One to Watch: Massachusetts 2026 QB Jesse Gagliardi
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
At all levels, offensive success on the gridiron relies heavily on the mobility of the quarterback. Gone are the days of the statue QB in the pocket forced to take shot after shot. The evolution of the game has put a recruiting focus on high school prospects who can move the chains with their arm and with their feet; 2026 quarterback Jesse Gagliardi is doing that for Natick High School.
The Redhawks saw something in their developing sophomore, and then focused their offense against Massachusetts squads around those skills.
“We were mostly in shotgun, never under center, and we would spread it out,” Gagliardi stated. “We were mostly a running offense; I ran a lot. When we threw, we threw short to intermediate passes. Sometimes we went long.”
Gagliardi spoke about his style of play, “I’m definitely more of a rushing guy. When I rush, I try to run people over. I don’t like to slide. Passing wise, I like to stay in the pocket.”
Asked about adversity he overcame during the 2023 season, Gagliardi responded, “Definitely during our first game, we split snaps. I knew I had to become a better leader and improve my skills in practice to get the starting job, which I did a week later.”
Over the course of 10 games, Gagliardi produced 910 passing yards off 52 completions with five touchdowns tossed. Adding to the rushing attack, the Boston area native ran for 491 yards off 92 totes with five trips into the end zone.
The action against varsity competition pushed Gagliardi’s game forward.
“Throughout the year I improved my throwing mechanics and my field vision,” Gagliardi said. “At the start of the year I didn’t have many passing touchdowns but in the last part of the year I started getting them.”
Strengths to the position were covered.
“I work well with my team, I am very good at making sure everyone knows the plays, and once the snap starts, I know where I am going,” Gagliardi shared. “I am fluid with my mechanics.”
As Gagliardi’s talents expand with experience, the Redhawks will tweak their attack to mirror those abilities.
“We are switching it up a little bit this year, we will go under center, and we will start airing it out more,” Gagliardi stated.
Preparing for the fall schedule, Gagliardi is getting extra help on fine tuning his overall game.
“I am working with M2 QB Academy and QB School,” Gagliardi said. ” We mostly go through everything, pocket presence, mechanics, and footwork.”
With QB Results Recruiting Service, former professional gunslinger Todd Krueger is also helping Gagliardi on and off the field.
“They have given me a great workout plan, nutritional values, and they helped me throughout the season on reading defenses for the week prior and the upcoming week,” Gagliardi stated.
Gagliardi is ready to showcase the arm at upcoming camps.
“I am going to the M2 Showdown, a Junior Day Camp, and a Prep Red Zone camp,” Gagliardi shared.
In addition to his time on the gridiron, Gagliardi also suits up for the Redhawks on the diamond playing first base and centerfield.