Where All 32 NFL Starting Quarterbacks Played High School Football

As the 2026 NFL season begins, High School Football America and NFL Play Football look back at where each of the league's 32 starting quarterbacks began his football journey.

From California to Florida and Texas to Hawaii, every NFL starting quarterback was once a high school quarterback dreaming of playing at the next level.

California leads the nation with eight former high school quarterbacks among the NFL's 32 starters. Texas is second with six, while Florida and Georgia each have three.

States with the most former high school football players starting as quarterbacks in NFL games this weekend.

2026 NFL Starting QBs, By High School

AFC East

• Buffalo Bills - Josh Allen, Firebaugh High School (California)
• Miami Dolphins – Malik Willis, Roswell High School (Georgia)
• New England Patriots - Drake Maye, Myers Park High School (North Carolina)
• New York Jets - Geno Smith, Miramar High School (Florida)

AFC North

• Baltimore Ravens - Lamar Jackson, Boynton Beach High School (Florida)
• Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow, Athens High School (Ohio)
• Cleveland Browns - Deshaun Watson, Gainesville High School (Georgia)
• Pittsburgh Steelers - Aaron Rodgers, Pleasant Valley High School (California)

AFC South

• Houston Texans - C.J. Stroud, Rancho Cucamonga High School (California)
• Indianapolis Colts - Daniel Jones, Charlotte Latin School (North Carolina)
• Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence, Cartersville High School (Georgia)
• Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward, Columbia High School (Texas)

AFC West

• Denver Broncos - Bo Nix, Pinson Valley High School (Alabama)
• Kansas City Chiefs - Patrick Mahomes, Whitehouse High School (Texas)
• Las Vegas Raiders - Kirk Cousins, Holland Christian High School (Michigan)
• Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert, Sheldon High School (Oregon)

NFC East

• Dallas Cowboys - Dak Prescott, Haughton High School (Louisiana)
• New York Giants - Jaxson Dart, Corner Canyon High School (Utah)
• Philadelphia Eagles - Jalen Hurts, Clearchannel High School (Texas)
• Washington Commanders - Jayden Daniels, Cajon High School (California)

NFC North

• Chicago Bears - Caleb Williams, Gonzaga College High School (Washington, DC)
• Detroit Lions - Jared Goff, Marin Catholic High School (California)
• Green Bay Packers - Jordan Love, Liberty High School (Bakersfield, California)
• Minnesota Vikings - Kyler Murray, Allen High School (Texas)

NFC South

• Atlanta Falcons - Tua Tagovailoa, Saint Louis High School (Hawaii)
• Carolina Panthers - Bryce Young, Mater Dei High School (California)
• New Orleans Saints - Tyler Shough, Hamilton High School (Arizona)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Baker Mayfield, Lake Travis High School (Texas)

NFC West

• Arizona Cardinals - Jacoby Brissett, Dwyer High School (Florida)
• Los Angeles Rams - Matthew Stafford, Highland Park High School (Texas)
• San Francisco 49ers - Brock Purdy, Perry High School (Arizona)
• Seattle Seahawks - Sam Darnold, San Clemente High School (California)