News Summary
Southern California is gearing up for the upcoming CIF Southern Section season, eagerly anticipating the revelation of the preseason Top 25 high school quarterbacks. Standouts include Brady Smigiel, Oscar Rios, and Brady Edmunds, each boasting impressive stats from previous seasons. As college recruiters watch closely, 2025 promises to be an exhilarating year for high school football in the region. Additionally, Mater Dei and Newbury Park have emerged as powerful programs, driving the competitiveness and showcasing elite talent in youth football.
Southern California is set to showcase some of the country’s most promising high school quarterbacks as the CIF Southern Section gears up for the 2025 season. Tarek Fattal, a senior reporter specializing in high school sports, will unveil the preseason Top 25 rankings for the CIF Southern Section on Sunday, August 11, 2024. This announcement is eagerly anticipated by players, coaches, and fans alike, as the rankings often influence college recruitment and overall team dynamics.
Among the standout quarterbacks to watch in 2025 are several athletes with impressive statistics and accolades from their previous seasons. Brady Smigiel of Newbury Park had a remarkable 2024 season, throwing for 3,521 yards with 49 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions. He led his team to a CIF Southern Section Division 2 title and earned the Cal-Hi Sports Mr. Football award for his excellence on the field. His performance places him as a primary candidate for further recognition as he approaches his senior year.
Another notable player is Oscar Rios from Downey, who demonstrated versatility on the field by completing over 60% of his passes, totaling more than 2,500 yards with 22 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Additionally, he contributed significantly in the rushing game, amassing 735 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns. Rios’s ability to impact the game in various ways makes him an athlete to keep an eye on this season.
Brady Edmunds of Huntington Beach also finished his sophomore year strong with 3,222 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, leading to a commitment to Ohio State. This commitment indicates his potential future in college football, and his continued development will be closely monitored. Meanwhile, Luke Fahey from Mission Viejo has taken complete control of the quarterback position after sharing duties last season, which has led to his acquisition of a scholarship offer from Ohio State as well.
Ryan Hopkins, hailing from Mater Dei, made a successful transition from junior varsity to starting quarterback, compiling 1,111 yards and 21 total touchdowns in his junior year. His rise has been noteworthy, especially within one of the most competitive high school programs in the country. Bryson Beaver from Vista Murrieta also made headlines by throwing for 3,214 yards and 33 touchdowns, earning him All-CIF South Section Division 3 honors.
Other quarterbacks of interest include Jay Huhn, who achieved over 2,000 passing yards and 19 touchdowns; Dane Weber, who has received 11 college offers while accumulating 2,660 passing yards and impressive rushing statistics; Ryan Rakowski, who has been a starter since freshman year and has drawn comparisons to NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel; and Jaden Jefferson, who completed over 2,600 yards and 30 touchdowns in his sophomore season, later committing to Sacramento State.
Notably, the CIF Southern Section has established itself as a breeding ground for elite high school talent. Last season, Mater Dei secured their second consecutive CIF-SS Division 1 title, as well as a national title, solidifying their reputation as a powerhouse in high school football. Newbury Park winning the CIF Southern Section Division 2 title marked their first championship since 1993, highlighting the competitive spirit and potential of emerging programs.
The CIF Southern Section also introduced new competitive equity rules, which played a role in St. Pius achieving a CIF title despite struggling throughout the regular season. Controversies have also surrounded the CIF, as seen in the incident involving Edison’s Julius Gillick, who was ejected from the CIF Division 3 semifinal for unsportsmanlike conduct, subsequently missing the final.
As the 2025 high school football season approaches, the excitement around emerging quarterbacks and established programs continues to build, setting the stage for another thrilling year in Southern California football.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Wide Receivers and Tight Ends Spotlighted for Upcoming Football Season
Top Quarterbacks to Watch in Orange County High School Football
Mission Viejo High School Kicks Off Football Season
Mission Viejo High School Football Season Preview
Additional Resources
- SI.com: Southern California’s Top QBs to Watch
- LA Times: Prep Rally High School Quarterbacks Early Look
- SI.com: USC Trojans – Luke Huard & Jayden Maiava
- NY Times: USC Football Spring Practice Quarterbacks
- LA Times: Quarterback Sam Huard Transferring to USC
- Google Search: High School Football Quarterbacks
- Wikipedia: High School Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- Google News: Quarterback High School Football
- Google Scholar: High School Football Quarterbacks
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MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
