Midlands Top 10: Ranking the best high school QBs in Columbia, Lexington area for 2024

A look at the ranking of the top-10 quarterbacks in the Midlands as decided by The State newspaper staff for the 2024 season.

1. AJ Brand, Irmo: Senior set school records for total offense (4,045 yards), passing yards (2,932), touchdown passes (45) and total TDs (62) last season. Was named Class 4A Lower State Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-state. Committed to Virginia Tech and ranked as 20th-best prospect in South Carolina by 247Sports Composite.

2. Will Wilson, Richland Northeast: Senior completed 64% of his passes for 2,337 yards, 22 TDs and rushed for 1,527 yards and 25 TDs last season. First-team all-state selection. Committed to North Carolina State and ranked as 18th-best prospect in the state by 247Sports Composite

3. Landon Sharpe, White Knoll: Senior was first-team all-state and completed 67% of his passes for 2,702 yards and 30 touchdowns in helping the Timberwolves to their first state title appearance. Sharpe also rushed for 400 yards and seven TDs.

4. Brady Albro, Chapin: Senior threw for 3,054 yards and 24 touchdowns last season and was an all-state selection.

5. Roper Wentzky, AC Flora: Junior threw for 2,695 yards and 30 touchdowns last season. Also a standout for the Falcon baseball team.

6. Ethan Offing, Dutch Fork: Sophomore threw for 1,311 yards, rushed for 412 with 12 total touchdowns. Was injured during playoffs but is back healthy. Is also a standout for DF baseball.

7. Tre Howard, Ridge View: Split time at quarterback last season as a freshman but ready to be the team’s top QB this year. Threw for 1,103 yards and 10 TDs in 2023.

8. Patrick Belk, Heathwood Hall: Missed most of junior season with foot injury. As a sophomore, Belk had 1,823 yards of total offense.

9. Tyler Waller, Gray Collegiate: Junior threw for 1,618 yards, rushed for 430 yards and had 20 total touchdowns last season.

10. Parker Murray, River Bluff: Senior completed 64% of his passes and threw for 1,620 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.

Others to watch: Johnny Collins, Blythewood; Andrew Turner, Hammond; Dre Dobson, Brookland-Cayce; Desmond Washington, Keenan