VOTE: Who is the top high school quarterback in Tampa Bay?

TAMPA, FL – There’s areas all over the state that feature some of Florida’s top high school quarterbacks and the Tampa Bay Area has no shortage of passers that fit the bill. College recruiters come into the area and can find themselves a slew of signal callers that will be slinging the rock this fall and we ask the question, who is the top quarterback in the Tampa Bay Area?

Read each quarterback’s snippet and vote in our poll.

Luke Knight, Jesuit: The field general for the 2021 Class 6A state champion Jesuit Tigers is back in the fold and returns as one of the top passers in the area. Knight threw for 2,511 yards and 30 touchdowns last year and could top those numbers this fall.

Jesuit's Luke Knight returns to take another run at a state championship after throwing for more than 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns last fall. Photo by Alex Walworth

Photo by Alex Walworth

Anthony Colandrea, Lakewood: Colandrea is a Middle Tennessee commitment and has already had a big spring and summer. Now, he is poised for a big finale his senior campaign. In 2021, Colandrea threw for 3,252 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Troy Reader, Berkeley Prep: The Buccaneers didn’t throw a whole ton last season because of their star-studded backfield but now Reader will be relied upon to do more. Expect Reader to improve on his 799 yards and 12 touchdowns from 2021.

Jacob Drackett, Calvary Christian: Drackett is poised for a big 2022 season for the Warriors coming off a campaign in which he threw for 1,802 yards and 16 touchdowns. With a strong receiving corps back at Calvary, expect big things from Drackett.

Kyle Horvath, Sunlake: Horvath, who transferred in to Sunlake from Land O’ Lakes, had himself a huge 2021 season with the Gators after throwing for over 2,000 yards and 28 touchdowns to just six interceptions. Expect big things from Horvath this fall in Seahawks’ colors.

Zach Pleuss, Lakeland: The Ridge Community transfer came into the scene at Lakeland in the spring and showed out against Venice. Pleuss ended the 31-24 spring win throwing for 244 yards and three touchdowns.

Jake Bechtel, East Lake: Bechtel had a strong spring coming off a season in which he threw for 1,214 yards and seven touchdowns along with 206 yards rushing. He will be a signal caller to watch for in Pinellas County.

Jackson Jensen, Wharton: The Carrollwood Day transfer comes to the Wildcats as a junior and Jensen had a big season. Jensen threw for 1,450 yards and 11 touchdowns and just three interceptions in 2021 for the Patriots.

Chris Ferrini, Mitchell: Compared to others as just a passer, Ferrini may not have all the big accolades but he does it with his arm and legs. Ferrini played all over the field in 2021 and will now be focused in at quarterback for the Mustangs.

Murdolph Jones, Armwood: The Hawks had a down year at 4-6 last season but Jones’ stock is still rising as a signal caller. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound prospect threw for 1,940 yards and 21 touchdowns last season and has offers from Toledo, Fordham and University of South Florida.

Brooks Bentley, Venice: The 2021 Class 8A state champs have a new starter at quarterback in Gaither transfer Brooks Bentley. Bentley performed well against Lakeland in the spring game and has offers from UConn, University of South Florida and Middle Tennessee State.

Brandon Royal, Sickles: As just a sophomore quarterback, Royal had himself a very solid campaign for the Gryphons. Royal ended up completing 152-of-256 passes for 2,035 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Parker Stirnkorb, Zephyrhills Christian Academy: The Dunedin transfer heads over an hour east to Zephyrhills Christian Academy and will have a ton of talented skill players around him. With offensive coordinator BJ Hall mentoring Stirnkorb, the Warriors are aiming for big numbers in 2022.

Xavione Washington, Tampa Bay Tech: Washington guided the Titans to the Class 7A state championship game before they ended up falling to St. Thomas Aquinas. The signal caller threw for 2,464 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2021.

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.