California’s Legacy of Producing Elite NFL Quarterbacks

A group of promising high school quarterbacks training together under the stadium lights in California.

News Summary

California continues to lead in shaping elite NFL quarterbacks, producing 25% of current starters. With the upcoming high school football season, fans can now engage with talented youngsters. A list of 25 quarterbacks to watch highlights exceptional skills and performances from last season. Many remain uncommitted yet are drawing interest from top college programs, ensuring California’s dominance in developing future stars.

Los Angeles – California is home to a remarkable phenomenon in the world of American football, currently producing 25% of the NFL’s starting quarterbacks. This impressive statistic highlights the state’s ongoing legacy of nurturing elite quarterback talent, including iconic figures such as Tom Brady, John Elway, Warren Moon, and Jim Plunkett. As the 2025 high school football season approaches, fans have a unique opportunity to engage with and support upcoming talent, as a list of 25 quarterbacks to watch has been released based on recruiting rankings and exceptional performances during the 2024 season.

The list identifies standout players whose accomplishments have set them apart at the high school level. Fans can vote for their favorite quarterbacks until July 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT, fostering engagement and interest in the future stars of the sport. The players highlighted showcase diverse skills, including impressive passing stats and the ability to make plays with their legs.

Among the most notable players is a dual-threat quarterback who stands 6’3″ and weighs 220 lbs. He is currently ranked 5th in California and had an impressive season, throwing for 3,011 yards while also rushing for 585 yards, collectively scoring a total of 60 touchdowns in 2024. Another standout is a quarterback who measures 6’5″ and weighs 210 lbs. With a ranking of 11th, he completed 219 of 336 passes for 3,521 yards and 49 touchdowns during the same season, in addition to scoring 11 rushing touchdowns.

Other promising talents include a 6’5″, 215 lbs quarterback, who is ranked 82nd for the Class of 2027 and showcased his abilities with 3,222 passing yards and 36 touchdowns last season. A 6’3″, 185 lbs quarterback, ranked 21st in California, contributed significantly with 2,554 passing yards and 735 rushing yards, resulting in 11 total touchdowns. Meanwhile, another player, measuring 6’0″ and weighing 185 lbs, holds the 33rd spot in the Class of 2026, completing 105 of 137 passes for 1,638 yards at a remarkable 77% completion rate, while throwing 17 touchdown passes.

Additionally, a 6’3″, 195 lbs quarterback ranked 41st in California recorded 1,111 passing yards alongside 21 total touchdowns in 2024. A similarly measured quarterback, weighing in at 200 lbs and ranking 44th, displayed versatility with 3,214 passing yards and 411 rushing yards along with 33 touchdowns to his name.

A 6’3″, 190 lbs quarterback, ranked 43rd, passed for 3,034 yards and scored 33 total touchdowns last season, while another 6’4″, 215 lbs player, who ranks 28th in California, threw for 1,623 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2023. The influx of talent continues with a 5’10”, 185 lbs quarterback from Mission Hills, who amassed 2,759 passing yards and 35 touchdowns in 2024, demonstrating strong leadership on the field. There’s also a 6’2″, 205 lbs quarterback committed to Oregon State, who had an outstanding season with 2,729 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Many quarterbacks on this list remain uncommitted but are attracting interest from several prominent college programs. As California’s high school ranks continue to develop and produce talented players, it’s clear the state will remain a vital source of quarterback talent for years to come. This is exemplified by top-ranked quarterback Brady Edmunds, who has already thrown for over 5,900 yards and 60 touchdowns throughout his high school career, signaling a bright future for California football.