Will Mencl is the 247Sports Preseason Player of the Year in Arizona for high school football’s 2026 season.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder is a senior quarterback from Chandler (Ariz.) High.
In 13 games as a junior during the 2025 season, Mencl completed 258 of 367 passes for 3,815 yards and 33 touchdowns against five interceptions, according to MaxPreps.
“There wasn’t a player I pushed harder to get a late invite into the Navy All-American Bowl last year than Mencl,” said 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins. “I don’t think he gets enough credit for how fearless he is as both a passer and a runner. You look at what he did as a junior and moments never really looked too big for him.”
Entering his senior season, Mencl has reportedly totaled 4,873 yards through the air. With 44 touchdowns to just eight career interceptions, Mencl’s passing prowess cannot be overstated at this stage.
An under-appreciated aspect of his game? Mencl was Chandler’s leading rusher last year, going for 741 gained on the ground. He had 17 rushing scores and recorded 100-plus in a game twice, including a 146-yard performance against Phoenix Brophy Prep.
As complete and effective of a quarterback as there is in Arizona, and arguably the country, it’s no surprise that Mencl has earned this caliber of preseason recognition.
He has been committed to Oregon’s 2027 recruiting class since April 22 and was a member of the 2026 Elite Finals, and played in the 2026 Navy All-American Bowl.
“Obviously, I took a big jump this past season, but I feel like I’ve taken an even bigger jump since I’ve last played my last football game,” Mencl told 247Sports this summer. “So, I feel like, really, the sky’s the limit, and I trust in Oregon with all my heart that they’re going to be able to develop me and that we’re going to win a national championship. But I mean … I’m just excited to get to campus. I can’t wait to learn the playbook. That’s a very complicated scheme that we run there, so it’s just, again, being humble, putting your head down, you’re not bigger than anybody, you’re not better than anybody. So, just put your head down, get to work, and the best things will come.”
