Who are the top quarterbacks in RI high school football? These 10 are a good place to start

Editor's Note: With high school football season kicking off this week and next, The Providence Journal will be shifting into high gear with our coverage of the state's most popular high school sport. Today, high school writer Eric Rueb will begin a week-long series of his picks for the 10 players in each of the key positions that you should keep an eye on this fall. Today, he focuses on the quarterbacks.

For years, the quarterback position barely existed in Rhode Island high school football. The signal-caller was basically an extra running back, in charge of option plays or just there to hand off to whoever was in the backfield.

Things have changed dramatically in the last 10 years.

With the introduction of flag football at the youth level, 7-on-7 passing leagues and spread offenses, the quarterback position is now the most important on the field.

Last year the position was highlighted by two pocket passers — North Kingstown’s Eddie Buehler and La Salle’s Dean Varrecchione — but this season there's a wide variety of talent at the position. Some are pure pocket passers, others have dual-threat capability. There are run-first QBs out there as well.

So who are Rhode Island’s best quarterbacks? There are plenty of names to pick from, but here are 10 we think you should watch this fall.

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Kelan Cornell

Cranston West, Junior

Cornell burst onto the scene as a freshman with a memorable Thanksgiving Day comeback and while he went through some growing pains last fall, he gave the Falcons what they needed. Cornell needs to make a big leap this fall but if he uses his experience, decision-making and athleticism, it should be a good year for Cranston West in Division II.

Julien Delacruz

Middletown, Senior

Delacruz put together a heck of a season last fall, helping send the Islanders to the D-III Super Bowl. While Middletown lost to Moses Brown, Delacruz showed what kind of QB he can be. His dual-threat capabilities are a nightmare to stop and Delacruz isn’t afraid to take risks in order to make a good play. As he goes, so too will Middletown this fall and that should have them in good shape.

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Jayden Falcone

Hendricken, Senior

There’s no denying Falcone’s talent. He’s got the size, he’s perfect for the Hawks’ run-first system and while he had some accuracy issues last fall, Falcone throws as well as anyone in Rhode Island. How Hendricken uses his talents is the big question for 2023. If the Hawks go against the grain and employ a pass-first offense, it would give the state — not to mention college coaches — a chance to see just how good Falcone is.

Tyler Lee

Classical, Senior

Athleticism isn’t an issue for Lee, who was a slot receiver as a sophomore before taking over QB duties last fall. It was a learning year for Lee, but the hard lessons he learned during the season should pay off in droves. Lee can run and throw, has plenty of weapons in coach Kris McCall’s offense — which has annually produced D-I college talent — it could be a huge year for the Purple.

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Alex McClelland

Barrington, Senior

McClelland has grown into the position for the Eagles and, after a terrific junior season, he is on the short list of candidates for Rhode Island’s best quarterback. Operating in Barrington’s option-based offense, McClelland showed his athleticism and understanding of how to run a complex offense. With the Eagles seemingly ready to open things up, he’ll get to show off his arm a little more this season as Barrington tries to compete for the D-II Super Bowl.

Daunte Melton

Woonsocket, Senior

Melton has been QB1 for the Villa Novans since he arrived at the school and has developed nicely over the last two seasons. Melton played with confidence last fall and while Woonsocket had some missteps along the way, he handled the pressure well. The world will be on Melton’s shoulders this fall, but with his dual-threat capabilities and big-play receivers, he should be just fine.

Luke Porcaro

Moses Brown, Senior

For a player that wasn’t projected to start last fall, Porcaro turned out just fine. He took over the Quakers’ starting gig and promptly helped lead them to a D-III Super Bowl win. Porcaro will be the best QB in the division and might be the state’s most underrated player at the position. Porcaro looks like a prototypical quarterback — size, speed, arm strength, terrific decision-making — and is in line for a monster senior season.

Brayden Rogers

North Kingstown, Senior

Two years ago, Rogers was the top QB for the Skippers until Eddie Buehler took the job from him and went on to two All-State seasons. Rogers shined as a slot receiver in those years but with Buehler graduated, he is back under center. Rogers will have a heck of a target in All-Stater Noah Gincastro, but with his absurd athletic talent, expect new coach Dave Giorgi to let Rogers display his talents.

Evan Spencer

Cumberland, Junior

Spencer was electric in his sophomore season. There aren’t many players at any position who run as hard as Spencer, who expands every ounce of energy he has on every play. The Clippers use a run-first offense, but Spencer can chuck it if needed. He’s not a pure pocket passer by any means, but Spencer knows where to go with the ball and when to do it and it’s going to make Cumberland a threat in D-II.

Dan Wulf

St. Raphael, Senior

Wulf has come a long way since the start of last season and his last throw of 2022 showed as much. He understood Ethan McCann-Carter had single coverage, knew where the ball had to be and placed it there perfectly, helping the Saints beat Portsmouth in the D-II Super Bowl. There will be more responsibility on Wulf’s arm this season, but his talent and leadership skills make him more than capable of handling it.

Names to remember: Adam Conheeny, Portsmouth, sophomore; Logan Gelinas, Burrillville,junior; Landon Husereau, Westerly, freshman; John Nicoll, Lincoln, sophomore; Avani Rodrigues, Central, senior.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The 10 RI high school football quarterbacks to watch in 2023