Colorado's Top 25 Quarterbacks Heading Into the 2026 Season

The most complete quarterback prospect in the state and it's not particularly close right now. Marquise Reese led all of Colorado in passing yards (3,314) and total yards (3,778) as a junior, earned CHSAA/MaxPreps All-State First Team honors, and did it all while executing a mid-career mechanical overhaul that added approximately 2 RPS of spin rate and roughly 10 MPH of velocity to his delivery. That's not something that just happens. That's a kid who diagnosed his own deficiencies, rebuilt his throwing mechanics to a rotational delivery, and then went out and threw 44 touchdowns. The football IQ required to self-correct like that is genuinely rare.

At 6'3" 200 with a 34-inch vertical, he has the prototypical frame college programs draw up on whiteboards. Full-field arm talent that covers every route on the tree. True dual-threat capability at 5.3 yards per carry without abandoning the pocket prematurely. Engineered a game-winning two-minute drive in his first varsity start against Liberty (CA), finishing that game with 415 passing yards and 5 touchdowns. Multiple D1 offers validate what the film already screams: this is a scholarship-level quarterback who hasn't reached his ceiling yet.

Probably the most bizarre storyline of any quarterback we have ever covered, and we've covered a lot of quarterbacks. Jackson Craig is a pure arm-talent prospect whose measurables don't make sense. 14.9 RPS spin rate (highest measured in the state). 56 MPH ball velocity at the US Army Bowl (highest of any QB present). 70 yards in the air. Those numbers grade out at the college level right now.

The CHSAA transfer eligibility situation killed his junior season, and the stat sheet reflects that. But here's the thing: IMG Academy offered him a starting role. CSU was actively recruiting him before the staff turned over. A Missouri scout called his external rotation "the best I've ever seen." His 7v7 team won the Colorado State championship at Canvas Field while he completed 96% of his attempts, and took 6th at Red Zone nationals. He routinely makes throws that are physically impossible for most human beings and seems to enjoy playing mind games with safeties and linebackers while doing it.

The best pure passer we have seen in 10 years covering high school football. Walks into camps unknown and walks out as a prospect. Every single time.

Ki Ellison is one of the most fun players to watch in the entire state, and we will die on that hill. Two-year varsity starter who improved from 2,873 yards and 27 touchdowns as a sophomore to 2,964 yards and 35 touchdowns as a junior while tightening his TD-to-INT ratio from 3.4:1 to an absurd 5.8:1. Career 66.8% completion rate over 494 attempts across 25 varsity games. That's not a small-sample anomaly. That's sustained, high-volume accuracy against 5A competition.

One of the hardest throwers in Colorado with verified elite spin rate (second-highest among QBs measured by PRZ). Legitimate dual-threat ability at 6.0 yards per carry. Exceptional off-platform throwing ability that maintains accuracy while moving laterally on broken plays. Led Fairview deep into the 5A playoffs against competitive classification opponents. If you haven't seen him throw an 86-yard touchdown bomb yet, go find it. Won CSU's Air Raid camp over Jackson Craig and Cash Williams with a 30-yard crossbar throw in a sudden-death shootout. We enjoy watching him play. A lot.

Cash Williams is the ultimate definition of a gunslinger. He has a cannon and is not afraid to use it. Two-year varsity starter who made a significant production jump from 1,393 passing yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore to 2,108 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior, a 51% yardage increase that shows a clear developmental trajectory. 4,400+ career total yards with 39 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns through two varsity seasons at the 5A level.

Verified speed (11.1 100m) makes him a legitimate dual-threat who can stress defenses through the air and on the ground. Strong arm talent with a clean, effortless release. Drives the ball downfield with consistent velocity and demonstrates the ability to layer throws over linebackers with touch. Year-round training at Landow Performance and work with former D-I offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild show serious developmental commitment and coachability. A physically gifted quarterback with championship experience and a high developmental floor heading into a pivotal senior campaign.

A fascinating developmental prospect and one of the more unique profiles in the class. Elite 6'4" height with a projectable frame. Three-phase starter at QB, cornerback, and punter, because when you're the best athlete at a small school you just do everything. Three-year track record of productive passing: 363-for-584 (62.2%), 5,270 career yards, 57 touchdowns. Completion percentage jumped from 61.7% as a sophomore to 66.5% as a junior while maintaining a 3:1 TD-to-INT ratio.

The multi-sport athleticism is confirmed by All-State basketball production (19.9 ppg at small forward), which validates the hand-eye coordination, body control, and competitive drive. Named Colorado 2A First-Team All-State QB as a sophomore. Six interceptions and 38 tackles as a junior cornerback show he reads routes and locates the ball with length. His versatility across all three phases of the game speaks to a football IQ and competitive toughness that college coaches covet. The frame and ball skills also leave the door open for multiple positions at the next level, which only increases his value.

Left-handed. Prototypical 6'3" 200 frame. Tight, compact release with a consistent tight spiral. 72.1% completion rate with 9 touchdowns and zero interceptions. On a 13-0 5A state finalist. If you're reading those numbers and thinking "wait, what?" ... yeah, us too.

Gabler backed up All-State QB Zeke Andrews on a powerhouse Ralston Valley program, so the limited reps are entirely contextual. What he did with those reps was spectacular. Elite efficiency and outstanding ball security. Demonstrated ability to process half-field reads, consistently delivering to the correct receiver in high-low concepts on film. Legitimate dual-threat ability at 7.2 yards per carry with acceleration when the play breaks down. Multi-sport athlete with multiple Player of the Game honors in basketball showing competitive drive and coordination. The tools-and-ceiling combination here is tantalizing. A full senior season as the starter is going to tell us a lot.

The best physical frame in the class. Period. 6'5" 205 with a live arm, good mobility for his size, and strong camp evaluations from Colorado-based scouts. Height puts him in the top percentile of prep QB measurables nationally. Has added 20+ lbs over the past year, showing commitment to the weight room.

Developed behind Dawson Olk at Valor Christian for two years, absorbing a high-level program's offensive system and practice environment during formative development years. Junior season game film as the starting signal-caller at ThunderRidge (5A) shows reps against quality competition including Valor Christian, Regis Jesuit, Rock Canyon, and Castle View. Upward trajectory noted in scouting circles heading into senior year. When you combine that frame with legitimate arm talent and mobility, you're talking about a prospect who could push into FBS offer territory very quickly with a breakout senior campaign. Size like that doesn't grow on trees.

The definition of a sleeper. Anacleto is a mechanically polished pocket passer with a clean, compact release and minimal wasted motion who posted one of the most impressive TD-to-INT ratios in the entire class: 18 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions. That's a 6:1 ratio. From a junior. Playing 4A football. While earning Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Demonstrates anticipatory ball placement, consistently hitting receivers in stride on intermediate and deep routes rather than throwing to spots. Very good pocket presence with subtle mobility, climbing the pocket effectively under pressure and keeping eyes downfield. Legitimate size at 6'2" 195 with a projectable frame. Scout evaluations praise his mechanics, release, ball placement, and pocket presence. The kind of anticipatory timing he shows on film is genuinely difficult to teach. This is the guy college coaches are going to kick themselves for not finding sooner. Camp season is going to be very interesting for Anacleto.

Led Pomona to a Colorado 3A state championship as a junior. 33 total touchdowns. 1,868 passing yards and 479 rushing yards at 7.6 yards per carry. Those are video-game numbers from a kid with a college-ready body.

The development curve is what jumps out. Jumped from 843 passing yards and 8 touchdowns as a sophomore to nearly doubling output across the board as a junior. That kind of year-over-year leap signals real coachability and accelerating growth. Threw zero interceptions on 103 attempts as a sophomore, showing the decision-making foundation was already there before the physical tools caught up. Legitimate dual-threat ability on film with the skill to manipulate blockers in designed run schemes and accelerate through open gaps with burst. Three-sport athlete with natural coordination and movement skills. At 6'2" 205, the frame is already college-ready with room to grow. State championship ring on his finger. What's not to like?

The arm-and-frame combination is legitimately exciting. Brody Hopwood stands 6'4" with a long, projectable build and scout-verified arm talent that includes very good throw power with a clean release, consistent deep-ball accuracy, and above-average ball placement on all three levels of the field. The deep ball is beautiful. Like, genuinely beautiful. Go find the film.

Major junior-year leap: 2,372 yards, 23 touchdowns, 61.5% completion, 112.8 passer rating. Meaningful year-over-year statistical growth showing strong coachability and an ascending development trajectory. 4.25 GPA makes him an academically elite, immediate qualifier with zero eligibility concerns. Multi-sport varsity athlete in basketball and track and field, which carries over translatable foot quickness and hand-eye coordination. A sibling played college football at USF as a defensive back, so there's athletic DNA in the family. The production is real, the tools are real, and the ceiling is enormous once the body fills out.

37 total touchdowns. Pikes Peak League MVP. Colorado All-State Honorable Mention. Academic All-State with a 4.27 GPA. And he did all of this as a first-year starting quarterback with a running back's mentality.

Grady Feeney is a physical, downhill runner who came to the quarterback position from running back, and you can see it on every carry. Runs behind his pads, seeks contact, and finishes plays with physicality. 976 rushing yards on 197 carries at 5.0 yards per carry with 15 rushing touchdowns. Denver Post highlighted him as "the engine powering the Durango offense" in their statewide playoff preview, and that's exactly what he is. Quick feet in the pocket, comfortable working route concepts, and a 120.4 passer rating with only 4 interceptions through the air. Led Durango deep into the 4A state playoffs. Came back from wrist and elbow surgery on his throwing arm during freshman year, which tells you everything about his competitive toughness. Class Vice President, FCA leader, and the kind of high-character kid every program wants in its building.

Best raw size with significant production. Transferred from Fairview to Monarch, learned a new playbook in three weeks, earned the starting job, and threw 18 touchdowns. 4A North 1 All-Conference. 59-yard pass against Broomfield, 51-yard TD against Silver Creek. Excellent ability to throw on the run. A full senior season in the same system should unlock another gear.

The trajectory is the story. Nearly cut his interception total in half while more than doubling his touchdown output from sophomore to junior year. Completion rate climbed from 53.9% to 60.2%. Rushing went from 3.4 YPC to a dangerous 7.3 YPC. Prep Redzone called him an "Under The Radar Stud" and "1 Year Away From a Blow-Up." 3.8 GPA.

27 total touchdowns as a first-year starter on a 10-3 5A team ranked 9th in the state. Very good throw power, touch, and ball placement per Prep Redzone. 5.8 YPC on 70 rushing attempts confirms legitimate dual-threat ability. Led Erie to a playoff win over Regis Jesuit. Projectable 6'3" frame could carry 210+ at maturity.

Three-year varsity starter since freshman year in 5A. Kyler Murray comparisons from Prep Redzone scouts for his off-platform throwing and scramble instincts. Quick release, tight spiral, very good throw power. 245 bench, 415 squat at 191 lbs. Two-way contributor at free safety. 3.9 GPA. Three-sport athlete. Three years of reading varsity defenses is an experience edge you cannot replicate.

The ultimate projection play. 6'4" 200-lb left-handed QB behind Brady Vodicka at back-to-back state champion Cherry Creek. Left-handed release creates schematic advantages on rollouts and boot-action. Led consecutive undefeated sub-varsity campaigns. Two-sport athlete (lefty pitcher/1B in baseball). The senior season as presumptive starter at Colorado's premier program will be the ultimate proving ground.

4,452 career total yards and 47 total touchdowns. Completion rate jumped from 50.7% to 59.3%. Excellent scramble ability at 5.7 career YPC with 17 rushing TDs. 405 squat, 215 bench at 175 lbs. 4.53 GPA. The combination of production, athleticism, and academics makes him a program-builder at the next level.

The biggest "what if" in this class. 72.2% completion. 130.8 passer rating. 10.6 YPC. On a back-to-back 4A state finalist. In only 4 games before injury. Wilson QBX camp data shows strong velocity and spin rate. Beautiful mechanics praised by Prep Redzone. 3.85 GPA. A healthy senior season could change everything.

Intercepted 4 passes at free safety while throwing 10 touchdowns at QB. 4.72 forty, 33.6" vertical, 350 squat. Started playing tackle football as a freshman, earned a varsity starting role by junior season. 3.8 GPA, National Honor Society. Zero fumbles lost in 11 junior games. Two-way ability at 6'2" 190 is rare.

Consistent two-year 5A producer. Very good flick-of-the-wrist release with no wasted motion, very good accuracy on the run per Prep Redzone. 225 bench, 320 squat. Featured in "Next Level Bound? 2027 Players With Division I Tools." 88-yard catch-and-run connection showcased deep-ball touch.

17 touchdowns and 1 interception. 138.9 passer rating. The ball security and decision-making are elite for any classification. First Team All-Conference. Led Forge Christian to a conference championship. 73-yard longest completion. Featured in MaxPreps "Top players have small-school football teams title hunting." Smart players find ways to play at the next level.

Solid junior efficiency at 60% completion with 12 touchdowns and a 112.2 passer rating. 15 total touchdowns against 4A competition. One of the quieter profiles in this class, but the numbers speak for themselves. We want to see more data, more film, and more camp exposure, because the statistical profile warrants a closer look.

4A All-State. First Team All-Conference. 2,254 total yards and 19 touchdowns. 900 rushing yards at 7.4 YPC with 9 rushing TDs. Two-sport varsity athlete (basketball PG). 325 bench, 375 squat, 375 deadlift. Named to Prep Redzone's "Under the Radar Playmakers" list.

Legitimate arm talent with an elite deep ball. Very good mental processing, going through progressions quickly. Quick release with a tight spiral. Named to Denver Post's 101 Impact Players to Watch, Coloradoan's Class of 2027 Watch List, and Prep Redzone 2027 Watch List. The deep-ball arm talent is genuine, and senior year is the proving ground.

The most dangerous runner at the quarterback position in Colorado. Period. 3,171 career rushing yards with 50 career rushing TDs in 30 games. 11.37 100m, 21-foot long jump. All 3A Southern League Offensive Player of the Year. D60 Offensive MVP. Upset #2-ranked Holy Family. When he has the ball, you hold your breath. Every single time.