Best High School QB ever from O.C.?

[Credo ut intelligam]

This is bound to open a can of worms.

J.T. Daniels has recently put up stats that may never be matched, though this is clearly a pass-oriented era, and having an offensive line and receivers that may also be unequaled in history.

Anyone care to make the case for Todd Marinovich, who was every bit as heralded coming out of high school? And what about some of the other greats---Steve Beuerlein, Rob Johnson, Bret Johnson, Matt Leinert, and Matt Barkley? Am I missing someone? Sam Darnold?

If you actually saw most of these in person, what say you? (Purely considering their prep careers, not what they did or didn't do beyond high school.)

[Newps]

Carson Palmer

[BBB]

You’re missing a couple of other Bob Johnson players. Mark Sanchez at Mission Viejo and Steve Stenstrom at El Toro (played at Stanford and in the NFL).

[Credo ut intelligam]

Yes, overlooked those. Carson Palmer was a great one.

[Omar Bongo]

[Professor Fate]

Remember, the opening post specified high school careers only. So All-Pro QB Steve Beuerlein probably doesn't qualify, despite winning a CIF and State Championship, because it was his only starting season in HS. Nevertheless, it was a great season.

[kid66]

I would put Billy Blanton along with Todd Marinovich as the two best to ever play QB in OC.

Billy Blanton was a true gun slinger. He put up big numbers, led MD to Coach Rollison's first CIF title. He didn't play behind the top rated offensive line in the country, he didn't have 5 big time recruit WR's. Blanton had ice in his vains and couldn't be rattled. Even Coach Dave Money would say he would take Billy Blanton over any of the great MD quartbacks. And he coached them all.

Todd Marinovich was a man amoungst boys in high school

I think Carson Palmer, Matt Barkley, Sam Darnold, Marc Sanchez would be the next group of QB's.

I'm not overly impressed with Daniels. Yes, he put huge numbers, but he had the best offensive line in the country, the best WR corp in the country and he's a lot older then his piers. I was impressed with his running capabilites that he added this past year.

I'm more impressed with the QB that can do more with less. Makes everybody around him better and elevates his team.

[TommyTrojan]

Of the guys I've seen, it is hard to pass up Rob Johnson for me. The guy was such a great athlete that he was an all-CIF WR while Stenstrom was the QB. All-County in 3 sports, and won letters in those 3 12 times I believe (not totally sure if he lettered in football as a freshman).

Todd would be right there as well. It is easy to forget that he crushed the national passing yards record in an era before 4 wide, up tempo offenses. And he played SS. A head coach who coached against him said their game plan was to create a scheme where they dropped all 11 guys and hope he would get confused and throw incomplete.

[watchersince68]

Lots of GREAT QB's over the years hard to really compare them but I would give the nod to 22 year old JT who
should already be in the NFL because of his advanced age.

I saw Blanton, and Barkley throw every high school pass they attempted, 2 years of Todd's and some of Palmer and Sanchez attempts. But if you want real winners with less abilities one to look at was Scott Luckash (sp). He did more with less than all the rest.

[TommyTrojan]

Shoot if you want most with least, I'm going with Mathews from Saddleback several years ago. That guy had the least talent around him and won games all by himself.

[watchersince68]

Scott Lukash 220 142 64.5 2,457 11.17 29 4 198.2

Here was his numbers and his rating just below JT's 198.6

[watchersince68]

And Scott had a CIF championship to go along with his accomplishments

[Friar4ever]

No doubt in my mind - Carson Palmer.

[sammy swordsman]

Los Al had some great ones as well

Tim Carey
Kevin Feterick
Mike Good

[kid66]

@Watchersince 68 - Is Lukash releated to you? He's not even in the same category as all of the other QB's mentioned. He's not even top 10 at MD in the Coach Dave Money ETA

Yes, I like Carey and Feterick also. Rob Johnson was a great one.

[watchersince68]

Scott won a CIF championship and had a 198.2 rating second ONLY to JT in the history of MD QB's. I think he was only about 5ft tall, no rocket arm and won the big game before the transfer game was prevalent. I can only wish he was my son. Some guys just do what it takes to win and he was one of those. Kidd66 why don't you post all the other great's ratings and championships and let's compare.

[watchersince68]

Kidd66
Joe Montana was no superhuman with a body of Adonis but he won games. Isn't that what makes you great?

[MDDad]

Even Coach Dave Money would say he would take Billy Blanton over any of the great MD quartbacks.

Not anymore.

[RoadRunner]

Shoot if you want most with least, I'm going with Mathews from Saddleback several years ago. That guy had the least talent around him and won games all by himself.

Rishard was not a QB...however he did line up at the position and was unstoppable....he ran the wildcat before the wildcat...just a damn stud

[RoadRunner]

Shane Foley out of Newport Harbor was pretty damn good...