The New Orleans area is experiencing quarterback competitions ahead of the 2026 prep football season following the graduation of several standout players. With Division I signees moving on, teams are now evaluating new talent to fill these pivotal roles. The seven highlighted quarterback battles include fierce competitions at prominent schools such as Edna Karr, St. Augustine, and Jesuit, among others. Each school is working to identify who will be leading their offense as summer approaches and spring practices conclude.

By the Numbers
  • Edna Karr's competition sees three players—Forest Johnson, Marlon Jones, and Jayce Romain—vying for the position.
  • At St. Augustine, Jaelle Noble, who has an SEC offer, is competing against Jay May for the starting role.
  • Jesuit's duo, Sully Sullivan and Mani Vandenweghe, combined for two passing touchdowns in their spring game.
  • Destrehan's Aushai Smith is highlighted as the frontrunner after leading the first-team offense in spring scrimmages.
Yes, But

While the competition is tough, there are concerns about the development of these new quarterbacks and how they will adapt to their respective systems, especially given the standout performances of their predecessors. Each team aims to balance immediate performance pressure with the long-term growth of the players.

State of Play
  • Edna Karr has a three-way competition with young talents looking to establish themselves.
  • St. Augustine continues to develop its dual-threat option, showing promise in spring practices.
  • Jesuit faces a transitioning quarterback room and may rely on both players for different strategies.
  • Newman's former running back turned quarterback is now replaced by incoming players with fresh dynamics.
What's Next

As summer workouts commence, these competitions will intensify, leading to clearer separations among the candidates. Early preseason games and scrimmages will be critical in determining which players will secure starting roles by Fall.

Bottom Line

The upcoming season promises to showcase a fresh crop of talent in New Orleans football. These competitions are not just about filling shoes but also about building the next generation of leaders on the field.