Happy Monday and welcome back to another edition of The Athletic’s prep quarterback report, featuring the top QBs in the Class of 2023. The early signing period is quickly approaching, but for now, all eyes are on high school playoffs. Let’s dive in.
Arch Manning
School: New Orleans Isidore Newman
Committed to: Texas
Ranking: No. 1 nationally, No. 1 QB (247Sports Composite)
Newman earned a first-round bye in the playoffs and returned to action Friday night against Sophie B. Wright High School, also of New Orleans. The Greenies had no issues, cruising to a 57-19 victory, and Manning played just one series in the second half. The future Texas quarterback was particularly effective with the deep ball. He has yet to throw an interception all season.
Arch Manning starting the playoffs on 🔥
54-yard TD to Anthony Thomas
54-yard DROP IN THE BUCKET to Peter Loop who steps out at the 5
1st play of 2nd quarter- Manning scores on the keeper
2:28 left in 2nd Quarter
Newman leads Sophie B. Wright 28-7 pic.twitter.com/lIU4q3k2uB— Varsity Sports Now (@VSNLouisiana) November 19, 2022
Arch Manning and Newman strike again
This time @ArchManning hits Anthony Thomas for the 45-yard TD. Excellent pass and catch!
Newman 44-13 late 3rd vs Sophie B. Wright
Division III Select Regionals pic.twitter.com/reaBilkMoz— Varsity Sports Now (@VSNLouisiana) November 19, 2022
He also had a new left tackle this week: his younger brother, Heid.
“It’s kind of a neat story,” said Newman coach Nelson Stewart, explaining that Heid, a junior, is typically a guard and the team’s backup center. “Big Brett Bordelon — he’s kind of our big, (Class of 2025) four-star, 6-foot-6 tackle — was out. So we were able to move Heid outside and he played a great game. And I guess it’s fitting that he’s protecting his brother’s blind side. I know he enjoyed that.”
Next up, the Greenies host University Lab on Friday — a team Stewart said is “arguably as good if not the best team” Newman has seen all year. University Lab won the Division II state championship a season ago but moved to Division III this season. The Cubs are led by four-star linebacker Jaiden Ausberry, who committed to Notre Dame in August, and four-star athlete Keylan Moses, a 2025 LSU commit who is the younger brother of former Alabama linebacker Dylan Moses.
A win Friday would put the Greenies in the semifinals.
“I think the good thing is we’ve played such a tough schedule. We’ve done it with the intent that if this moment came, your kids would be ready, physically and mentally,” Stewart said. “(Manning) is really playing free, for lack of a better word. … You just feel like he has total control. He has mastery of what we’re doing. He’s extending plays. It’s fun seeing him.”
Malachi Nelson
School: Los Alamitos (Calif.)
Committed to: USC
Ranking: No. 3 nationally, No. 2 QB
Nelson’s high school career came to a close Friday night when Los Alamitos fell 52-0 to Mater Dei in the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section playoffs. Nelson was sacked three times, according to The Orange County Register, including a second-quarter hit from Breland that ended the quarterback’s night. The newspaper reported that Nelson had a muscle spasm in his back but is expected to be OK. Meanwhile, Nelson’s top wide receiver and a fellow USC commit, Makai Lemon, has battled an ankle injury for several weeks and can also turn his attention toward getting healthy for the Trojans.
Mater Dei, a perennial powerhouse nationally, is littered with top talent, including four-star wide receiver Jeremiah McClure (UCLA), four-star linebacker Leviticus Su’a and three-star linebacker Tre Edwards (UCLA) from the Class of 2023.
The Monarchs are also loaded in the Class of 2024 with four-star quarterback Elijah Brown, four-star offensive tackle Brandon Baker, four-star defensive lineman Aydin Breland, four-star offensive lineman DeAndre Carter, four-star cornerback Zabien Brown, four-star athlete Nate Frazier, four-star cornerback Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins and three-star cornerback Isaiah Buxton.
24-0 Mater Dei at half v Los Al and Malachi Nelson hasn’t returned since this hit by Breland @ocvarsity pic.twitter.com/BiVGBv40SL
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) November 19, 2022
Los Alamitos finished the season 9-3 after starting 1-2. Griffins offensive coordinator TJ Fenton praised Nelson this season for his game management, pre-snap decisions and, of course, his big arm in the Air Raid offense. Fenton has high expectations for Nelson and Lemon, who have been best friends since elementary school, once they get to USC. Nelson is the presumed heir apparent to Heisman contender Caleb Williams.
“Just having that familiarity and that knowledge will allow them to obviously get really good reps in fall camp,” Fenton said earlier this season. “And hopefully win or move up on the depth chart early on in their college careers.”
Nico Iamaleava
School: Warren (Calif.)
Committed to: Tennessee
Ranking: No. 5 nationally, No. 3 QB
Iamaleava also saw his high school career come to an end earlier this month when Warren lost a heartbreaker to Sierra Canyon 22-21 on Nov. 4.
The Bears were down 14-13 at halftime, in part because of a blocked extra point. But Iamaleava connected with four-star 2024 wide receiver Jordan Ross for a 3-yard touchdown in the third quarter, then ran in the two-point conversion to give Warren a 21-14 lead. With under two minutes to play, Sierra Canyon scored the final touchdown of the night and converted the two-point conversion to win by a point.
Iamaleava turns his attention to Tennessee, where he will become the Vols’ highest-ranked quarterback signee in the modern recruiting era. The Vols won’t be playing in the College Football Playoff after Saturday night’s loss at South Carolina, but coach Josh Heuepel’s program should be in good hands with Iamaleava coming to town.
For one, Iamaleava’s arm is as advertised.
“He’s one of the most special players in the country,” Warren coach Kevin Pearson said this season.
Iamaleava should also be prepared for the physicality of SEC football.
“When he first started playing, he started playing rugby. So he likes to mix it up. He’s running guys over,” Pearson said. “Literally, he never, ever goes down on first contact. People think he’s a skinny guy, but although he’s fit, he’s not skinny. He’s strong as heck. That kid is strong.”
Dante Moore
School: Detroit Martin Luther King Jr.
Committed to: Oregon
Ranking: No. 8 nationally, No. 4 QB
Don’t look now, but after dropping consecutive games to close out the regular season, Moore’s Detroit King team is peaking at the perfect time and will play Muskegon for a shot at a second consecutive state championship this week. The Crusaders clobbered Mason High School 52-17 on Saturday, delivering the Bulldogs their first loss of the season.
Moore went 17-of-25 passing for 330 yards and four touchdowns, which included a 46-yarder and a 42-yarder in the second quarter followed by a 37-yarder in the third quarter. Meanwhile, wide receiver Damon Stennis had four catches for 130 yards and a touchdown, and wide receiver/defensive back Jameel Croft caught three passes for 56 yards and a touchdown.
Detroit King 2023 QB Dante Moore (Oregon commit) played like he was the #1 QB in the country in their 52-17 win over Mason today.
Full game highlights are below 🔥‼️@dantemoore05 @DetKingFootball pic.twitter.com/9nmddRB5WW
— The D Zone (@TheD_Zone) November 20, 2022
After the game, Moore was asked about his status with Oregon after buzz generated earlier this month about a potential flip.
Detroit King 2023 QB Dante Moore (Oregon commit) on his commitment status to Oregon after rumors have swirled of him flipping to Michigan State.
👀@DetKingFootball @dantemoore05 pic.twitter.com/KJdQIfEiCa
— The D Zone (@TheD_Zone) November 19, 2022
“Let’s go, Ducks,” he said. “I’m locked in with Oregon.”
Jackson Arnold
School: Denton (Texas) Guyer
Committed to: Oklahoma
Ranking: No. 13 nationally, No. 5 QB
It remains to be seen how Arnold’s career at Oklahoma shakes out, but it’s hard to argue against just how prepared he will be. Arnold plays at the Class 6A level of Texas high school football and is 12-0 as the postseason heats up. His latest win: a 63-42 shootout over Highland Park of Dallas in which he scored six total touchdowns. The future Sooners quarterback continues to punish defenses through the air and on the ground, which has been the case all season.
It was a DOMINATING night for the soon-to-be Sooner! @_JacksonArnold_ takes the Jack in the Box Player of the Game after a stellar performance with 6 TOTAL TDs! 💪🙀@JackBox | @DentonGuyer_FB | @OU_Football | @uiltexas | #TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/9TFRZSttUB
— BallySportsTXHS (@BallySportsTXHS) November 19, 2022
“As far as how quickly he can help (OU), obviously I’m biased,” Guyer offensive coordinator Jordan Johnson said earlier this season. “I think that he’s a guy that his skill set will allow him to acclimate to the college game really fast.”
Guyer and Highland Park were tied at halftime, per The Dallas Morning News, before the Wildcats went on a 28-0 run in the second half to slam the door. The five-star Arnold finished 19-of-22 passing for 223 yards and two touchdowns, according to the newspaper, in addition to rushing for 110 yards and four touchdowns.
10:48, Q3 — Denton Guyer, hello.
Oklahoma pledge Jackson Arnold (@_JacksonArnold_) drops a dime to Landon Sides (@landon_sides) from 31 yards out to open the second half.
Guyer 35, Highland Park 28. @SportsDayHS #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/WLB2kpEuyo
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) November 19, 2022
While other states are wrapping up their postseasons, Texas is just getting started. Guyer plays Byron Nelson in the regional finals with a trip to the quarterfinals on the line. Semifinals are set for Dec. 8-10, with the state championship scheduled for Dec. 17.
Christopher Vizzina
School: Briarwood (Ala.) Christian
Committed to: Clemson
Ranking: No. 22 nationally, No. 6 QB
Vizzina’s season came to an end in late October with a 44-22 loss to Fairhope. It was a tough senior season for the Clemson commit, who dealt with injuries — to his supporting cast and himself — and finished the year 3-7.
Jaden Rashada
School: Pittsburg (Calif.)
Committed to: Florida
Ranking: No. 57 nationally, No. 7 QB
The four-star Rashada made national headlines earlier this month when he flipped his commitment from Miami to Florida late on the evening of Nov. 10. A person familiar with Rashada’s thinking said that it came down to his relationships with the Florida staff and his desire to play in the SEC — adding that there was a sense of relief once he made the decision.
Since then, Rashada has stayed busy with his high school season, which includes a date with Clayton Valley Charter this week in the playoffs. Pittsburg lost to De La Salle 30-23 in the section championship Friday for just its second loss of the season and first since September.
Jaden Rashada completes 74-yard drive with 7-yard TD run on 4D. Pirates close to 13-7 with 3:07 left in half. @PittHSFootball pic.twitter.com/rP6Cb2a7NV
— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) November 19, 2022
Clayton Valley Charter and Pittsburg squared off last season, with Pittsburg winning 28-14.
Eli Holstein
School: Zachary (La.)
Committed to: Alabama
Ranking: No. 69 nationally, No. 8 QB
Holstein and Zachary lost to Catholic High School of Baton Rouge earlier this month but bounced back with a 42-7 win against St. Amant in the first round of the playoffs on Nov. 11 and a 20-10 victory against West Monroe on Friday. The winner of Zachary’s matchup with Southside this week advances to the semifinals on Dec. 2 with the state championship set for Dec. 9.
Zachary won the Louisiana 5A state championship in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2021. Holstein was injured midway through the season but has since returned in his quest to win one more title.
He was 11-of-22 passing for 197 yards and two touchdowns against West Monroe, per his team’s Hudl page, and ran seven times for 78 yards and a score. Check out his 35-yard touchdown run on this video. He also hit wide receiver Tyson George for a 78-yard catch-and-run touchdown on fourth-and-8.
Not missing that opportunity‼️
Eli Holstein. Tyson George.
79 yards. 7 points (w XP).
Zachary leads. https://t.co/eqEUtzgqmT pic.twitter.com/7twr7MlN9t
— Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) November 19, 2022
Dylan Lonergan
School: Brookwood (Ga.)
Committed to: Alabama
Ranking: No. 84 nationally, No. 9 QB
Lonergan’s season ended Nov. 12 with a loss to Harrison in the playoffs. Lonergan was out with an injury, per the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and Brookwood fell 21-17.
It was a tough season for the Broncos, who consistently dealt with injuries and youth en route to a 6-5 record. Lonergan’s coach, Philip Jones, raved about his quarterback earlier this season for his ability to stay in the moment even when he knew he’d soon be heading to coach Nick Saban’s program. Now Lonergan can turn his sights toward the Crimson Tide as he looks to compete for a role as a freshman in addition to playing for the baseball team.
“He can make any throw that he needs to make,” Brookwood offensive coordinator PJ Katz said earlier this season. “What he understands is, ‘When do I need to put touch on it? When do I need to put air on it?’ All those things — his experience and his ability — has led to very catchable balls. Everything is a catchable pass.
“He has that instinctual ability to know what to do with the ball.”
JJ Kohl
School: Ankeny (Iowa)
Committed to: Iowa State
Ranking: No. 98 nationally, No. 10 QB
Kohl’s Ankeny team lost to Johnston 23-13 on Nov. 4 in the second round of the playoffs, meaning he’s closer to starting his college career as an early enrollee at Iowa State.
His high school coach, Rick Nelson, pushed him this season when it came to going through his progressions and making all of his reads, which should help prepare Kohl at the next level. Earlier this season, Nelson described Kohl as a pure dropback quarterback who can keep defenses on their toes with his legs, as well.
Iowa State probably won’t have him run too much — he’s 6-foot-7, 230 pounds after all — but has the flexibility if it wants to. As for why Kohl picked the Cyclones?
“I just think he is close to home. It’s 20 minutes from us and he loved the coaches,” Nelson said. “Like their offense. But I just think it was the people.”
Spotlight
Arnold isn’t the only Texas quarterback making noise in the playoffs. On the other side of the bracket, Baylor-bound Austin Novosad has his Dripping Springs team in the regional finals after a 56-28 blowout victory against Brandeis. Novosad had a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter for the first touchdown of the day, then linked up with wide receiver Garon Duncan for touchdown passes of 11, 26, 23 and 48 yards to give Dripping Springs a 42-0 lead at halftime. Novosad is the nation’s No. 121 prospect and No. 12 quarterback in the 247Sports Composite.
ON HIS HEAD @Austin2novosad ➡️ @GaronDuncan 21-0 (2Q, 11:30) @DSFBTPD #uilplayoffs pic.twitter.com/GER7myy4sm
— FLX ATX (@FlxAtx) November 19, 2022
Novosad + Duncan, 4th TD, still 2Q 🫥🫥 #newdrip #uilplayoffs @DSFBTPD pic.twitter.com/3Q37B0cjNg
— FLX ATX (@FlxAtx) November 19, 2022
Dripping Springs, which won its first-round game by 55 points and its second by 28, plays Harlingen on Friday.
(Photo of Arch Manning: Chris Graythen / Getty Images)
