Top 10 Quarterbacks to Watch in West Texas in 2024

Kason Brown, Reagan County, Sr.

The Owls' 6-foot-5 signal caller may be best known for his exploits on the basketball court, where he averaged 24.9 points per game last year. Brown also put up impressive numbers on the football field last fall, throwing for 2,036 yards and 26 TDs with 8 INTs. He completed 52% of his passes. He also rushed for 521 yards and 7 TDs on 94 carries, an average of 5.5 yards per carry. He'll be counted on to take the Owls to the next level this season after a 5-5 record last year.

Hudson Fowler, Ozona, Sr.

Fowler directed an Ozona offense that put up 39.5 points per game last year. He threw for 2,261 yards and 22 TDs on 57% passing to lead the Lions to a 6-5 record and a trip to the postseason. It was a significant jump from his sophomore season, when he threw for 1,428 yards and 15 TDs on 42% passing. Fowler has thrown 30 interceptions the last two years, however, and he'll have to take better care of the football for Ozona to reach its potential.

Auston Perez, San Angelo Lake View, Sr.

Perez gave Chiefs' fans a glimpse of what he was capable of last year before his season was cut short due to injury. He threw for 331 yards and 6 TDs in a loss to Lubbock High. If Perez can remain healthy, he should provide a big boost to a Lake View offense that was held to seven points or less in four of its final five games.

Merek Howell, Rochelle, Sr.

Howell might be under the radar playing in the lowest classification in the state, Class 1A Division II, but he was responsible for nearly 3,000 yards of offense in nine games last year at Rochelle. He had 2,257 passing yards and 30 TDs, and he added 687 rushing yards and 7 TDs. He earned second-team all-region honors at spread back.

Carlton Schmidt, Mason, Sr. 

Schmidt returns for the Punchers after earning first-team all-district honors last year as a quarterback and linebacker. He helped Mason compile an 11-1 record with his play on both sides of the ball, leading an offense that averaged 38 points per game and a defense that allowed an average of 14 points.

Juan Castillo, Sonora, Sr.

Castillo is expected to take the reins of the Broncos' offense following last year's 11-2 season when he went 5-0 as Sonora's QB. He had 521 passing yards and connected on 34 of 54 passes, a completion rate of 63%. He also rushed for 265 yards and 3 TDs in those four games. 

Landon York, Wall, Jr.

York appears to be the frontrunner to step in as the Hawks' signal caller following Gunnar Dillard's decision to sit out his senior season. Dillard, who is committed to play baseball for the University of Oklahoma, accounted for nearly 1,900 yards of offense last year. York will have some big shoes to fill, and he will also have to take over the reins of Wall's offense as the Hawks move to a pass-based spread offense. Wall head coach Craig Slaughter had high praise for the talented but inexperienced York.

Liam Yancy, Miles, Soph.

Yancy broke onto the scene before his sophomore season even began by leading Miles back to the 7-on-7 state tournament. He wasn't able to deliver a third straight state title, but he guided the Bulldogs to a quarterfinal appearance in the championship bracket. With a talented group of receivers around him, he seems poised for a breakout season this fall.

Brenner Sherwood, Robert Lee, Jr.

Sherwood was a second-team all-region spread back last year as a sophomore when he led the Steers to an 8-3 record. He ran for 868 yards and 11 TDs, averaging 8.1 yards per carry, and threw for 779 yards and 9 TDs on 43-of-72 passing. The Offensive Newcomer of the Year in District 13-1A Division I could challenge for district MVP honors this season. He was also a first-team all-district cornerback who recorded 75 tackles and 2 interceptions.

OTHER AREA STANDOUTS

Chasen Doyal, Junction, Jr.

Ezra Gamboa, Eden, Jr.

Nicholas Holloway, Forsan, Jr.

Brayden Torres, Coleman, Jr.

Kenny Cole, Bangs, Sr.