Nearly all of the top 2024 quarterbacks in the Southeast – and across the country – are off the board, but there is still news surrounding many of those players, and also with some of the top 2025 and 2026 names.
Here is the latest in this quarterback spotlight from the Southeast.
MORE IN THIS SERIES: East QBs to watch | Mid-South | West Coast
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In most cycles, there is a senior who shows big-time promise as a rising senior while in the camp circuit. To this point in 2023, the uncommitted Jackson looks like that guy, all but dominating the Elite 11 Orlando regional event and punching his ticket to the Elite 11 Finals in the process.
Jackson will likely, unanimously, be the lowest-ranked quarterback recruit in Los Angeles competing among the best in the class. Holding his own, as the Floridian should be expected to do given what we have already seen this offseason, will continue to boost his stock going into the fall.
Pitt hosted Jackson for an official visit last weekend, while Texas A&M and Missouri have trips on the schedule later this month.
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Another Floridian headed to L.A. for the Elite 11 Finals, this is a conventional name to watch. Sure, there are rumors of programs trying to stay in contact with the LSU commitment – always noteworthy with QB recruits – but Hurley reclassified up to the 2024 class from 2025. He’ll be among the youngest arms out West, though he may be among the strongest and most filled-out competitors all the same.
We’re curious to see the consistency he brings to the competition, given that it’s a marathon built to make great athletes uncomfortable. If he can maintain a consistently accurate pace any program looking to challenge the LSU commitment will work even harder to stay in the game.
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The new Texas commitment surprised many, including yours truly, with the timing of his decision. It came just days after the 2022 state champion QB released a large group of finalists to focus on at this stage of his recruitment. UT won out earlier than many expected, and the spotlight on Lacey won’t soon wane as he theoretically looks to replace Arch Manning at Texas one day.
This one will be an interesting follow on additional fronts, as Texas continues to recruit the state of Alabama well. Can Lacey bring more offensive firepower to Austin? He happens to play with considerable talent at Saarland High, none more impressive than reigning Alabama Mr. Football and Alabama commitment Ryan Williams.
Lacey’s recruiting ability will be talked about in Austin well before his on-field talent is put on display. On that front, few rising-junior passers had the 2022 run Lacey did, with a modern game and plenty of mobility to the point he is drawing some Bryce Young comparisons.
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There has always been an intrigue around Simmons, who has a rare athletic profile. He is an elite pitcher and quarterback, a lefty and already nearly through high school academics despite his youth. There is plenty of reclassification buzz around Simmons’ name, potentially all the way up to the class of 2023.
In the meantime, programs are still recruiting him despite a recent commitment to Florida. Ole Miss got Simmons on campus in recent days and there was immediately the combined buzz of a Lane Kiffin flip as much as there was increased worry from Gator nation.
Simmons has since returned to Gainesville to sit down with Billy Napier and his staff before making his next move. Will he stay committed to UF? Will he move up in class? How soon? Simmons has a lot of eyes on his every move this summer.
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Normally, a rising sophomore wouldn’t make a feature like this – but Lewis isn’t your ordinary rising sophomore. Many have already pegged him as not only a future five-star once the industry expands to the class of 2026, but plenty expect him to be a wire-to-wire No. 1 overall prospect candidate like Arch Manning was a few years back.
Unlike Manning, at least from a competitive standpoint, Lewis has answered every call against others throughout the offseason as the national pressure builds. The mature approach it takes to handle the early spotlight will likely lead to an early verbal commitment, too, as Lewis already has just about every scholarship offer one could covet.
Naturally, in-state Georgia is the perceptional favorite, and Lewis was just on campus again in early June. Alabama, Florida State, Texas and droves of others could also be worth watching if a decision comes sooner rather than later.
