The state of Indiana has plenty of talent when it comes to high school football.
But there are four quarterbacks that people across the Hoosier State will want to keep an eye on this season, as they have the potential to take their respective teams deep into the postseason. Brebeuf Jesuit’s Maverick Geske, Lawrence Central’s Terry Walker III, Greenfield-Central’s Dallas Freeman and Covenant Christian’s Connor Cruz are all able to hurt opposing defenses and light up a scoreboard this fall.
Here is a look at all four and how the offseason has been treating them.
Cruz ready for big junior season
A season ago, Cruz showed an ability to put up big numbers for Covenant Christian, as the Class of ’26 prospect notched 38 total touchdowns, 33 passing touchdowns and threw for 2,631 yards. He set school records for passing yards in a game (348), season passing yards (2,631), average passing yards in a game (239) and most completions/attempts.
“The offseason has been going great. I have been able to create some relationships with coaches and attended some showcases. I have also been training with Morelli for quarterbacks and do speed training with Coach Eze and Track Fit in Indianapolis. The weight room has been going well, as well,” Cruz told Indiana Preps.
As for the success from last year, Cruz said it was a testament to the amount of work he and his teammates had put in.
“I was surprised to a certain extent, but it is a testament to the amount of work I put in and having great teammates around me to have more success. I also loved the system for our offense last year, which was a big factor,” Cruz said.
With the upcoming season getting closer, Cruz said he has several goals he wants to accomplish.
“Get faster, stronger and take care of the ball. I also want to be a leader for my teammates,” Cruz said.
Freeman wants to bring title home to Greenfield-Central
After posting nine wins last season, Freeman enters his senior season eyeing a sectional title and more with Greenfield-Central this fall.
The 6-foot-4-inch, 180-pound signal caller had a huge junior season, throwing for 1,444 yards and a school record 19 touchdowns, while adding another 761 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. For his efforts, he earned a spot on the Junior All-State Team, as well as all-conference and all-county honors.
As he heads into his senior season, Freeman said his main focus this off-season has been gaining weight to be better prepared for his senior season.
“Also, get ready for college ball. I have been focusing on getting my name out there to coaches and get recognition to make my dreams come true,” Freeman said.
With his senior season on the horizon, Freeman said his goals are simple — to become a better leader and help elevate the Cougars to both a conference title and sectional championship.
“We didn’t do those things last year. We had a really good year last year. We did things no one thought we could do and everyone was saying we wouldn’t be as good because we lost a bunch of good seniors last year, but we proved them wrong. Overall, we had a great year. Beating Mt. Vernon, which hadn’t been done since I have been in high school, and only losing two games, which is the best record since I’ve been here,” Freeman said.
LC’s Walker one of the top ’26 Prospects
After seeing time as a backup quarterback for Lawrence Central last year, Walker has been handed the keys to the offense for the Bears this season.
That should be good news for Will Patterson’s team, as the 6-foot-4-inch, 178-pound Walker has plenty of upside and all the intangibles to be one of the top signal callers in the Hoosier State this year. In five games last year, Walker completed over 50 percent of his passes and threw for 749 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.
Walker has had a busy spring, visiting the likes of Ohio State, Indiana, Ball State, Purdue and Notre Dame. He was also offered by Miami (OH).
“The offseason has treated me well so far,” Walker said.
Despite playing basketball, Walker has been able to stay in football shape, get his name out there and build for the upcoming season for the Bears.
“I can’t what to see else God has planned for me. This upcoming season will not disappoint. I can promise that we’ve got some guys that already have recognition. Guys like Nizyi Davis and others are on the come up for sure,” Walker said.
Walker said the experience gained last year was huge for his development and he is ready to apply lessons learned this fall.
“It helped a lot. I got to learn behind one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the Midwest and definitely one of the smartest. It will all show this season, but I have improved a lot mentally and physically,” Walker said.
Geske looks to lead Braves to state title run
There is plenty of hope this coming season for Brebeuf Jesuit and a big reason is because of the play of senior quarterback Maverick Geske.
As a junior last year, Geske was 209-of-336 for 3,084 yards, 42 touchdowns and a QBR of 120. Last year, Geske posted school records for yards, touchdowns and completion percentage for the Braves.
He showed no signs of letdown this offseason, as he looked solid at a 7-on-7 event in Las Vegas earlier this year and he said that experience has helped get him ready for the upcoming season.
“7 on 7 is obviously different, but just being able to continue getting reps, reading coverages and making throws all over the field against some of the best competition in the country will definitely improve my game,” Geske said.
The spring has been a busy one for Geske, who also plays baseball for the Braves. He has visited the likes of Butler, Purdue, Ohio, Indiana and Ball State and scooped up an offer from Butler.
He said he has enjoyed the recruiting process, especially when it comes to Purdue.
“I can’t say I grew up a huge Purdue fan, but after seeing what they are doing with the program, I, definitely, would love to be a part of it,” Geske said.
With the season roughly four months away, Geske has his focus deadset on capping the season back at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“Obviously, a state championship is a goal for every season, so to win Brebeuf’s first football state championship, win our conference and there are a few records I haven’t broken yet, so I would like to break every record in our school’s history,” Geske said of what he hopes to accomplish in 2024.