This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Sports fans enjoy the casual rankings list, the comparison of talent against talent. It provides an opportunity to agree with the order, or vehemently proclaim the ignorance of the writer, which, considering in this case that happens to be myself — I'll admit I'm as equally surprised each time I receive my yearly media credential.

However, above all else, lists allow us to buy time while we daydream of leaving work to contribute to the stadium eruption in celebration of every touchdown. Speaking of touchdowns: Here is the list of the top 10 prep quarterbacks to watch this season, in no particular order.

These guys can really hurl the rock around. Agree? Disagree? Join the discussion in the comment section, or holler at me @trevorphibbs on Twitter. Well, as Harvey Two-Face once said: Let's start this party off with a bang:

1. Tanner Smith, American Fork

For whatever reason, Smith was unjustly overshadowed by the spotlight of his older teammates, specifically Lopini Katoa (signed at Oregon State) and James Empey (signed at Utah) during American Fork's journey to the Class 5A state championship last season, despite throwing for 3,188 yards and 20 touchdowns, with only nine interceptions. Smith is fully in the limelight this year. The big-bodied (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) southpaw is extremely patient in the pocket, and has the ability to operate efficiently both under center and from shotgun. He's very accurate stretching the field, with a feather-like touch on seam routes. Smith, however, is a not a mobile quarterback — and under no circumstance is he ever a threat to rumble 40 yards down field if the defense breaks containment — but he is capable of extending the play outside of the tackles if necessary, touching back on that patience characteristic. Although he's received some interest from the next level, Smith is relatively an unknown commodity right now. If he has another excellent year calling signals, he should see an increase in his recruitment.

2. Jaren Hall, Maple Mountain

Hall is an athletic freak of nature. He was named to the All-Tribune baseball team, recognizing the top 11 players in the entire state, as an outfielder, and was the second leading scorer on the hardwood for the Golden Eagles last season. But he truly shines on the gridiron, where he is committed to play at BYU post-graduation. He threw for 2,375 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, compared to only seven interceptions. Hall is not the prototypical quarterback. He's undersized, listed at 6-feet, but that might be generous. What he lacks in height he accounts for in playmaking ability and the cannon attached to his throwing arm. Hall adds another element to defend with his capability to tuck and run, where he makes would-be tacklers whiff with agility and power in the open field. With Hall running the show, Maple Mountain is expected to contend for the Region 8 championship this season.

3. Keaton Torre, Bingham

Torre is the most-recruited quarterback on this list. The Oklahoma transfer decommitted from Louisville early this year, a decision he explained in a recent interview with The Salt Lake Tribune , that was influenced by relationships he has formed with BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall and Utah coach Kyle Whittingham since his family relocated to Utah. In terms of pure arm strength: Torre tops the bunch. He can break fingers. Statistically, nothing jumps off the screen. Last year he connected for 10 touchdowns and threw for 1,527 yards, but threw seven interceptions. But he fits perfectly into Bingham's pro-style offense, and with the offensive line and the weapons surrounding him this season, his numbers could easily skyrocket.

4. Garrison Beach, Sky View

Arguably the most efficient quarterback on this list. Beach completed 64 percent of his attempts for 2,223 yards with a 22-3 touchdown-interception ratio. The numbers illustrate his intelligence. He commands the offense. Watch him on Friday nights: He reads the defense, adjusting with audibles at the line of scrimmage — a rare ability at the high school level. Beach's running skills are deceiving, too. He racked up 449 yards and six touchdowns on the ground last season. Beach's presence behind center, paired with eight returning starters from an offensive unit that averaged 33.5 points per game and slightly less than 400 yards per game, is the reason why the Bobcats are the Region 1 favorites.

5. Nick Warmsley, Desert Hills

Don't discount Warmsley because he plays in the 3AA classification. He led the Thunder to their first-ever state title as the starting quarterback as a sophomore, and back to the semifinals as a junior. Now, entering his senior year, Desert Hills is the favorite to win the whole enchilada once again. As a junior, Warmsley threw for 1,474 yards and 17 touchdowns, with eight interceptions. Standing at 6-feet, 200 pounds, Warmsley is a duel-threat quarterback, and arguably the best athlete whenever he's on the field for the Thunder.

6. Drew Cash, Murray

Cash is a riverboat gambler when it comes to testing the defense. He isn't afraid to chuck one over the top, which more times than not — he's successful in doing so. However, that also explains his 14 interceptions he threw last season — the most of any quarterback on this list. Nevertheless, Cash accounted for 2,269 yards and 26 touchdowns through the air, and is one of the main factors in exhuming the Murray program from its downtrodden past. The Spartans will once again be tangled in the mix for Region 6 title with Cash manning the huddle.

7. Viliami Iongi, Provo

Iongi ditched 15 pounds in the offseason to operate more effectively in Provo's up-tempo offense after throwing for 1,699 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Second-year coach Tony McGeary has a demonstrable history of developing quarterbacks on a yearly basis, which Iongi will be the beneficiary. Iongi has great vision in the read-option, and is accurate with the crossing routes famous in McGeary's offense. Look for the Bulldogs to be drastically improved this year and challenge for a playoff spot in Region 7.

8. Chaz Ah You, Westlake

Ah You is the typical case of placing the most athletic player at quarterback and simply allowing him to make plays. The only junior on this list is already a four-star recruit. He's projected to play safety at the next level, but with the ball in his possession — he's electric. Ah You has breakaway speed — easily his most dangerous attribute — and is accurate enough in the passing game to keep the defense honest. This is one player where you're on the edge of your seat, because at any one point, he can do something that makes you say: "Wow."

9. Jace Haney, Clearfield

Haney is not a household name, and although he might not be the coveted college recruit this state is becoming accustomed to — he's an excellent high school player to watch. He threw for 2,419 yards and 18 touchdowns, and his 13 interceptions are more indicative of Clearfield's inability to produce anything on the ground (averaged 45.2 rushing yards per game) than poor decision-making. Haney dropped back and hurled 301 pass attempts last season, so if you're looking for an air-raid offense, he's your guy.

10. Tanner Schwab, Mountain Crest

Mountain Crest is perceived around the state as a drastically improved club, and Schwab is one of the main reasons for that belief. Yes, he struggled with turnovers last year — throwing 10 interceptions — but he also tossed 15 touchdowns, while accumulating 1,941 yards. The Mustangs offense has produced huge numbers at quarterback in the past, and Schwab is expected to do the same this year.

— Trevor Phibbs