The Class of 2026 quarterbacks are almost halfway through their senior seasons of high school. The class consists of five five-star prospects and 29 blue-chippers in the 247Sports Composite. The Athletic spoke to personnel evaluators around the sport to find out who they like the best, who is underrated and who is the best leader. They were granted anonymity for their candor.
Who is your favorite QB in the class?
P4 director of player personnel 6: I would say my favorite one in the class is probably Faizon Brandon (Tennessee). I just think that talent-wise, he’s the best. I don’t know the kid, but just from a football ability standpoint, it’s really hard to find something that he’s not good at on tape, and I can see why he’s ranked as high as he is. Sometimes with those quarterbacks, they’re ranked super high off of upside, but for him, I see a really high floor. It’s just really hard for me to find something on tape that he can’t do well. Even on the game tape, too. There’s not much of a difference between the game tape and the highlight (reel), which is certainly what you want.
Who is most ready to start right away?
P4 director of player personnel 2: Faizon Brandon is pretty good. I saw Dia Bell as a freshman at camp for us. He’s pretty damn good. Tommy Carr (Miami, Ohio) is really good.
P4 recruiting coordinator: I like Faizon (Brandon). I haven’t really followed Jared Curtis. We were never really in that recruitment, but he’s got crazy arm talent and all that. Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me (if it’s) the Helaman (Casuga, Texas A&M) kid. He’s so accurate.
P4 director of player personnel 6: I’d probably truthfully give you Faizon Brandon again. I can’t think of one that has a better shot. He’s the guy to me that has the least amount of question marks on film, and I feel like when it comes to playing a freshman, in whatever position, normally it’s about having fewer weaknesses than it is about having a ton of strengths. And the situation at Tennessee kind of opens up for it because they had the whole situation with Nico.