SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2024 - Top-10 Quarterbacks. (Free Preview)

Here is the top-10 list of top quarterbacks in the area.

Could this be the year of the quarterback in the area? When have 32 QB’s returning in 2024, throw in a transfer from Orange Lutheran and Orange, and several talented freshmen and it all equals one of the more talented groups we’ve seen in the area in a long while. This is always a bit of a shot in the dark, but we feel that these are the ten best QBs in the area to start the season.

1. Frankie Villalbazo, Bishop Amat: To get a true appreciation of the talent of this senior, you have to see him in person at either a practice or a game. He is a chiseled 6-2, 230 points, shows tremendous presence in the pocket, and can make all the throws from the field. OC Sean Koelle says that he is one of the best quarterbacks that he has worked with in his coaching career. After sharing time with Richie Munoz at the position last year, it is his show in 2024, and you can tell the confidence that he has now that there are no distractions in his way. He plays in one of the toughest leagues in Southern California and is coached by one of the premier OCs in the area. Bishop Amat fans should expect a big season from this senior.

2. Corin Berry, Charter Oak: Anyone that sports an offer from a Power 4 conference school should be high on this list and that is where this Junior is slotted. Berry has the size (6-3, 195) the speed and the arm strength to be one of the elite QBs in Southern California. He threw for over 2,000 yards last year with 21 interceptions. The obvious goal is to limit the interceptions as he threw 17 last year. As Charter Oak coach Dom Farrar will tell anyone, “I love our QB.” And so should Charter Oak fans.

Photo: Taegan Maysami

3. Isaiah Arriaza, Damien: It was very close between Berry and this talented gunslinger as to who would be slotted at #2. After all, Arriaza threw for 2,891 yards with 29 TDs and 5 Interceptions. He is accurate, competitive, and has a big arm. But the big question that must be answered this year is if he is compatible with any offense or was his stock high because of the offensive system that was in. It’s going to be answered this year due to the departure of coach Matt Bechtel. But what is not in question – this is a very good QB.

Photo: CalHiSports.com

4. John Sanders, St. Francis – Another quarterback from the famed stable of quarterback whisper Dean Herrington. Sanders took over the reins at the QB position in 2023 and handled everything beautifully. Here is another QB who threw for over 2,000 yards and rushed for 750 yards. What makes him easy to cheer for, he is one of the softest-spoken players you will ever run into. You know that Herrington went into his lab in the offseason to conceive even more plays for Sanders that will make life miserable for DCs. The only thing that could stand in the way of a big season will be the offensive line, which will be new at all five positions.

5. Jake Duronslet, Covina – Some call him “Jake the Snake” but I would like to think he is more “Jake the Cobra” than the first nickname. The reason why he is a Cobra is that the kid has pulled out so many wins from the back of his hip pocket, it’s amazing. Here is another kid who threw for over 2,000 yards last year with 24 TDs. Throw in a little moxie in the repertoire and you can see why Covina fans have loved this kid for the past four years. He could be the intangible that leads the Colts to a league title in the most competitively balanced league in the East SGV.

Photo: Prep Red Zone California

6. Alex Medyn, Chino Hills – We have quite a few players transferring into the area and this one appears to be the best of the group. 24/7 has him a 3-star player with multiple D-1 offers. It appears as if college evaluators are wagering on his growth after high school as his numbers were limited at Orange Lutheran (285 passing yards last year, 165 yards in his freshmen year). Greg Biggins from 24/7 Sports says that he “has a cannon of an arm,” so you can be sure that he’ll be ripping it from all points on the field in 2024. He might be the one that climbs the ladder fastest at the end of the year position rankings.

7. Hype Grand, Pasadena – OK, so we know that he has the talent. We know that he has the moxie, and we know that he has all the numbers to back up his standing on this list. Why is he then ranked this low? Easy, this is his fourth school in four years. He started his clock at Glendora, then he went to La Habra, then to Orange, left for an out-of-state school, reenrolled at Orange and now he’s at Pasadena HS. Call me a skeptic, but what’s going to happen when he goes to college, doesn’t get on film, doesn’t like the school, and goes into the transfer portal with no takers? He’ll have to be “Superman” to take PHS to a Pacific League title.

(Photo: X)

8. Luke McNulty, Maranatha – Maranatha coach Rand Holdren is beginning to develop a reputation for developing quarterbacks and he’s done a fine job with this senior who came over from Bishop Amat before the start of the 2023 season. All he did was throw for 1,688 yards with 22 TDs and 3 interceptions. He was named the Cottonwood League MVP and has an offer from Brown. There’s a lot to like about him here.

9. Quinton Mendoza, Diamond Bar – There were a lot of very good quarterbacks on display at the Baldwin Park Passing League Tournament, but the one kid that intrigued me the most was this QB. He has the size (6-2, 190) and the arm strength to make most throws. He had a big year in 2023 where he was named the Hacienda League MVP and has two NAIA offers. He is another that could see his stock rise early in the season.

10. Matthew Medina, South El Monte – Nobody seems to mention this kid, but don’t sleep on this kid – even though he plays in the Mission Valley League. He threw for 2,400 yards with 29 TDs in 2023 and you can pretty much bank on him doing much the same in 2024. With many of the teams in the league going through transition, he is the reason why South El Monte is the favorite to win the Mission Valley.

This is a free preview of our 2024 football positional ratings for the SGV/Whittier area. We feel that we give you more for your buck than any other publication in the area. We are the only service that gives you football stats, current and past CalPreps Ratings, notes on each game on the team’s schedule, and much more when it comes to team previews. Our goal is for you to be the most educated football fan in the area and that you’ll support our reader-supported publication. As the saying goes, “We obsess so that you don’t have to.” — JE