Florida Spotlight: Quarterbacks who have turned heads this fall
The high school football season is at its halfway point, which means prospects across the country are hitting recruiting radars thanks to strong performances. Rivals.com Domestic Analyst john garcia jr.. We take a look at five quarterbacks on the rise across the state of Florida.
It may not be appropriate to associate the word emerging with 4 stars. miami But the dual-threat answered some big questions for the first time as a full-time starter at State University Orlando (Florida) Jones High School. Not only is Coleman leading a 6-0 program, he has actually improved his completion percentage by more than 10 points and improved his yards per game by nearly 70 yards in the process. Junior is in full control, winning more and more big wins and taking care of his football in the process. His point total through six games is already approaching his season total from last fall’s joint assignments.
Not only is increased production a great sign, but so is Coleman’s durability. He’s not the greatest passer on this list, but his combination of quick release, elite athleticism for the position, and toughness have made him a great matchup in several high-profile matchups over the years. However, his availability was not limited.
Numbers are part of the equation when considering the most important position in the game, and no Sunshine State quarterback can compete with Durham this much. Not only does he lead Florida in passing yards, his 2,404 yards rank second in the nation. The new Valdosta State commitment is still somehow averaging over 400 passing yards per game and posting an impressive 22-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. His 22 passing points in just six games is already a career high, and he will most likely pass all of his previous yardage marks in his next game. Another dual-threat on the list, Durham also averages over 13 yards per carry when he’s not airborne.
Durham made some noise in the offseason, even earning quarterback MVP honors at the Under Armor All-America Game Camp, but his recruitment didn’t take off until the start of the 2024 season. The big lefty has a chance to make him look easy to miss for FBS and FCS programs alike for the next few years.
Another ACC-bound passer on this list, Sr. virginia Pledge took the next step in his game. He is on pace to hit career marks in yards, but in the meantime, Jurgensen has gained fewer yards per game, more completion percentage, more average per attempt than in the 2023 season, when he became a Power Four candidate. Quarterback evaluations are increasing. Also more complete and more comfortable in his progression, the senior has only turned the ball over in the air once through five starts. The future Cavalier also continues to show off his athleticism, averaging over seven yards per carry and a rushing score per game in the process.
We saw Virginia do a good job of lobbying the state to find Anthony Colandrea two cycles ago, and now they may have added a high-ranking candidate in Jurgensen.
The breakout candidate on this list is a junior, but he wasn’t even QB1 for Miami (Fla.) Central when the team finished camp in August. Still, McQueen stayed there, kept working, and once he got the chance, he ran away from that job, and then some. Central remains undefeated with two-way juniors at the helm, including big wins over American Heritage of Plantation (Fla.) and Booker T. Washington of Miami (Fla.). McQueen led Central to four wins, with the team averaging over 50 points per game in the process. Triggerman himself is no game manager, having scored 14 touchdowns (10 passing) and averaging more than 250 yards from scrimmage.
McQueen’s prowess with a clean release, comfort on the move and accompanying quiet confidence has already earned him a first offer at a local university. More is likely on the way, and Georgia State has just established contacts as the relationship between the two sides grows closer. Miami Central is a make-or-break state team, and there are no better programs in South Florida right now, so there will likely be more attention focused on McQueen than there has been on Rivals recently.
Wright, a well-traveled passer who has played for three programs over the past two seasons, really settled in at star-studded Chaminade-Madonna in Hollywood (Fla.) this fall despite not making it out of camp as QB1. Ta. Wright appeared in a few games and really took off with his intermediate and especially third-level arm talent, rushing for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns in four games. A gunslinger at home and abroad, Wright endured one of the toughest preparation schedules in the country, completing more than 62 percent of his passes along the way.
After a breakthrough effort in CMHS’ 45-42 win against rival American Heritage, Wright began conversations with several college programs. Unfortunately, the final few games will likely end his prep career as the senior suffered a hand injury and is expected to be sidelined for approximately two months. Did he put enough on tape to get the coveted green light from the FBS show? Only time will tell.
