Through five games, Metro Detroit has produced a deep group of high school quarterbacks. Defending champions, college commits and young varsity starters are driving strong starts across the region.
Through Week 5, Duke Banta had completed more than 80% of his passes and thrown 12 touchdowns. The Detroit Catholic Central senior is 19-0 as a starter for the defending Division 1 state champion.
The Shamrocks opened 5-0 and remained in Michigan's top 10 in the latest post-Week 5 rankings. Banta has not committed to a college program.
The list is alphabetical.
Jabin Gonzales is chasing another title at Orchard Lake St. Mary's. He led the Eaglets to the Division 2 state championship last season. A September statistical update credited the Northwood commit with 58 completions on 86 attempts for 897 yards and eight passing touchdowns. He also had 196 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
St. Mary's is seeking a three-peat. Gonzales also has scholarship offers from multiple Mid-American Conference schools.
Drew Sheridan has been one of the area's most efficient passers. The left-handed junior has completed more than 80% of his passes through five games. He has thrown 14 touchdowns without an interception.
That production helped defending Division 4 state champion Dearborn Divine Child open 5-0.
Donald Tabron II has the strongest résumé among Detroit's emerging national prospects. The Detroit Cass Tech junior has started since his freshman season and is 28-1 as a starter.
As a sophomore, Tabron threw for 2,819 yards and 35 touchdowns. He is publicly identified as a Texas A&M commit. Cass Tech opened this season 4-0, scoring 208 points and allowing 21 in its first four games.
In the team's September matchup with King, Tabron called King a top-five team in Michigan. He said King played accordingly.
Sam Rouleau gives Grosse Pointe South a proven dual-threat quarterback. The Central Michigan commit has thrown for more than 700 yards and rushed for more than 200 through five games. South has reached a 4-1 record.
Alex Waszczenko fills that role for Clarkston. The three-year starter drives the offense with his ability to run and throw. Clarkston is 5-0, and Waszczenko is committed to Ferris State.
Elijah Cobb also puts pressure on defenses with both parts of his game. The North Farmington senior accounted for five total touchdowns in the team's overtime victory over South Lyon last week.
North Farmington has started 4-1.
Darryl Flemister gives Detroit Martin Luther King another way to spark the offense. The senior athlete shares time with highly regarded sophomore Amir Forris. Flemister can change a game quickly with his strong arm and ability to avoid tackles. He has committed to Illinois.
Michael King is only a sophomore, yet he is already producing for 4-1 Oxford. In his first varsity season, he has thrown for more than 700 yards and nine touchdowns. That is one of the area's strongest starts for a young quarterback after five games.
Grayson Thurston has continued to improve at Warren De La Salle after an outstanding sophomore season. The junior is a Division I college prospect with offers from Michigan State, Iowa and Minnesota, among others.
Against Brother Rice in Week 3, Thurston threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns.
These quarterbacks win in different ways. Banta, Sheridan, Gonzales and Tabron bring championship experience or established résumés. Rouleau, Waszczenko, Cobb and Flemister add rushing ability or create matchup problems. King and Thurston show how quickly the next group is contributing on varsity.
For Farmington Voice readers, the region's football landscape also connects school performance with the communities that support it. The City of Farmington and the Farmington Public Schools board provide municipal and district context for families following athletics alongside broader school activities. Nearby programs also operate within the civic framework of the City of Farmington Hills, Oakland County administration and the Michigan Department of Education.
The first five games point to a deep quarterback group. Established programs are leaning on passers who protect leads and create offense. Younger players are producing right away.
There is no single formula. Metro Detroit has at least 10 credible ones.
