Midlands Position Rankings: Quarterbacks

The Midseason Player-Position rankings are an updated version to our Top 100 List, broken down by position. As stated when the original rankings came out, the list would change throughout the season as the senior film came in and it certainly has changed. We will do one more revision in post season for the final position rankings.

The Quarterback class of 2023 in the Midlands is not deep, nor is it strong in terms of next level. There is not a single G5/P5 guy in this group, with the exception of Gilbert’s Chance Jennings and I don’t think he will be a quarterback at the next level. Saluda’s Jonah McCary is the best pure passer in this group. His size is going to hurt him in recruiting but he has the talent to play somewhere, probably as a DII guy. Brookland-Cayce’s Tanner Staton is a solid next level athlete, committed to Elon. Staton lacks stats this year because the Bearcats don’t have any dynamic receivers but he has a strong arm and can run, as well. My personal opinion is that he has a higher ceiling as an outside linebacker at the next level but we will see how his career plays out. AC Flora’s Carew Bates is a first year starter but he has put up excellent numbers this season. He’s a great athlete who is still learning the quarterback position. I feel he is talented enough to play quarterback at the next level, at least as an FCS talent, but he’s also a baseball player being recruited  there as well. Westwood’s Dylan O’Neal is a good dual threat guy who has put up good passing numbers but I’m thinking it is more because of the athlete he is throwing to. He can run the ball but he’s going to be another one that is better suited as a Division II athlete. Ben Lippen’s Dobson Ricks is the wild card on tihs list. He’s a big framed player who can spin the ball. He doesn’t get the exposure that some of the other guys get, while playing private school, but he will get some looks. I think he’s an FCS caliber player and he’s got a transcript that will get him in anywhere. Dutch Fork’s Aliam Appler has the size and skills but has not demonstrated it on the field yet. He was injured for hte first part of this season and is just now returning to play. He has DII interest but I think he is talented enough to play at the FCS level. Hammond’s Dylan Richardson will face a size issue should he decide to play football at the next level but he has already been recruited for baseball. Chance Jennings is the best athlete on this list He does not have dynamic players at the receiver position and is in a run oriented offense. He has committed to the Citadel and will more than likely play receiver for the Bulldogs.