ORDER GAME PHOTOS

As we head towards a new football season in the fall of 2023, IdahoSports.com is once again getting fans ready by unveiling the Top 10 players at each position.  These lists feature players from all corners of the state, and from all six classification levels.  Each week, we'll publish a new list of Top 10 players.  Here's the schedule:

June 26 (Offensive Linemen)

July 3 (Defensive Linemen)

July 10 (Special Teams)

July 17 (Running Backs)

July 24 (Linebackers)

July 31 (Wide Receivers/Tight Ends)

August 7 (Defensive Backs)

August 14 (Quarterbacks)

Without further ado, here are the Top 10 Quarterbacks to watch out for in 2023.  These selections have been made by the editorial staff at IdahoSports.com, and are listed in alphabetical order by school.  We made these selections based on a number of factors, including: returning All-State or All-Conference pedigree, college recruiting hype, and the good old-fashioned eye test.

Conner Willis, Sr, Canyon Ridge

Willis looks like he rolled right off the factory line, checking in at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds.  A sturdy frame is nice, but how does he spin it?  Pretty good, actually.  A year ago, Willis completed nearly 55% of his passes for 2,293 yards and 29 touchdowns to just six interceptions.  He averaged 16.7 yards per completion, and helped lead Canyon Ridge to its first 3-0 start in school history, and its first playoff berth in several years.

Davis Harsin, Sr, Eagle

Auburn’s loss is Eagle’s gain.  Davis Harsin, the son of former Boise State and Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin, is back in the Gem State for his senior season.  The Harsins moved back home after Auburn decided to fire Bryan on October 31st of 2022.  Davis is a 6-foot-1, 180-pounder who just committed to Idaho State University.  In his junior season at Auburn High a year ago, Harsin helped lead his team to the Class 7A championship game.  Mustangs fans are hoping a similar journey occurs this season.

Ty Koepp, Sr, Kendrick

To the delight of every other eight-man football program in Idaho, Koepp has finally reached his final season of varsity competition.  The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has been a varsity starter since day one of his freshman season, and has been terrorizing opponents and delighting fans ever since.  A year ago, Koepp threw for 2,001 yards and 32 touchdowns, and added 567 yards and ten scores on the ground. 

Kade Larson, Sr, Kimberly

Larson is a little smaller than his contemporaries on this list, but he can sling it with the best of them.  As a junior, Larson completed 61% of his throws for 2,700 yards and 26 touchdowns.  He also made opponents pay with his legs, rushing for 663 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Drew Hottinger, Sr, Lewiston

Hottinger split reps with since-graduated Chris Ricard a year ago, and still managed to put up eye-popping numbers: 61% completion rate, 1,593 yards, 19 touchdowns passing, 435 yards and eight touchdowns rushing.  This year, the backfield is all his, and the sky’s limit for the 6-foot-5, 205-pounder. 

Justice Schrader, Sr, Lighthouse Christian

Schrader transferred to Lighthouse from Glenns Ferry a year ago, and the Lions were glad to have him.  Under new head coach Jason’s Smith wide-open passing attack, Schrader carved up defenses to the tune of 1,792 yards and 24 touchdowns.  Of course, in eight-man football, there’s plenty of opportunities to run the rock as well, and Schrader chipped in 361 yards and five scores on the ground.

Zeke Martinez, Jr, Meridian

What’s the most important stat to use when evaluating quarterbacks?  Is it yards per attempt?  Touchdown-to-interception ratio?  Completion percentage?  Most coaches will tell you that number of wins is a pretty good indicator of a QB’s abilities.  Look no further, then, as Martinez has compiled a 15-1 record in his career as a varsity starter for the Warriors.  Zeke had to fill in as a freshmen for his older brother Malakai, who missed most of the 2021 season with injuries.  Then last year, the job was all his as a sophomore.  Martinez completed 64% of his passes for 1,865 yards and 21 touchdowns to just five interceptions.  And that was in a run-heavy Wing-T attack.

Luke Flowers, Sr, Rigby

Flowers committed to the University of Montana earlier this summer, and will open his season at the home of the Grizzlies in Missoula on Friday night against Coeur d’Alene in a neutral-site game (By the way, you can watch that game on IdahoSports.com by clicking here).  As a first-year starter in 2022, Flowers completed 71% of his passes for 3,009 yards, 32 touchdowns and seven interceptions, helping lead Rigby to the 5A state championship.

Cache Beus, Sr, Skyview

Beus spent his first three seasons guiding the Melba Mustangs, but has transferred to Class 4A Skyview this year to showcase what he can do against bigger schools.  The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder has displayed an efficient arm in the past, and has the size and skills to succeed at a bigger level.  He’s also a great basketball player, and could pursue a hoops career in college.  Either way, Beus is a talented college prospect and one to keep an eye on this year.

Jack Nelson, Sr, Teton

Nelson quarterbacked the Timberwolves to the Class 3A semifinals last year in the first season of new coach David Joyce’s wide-open offensive attack.  Nelson completed nearly 65% of his attempts for 2,432 yards a year ago.  He tossed 28 touchdowns to just four interceptions, and rushed for 577 yards and five touchdowns.