A New Era of Talent
The Cincinnati high school football landscape is witnessing a rare concentration of quarterback talent, a development that echoes the city’s recent NFL successes and fuels optimism for the upcoming 2026 season.
Among the standouts, Bryce Armstrong of Highlands has already impressed with 208 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman, while Devlan Daniel of Indian Hill accumulated 1,192 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, aiming to secure a third straight Cincinnati Hills League title. Kaden Estep at Elder posted 2,430 yards and 15 scores, earning co‑offensive player of the year honors in the GCL‑South.
Roman Garr from Colerain, sophomore, has drawn seven Division I offers, including from Maryland and Wake Forest, after throwing for 1,938 yards. Crue Gilmour of Lawrenceburg combines a strong arm with 1,897 yards and 26 touchdowns, adding 764 rushing yards and 11 scores. Levi Guttman of Cincinnati Country Day led the Miami Valley Conference in passer rating, finishing with 1,879 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Nile Knutson of Lakota East topped the Greater Miami Conference in passing yards with 2,486 and touchdowns with 22, guiding the Thunderhawks to the playoffs, while Emmett Queen, a Wake Forest commit, reached 2,710 yards and 39 touchdowns with a 71.6 completion percentage. Owen Scalf of Anderson, a veteran of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference, amassed 4,961 yards and 41 touchdowns, and Jackson Smith of Lakota West threw for 1,959 yards and 20 scores, earning offers from the University of Kentucky and the Miami RedHawks.
Poll Closes August 7
Fans can now vote in an online poll that closes at 4 p.m. on Friday, August 7, using a new USA Today Co. service designed to prevent fraudulent voting. The poll will crown the region’s top quarterback and reflect the community’s enthusiasm.
The article also notes the departure of historic passers such as Matt Ponatoski, Nathan Verax and Cam O’Hara, and highlights how Joe Burrow’s Bengals success continues to inspire the next generation.