High school football: Who are the top Augusta-area quarterbacks entering the 2024 season?

We’re that much closer to high school football season openers with padded practices beginning this week.

In the spirit of the season, we’re going to look at a breakdown of some of the top position groups in the area. To start, let’s look at the top Augusta-area quarterbacks entering the 2024 season.

The fact is, there will be many young signal callers cutting their teeth at the varsity level this year after losing a deep graduating class. That said, there are a handful of upperclassmen here with the ability to light up the scoreboard. Looking at teams like Aquinas and North Augusta, we expect some crooked numbers in the box scores each Friday night.

With talent and experience comes high expectations, but this is also an opportunity to find potential breakout candidates on rosters throughout the Augusta area. We’ll see that play out throughout this series.

Without further ado, here are five Augusta-area quarterbacks to keep an eye on in 2024.

Here are five Augusta-area high school quarterbacks to watch in 2024

Jim Franklin

School: Aquinas

Class: 2025

The reigning Augusta-area player of the year, Franklin is one of the best pure passers the area has seen over the past 20 years. He completed 68 percent of his passes for 2,692 yards and 31 touchdowns. He probably doesn't get enough credit for his athleticism, adding 587 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. If he can stay healthy for the full season, the sky is the limit for the Fightin’ Irish in 2024.

Corey Tillman, Jr.

School: North Augusta

Class: 2025

Tillman was a machine for the Yellow Jackets, completing 65 percent of his passes for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also averaged 8.7 yards per carry to the tune of 778 yards and six more scores on the ground. If North Augusta is going to reclaim its region title, Tillman is going to be a big reason why.

Sean Vandiver

School: Burke County

Class: 2026

Vandiver ran a complicated offense like a pro during his sophomore season. He tossed 18 touchdown passes on more than 1,500 yards and just six interceptions. The 2026 signal caller also managed five touchdowns on the ground. His stock should continue to rise as a second-year starter in 2024.

J.J. Gant

School: Hephzibah

Class: 2025

Gant eclipsed 1,000 yards through the air last season, finding the end zone 11 times to just seven interceptions. A true dual-threat option, he also racked up 318 yards and four more scores on the ground. The senior will be crucial as the Rebels compete for a region title in 2024.

Brayden Stephens

School: Greenbrier

Class: 2026

It’s easy to focus on Greenbrier’s 1-9 record from last season, but there were some positives to be taken from the campaign; perhaps the largest of which was the emergence of Stephens under center. While he split snaps in the backfield with H-back Cole Trupp, Stephens still managed 870 yards and six touchdowns with his arm.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: High school football: Who are the top Augusta-area quarterbacks entering the 2024 season?