Introducing the 2024 cycle's top quarterback prospects

On3 has released its initial On300 for the 2024 cycle. The ranking features a 23 quarterbacks with 11 signal callers within the top 106 prospects.

This ranking is very much a long-term projection and an early snapshot of where we see the cycle in its infancy. There’s a ton of football and development remaining. Additionally, a number of other quarterback prospects will invariably emerge over the course of the next two years.

Initial 2024 On300

Here’s a rundown of what we see in the On300 quarterback prospects after evaluating their sophomore seasons for this initial release.

Dylan Raiola

On300 Ranking: No. 1

We came away viewing Dylan Raiola as the current top quarterback prospect in the 2024 cycle, by what amounts to a comfortable margin. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder looks like the top arm talent in the cycle at this stage. Raiola has a pliable, dexterous arm and makes high-level throws with relative consistency. He’s creative and makes second-reaction plays in the face of the pass rush. But Raiola isn’t simply a trick-shot or backyard style quarterback. He’s technically advanced in his footwork, ball-handling and quick passing. Raiola is the son of former Nebraska and long-time Detroit Lions center, Dominic Raiola. He completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 3,341 yards, 32 touchdowns and five interceptions, while rushing for nine more scores as a sophomore at Burleson (Texas) High. he has since transferred to powerhouse Chandler (Ariz.) High in metro Phoenix. Raiola doubles as a top baseball player as a pitcher and catcher.

Jake Merklinger

On300 Ranking: No. 24

Jake Merklinger impressed us with his combination of precision passing, reactive playmaking and functional athleticism. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder completed over 70 percent of his passes for 2,513 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions in addition to 11 rushing scores as a sophomore at Savannah (Ga.) Cavalry Day School. Merklinger looks to be a natural athlete the the ability to make plays both inside and outside offensive structure. He’s also shown to be one of the better rushing threats among this group. Merklinger is a three-sport athlete, also playing basketball and baseball at Cavalry Day. Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Michigan State and Cincinnati are among his early offers.

Jayden Bradford

On300 Ranking: No. 28

Jayden Bradford has been on the radar dating back to his freshman season at Chapin (S.C.) High. The 6-foot, 180-pounder has a naturally compact throwing motion and has shown some promising arm talent both in games and early this off-season. Bradford completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 2,018 yards and 22 touchdowns as a sophomore at Chapin. He’s since transferred to IMG Academy. Bradford has also shown to be a good athlete for the position in the combine setting. Hometown South Carolina leads in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Josh Flowers

On300 Ranking: No. 31

We view Josh Flowers has having one of the higher ceilings among quarterbacks in the 2024 cycle at this stage. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder had a breakout sophomore season at Mobile (Ala.) Baker, completing 68 percent of his passes for 1,992 yards, 20 touchdowns and two interceptions at 12 yards per attempt. Flowers was also the most productive rusher among this group as a sophomore, running for 859 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has one of the biggest arms we’ve seen on video in the cycle, hitting a number of passes that traveled over 50 yards in the air as a sophomore. He will need to continue to progress technically, but the physical upside is apparent. Florida offered Flowers in the fall.

DJ Lagway

On300 Ranking: No. 33

DJ Lagway showed some intriguing flashes as a sophomore at Willis (Texas) High. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder has a quick release, live arm and good feet. He makes impressive reactive plays in and out of the pocket. Lagway was not quite as efficient or productive as some of his highly-ranked peers as a sophomore and is more of an upside and skill set projection at this point. He completed 55.5 percent of his passes for 1,579 yards, 17 touchdown and two interceptions at under seven yards per attempt, while also rushing for 715 yards and six scores. Lagway has offers from Texas A&M, Arkansas, LSU, Florida, Notre Dame and Alabama among others. The in-state Aggies currently lead in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

CJ Carr

On300 Ranking: No. 35

CJ Carr turned in a strong sophomore season at Saline (Mich.) High, completing 64 percent of his passes for 2,696 yards, 28 touchdowns and four interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder is the grandson of former Michigan head coach, Lloyd Carr. The younger Carr showed some intriguing playmaking ability as a sophomore at Saline and has impressed with his arm talent at a few stops early on this off-season. It’s not a surprise that Michigan is the favorite to land Carr, according to his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Julian Sayin

On300 Ranking: No. 44

Julian Sayin is one of the more developed and technically-advanced 2024 quarterbacks at this stage. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder does not play like a sophomore at Carlsbad (Calif.) High. Sayin was among the more productive and efficient top 2024 signal callers last fall, completing 71.5 percent of his passes for 2,769 yards, 34 touchdowns and five interceptions at nearly 11 yards per attempt. He’s accurate and has shown a good feel for the passing game. It remains to be seen if Sayin’s ceiling is as high as some others, but he’s already proven to be a very good player at the high school level. Texas, Notre Dame, USC, Oregon and UCLA are in the mix per his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

71.5 2769 34-5 208-2 10.9 YPA

Jadyn Davis

On300 Ranking: No. 62

Jadyn Davis has tabbed as one of the cycle’s top quarterback prospects prior to his high school career. The 6-foot, 185-pounder impressed on the college camp circuit early on, in part due to his advanced technical development. Davis had an up-and-down sophomore season at Fort Mill (S.C.) Catawba Ridge. He completed 54.5 percent of his passes for 1,732 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions with five more rushing scores. Davis has since transferred back across the North Carolina border to Charlotte Providence Day for his junior season. He’s taken multiple visits to Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson, North Carolina and South Carolina. The Buckeyes lead in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

54.5 1732 14-6 86 rush-5

Fort Mill (S.C.) Catawba Ridge, has since transferred to Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day

Isaac Wilson

On300 Ranking: No. 78

Isaac Wilson is the younger brother of former BYU star and current New York Jet quarterback, Zach Wilson. The younger Wilson is next in-line at Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon, the high school program that has become one of the nation’s top prep quarterback factories. Wilson backed up On3’s No. 1 2022 prospect, Devin Brown last fall. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Wilson has shown well when given the opportunity. He has outstanding foot quickness and has impressed as a passer both in games and in off-season events. He has early offers from BYU, Oregon and Miami.

Jakhari Williams

On300 Ranking: No. 97

Jakhari Williams is among the more athletic signal callers we’ve seen in the 2024 cycle. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder is an explosive above-the-rim basketball player who carries that athleticism and coordination over to the football field. Williams accounted for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore at Macon (Ga.) First Presbyterian Day. He has early offers from Georgia State and Georgia Southern. We expect his recruitment to take off this off-season.

Elijah Brown

On300 Ranking: No. 105

Elijah Brown is already one of the top high school quarterbacks in the state of California as the starter at powerhouse Mater Dei. The 6-foot-2 180-pounder led the Monarchs to an undefeated season and top national ranking as a sophomore last fall. He proved to be an accurate and efficient passer, hitting over 74 percent of his passes for 2,581 yards and 30 touchdowns against six interceptions. He holds offers from the likes of USC, UCLA, Michigan, Arizona, Utah and Pitt.