Vote: Who was the best senior quarterback in Florida of 2023?

We’ve got 30 candidates for you to choose from

The 2023 high school football season is complete and we are going around the East Coast, reflecting on the previous few months.

One of the big questions is which returners in some cases made the biggest impact on a football program or state even? That’s where a boatload of senior quarterbacks that saw extensive playing time come into the mix.

That’s why we ask the question: Who was the top senior quarterback of 2023 in Florida? 

We will go state-by-state along the East Coast and once that voting is done, do a final poll including all the seniors that won head-to-head.

We’ve selected 30 worthy candidates and ask you the fan to vote for who you think topped them all.

Voting will end on February 27th, 2024.

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. 

Here are the nominees:

Cedrick Bailey, Chaminade-Madonna: The North Carolina State signee completed 215-of-301 passes for 3,125 yards, 47 touchdowns and just six interceptions for the Class 1M champion Lions. 

Alberto Mendoza, Columbus: Mendoza was solid for the Class 4M state champion Explorers. The Indiana signee has threw for over 1,900 yards and 22 touchdowns this past season. 

Joshua Townsend, Homestead: One of the most underrated quarterbacks in the entire state was Townsend. The senior received a preferred walk-on offer from Miami (FL) after throwing for 3,533 yards and 42 touchdowns for the Class 3M state runner-ups. 

Haden Klees, Wakulla: No senior in the Big Bend put up the kinda stats Klees did this past season. The Samford commitment threw for 3,575 yards and 50 touchdowns to a mere three interceptions this 2023 season. 

Anthony Barber, Westminster Academy: One of South Florida’s more efficient quarterbacks this past season, with Barber throwing for 3,212 yards, completing 192-of-276 (69 percent) passing with 32 touchdowns and just seven picks.

Luke Knight, Wiregrass Ranch: Transferring over from Merritt Island did wonders for Knight and the Bulls. The Wiregrass Ranch starter set Pasco County records throwing for 3,872 yards, 43 touchdowns and seven interception. Not bad for the Army commitment. 

Jesse Winslette, Choctawhatchee: Now many might think the Florida Panhandle didn't produce some talent, but think again. Quarterback play was on the rise in 2023, with Winslette being one of the area's best after throwing for 1,910 yards, 25 touchdowns and just three picks. 

JP Pickles, North Florida Christian: North Florida Christian’s offense was on a tear once again behind the play of Pickles under center. The UTEP commit had thrown for 2,891 yards, 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Jackson Hughes, Lake Minneola: It was a school-record setting 2023 season for Hughes in 2023. Hughes threw for 3,773 yards on 230-of-373, 37 touchdowns and just six interceptions. 

Battle Alberson, Gulf Breeze: The uncommitted quarterback lit up the scoreboards with touchdowns all season long. Alberson completed 224-of-370 passes for 3,142 yards and 30 touchdowns. 

AJ Hairston, Monarch: The UMass commitment was sensational in leading the Knights all the way to the Class 4M state semifinals. Hariston finished the season throwing for 2,571 yards, 22 touchdowns and just a mere three picks. 

Colin Hurley, Trinity Christian Academy: Hurley, an LSU signee, played well despite battling through a trying 2023 campaign. The Conquerors signal caller threw for 2,242 yards and 26 touchdowns this past season. 

Jayden Bradford, IMG Academy: Bradford was practically perfect in 2023 leading the Ascenders to an undefeated campaign. The Liberty signee threw for 1,433 yards, 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions. 

Peyton Gay, Bozeman: Bozeman had a magical run to the Class 1R state semifinals and a lot of it came on the right arm of Gay. The signal caller has thrown for 2,665 yards, 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Jackson LaTour, Oveido: The Lions’ offense was roaring behind the stellar play of LaTour, who threw for 2,864 yards, 36 touchdowns and just four interceptions. 

Davi Belfort, Western: The Virginia Tech commitment was arguably the toughest quarterback in all of the Sunshine State. Belfort finished the 2023 season throwing for 2,598 yards and 20 touchdowns. 

Shyeia Deveaux, Santaluces: Over in the 561 there’s been plenty of solid quarterback play, but none have matched the kind of production like Deveaux. The signal caller compiled 120-of-176 passes for 1,970 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Dennis Murray Jr., Mainland: Whether it was passing or running the ball, Murray Jr. was unheralded among the rest of the top end quarterbacks on this list. The Class 3M champion threw for 1,359 yards, rushed for 787 and totaled 27 touchdowns. 

Jack Niemann, Wesley Chapel Cypress Creek: It almost doesn’t get too much better than the kind of season Niemann had for the Coyotes. The senior has thrown for 2,382 yards, 29 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

Tyron Moore, DeLand: No interceptions? Yup, Moore did that in 2023. Didn't have a pick to the opposing team as Moore threw for 1,664 yards, 21 touchdowns and also rushed for 1,348 and 12 scores. 

Karson Siqueiros-Lasky, Sanford Seminole: Taking care of the football and throwing for plenty of yards/touchdowns is something Siqueiros-Lasky had done all season long. The Penn commitment threw for 2,285 yards and 27 touchdowns. 

Troy Saladin, Eustis: Saladin impressed all season long for the Panthers and his numbers speak to that. The signal caller threw for 2,014 yards, 29 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.

Jacob Drackett, Clearwater Calvary Christian: The Air Force commitment played well for the Warriors this past fall, completing 199-of-280 passes for 3,260 yards and 42 touchdowns. 

Jadyn Glasser, Venice: The Central Michigan commitment transferred to the Indians and had himself a strong 2023 campaign. Glasser led Venice to the Class 4S state championship game, throwing for 2,943 yards and 31 touchdowns. 

Jeremy Johnston, FSU High: Johnston is another quarterback on this list you might not have heard too much about, but was one of the best in all of North Florida. The senior threw for 2,638 yards and 30 touchdowns for the Seminoles. 

Michael Merdinger, Cardinal Gibbons: Merdinger, a North Carolina commitment, led the Chiefs' offense to the endzone plenty of times this past fall. The quarterback threw for 2,849 yards, 26 touchdowns and five interceptions. 

Trey Hedden, Tampa Catholic: The Furman commitment was another Tampa Bay area quarterback that showed out in 2023. Hedden completed 120-of-197 passes for 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns. 

Dae'Jon Shanks, Bradford: Shanks may not have all the big offers on the table, but played just about as well as anyone senior-wise. The passer threw for 1,363 yards and 18 touchdowns to just two picks. Also rushed for 1,104 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.

Luke Warnock, Cardinal Newman: Among the passers that really stood out over in Palm Beach County, Warnock came out as one of the leaders. The senior passer threw for 1,464 yards, 22 touchdowns and just four interceptions. 

TyRay Davis, Wekiva: Davis was greatly underrated among the other Central Florida quarterbacks, but proved to be one of the best. The senior signal caller finished throwing for 2,777 yards and 23 touchdowns. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl