishop Kenny: Through nine games last season for Bishop Kenny, Resar was efficient under center. The Iowa commit threw for 1,656 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. 

Jeremy Johnston, FSU High: In leading the Seminoles to a berth in the Class 2S state championship game, Johnston was the steady hand. As a junior, Johnston threw for 2,596 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. 

Adrian Posse, Miami Northwestern: Posse was once an Auburn commitment but then decided to re-open his recruiting back up. Now with the Bulls, Posse is expected to have a big season in Class 2M. 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.