Young stars look to step in to replace a historic quarterback class

In recent years, the state of Georgia has produced quarterbacks at a level never before seen. The 2024 class saw a number of players that left their mark on the previous seasons and the state record book. Now, the schools these historic players played for will be looking to the future as they try to replace the players of yesterday with the stars of tomorrow.

Hughes’ 5-star recruit Air Noland is off to Ohio State after a storied career with the Panthers. He threw for over 10,000 yards with 126 touchdowns over his four years in Fairburn. Hughes went 48-7, with two finals appearances and a victory in the 2022 6A state title game while helping the Panthers set the record for the most points scored in a season. Noland will be replaced by senior transfer Christian Langford, who spent the 2023 season behind Dylan Raiola at Buford after spending his freshman and sophomore seasons with East Coweta. Langford already has a few major offers, including from LSU and Ole Miss.

Buford is looking to replace a power-five quarterback for the third straight year. Dylan Raiola spent the 2024 season with the Wolves after spending his previous two seasons in Arizona. While Buford may have had a disappointing season by their standards, Raiola had a spectacular season, passing for 2,666 yards with 34 touchdowns while only throwing 1 interception, going 11-2 and making the quarterfinals. The Wolves will look to a battle between Dayton Raiola and Collins Hill transfer TJ Wilcox. Dayton Raiola is going into his sophomore season and has recently received offers from UNC Charlotte and APP State. Wilcox is coming off a strong season with Collins Hill, leading them to the second round while passing for 1,861 yards and 15 touchdowns, and currently having offers from Georgia Tech and West Virginia.

Benedictine is looking to continue their long history of elite quarterback play. With Luke Kromenhoek heading to Florida State after leading the Cadets to the 2022 4A state title and the semifinals in 2023, junior Stephen Cannon will be the favorite to replace him. Cannon is entering the 2024 season after receiving his first FBS offer from Miami (OH). He will take over a Cadet offense that has been the class of the state, averaging 41.66 points per game over the past four seasons.

Aaron Philo ended his high school career breaking the record for the most career passing yards, along with finishing third all-time in passing touchdowns. Prince Avenue Christian will see perhaps the biggest quarterback battle in the state. Senior Jake Bobo will look to take over the job. Bobo is a 6-foot, 200-pound QB who is the son of Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. He was the backup last year but will have to fight for the starting role. Along with Bobo will be junior Bryce Williamson, who at 6-3, 215 pounds, is the most physically imposing of the quarterbacks fighting for the job. Sophomore Ben Musser will also be fighting for the job. The 6-2, 190-pound Musser may be the most highly touted QB on the roster, winning the Gatorade Player of the Game Award for the sophomore/freshman game of the Georgia Elite Classic, while showing skills as a rusher and a passer.

Walton will look to replace one of the top quarterbacks in school history in Jeremy Hecklinski, who is now at Wake Forest. Hecklinski had one of the best seasons in state history in 2023, passing for 3,835 yards with 50 touchdowns, which is tied for the eighth most in a season. The offseason will see a battle between rising senior Kaeden Gilstrap, who was the backup last season, and rising junior Palmer McRaney, who at 6-2, 160 pounds, has the prototypical size to play quarterback but is still unproven as a prospect.

Grayson is looking to replace two-year starter JD Davis, who is now at Western Michigan. Davis led the Rams to the semifinals in 2023 and quarterfinals in 2022, throwing for 3,088 yards with 35 touchdowns as a senior. Rising junior Travis Burgess is expected to be the next great Rams quarterback. Burgess already has offers from Arizona State, Boston College, and Pitt. He threw for 151 yards with two touchdowns while rushing for 124 yards with a touchdown in 2023. He has plus size and mobility at 6-5, 190, while showing flashes of being one of the most skilled quarterbacks in the state.

 

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