Ranking the Midlands’ Top 10 quarterbacks for 2025 HS football season
Last season was a year to remember for quarterbacks in the Midlands.
Local signal callers took home the top state awards for 2024 with Richland Northeast’s Will Wilson winning South Carolina’s Mr. Football honor and Irmo’s AJ Brand being named the S.C. Gatorade Player of the Year in helping the Yellow Jackets to a state championship appearance.
But Wilson (N.C. State) and Brand (Virginia Tech) are off to college in the Atlantic Coast Conference, leaving a void in the area for big quarterback talent.
More than half of the area’s teams are breaking in new quarterbacks this season and the The State Newspaper is ranking some of the top signal callers in the area and others to watch this season.
The State’s Preseason Midlands QB rankings
1. Roper Wentzky, AC Flora: Senior two-sport standout is entering his third year as starting quarterback. Wentzy completed 62.9% of his passes last season for 2,684 yards with 28 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
2. Tre Howard, Ridge View: Junior is entering his second year as starting quarterback and third year on varsity. Howard completed 65.6% of his passes last year for 2,476 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 298 yards and three touchdowns.
3. Patrick Belk, Heathwood Hall: The senior has been a mainstay for the Highlanders at quarterback during his time at the school. Belk missed most of 2023 with an injury but bounced for a big season last year and looks to build on that for his senior season.
4. Tyler Waller, Gray Collegiate: Senior is in his third year as starting quarterback. Wallter completed 63% of his passes for 1,112 yards and 13 TDs. On the ground, he rushed for 404 yards and four touchdowns.
5. Brayden Moore, River Bluff: Moore took over lead duties late in the season and will be the starter in Perry Parks’ first year with the Gators. Last year, he threw for 718 yards and five touchdowns.
6. Dre Dopson, Irmo: The senior moves over to Irmo after playing at Brookland-Cayce last season. In his lone season at B-C, he threw for almost 1,500 yards and rushed for almost 300 with 23 total touchdowns.
7. Jaxon Knotts, Dutch Fork: Knotts enters his first season as quarterback for his father, Tom, and defending champion Dutch Fork. The junior threw passes in four games last season, completing 14 of 28 passes for 114 yards. He has the weapons around him for a big season.
8. Kenton Caldwell, Newberry: Senior was 98 of 142 passing last season for 1,575 yards and rushed for 382 yards with 26 total touchdowns.
9. Jay Stoker, Chapin: Stoker was a two-year starter at Easley and spent a brief time at Rabun Gap (Ga.) in the spring before arriving in Chapin in the summer. He looks to replace record-setting QB Brady Albro, who graduated. Last season at Easley, Stoker threw for 1,173 yards and rushed for 198 with 13 total touchdowns.
10. Greyson Rimpf, Camden: Junior and son of head coach Brian Rimpf enters his first year as starting quarterback. Last season, Rimpf saw action in seven games and threw for 853 yards and six touchdowns.
Other QBs to Watch: Carrington Carter, Westwood; Kaden Diggs, Fairfield Central; Dylan Redden, Spring Valley: Kendall Wright, Swansea
This story was originally published July 30, 2025 at 8:57 AM.
