Two years ago, Nazareth’s Logan Malachuk broke the IHSA record for career passing yards. Last year, Lincoln-Way East’s Jonas Williams (who started his career at Bolingbrook) broke Malachuk’s mark.
While they’re both playing college ball, we’re still in a golden age for quarterbacks in the area.
Here’s a list, in alphabetical order, of 12 offensive players to watch in the 2026 season, including some elite quarterbacks.
Israel Abrams, Montini
The 6-4, 187-pound senior is the No. 2 player in Illinois, the No. 3 quarterback in the nation and the No. 32 player overall in the 247Sports composite rankings. A consensus five-star prospect committed to Miami, he led the Broncos to a 14-0 record and the Class 4A title last season. Abrams passed for 4,072 yards and 40 touchdowns with six interceptions and ran for 224 yards and 10 TDs.
Grant Bowen, IC Catholic
Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss are just a few of the powerhouses that have offered scholarships to the 6-4, 220-pound junior. Last season, the two-way standout had 34 catches for 731 yards and 11 TDs, along with 55 tackles. Bowen is ranked 51st nationally and fourth in Illinois.
Quinton Burrell, Mount Carmel
Half of the best wide-receiver tandem in the state (with Marshaun Thornton), Burrell already is the four-time defending state champion Caravan’s career receiving leader in TD receptions. He has 34 TD catches to go along with 142 catches for 2,396 yards. The 6-3, 200-pound senior is a consensus top-100 player nationally and is committed to Michigan.
Mason Halliman, Lincoln-Way East
The 6-3, 275-pound lineman picked Illinois from more than 15 Power Four scholarship offers. He’s ranked 20th in Illinois in the 2027 recruiting cycle.
Bennett Konkey, Geneva
Maybe the fastest player in the state, Konkey is the reigning IHSA track champion in the 100 and 200 meters. The 6-1, 190-pound senior is committed to Illinois for football and has 70 catches for 1,298 yards and 15 TDs in the last two seasons.
TJ Lewis, Bolingbrook
The 6-foot, 225-pound running back is the reigning Southwest Prairie MVP. The Oklahoma State commit helped lead the Raiders back to prominence last season, piling up 1,808 all-purpose yards and 22 TDs.
Jake Nawrot, Hersey
The 6-4, 200-pounder is one of the most accurate passers in the state. He had a 71% completion rate with only two interceptions last season to go along with 3,078 yards and 41 TDs. The Kentucky commit is the consensus No. 3 senior in the state, the No. 5 quarterback nationally and the No. 65 player overall.
Jameson Purcell, Maine South
The 6-2, 200-pound lefty took over as the Hawks’ starter during his sophomore year. He has thrown for 5,443 yards and 58 TDs with 16 interceptions in the last two seasons. He’s committed to defending national champ Indiana.
Marshaun Thornton, Mount Carmel
A 6-2, 180-pound junior, Thornton is the other half of the Caravan’s game-breaking wide-receiver duo. He has more than 25 scholarship offers, including from Miami, Notre Dame, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Oregon and Ole Miss. The consensus No. 9 junior in the state had 48 catches for 881 yards and 16 TDs last season.
Wyatt VanBoening, Carmel
The 6-7, 290-pound junior tackle has an 84-inch wingspan. His scholarhip offers include Indiana, Notre Dame, Illinois and Iowa, among others. He is a top-80 player nationally in the 2028 cycle.
Dominic Vita, Providence
The 6-3, 205-pound junior was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the area as a sophomore, completing 67% of his passes for 1,906 yards and 15 TDs and running 118 times for 520 yards and eight TDs.
Brock Williams, Libertyville
Williams was good enough to be a recruiting target for Texas. The 6-4, 215-pound Longhorns commit is the No. 5 senior in the state and the No. 90 player nationally. In the last two seasons, he has 79 catches for 1,204 yards and 18 TDs.