Vote: Who was the top quarterback in Texas high school football in 2023?

From North Shore's Kaleb Bailey to Emerson's Michael Hawkins, which QB had most impactful year?

With the 2023 Texas high school football season in the rear view, we're taking a look at the most impactful players across the Lone Star State last fall.

After unveiling our All-East Texas, All-West Texas, All-South Texas, All-North Texas, All-Southeast Texas and All-Central Texas teams and awards, we released our All-Texas high school football team, honoring the best of the best.

Now, we're taking a look at who rose above the rest at each position, spanning all corners and school sizes across Texas, starting with the toughest position in sports: quarterbacks.

Who were the top signal-callers in 2023 in terms of how impactful they were to their respective teams? We gathered 20 quarterbacks who shined bright this past fall. 

Now, we want to hear from you. 

Scroll down and read up on the nominees and cast your vote in the poll below. The poll is closes on Sunday, Jan. 21 at 11:59 p.m. central time.

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TOP QBS IN TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IN 2023

DJ Lagway, Willis, quarterback, sr.

Threw for more than 4,600 yards on a 72 percent completion rate, rushed for just under 1,000 yards and accounted for 74 total touchdowns. Willis won 12 straight games, a District 13-6A title and the Florida signee's run ended in the 6A regional semifinals with a loss to DeSoto, the No. 2 team in the nation.

Ziondre Williams, Anna, quarterback, so.

The first-year starter guided the Coyotes to the Class 5A Division II state championship, and unseated two-time defending champion South Oak Cliff in epic fashion — 34-24 — to bring the school its first title since 1973. He adapted to leading the offense quickly, throwing for 2,930 yards, 39 touchdowns and rushing for another 844 yards and eight TDs on the season.

Darius ‘DJ’ Bailey, DeSoto, sr.

Behind Bailey's lead, the Eagles massed 8,000 yards of offense — 3,366 through the air (44 TDs, two INTs) — and ran the table for a 15-0 season, repeat District 11-6A title and No. 2 national ranking by season's end. There wasn't a long discussion on for All-North Texas Offensive Player of the Year.

Michael Hawkins, Frisco Emerson, sr.

The Oklahoma signee put up big numbers across the board. He threw for 3,039 yards and 41 touchdowns with only three interceptions. He added 1,174 yards rushing the ball and his 14 touchdowns were second among ball-carriers for the Mavericks.

Sawyer Anderson, Dallas Parish Episcopal, sr.

The Purdue commit completed 212 of 320 pass attempts for 3,459 yards and 40 touchdowns and led Parish Episcopal to a TAPPS Division I state title for the third year in a row (fifth straight for the school).

Demetrius Brisbon, Tyler Chapel Hill, Jr.

The SMU commit is a threat to break a big play every time he touches the ball. He was 124-of-197 passing for 1,939 yards with 26 touchdowns and six interceptions. He added 149 carries for 1,664 yards and 13 more TDs for the state runner-up. 

Jett Surratt, Carthage, soph.

He helped orchestrate and grow the state's longest win streak (29) games, completing 204 of 308 passes for 3,046 yards, 34 TDs and eight interceptions, leading Carthage to a district title before its chase for a 10th state title ended in the 4A Division II regional finals with an upset loss to Gilmer.

Armando Lujan, Sunray, Jr.

As if becoming the third quarterback to pass for 4,000 or more yards in a season isn’t impressive enough, Lujan did it as a sophomore, joining Kyler Murray (Allen) and Tyrick Rollison (Sulphur Springs) on that list. He followed up by throwing for 4,007 yards and 60 touchdowns with seven interceptions as a junior to lead the Bobcats to a 12-3 record this year.

Camren Cavalier, Canadian, sr.

Already one of the top signal-caller in West Texas, Cavalier added to his status by scoring nine touchdowns (six passing, three rushing) in the first round of the playoffs. The uncommitted senior finished the season by throwing for 3,705 yards and 57 touchdowns with three interceptions. He also rushed for 1,383 yards and 20 TDs for the 14-1 Wildcats.

Canyon Evans, Glen Rose, Jr.

Completed 305 of 485 passing for 4,577 yards, 49 TDs and 21 INTs as Glen Rose went 10-5 and reached the 4A Division II state semifinals to eventual state champion Gilmer.

Billy White III, Corpus Christi Veterans, soph.

White stepped into big shoes this season, taking over for a quarterback who had led the Eagles to back-to-back regional title games. The sophomore signal caller didn’t lead the Eagles to a third straight fourth round appearance but did make a name for himself. White finished the season with over 3,000 passing yards and 33 touchdowns in 12 games played, while throwing just five interceptions. White’s play helped the Eagles clinch a seventh straight playoff berth, while also solidifying the quarterback position for the foreseeable future.

Aidan Jakobsohn, Ingleside, sr.

Jakobsohn was electric with the ball in his hands this season, completing 204/332 passes for 3,590 yards and 56 touchdowns, while adding 476 yards and 6 scores on 70 carries in 12 games played. The District 15-4A co-MVP’s impact didn’t end on offense. He also snagged six interceptions at defensive back.

Trevor Long, Corpus Christi Miller, jr.

Went 223 for 339 passing for 3,767  yards, 57 TD and four picks, leading Miller to a District 5A-14 title, 13-1 record and 5A Division I regional final run.

Trey Owens, Cy-Fair, sr.

The pro-style quarterback threw for 3,093 yards (on a 72% completion rate), and threw for 3,093 yards and 42 TDs. He was the Touchdown Club of Houston's 2023 Offensive Player of the Year this year. He was one of the first commits to Coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff at Texas. Now, he signed to be a Longhorn.

Kaleb Bailey, North Shore, jr.

He guided the Mustangs back to the Class 6A Division I title game for the second time. He completed 74% of his passes for 33 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. He threw for 2,965 yards. He also added 14 touchdowns on the ground.

Mabrey Mettauer, The Woodlands, sr.

Finished 154-for-229 passing with 2,305 yards and 29 touchdowns opposite an interception and 392 yards rushing and five touchdowns. The Wisconsin signee is a three-time District 13-6A offensive player of the year and led the Woodlands to the 6A Division I regional semifinals in the fall.

Chad Warner, Cibolo-Steele, jr.

The junior gunslinger led his team to a 6A Division II state semifinal appearance and a District 27 championship. Warner had a great year under center for the Knights tossing 36 passing touchdowns and threw for 3,547 yards, while setting eight different school records in the process. He also added five touchdowns with his feet and 204 rushing yards.

Will Hammond, Hutto, sr.

The future Texas Tech Red Raider posted video game stats all season long with his arms and legs in his final year in a Hippo uniform. Hammond threw for 3,910 yards and 35 touchdowns while adding 1,094 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground.

Cody Stoever, Wimberley, jr.

A fearless leader, Stoever powered the Texans to the 4A Division II state semifinals and a 14-1 season on head-turning stats: 4,577 total yards and 73 total touchdowns (72 percent completion rate, 41 TDs, five INTs; 1,585 rushing yards, 32 TDs).

Hank Hendrix, Boerne, quarterback, fr.

The freshman Greyhound came in relief for the injured junior Jaxon Baize and helped lead Boerne to a second consecutive district championship. Hendrix accounted for 1,586 yards and tossed 18 touchdowns to just one interception.

Hauss Hejny, Aledo, sr.

He was one of the state's best quarterbacks and showed as muc getting snaps at the All-American Bowl. For Aledo, he made the offense go. He was the second-leading rusher for the Bearcats, tallying 1,041 yards and 13 touchdowns — rushing for more than 100 yards in five games. Passing the ball, the TCU signee threw for 2,773 yards and 27 touchdowns but usually played only one half in most games.

All blurbs by SBLive Texas (@sblivetx) staff.

Lead photo by Stephen Garcia, Avalanche-Journal, USA Today Network.

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Editor’s Note: Our reader poll features are intended to be fun and generate productive discussion. We do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes that receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.