Texas, Michigan State commits headline Top 10 Fort Worth-area high school quarterbacks
The Fort Worth area produces top quarterback talent every year and it’s no different in 2020.
Texas and Michigan State commits — Quinn Ewers and Hampton Fay — headline a star-studded group of QBs, one that hopes to play a full season during the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 forced a delay of the Class 5A, 6A and private school seasons until September. Most 4A-1A programs will kick off the regular season on Aug. 27.
Return to dfwvarsity.com for the area’s Top 10 running backs on Thursday.
1. Quinn Ewers, Jr., Southlake Carroll
Last season: 4,003 yards, 45 TDs; 568 yards, 9 TDs
Ewers enters his junior season as ESPN’s top recruit in any class and the top-ranked Class of 2022 player in the nation by 247Sports. The 5-star Texas commit was intercepted only three times while completing 72.4% of his passes. He threw three or more TD passes in 10 games, including his final four games of the season (17).
2. Hampton Fay, Sr., Fort Worth All Saints
Last season: 845 yards, 10 TDs (3 games)
The 3-star Michigan State commit was limited last season due to injury, but he returns to lead the Saints offense. Fay was off to a hot start that included over 300 yards of total offense and four touchdowns per game.
3. Zach Mundell, Sr., Arlington Martin
Last season: 1,501 yards, 20 TDs; 742 yards, 16 TDs
Mundell, one of the state’s top returning dual-threat quarterbacks, had four games of 100 or more yards rushing. The Army commit threw just three interceptions.
4. Jalen Kitna, Sr., Burleson
Last season: 1,554 yards, 7 TDs (Frisco Reedy)
Kitna, who is listed at 6-foot-4, is a 3-star Florida commit. He moves to Burleson alongside his father and head coach Jon Kitna, looking to recharge the Elks offense. He threw for 1,474 yards and 16 TDs in 2018 while playing in Phoenix.
5. Kris Sims, Sr., Arlington
Last season: 2,402 yards, 43 TDs
In his first year as the full-time starter on varsity, Sims started in all 13 games and led the Colts to a 9-4 record and an appearance in the regional round. Sims can also run the ball, rushing for over 500 yards last season.
6. Drevonn Ponder, Sr., Arlington Bowie
Last season: 1,297 yards, 13 TDs; 1,201 yards, 19 TDs
The Navy commit led the Volunteers in rushing by more than 200 yards. He had five games of 100 or more yards rushing, including a career-high 267 yards and 4 TDs in the first round against Weatherford.
7. Gunner Hammond, Sr., Cleburne
Last season: 2,462 yards, 25 TDs
Hammond is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the state, having started three seasons for the Yellowjackets. He will guide a Cleburne team that will be looking for its first playoff berth since 2016.
8. Jimmy Taylor, Sr., Nolan Catholic
Last season: 1,848 yards, 24 TDs
The 6-foot-3 Cornell commit led the Vikings to an 11-1 record and their first playoff win in four years. Taylor added over 250 yards rushing and 5 TDs.
9. AJ Smith-Shawver, Sr., Colleyville Heritage
Last season: 2,516 yards, 18 TDs
Smith-Shawver threw only three interceptions as the Panthers reached the state quarterfinals for just the second time in 13 years. Six offensive starters return for new coach Kirk Martin, who spent last season at Syracuse.
10. Ethan McBrayer, Sr., Aledo
Last season: 2,738 yards, 33 TDs (Godley)
McBrayer averaged 17 yards per completion last season with Godley and was among the leaders in Class 4A in passing touchdowns. He had six games of three or more TDs, including a career-high 580 yards and 8 TDs in Week 6 against Canton. He’s the front-runner to start at Aledo for three-time state champ Jake Bishop, who graduated in May.
Honorable mention: Cole Benson, Richland; Carson Cross, Fort Worth Christian; Caleb Welch, Lake Worth; William Green, Benbrook; Austin Worthen, Glen Rose; Drew Aguillon, Castleberry; Isaak Rosales, Fort Worth North Side; Caleb Ollison, Fort Worth Southwest; John Vela, Fort Worth South Hills; Jake Strong, Justin Northwest
This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 12:38 PM.
