Alabama’s top high school football quarterbacks: Meet the best QBs in 6A

Leading up to the 2025 season, AL.com is highlighting the top high school football players in Alabama.

Our first statewide list focused on the best running backs in 6A, our second list focused on the best defensive linemen in 6A, our third list focused on the best wide receivers in 6A, our fourth list focused on the best tight ends in 6A, and our fifth list focused on the best linebackers in 6A. Our sixth list focuses on the best quarterbacks in 6A.

We contacted coaches across the state and asked them to fill out a survey requesting information about their team. These lists were compiled primarily based on the information provided by the coaches who chose to respond.

If you are an Alabama high school football coach who did not receive the survey, email jhumburg@advancelocal.com or bthomas@al.com. We will continue to add to these lists throughout the summer.

BEST QUARTERBACKS, ALABAMA 6A

Brock Bradley, sr., Spain Park

Bradley passed for 2,667 yards and 32 touchdowns (only five interceptions) as a junior en route to first-team Birmingham News all-region accolades and honorable mention all-state from the Alabama Sports Writers Association. He added six touchdowns on the ground as the Jaguars rolled to the 6A quarterfinals. “He makes us go,” Spain Park coach Tim Vakakes said. Bradley committed to Clemson last summer. He said his strengths as a quarterback include his accuracy, leadership, decision-making and poise — or “staying calm when bullets are flying,” in Bradley’s words. He added that he’s been working on making quicker reads and playing faster; the Jaguars have increased their scoring average each year since 2022, and Bradley said he thinks they can make a further jump in that category this season.

Kaleb Carson, sr., Homewood

“Kaleb is the best all-around athlete in our school,” Patriots coach Ben Berguson said. Carson will take over this season as the team’s full-time starting quarterback. As a junior, he totaled 17 touchdowns — eight passing, eight rushing, one receiving. In Homewood’s playoff game against Fort Payne last fall, Carson accounted for 440 of the Patriots’ 500 yards of offense. “He is very good at adapting to different situations,” Berguson said. “He picks up schemes quickly, often demonstrating a high-level understanding of timing, coverage tendencies and situational awareness.” He demonstrates a similar vision and awareness on the basketball court — Carson is a top college recruit as a point guard.

Kade Clemmons, sr., Muscle Shoals

Clemmons passed for nearly 2,000 yards last season and had 350 more yards on the ground. He had 20 touchdown passes and was intercepted only twice. “I believe my greatest strengths as a quarterback are my ability to move within the pocket, escape pressure when necessary, and make accurate throws on the run,” he said. “I’m confident in my deep ball and take pride in making big-time throws when the opportunity presents itself.” He said he’s been focused this offseason on improving his touch and overall accuracy and is excited for whatever his senior season holds. “As a team, we’re built on faith, brotherhood and trust in one another — and I believe that foundation will take us far,” Clemmons said.

Hayden Coley, sr., Baldwin County

As he enters his final high school season, Coley is leaving nothing to chance. “I have been working hard this offseason on ‘playing the game in my head,’ as my offensive coordinator would say,” he said. “Having a better understanding of what the defense is doing before the snap has helped me to play with a lot more confidence and speed.” Coley also has gained more than 20 pounds and reduced his 40-yard dash time from 5.1 seconds to 4.8. He said he has big expectations for the Tigers this season, but his top priority is leaving the program in a positive place. “I have big football-related goals for the team this year because I know what we are capable of,” Coley said. “But my main goal for this season is to create a culture that will last after I’m gone.”

Nate Ferguson, sr., Helena

Huskies coach Richie Busby describes Ferguson as a true leader of the offense and a student of the game. Ferguson also is an exceptional student in the classroom, as his 4.2 GPA would attest. “I feel that I am a tough, hard-nosed QB that can make plays with both my arm and legs,” Ferguson said. “I lead by example and am fully committed to helping my brothers and coaches be successful.” Ferguson said he’s spent countless hours this offseason working with his receivers and running backs to perfect their timing and chemistry. “My goals for the upcoming season are all about focusing on the success of the Helena Huskies football team,” Ferguson said. “We want to leave everything on the field on Friday nights, win the region and make a huge push in the state playoffs.”

Kai Franklin, sr., Gadsden City

Franklin passed for 2,207 yards and 22 touchdowns last season and was intercepted only two times. Asked about his biggest strengths as a quarterback, Franklin mentioned three things. First is his poise in the backfield and his knack for staying calm under pressure. Next is his playmaking ability. “I like being able to make something out of nothing and give our team second opportunities,” he said. Third, his IQ. “When it comes to knowing what is going on, what the defense is doing, I think that’s what helps me be poised and calm most of the time,” he said. As a junior, Franklin set Titans program records for pass attempts, completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns. He’s also a star guard for the Gadsden City boys basketball team. But here’s the most impressive thing about him — his GPA is 4.8.

Rico Freeman, sr., Pinson Valley

Freeman has played quarterback and wide receiver for Pinson Valley. His yards-after-catch ability is part of what makes him successful when he’s behind center. “I would say Rico’s strengths are definitely his ability to scramble and make defenders miss as well as his incredible arm strength,” Pinson Valley senior wide receiver Christian Thomas said. “His game is definitely wild and unexpected but in a positive way. He makes plays that we didn’t think were possible.” As a junior, Freeman threw for 823 yards and eight touchdowns, rushed for 588 yards and four scores, and had 215 yards and a touchdown receiving. He received honorable mention all-region from the Birmingham News. “My favorite thing about Rico is his positivity and his unselfishness, as he always puts the team first,” Thomas said. “He gives everything he has to this team every Friday night, and I couldn’t ask for a better teammate.”

Aaron Frye, sr., Clay-Chalkville

Frye is a do-it-all quarterback who received all-region honorable mention from the Birmingham News after a junior season in which he passed for nearly 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for nearly 600 yards and seven scores. “I feel like my strengths are being able to extend plays but also having my eyes in the right spots to get the ball out on time and being a big part in the run game also,” he said. Frye intends to continue playing football after his senior season with the Cougars — he hasn’t picked a college, but he has numerous Division I offers, and he said his plan is to enroll in January.

Brody Gossett, jr., Pell City

Gossett is a guard for the Panthers’ boys basketball team and a dual-threat quarterback for the football team who also has played wide receiver. He accounted for nearly 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore. Gossett, who excels in the play-action game, said he’s been working to improve his footwork this offseason. “If you have good feet, you will be a good QB,” he said.

Blake Griggs, sr., Fort Payne

Griggs is a two-year starter at wide receiver who is taking over at quarterback this season from the graduated Dax Varnadore. He said he thinks his experience as a wideout will help him be successful at the new position. “I think my skill of being able to find open grass and windows as a wide receiver will benefit me in several ways,” he said. “For example, being able to be on the same page as my guys running routes this year.” He said he’s spent the offseason working on how to read a defense and learning about all the key details that come with quarterbacking. Griggs also is a standout baseball player who hit for the cycle in the Wildcats’ first-round playoff win against Muscle Shoals.

Jud Harris, jr., Gulf Shores

“Controlled chaos.” That’s how Harris describes his play as a quarterback. “Regardless of how the game is going, I am in the driver seat, and it’s always next-play mindset,” he said. Harris has started since his freshman season, when he led the Dolphins to a 15-0 record and the 5A state championship. He said he’s been working this offseason on picking up the blitz and getting the ball off with a quick release. Harris is a 4.0 student and a top prospect on the baseball diamond. “I would recommend being a multisport athlete to anyone,” he said. “It has improved my arm strength and athleticism overall drastically.”

Cayden Hofbauer, sr., Mountain Brook

Hofbauer is the epitome of a dual-threat quarterback. “He is one of the fastest guys I have ever seen — and there is plenty of film to prove it,” Spartans senior center Rocco Gray said. As a junior, Hofbauer passed for 1,116 yards and 10 touchdowns, and he added 633 yards rushing. In the winter, he was a part of Mountain Brook’s state-champion 4×400-meter relay indoor track team. According to Gray, Hofbauer is even more impressive as a teammate. “He has a great work ethic and truly cares about the game and the success of the team,” Gray said. “There’s not anyone else I would rather have catching my snaps and to be protecting.”

Crishon Overton, sr., Theodore

An injury to the Bobcats’ starting quarterback gave Overton, previously a wide receiver, an opportunity to take over behind center as a sophomore, and he hasn’t looked back. One of the highlight-reel plays of the past several seasons in Alabama high school football is Overton’s 35-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to JJ Bush as time expired to give Theodore a stunning 16-14 victory at Gulf Shores last October. “He is smart and has great IQ of the game,” Bobcats junior running back Kendrick Able Jr. said. “He knows everyone’s job and can make adjustments efficiently.” Able said Overton also is the commanding presence every team hopes to have at the quarterback position. “He is hands-down a great leader,” Able said. “He takes accountability for everything without hesitation — even when it’s not his fault.”

Justin Patton, sr., McAdory

Carter Feagin is a highly recruited wide receiver for the Yellowjackets in the class of 2027. He points out that Patton helps make his job easier. “He always puts the ball in places his receivers can make plays,” Feagin said. Patton threw for 1,760 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior. In March, he stood out as one of the top performers at the Polynesian Bowl Combine in Las Vegas. Feagin said 2025 should be Patton’s best season yet. “He has a strong arm and can make just about any pass on the field,” Feagin said. “He’s a smart player and is always poised in the pocket and never lets one play get to him. He’s also mobile when he has to be, which is an underrated part of his game.”

Jaedyn Powell, sr., Hueytown

Powell is entering his first season as the starting quarterback, but he played several meaningful snaps for the Golden Gophers last year. “He has a strong arm and can make every throw,” Hueytown coach Greg Patterson said. “He is a smart young man who brings a great approach during meetings and on the field. Jaedyn is a great leader for our team.” Powell is coming off a standout performance in the Golden Gophers’ spring game.

Kingston Preyear, so., Benjamin Russell

His sophomore year hasn’t started, and Preyear already is a two-time state champion on the football field. He won in 4A and 5A the past two seasons with Montgomery Catholic, and he’ll try to add a 6A crown after transferring to Benjamin Russell. As a Knights freshman, Preyear completed 70 percent of his pass attempts for 1,787 yards and 20 touchdowns (only two interceptions) for the top-ranked offense in 5A. This year? “The sky’s the limit,” Wildcats coach Kirk Johnson said. At 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Preyear’s frame makes him the prototypical quarterback for college scouts. He has offers from Florida International, Georgia State, Houston, Mississippi, Purdue and Troy. He also has the intangibles coaches at every level want in their signal-caller. “My role on the team is to lead at all times, on and off the field,” Preyear said.

Dylan Reese, sr., Parker

As a junior, Reese threw for 1,876 yards and 14 touchdowns and led the Thundering Herd to the 6A state championship. It can’t get any better than that, right? Wrong — Reese has put himself in position to have an even better season in 2025. “I’ve been focused on getting stronger without putting on bad weight,” he said. “I’ve worked a lot on footwork, film study and my deep ball placement. I’m also building chemistry with my receivers — timing and trust are everything.” The improvements were on display during the team’s spring game against Carver Montgomery, when Reese passed for 226 yards and five touchdowns in one half of action. Reese said he takes pride in his ability to stay calm under pressure and make smart decisions with the ball. “He has a great arm, but he will run over you if he has to,” Parker senior running back Chancellor Sparks said. “He is also a high-IQ player and one of the leaders for our team.”

Bryson Riggins, sr., Russell County

Warriors coach Dillon Griggs can’t say enough about his star quarterback. “Leader of the team. Bryson is great at everything that he can control,” Griggs said. “He is the most consistent player I’ve ever been around. I’ve never seen a high school QB with a higher football IQ. He always keeps us in good situations.” As a junior, Riggins threw for a 6A-best 3,251 yards and 40 touchdowns, including an ASHAA record-tying nine touchdown passes in one game. He received honorable mention all-state by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Here’s the scary part for opponents: Riggins might be even better in 2025. “This offseason I have been working on adding a couple of pounds, adding more tools to my bag and finding more ways to be the best version of myself for my team,” Riggins said, adding that his personal goals for his senior season are to pass for 4,000 yards and 50 touchdowns.

Jamison Roberts, jr., Saraland

KJ Lacey was the Alabama Sports Writers Association first-team all-state quarterback last year after leading Saraland to the 6A championship game for the third consecutive season. He won the state’s Mr. Football award and finished No. 2 in passing yards in AHSAA history. The first shot at replacing him goes to Roberts, and the Spartans already know he’s up to the challenge — Roberts filled in admirably at times when Lacey couldn’t play. “Jamison is a leader and a competitor,” Saraland coach Jeff Kelly said. “He gained respect and confidence when he was forced to lead the team last year due to an injury with Lacey.” Roberts has six Division I offers, including from North Alabama, South Alabama and Troy. Kelly said Roberts can make all the throws. “He’s just a great athlete,” Kelly added. “He is ready to take the reins of the Spartan offense, and I expect him to be a dominant player.”

Aaden Shamburger, sr., Spanish Fort

Shamburger is a two-year starter for the Toros who has accounted for 36 touchdowns in high school. He said his strengths as a quarterback “are being able to extend plays when the pocket collapses and using my running ability when I have to.” He’s been working with his quarterbacks coach, David Morris, this offseason to improve his accuracy. “Aaden has really grown as a leader and at the QB position overall,” Spanish Fort coach Chase Smith said. “We’re looking for big things from him this season.” Shamburger committed to South Alabama in June.

Vernon “VJ” Slaughter, jr., Bessemer City

Slaughter had to sit and watch after transferring from Jackson-Olin midway through his sophomore season. But now? “He’ll be The Man for us this year,” Tigers coach Antonio Nelson said. Nelson describes the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Slaughter as a pro-style quarterback. “Strong-armed kid,” Nelson said. “He can really sling it.” The coach also lauds Slaughter’s leadership abilities. “Kids cling to him on the offensive side of the ball,” Nelson said. “He’s a great and wonderful young man. You can talk to him, he’ll talk ball with you. He loves it.”

Dylan Smith, jr., Pelham

Smith started as a sophomore and, in the words of Panthers coach Ross Newton, “showed his toughness and had plenty of learning experiences.” The coach thinks those lessons will pay off for Smith in 2025. “He is surrounded by weapons, and in this new system, he could have a breakout year if he can get the ball in all the playmakers’ hands,” Newton said. Smith’s teammates also see the potential. “Dylan is as cool as they come at QB,” Pelham senior linebacker Joe Hampton said. “He can make any throw on the field. He’ll win us a few games this year and be a top QB in 2027.” Smith is a standout catcher and infielder for the school’s baseball team.

Jordan Ward, sr., Calera

Ward joined the Eagles from Montevallo. As a junior, he passed for 1,672 yards, rushed for 1,328 yards and accounted for 23 touchdowns. He said he’s been spending the offseason working to build chemistry with his new teammates and preparing his arm to make at least twice the number of throws he made last season — the Bulldogs passed about 15 times per game, whereas Ward expects to make 30-40 attempts each game for Calera. “I’ve built so much chemistry with the guys on and off the field,” Ward said. “They trust me, and I trust them to make plays, and I definitely trust my line to protect me.”

For complete coverage of Alabama high school football, including schedules, scores, recruiting news and additional player spotlights, visit AL.com’s high school sports section throughout the season.