High school football preview: The Top 10 quarterbacks

Two highly ranked prospects from the CCL/ESCC superconference highlight the list of the area’s top 10 quarterbacks.

1. Kaden Cobb, Fenwick

The top-ranked quarterback in the state’s senior class will be leading what could be the most prolific passing game around. The 6-3, 180-pounder is committed to defending Mid-American Conference champ Ball State, and he has two D-I receivers to throw to: Eian Pugh (Illinois and Max Reese, who has Power Five offers from Arizona State and Kansas.

2. Dontrell Jackson, Marist

Another three-star prospect, Jackson is a consensus top-25 recruit in Illinois and top-75 QB in the nation. The son of the former Thornton standout and coach of the same name picked up his first D-I offer before his sophomore season and is headed for rising power Coastal Carolina.

3. Jack Lausch, Brother Rice

One of the state’s premier multisport athletes, Lausch will be a preferred walk-on for football and baseball at Notre Dame. He’s a two-time All-Catholic League quarterback and ranked as one of the top outfielders in the Midwest. The 6-3, 195-pounder also is an academic standout — he ranks No. 2 in his class.

4. Tre Jones, Oswego East

It’s been a busy couple years for Jones, a junior who started his prep career at Montini, transferred to Denmark High in Georgia last fall and returned to play at Montini this spring before being sidelined by a broken finger. Now he’s healthy and back in his hometown at Oswego East. The 6-2, 180-pounder has a Power Five offer from Arizona State.

Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

5. Tommy Ulatowski. St. Rita

The starting quarterback for the Mustangs in the 2019 Class 5A state final is back and has the area’s best player — Ohio State-bound receiver Kaleb Brown — returning as his prime target. Expect recruiting interest to pick up for Ulatowski, a 6-2, 180-pounder, as the season goes on.

6. Mark Forcucci, Wheaton North

The Falcons were one of the breakout teams of the abbreviated spring season, thanks to a standout junior class. Forcucci, a 6-1, 190-pounder, was one of the leaders of that resurgence, which should continue this fall. He’s committed to Holy Cross.

7. Nathan Hayes, St. Charles East

As a sophomore in 2019, Hayes passed for 1,357 yards and 12 TDs for a Class 8A playoff qualifier. The 6-4, 195-pounder also is an elite pitcher with a 90 mph fastball. He’s committed to FBS power North Dakota State.

8. Aidan Gray, Naperville North

The 6-2, 175-pound junior could be primed for a breakout year after a pandemic-shortened spring season. He’s already caught some college coaches’ eyes as a three-star recruit and has a Western Michigan offer.

9. Jameson Sheehan, Cary-Grove

Historically, the Trojans have been very good when they have veterans at quarterback and fullback to lead their option offense. Sheehan, a 6-4, 190-pounder, and Nick Hissong are both back from this spring’s 4-0 team, so the arrow is pointing up for Cary-Grove.

10. Aaron Warren, Morgan Park

How good of a quarterback is Warren? Good enough for the Mustangs to switch Camron Fulton, an established starter, to defense last spring to allow Warren to get a head start on adjusting to the position. Long and athletic at 6-4, he can make plays with his arm and his feet.