LAFAYETTE — Across the week wide receivers, running backs and offensive lineman have been ranked.
But now it's time for one more offensive debate before shifting to defensive players. Which team has the best returning quarterback and will command the huddle beginning in August.
With an abundance of arms and playmakers to choose from, here are the top five quarterbacks to watch heading into 2024.
1. Bobby Metzger
School: Central Catholic
Class: Senior
Stats: Completed 251 of 404 passes for 2,943 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Scouting report: Metzger's vision, decision making and long range arm allowed Central Catholic to be an offense capable of moving the ball in a variety of facets. His calmness under pressure and ability to identify open receivers seconds ahead has been crucial. Metzger carries an offer from DePauw University.
2. Keyen Crowder
School: Lafayette Jeff
Class: Senior
Stats: Threw 22 of 31 passes for 272 yards and four touchdowns.
Scouting report : Crowder gets the nod as the senior leader for the Bronchos having played behind older brother Lance who graduated in 2023. Crowder possesses quality touch on passes to corners while carrying the ability to work upfield with his feet.
More: High school football: Who are the top Lafayette-area running backs to watch in 2024?
3. Lannon Nicoloff
School: Harrison
Class: Junior
Stats: Completed 23 of 31 passes for 293 yards, two touchdowns and 22 carries for 87 yards, three touchdowns.
Scouting report : Nicoloff's time to become the full time starter has come after playing behind the graduated Callix Dillon. Nicoloff has won the starting spot with his leadership and preparation while splitting time playing club baseball during the summer.
More: New faces, new targets: 5 Lafayette area high school receivers to watch
4. Ethan Need
School: Twin Lakes
Class: Junior
Stats: Completed 144 of 256 passes for 1,666 yards, 10 touchdowns, 74 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Scouting report : Need is the leading man behind a starting offensive and defensive front that'll play 14 freshmen and sophomores. Despite his young age, Need was able to thrive and help his offense post improved numbers in 2023.
5. Benny Speaker
School: West Lafayette
Class: Senior
Stats: Completed one pass for 60 yards.
Scouting report : Speaker makes the switch from wide receiver to quarterback after a 2023 where he caught 88 passes for 968 yards and 10 touchdowns. While lacking in experience initially, his skills as a point guard in basketball should translate well to the football field while having plenty of athletic targets in Dawson Martin and Kojo Steffey.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@gannett.com , on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson .
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: High School Football: Top five quarterbacks to watch in Lafayette area
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