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Read more Crean Lutheran quarterback Caden Jones rides accuracy, chemistry to the top
Ranking the Top 10 quarterbacks in Orange County going into the 2026 high school football season:
TOP 10 QUARTERBACKS
1. Caden Jones, Crean Lutheran, Sr.: Jones returns after posting eye-popping numbers as a junior for the Saints, who won the the Epsilon League title. The Arizona commit was a first-team All-County selection as he completed 75 percent of his passes for 3,044 yards and 30 TDs. He was selected Epsilon League MVP and was intercepted only once — in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs. Jones (6-2, 180) features excellent mobility outside of the pocket. He knows how to buy extra time to complete passes and rushed for 261 yards last season. That agility can be a separating factor on Friday night.
2. Brady Edmunds, Huntington Beach, Sr.: The Elite 11 finalist and Ohio State commit possesses many of the physical attributes of a top high school passer. Edmunds has the size at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds. He has the arm strength to deliver the ball quickly all over the field. And he has the accuracy and spatial awareness to lead wide receivers with passes. Last season, Edmunds also showed improved mobility by scrambling outside of the pocket to set up long completions. He finished 2025 with 2,724 passing yards and 32 TDs. He was intercepted only twice.
3. Ayden Edwards, Tustin, Jr.: Edwards is arguably the county’s most improved quarterback. He continued to progress last season as he completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,079 yards and 21 TDs. Rivals/On3 ranks him as Orange County’s top quarterback recruit in the Class of 2028.
4. Sam Thomson, Edison, Sr.: Experienced, accurate and surging. Those are among the descriptions for Thomson. The left-handed passer has been starting since his freshman year and owns a career completion percentage of 62. Last season, Thomson set career-highs for passing yards (2,120 yards) and touchdowns (18). He highlighted his offseason by leading Edison to the finals of the Brave 8 and the semifinals of the Battle at the Beach.
5. Star Thomas III, Orange, Jr.: Thomas’ stock continues to rise after a superb 2025 and offseason. Last fall, the dual-threat QB racked up an Orange County-leading 4,146 yards of total offense. The Foxtrot League co-MVP passed for 3,332 yards and 27 TDs and rushed for 814 yards and six scores. In the offseason, Thomas (6-0, 195) led the Panthers to passing tournament titles at Arcadia and Los Osos, and he received offers from Syracuse and UNLV.
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6. Jack Hurst, Laguna Beach, Sr.: Hurst (6-4, 195) appears set for another stellar campaign. After completing 66 percent of his passes last season for 2,973 yards and a school-record 45 TDs, he has his top three receivers returning. Hurst, the reigning co-MVP in the Foxtrot League with Star Thomas III, is a pocket passer with good vision and the ability to sense pressure.
7. DJ Mitchell Jr., La Habra, Sr.: The Cal Poly SLO commit passed for 2,678 yards and 30 TDs and he rushed for 768 yards and 13 scores last season as he helped the Highlanders win the CIF-SS Division 4 crown. If the dual-threat quarterback improves his completion percentage, watch out because he possesses several physical gifts.
8. Matthew Smith, Santa Margarita, Sr.: The transfer from Villa Park is coming off a strong summer. Smith (6-0, 190) committed to Vanderbilt and earned QB MVP at an Under Armour All-America Game camp in Hawaii. He also helped Santa Margarita place second in the South County Classic passing tournament. Smith features a live and accurate arm. He completed 69 percent of his passes for 1,006 yards last season after observing the sit-out period for transfers. Smith split time junior Fletch Palmer in summer passing tournaments.
9. Talon Spencer, Capistrano Valley, Sr.: Spencer is a dual-threat quarterback who is committed to Cal for baseball. Last season, he passed for 1,360 yards and 21 TDs and rushed for a team-high 611 yards and 11 TDs. Over the summer, Spencer (6-1, 180) helped the Cougars reach the semifinals of the South County Classic and the quarterfinals of the Battle at the Beach.
10T. Preston Beck, San Clemente, Jr.: Beck went 6-1 as a starter last season to help spark the Tritons’ run to the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game. He has been offered by BYU, Nevada and Colorado State.
10T. Russell Sekona, Mater Dei, Jr.: Sekona (6-3, 230) is a transfer who played a key role in Leuzinger’s success the past two seasons. In 20 games for the Olympians, he completed 57 percent of his passes for 3,300 yards and 38 TDs. Two of those games were against Santa Margarita and JSerra, so that will help his transition to the Trinity League. Mater Dei coach Raul Lara said at the South County Classic that Sekona and senior Cameron Pooley will both play QB this season for the Monarchs.
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