Quarterback is often said to be the most important position in football.
That rings less true, though, at the high school level. That’s especially the case in the Gainesville area, where running backs and wide receivers can carry teams to victory.
Still, the signal caller is a very important position, and our area features some of the best in their class.
The region did lose Gainesville Sun All-Area first teamer Xavier Collins from Columbia, who transferred to Camden County on the eve of spring practice, but small school player of the year Richard Roundtree is back.
So is All-Area big school second teamer Andrew Whittemore, who has had a fantastic offseason that included an offer from Florida.
Here’s seven of the best QBs for the Gainesville area in the 2026 season.
Andrew Whittemore, Buchholz
Whittemore will almost certainly be the area’s best QB in 2026. There were some downs in 2025, but it was mostly positive given that Whittemore was thrust into the starting role suddenly after Trace Johnson’s departure. Offers from powerhouse programs like Florida have begun to trickle in, and his coach and dad, Mark Whittemore, is certain that the extra year of starting experience will lead to increased success in his junior year. The signal caller will have to deal with the absence of Florida freshman Justin Williams and a tough schedule.
Richard Roundtree, Hawthorne
If Whittemore is the area’s top QB, then Roundtree is 1B. The Hornets junior had the best season of any in 2025 and led Hawthorne to the promise land. With a new RB in Derryick Gillins, HHS needed to change its strategy to being more pass-first. Roundtree delivered in the best way possible, and with many of his top receivers back, the sky is truly the limit for a Hornets squad that will have to compete in Class 1A in 2026 but still has aspirations of a state championship.
Cy Cubbedge, Bradford
Cubbedge just missed the All-Area team in 2025, and he’s ready to change that in 2026. The Tornadoes’ QB threw for over 1,800 yards in his first season as starter and gained an offer from FIU. New coach Ross Baker was the offensive coordinator at the dominant Valdosta High School in Georgia and might be able to unlock Cubbedge in an impressive new way.
Cade Sutherland, Eastside
Sunderland unexpectedly started his freshman year after Adrian Curtis’ July transfer to Hawthorne. It was a mix of ups and downs, and when Nelson Tambling transferred in from Gainesville High, he assumed the starting job. Still, Sutherland is a good QB who showed real flashes in 2024. Now as a junior, the Rams will need him to excel to be successful since it lost so many key members of its defense.
Kieran Whitesides, Newberry
Whitesides’ numbers from last season at Santa Fe certainly don’t jump off the page as he threw for less than 425 yards. But the Raiders didn’t need him to do a lot with the all-talented Jasiah Powell at running back. With a young team at Newberry, he will be asked to do a heck of a lot more. However, the Panthers’ coaching staff knows how to develop QBs, and Whitesides can be another in a long line.
Trent Land, Branford
The Buccaneers might have been eliminated in the first round of the Rural playoffs last season, but blame can’t be directed towards Land. The sophomore truly had a special season with over 2,000 passing yards. Against Hamilton County, he threw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. Branford will be in the SSAA this season, but the Bucs QB is still expected to be a star.
Jake Long, St. Francis Catholic
Long might play eight-man football as opposed to everyone else on this list who plays 11-man, but his numbers really were too impressive to pass up. Long only threw for 725 yards, but he rushed for over 1,500. The Wolves themselves nearly won an SSAA championship.
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at nram@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1, Instagram @Ramreporter and Facebook Noah Ram – Reporter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Here are the seven best quarterbacks for the Gainesville area in 2026
Reporting by Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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By Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun | USA TODAY Network
