From Super Bowl champions to Heisman Trophy winners, the Austin Area has produced some stellar quarterbacks over the last couple of decades. This year’s class of Gunslingers is no different. It’s full of rising stars as well as a few who seem destined for future gridiron greatness. Here’s a handful of 2023 Austin-Area quarterbacks who will be lighting up a scoreboard near you this football season.
Austin Novosad (’23) | 6’3, 185 | QB | Dripping Springs
Calm and cool in the pocket, Austin Novosad picks defenses apart with his pinpoint accuracy. Sometimes going to a third or even fourth option when looking to throw, he always appears to be in complete control. Novosad led all of Texas 5A-1 in passing yards in 2022 while being named unanimous District 12 5A-1 MVP. This Baylor commit continues to see more and more offers coming in and his upcoming Senior season, featuring a transition to Class 6A football, will likely see his stock soar.
Bo Edmundson (’23) | 6’3, 195 | QB | Lake Travis
The biggest of our Austin-Area quarterbacks is Bo Edmundson. This Michigan State commit led the storied Lake Travis football team on a deep playoff run in 2021 that stalled out in the 6A-1 state semifinals. Edmundson, with the prototypical pro build, stands tall in the pocket and seemingly always puts the ball in a great spot for his receivers. This Lake Travis signal-caller plays with a ton of confidence and does a tremendous job of letting his receiver’s routes develop.
Jesse Medina III (’23) | 6’0, 187 | QB | Buda Johnson
In only its second year of varsity football, the Buda Johnson Jaguars soared into the playoffs in 2022 behind the arm, and legs, of sensational quarterback Jesse Medina III. As far as size goes, Medina is the smallest of our quarterbacks on the list…but he also might be the most explosive. He has outstanding escapability and can make a potential sack turn into a momentum-changing gain. When Medina gets outside the pocket, he can really make things happen. He will also be strongly tested this season while making the transition to 6A football after UIL realignments. Extended success at the 6A level could easily turn into offers for Medina.
Mason Shorb (’23) | 6’3, 176 | QB | Leander Rouse
The only current 5A quarterback on the list is Mason Shorb of Rouse. Shorb is a stat machine with an absolutely stunning touchdown to interception ratio…In 2022, Shorb had 49 Touchdowns and only 5 Interceptions. This UTSA commit is about as accurate as it gets when throwing the football. Shorb even makes the money throws when he is on the run. Going left or right, he is still extremely accurate. This Rouse quarterback can light it up with the long ball as well, showing pinpoint accuracy deep downfield. As his numbers grow during the season, his offer list is likely to expand as well.
Brayden Buchanan (’23) | 6’1, 205 | QB | Austin Vandegrift
Last but not least is Austin Vandegrift’s, Brayden Buchanan. This big, physical gunslinger is a pure pocket passer for the Vipers. Buchanan commands a very strong pocket presence and shows a real proclivity for staying in the pocket as long as necessary…he does not get happy feet. Buchanan reads the defenses very well and takes what is available. His ability to pick defensive secondaries apart is special. Buchanan’s stock should also continue to rise over the course of this football season.
Perhaps the most interesting fact from this list of outstanding Austin-Area quarterbacks is the fact that three of them will compete in the same district. The rugged, new 6A District 26 will feature Novosad, Edmundson as well as Medina. Not to mention the juggernaut that is Austin Westlake, also in the same district. Defensive coordinators beware, 2023 will absolutely be an exciting year for quarterbacks in the Austin Area.
