The countdown to Friday night football is officially on.
Whistles are blowing across practice fields, helmets will be popping for the first time this season, and quarterbacks throughout the Greater Savannah area are beginning to take command of their offenses.
With preseason practice underway, Spencer Walden of 28 Suspence on Instagram and 912 Suspence on YouTube, in conjunction with ProShot Sports Media and InTheWorldofMedia, have released their Top 5 Quarterbacks heading into the 2026 high school football season.
It's a list that will certainly spark conversation.
Some fans will agree.
Others will have a different No. 1.
But one thing isn't up for debate.
This group has the talent to shape the 2026 season.
From quarterbacks chasing unfinished business to young stars coming off championship seasons, here's why these five earned their spot.
No. 1 — James Mobley IV, Calvary Day
Some quarterbacks spend their careers trying to prove they belong.
James Mobley has already done that.
Now he's chasing something much bigger.
The Calvary Day senior returns for his third season as the Cavaliers' starting quarterback after leading his team to the GHSA Class 3A state championship game last December. Mobley finished the season with 2,802 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and a 64 percent completion rate, earning the GHSA Region 3-3A Player of the Year honors and All-Greater Savannah First Team recognition.
The numbers are impressive.
But they don't fully explain why he's ranked No. 1.
Mobley has become the calm voice in the huddle, the player teammates trust when the game is on the line, and the leader every championship team needs.
Last season ended one win short of a state title.
That memory has fueled an entire offseason.
If Calvary Day makes another championship run, don't be surprised if No. 10 is leading the way once again.
No. 2 — Omari Burse, Benedictine
Playing quarterback at Benedictine comes with expectations.
That's what happens when you're following quarterbacks like Holden Geriner, Luke Kromenhoek and Stephen Cannon.
Now the spotlight belongs to Omari Burse.
Although Burse spent last season learning behind Cannon, he already proved he could handle the pressure during his sophomore season. Forced into the starting lineup because of injuries, Burse led the Cadets to a 4-1 record, including two GHSA playoff victories. He completed 62 percent of his passes for 988 yards and eight touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions, adding two rushing touchdowns along the way.
Now comes the next chapter.
The baseball standout, who has committed to UAB, inherits one of Georgia's premier football programs and has all the tools to continue Benedictine's quarterback tradition.
The opportunity is finally his.
Now it's time to see what he does with it.
No. 3 — Jordan Turner, Bethesda Academy
Winning changes expectations.
Jordan Turner knows that better than anyone on this list.
Last season, the junior quarterback helped lead Bethesda Academy to the SCISA Class 2A state championship, establishing himself as one of the Coastal Empire's brightest young stars.
His numbers were outstanding.
2,134 passing yards.
34 touchdown passes.
Only two interceptions.
He also added six rushing touchdowns while completing 67 percent of his throws.
But championships aren't won by statistics alone.
Turner's greatest strength may be his decision-making. He protects the football, keeps plays alive when necessary and rarely forces a throw into coverage.
The scary part for opposing defenses?
He's only entering his junior season.
Bethesda already has its championship quarterback.
Now Turner has the chance to prove last season was only the beginning.
No. 4 — Jah'Barri Felix, Bradwell Institute
Some quarterbacks beat defenses with precision.
Others beat them with athleticism.
Jah'Barri Felix does both.
The Bradwell senior enters the season as one of the area's premier dual-threat quarterbacks after throwing for 1,733 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for another 388 yards. His performance earned him First-Team All-Region honors and established him as one of the most dangerous playmakers in southeast Georgia.
Standing 6-foot and weighing 200 pounds, Felix has the size to stand tall in the pocket and the athleticism to escape when everything breaks down.
That's what makes him so difficult to defend.
You can play perfect defense for three downs.
Then Felix turns fourth down into a highlight.
No. 5 — Gunner Mobley, Richmond Hill
Sometimes the biggest growth comes from the toughest schedule.
Nobody understands that better than Gunner Mobley.
The Richmond Hill senior started every game last season against one of the most challenging schedules in Georgia, facing programs like Valdosta, Lowndes, Colquitt County, Tift County and Buford.
Those Friday nights weren't easy.
But they made him better.
Mobley threw for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns while gaining invaluable experience against elite competition. Even more encouraging for Wildcats fans, his top two targets—Eli Grant and Marquis Muhammad—return this fall, giving Richmond Hill continuity in the passing game.
Quarterbacks often make their biggest leap after a full season behind center.
If that's true, Gunner Mobley could be one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 season.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of rankings is that they start conversations.
The beauty of football is that it settles them.
James Mobley has another chance to finish an unforgettable career with a state championship.
Omari Burse finally gets the opportunity to lead one of Georgia's most successful programs.
Jordan Turner is looking to prove a championship season wasn't a one-year story.
Jah'Barri Felix gives Bradwell one of the most dangerous dual-threat weapons in the area.
And Gunner Mobley enters his senior season stronger because of every challenge he faced a year ago.
By the end of the season, these rankings may look completely different.
Someone not on this list could become the next breakout star.
Another quarterback could lead his team on a deep playoff run.
That's why we love high school football.
Every August, hope returns.
Every Friday, legacies are built.
And every championship dream begins with the player who touches the football on every offensive snap.
The quarterback.
Do you agree with 28 Suspence's Top 5?
Photos courtesy of 28suspence on Instagram and players on social media pages.
Follow Prep Sports Report on X @PrepSav and Instagram @savannahsportsreport.
To share scores, story ideas, or corrections, email kdemasi@prepsportsreport.com or text 912.507.9158.
Prep Sports Report Football Coverage Presented by Optim Orthopedics
Optim Orthopedics wants you in the game.
Keeping Savannah-area athletes healthy and ready for gameday all season long.
Team physicians include Dr. Don Aaron (Bryan County), Dr. David Sedory (Benedictine, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County), Dr. David Palmer (Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham), and Dr. Thomas Alexander (Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent’s Academy).
