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  • Servite quarterback Travis Waller, who was co-most valuable offensive player...

    Servite quarterback Travis Waller, who was co-most valuable offensive player in the Trinity League last season, is OCVarsity's top-ranked quarterback going into the 2014 season. Keep clicking through the slideshow to see the other players who made the top 10.

  • La Habra quarterback Eric Barriere

    La Habra quarterback Eric Barriere

  • Santa Margarita junior KJ Costello has offers from USC and...

    Santa Margarita junior KJ Costello has offers from USC and UCLA, among others. Last season, the 6-foot-5 Costello passed for 1,478 yards and 12 touchdowns.

  • San Clemente quarterback Sam Darnold missed most of last season...

    San Clemente quarterback Sam Darnold missed most of last season because of a broken foot, but the athletic senior has been a hot recruit this summer and he recently committed to USC.

  • Mater Dei quarterback Jack Lowary

    Mater Dei quarterback Jack Lowary

  • Tesoro quarterback Devon Modster

    Tesoro quarterback Devon Modster

  • Newport Beach High quarterback Cole Norris was second-team All-County last...

    Newport Beach High quarterback Cole Norris was second-team All-County last season after passing for 2,959 yards and 27 TDs.

  • JSerra quarterback Nick Robinson, who at times gets overshadowed by...

    JSerra quarterback Nick Robinson, who at times gets overshadowed by the other quarterbacks in the county, made major strides over the summer. He passed for 2,140 yards and 22 TDs in 2013.

  • El Toro quarterback Trey Tinsley is ranked No. 6 in...

    El Toro quarterback Trey Tinsley is ranked No. 6 in the county by OCVarsity going into the 2014 season. He completed nearly 60 percent of his 458 attempts and finished with 3,059 yards and 32 TDs.

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Dan Albano. Sports HS Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Staff Mug Shot taken August 26, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER.

With the start of the high school season quickly approaching, the Register has put together its lists of the top 10 players in the county at each position.

These lists are based on the observations of the Register’s reporters, the input of football coaches around the county and the amount of interest shown by college scouts.

Here is a look at the top quarterbacks going into the season:

1. Travis Waller, Servite, Sr.: In what is probably bad news for defenses, the dual-threat quarterback has improved his passing and decision-making since his first-team All-County campaign last season. The Oregon commit is coming off a strong summer in which he finished third at the Elite 11 camp. Last season, Waller (6-31/2, 195) rushed for 1,293 yards and 13 TDs and also passed for 1,669 yards and 12 TDs. He was co-most valuable offensive player in the Trinity League.

2. KJ Costello, Santa Margarita, Jr.: Costello (6-5, 210) has made huge strides since last season and college recruiters and opponents have taken notice. He recently received offers in the same week from USC and UCLA and also holds offers from Florida State and Alabama. In July, he led Santa Margarita to the semifinals of the Edison passing tournament. Costello flashed his potential last season, passing for 1,478 yards and 12 TDs.

3. Sam Darnold, San Clemente, Sr.: The athletic Darnold (6-4, 205) emerged during the offseason as one of the fastest rising recruits in the county. He attended the Elite 11 camp and later committed to USC. Darnold has much to prove on the field since he missed most of last season with a broken foot, but he is an outstanding athlete. He also plays basketball for the Tritons.

4. Nick Robinson, JSerra, Sr.: Count Robinson (6-2, 205) among the quarterbacks who have made major strides over the summer. The accurate passer led the Lions to their first title at the Air Strike passing tournament in late May. He passed for 2,140 yards and 22 TDs in 2013. Robinson has offers from Florida International and Florida Atlantic.

5. Cole Norris, Newport Harbor, Sr.: Norris (6-0, 193) was the second-team All-County quarterback last season after passing for 2,959 yards and 27 TDs for the Southwest Division runner-up. Standout receivers Quest Truxton and Cory Stowell graduated, but Norris will have the experience of being a three-year starter. He has thrown for 4,422 career yards.

6. Trey Tinsley, El Toro, Sr.: Tinsley (6-3, 190) stepped into the giant shoes left by the record-setting Conner Manning last season and played well in the Chargers’ spread attack. He completed nearly 60percent of his 458 attempts and finished with 3,059 yards and 32 TDs. Tinsley’s progression this summer included leading the Chargers to a co-title at the San Diego State passing tournament. He has an offer from Southern Utah.

7. Devon Modster, Tesoro, Jr.: The dual-threat Modster (6-2) returns as a more polished passer and a more imposing runner at 215 pounds. The two-year starter led the Titans to a third-place finish at the Huntington Beach passing tournament in July. Modster passed for 1,727 yards and 11 TDs last season.

8. Eric Barriere, La Habra, Jr.: Barriere burst onto the county scene last season, throwing for 2,401 yards and 29 TDs. He also showed flashes of spectacular scrambling ability. In a playoff loss to Newport Harbor, he rushed for 152 yards and passed for 253 yards. The Highlanders will be young in spots, but Barriere will be looking to make more plays.

9. Jack Lowary, Mater Dei, Sr.: Lowary (6-4, 205) waited his turn for this chance, so expect to see a hungry and strong-armed first-year starter. “He’s had a cannon since eighth grade,” Mater Dei wide receiver/safety Ben Humphreys said of Lowary. “He’s been waiting his turn, so he’s excited and we’re definitely excited about what he can do.”

10. Brock Johnson, Mission Viejo, Jr.: The Johnson quarterback legacy continues with Brock (6-2, 183), the grandson of Diablos coach Bob Johnson. The veteran coach also molded the high school careers of his sons, Bret and Rob. Brock guided Mission Viejo’s junior varsity to a 10-0 record last season and helped the Diablos win their passing tournament this summer.

Others to watch: (listed alphabetically): Brian Abel, Northwood, Sr.; Nick Buras, Cypress, Sr.; Peter Bush, Corona del Mar, Jr.; Matt Gane, Edison, Sr.; Jake Gigliotti, Yorba Linda, Sr.; Pat Godoy, Valencia, Sr.; Lj Northington, Orange Lutheran, Jr.; Zach Taylor, Buena Park, Jr.; Jack Telenko, Los Alamitos, Jr.; Cole Wilber, Dana Hills, Sr.

RELATED:

OCVarsity rankings: Top running backs

OCVarsity rankings: Top receivers/tight ends

OCVarsity rankings: Top offensive linemen

OCVarsity rankings: Top defensive linemen

OCVarsity rankings: Top linebackers

OCVarsity rankings: Top defensive backs

OCVarsity rankings: Top kickers and punters

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com