Best quarterbacks in Ohio Division IV, DV high school football entering 2026

High school football season in Ohio is right around the corner.Leading up to the 2026 fall high school sports season, cleveland.com is highlighting the top football players in Ohio.• Related: Best Division VI-VII quarterbacks in OhioOver the next couple of weeks, we’ll feature the best players in Division IV and Division V Ohio high school football. First up are the quarterbacks.We contacted coaches across the state and asked them to fill out a survey requesting information about their team.If you are an Ohio high school football coach who did not receive the survey, email mswanson@advancelocal.com. We will continue to add to these lists throughout the summer.Below the coaches’ picks are all the returning all-state quarterbacks in DIV and DV high school football.Top DIV and DV QBs, as highlighted by coachesJaxon Clippinger, Triway, SeniorClippinger takes over at quarterback for two-time all-state pick Luke Starr. Clippinger started at safety as a junior. “We expect huge things from Jaxon. He has tremendous arm talent and athletic ability standing at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds,” head coach Cody Kelly said. Colt Cowling, Keystone, JuniorA three-sport standout who also excels in basketball and track, Cowling threw for 1,089 yards as a sophomore with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions. “He has put on a lot of weight, adding a lot of strength,” head coach Brian Fox said. David Dupee, Cincinnati Wyoming, SeniorDupee, a two-time team captain, threw for 2,133 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior en route to all-state honorable mention. He is a three-year starter behind center. “David is one of the top quarterbacks in the Cincinnati area … and a great leader for our program. He will have a great senior season and play at the next level,” head coach Aaron Hancock said. Xavier Gammon, Kenton, SophomoreGammon made eight starts as a freshman last year and led the Western Buckeye League in passing, going 249 of 321 (78 percent) for 2,969 yards with 18 touchdowns. He added 424 yards on the ground and six scores. Xavior Harris, Shaw, Junior Harris is a rising junior who impressed head coach Randy Knight during the offseason. “He is a 6-foot-2 quarterback with great accuracy,” Knight said. Grady Hirst, West Branch, SeniorHirst is a dual-threat quarterback who completed 182 of 288 passes for 2,660 yards with 23 touchdowns and three interceptions last year while running for 533 yards and seven TDs on 119 carries. The returning all-state quarterback holds an offer from Youngstown State. “The numbers speak for themselves but he is a terrific leader, great worker and will be instrumental to our success as a team this year,” head coach Tim Cooper said. Marcus Hoeflich, Clear Fork, SeniorA returning captain, Hoeflich amassed 1,141 passing yards and 10 touchdowns last season while running for 549 yards and four scores. “Marcus is a focused and determined young man who is a tireless worker and overall outstanding young man. He has matured as a quarterback and has positioned himself for a strong 2026 season,” head coach Aaron Brokaw said. Karsyn Homan, Coldwater, SeniorHoman threw for 2,019 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior. He was just as dangerous on the ground, running for 1,270 yards and 14 scores. “He is a great leader and a solid baseball player,” head coach Chip Otten said. Trey Kersten, Norton, SeniorAn all-state selection as a junior, Kersten passed for 1,801 yards with 29 touchdowns and five interceptions while adding four more scores on the ground. Kersten is also a standout basketball player for Norton. “A tremendous athlete,” head coach Glen Kruger said. “Will assume an even bigger role for the Panthers in 2026.”Brayden Luidhardt, Eastwood, JuniorLuidhardt filled in at quarterback for his injured brother for the first five games of last season and led the team to a 4-1 record with a loss to eventual state champion Liberty Center. He moved to receiver when his brother returned and caught 35 passes for 573 yards and eight touchdowns. Luidhardt will be Eastwood’s full-time quarterback as a junior. Shane Metter, Buckeye, SeniorMetter will make the switch from wide receiver to quarterback this season. He also stars at defensive back for Buckeye. “A very good athlete,” head coach Greg Dennison said. Brayden Parsons, West Holmes, SeniorParsons is back for his senior season after throwing for more than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior. Tyler Shaw, Southeast, JuniorAfter filling multiple roles as a sophomore, Shaw is set to take over quarterback duties this season. Itai Tannenbaum, Orange, SeniorTannenbaum has a long track record of success at the junior varsity level entering his first season as Orange’s varsity starter. “He is ready to step into the role as varsity quarterback. He is tall and long with a strong arm and a good knowledge of the game. At 6-foot-3, Itai is a prototypical pocket passer who will rely on a strong running game to create play-action pass opportunities,” head coach Rob Senor said. Michael Tishkoff, Columbus Academy, SeniorTishkoff completed 137 of 214 passes for 1,914 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a junior to earn second-team all-district honors. He also ran for 274 yards and another TD. “‘Tish’ has a very high ceiling as a football player, especially at quarterback. After backing up (first-team all-state quarterback Cole Spalding) when he was a sophomore, he earned the job going into his junior year and never looked back. He is a gamer, ultra-competitive, and definitely has the ‘it’ factor coaches are looking for,” head coach Robin Miller said. Nate Trefzger, Perry, SeniorTrefzger became the full-time starter in Week 4 of last season and led the team to an 8-2 record from that point forward. He completed 115 of 171 passes for 1,652 yards with 19 touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 286 rushing yards and five TDs on 60 carries. “A year under his belt should serve him well as he gained confidence, experience, and invaluable leadership opportunities. Nate does everything right off the field and is an integral part of our football community, helping younger high school players and our youth program. We are looking forward to him competing and enjoying his senior season,” head coach Bob Gecewich said. Mason Waechter, Brookside, SeniorA 6-foot-5 senior quarterback, Waechter was the district player of the year in basketball as a junior. “He is a good leader with a very strong arm,” head coach Bobby Staudt said. Tyler Walder, Marlington, SophomoreAs a freshman, Walder had the third-most passing yards in Stark County at 1,684 and tossed 13 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. He also started at shortstop for Marlington’s baseball team. “Tyler stepped into the starting role as a freshman and handled himself with a lot of poise and maturity. … Tyler’s biggest strengths are his arm talent, accuracy, and understanding of the game. He has the ability to make plays both inside and outside the pocket, and he continues to grow more confident as a leader every day. What stood out most last season was his composure. He never seemed overwhelmed by the moment, even as a freshman playing against experienced varsity competition,” head coach Joe Cardinal said. Returning all-state QBs in DIV and DVConnor Barbara, Findlay Liberty-Benton, SeniorDean Clark, Lancaster Fairfield Union, SeniorGunner Cleland, Pomeroy Meigs, SeniorMike Daniels, Columbus Bishop Ready, SeniorMichael Dipple, Bellaire, SeniorDavid Dupee, Cincinnati Wyoming, SeniorKayden Edwards, Ironton, SeniorTayte Giesige, Bluffton, SeniorBrady Golliday, Lewiston Indian Lake, SeniorK.J. Gustin, Casstown Miami East, SeniorGrady Hirst, Beloit West Branch, SeniorTrey Kersten, Norton, JuniorGrady Lantz, Urbana, SeniorHudson Lovett, Greenfield McClain, JuniorDawaun Moody, Youngstown Liberty, SeniorKolby Morgerson, Carlisle, SeniorAJ Pearson, Girard, JuniorSam Pfeifer, Washington Court House Washington, JuniorLane Ratliff, New Lexington, SeniorMikey Ritterbeck, Fairless, SeniorBrody Schmidt, Dayton Christian, SeniorRyker Williams, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley, Senior