California 2026 QB Ashton Pannell ready to spin it this summer for P5 coaches

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

If you can spin it in California’s Trinity League, you can spin it successfully at the top levels of college football. At Bellflower’s St. John Bosco, Braves’ head coach Jason Negro has a remarkable track record of producing next level quarterbacks. With 2023 prospect Pierce Clarkson signing with Louisville, there is an opening under center at Bosco, a spot Ashton Pannell (6-2, 180) is fighting to take over.

Playing 7-on-7 this spring with Premium has helped Pannell move up college recruiting boards. A long list of teams is scouting the 2026 prospect.

“Michigan, Michigan State, SMU, Cal, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Cincinnati, Washington, Pitt, Miami, Virginia Tech, Arizona, and Auburn are all showing interest,” Pannell said.

Digging in deeper planning for the 2023 season, Pannell has been working with QB coach Danny Hernandez refining his skills for the Braves’ offense.

“We run a Spread offense,” Pannell stated. “We will go into some under center, but that is usually in the red zone. We run some RPO (run-pass option) with the deep ball. Every type of read we run.”

Pannell continued, “I have been working on trying to get bigger and stronger in the weight room. I am focused on the mental. This off-season I have been diving into the playbook to let the coaches know I am all in.”

The extra work on the field is paying off.

“I am seeing the biggest improvements with my accuracy, I think I have been improving very well with that,” Pannell shared. “I feel that I am very accurate. I am accurate with my deep ball and on out routes, I can fit it in a small window. My accuracy has improved tremendously.”

With the interest mounting, Pannell has gotten out to explore college campuses this spring.

“I’ve gone to Arizona State, Arizona, Texas, and Texas A&M,” Pannell stated.

The time in Tempe allowed Pannell to bond with the Sun Devils’ coaches.

“ASU was fun,” Pannell said. “It was very hot, but it was fun. It was fun watching the guys. I talked to coach (Beau) Baldwin (OC/QB); I love him. I also talked to coach (Kenny) Dillingham. I love him too.”

The time in Tucson wasn’t as productive as hoped but still fun for Pannell.

“On the Arizona visit, I didn’t get to talk to any coaches, but we did do a photo shoot,” Pannell shared. “We went at night, so we didn’t get to see spring practice. I liked their facilities.”

Quarterbacks ready to take that next step in their recruitment are heading out this summer to college camps across the country. Pannell is ready to impress.

“The schools I am camping at are SMU, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Pitt, Ohio State, Michigan, and USC,” Pannell stated.

Pannell was asked about the draw to camp in Ann Arbor sharing, “I have been in contact with their QB coach, coach (Kirk) Campbell. I have been building a relationship with him. We will visit there, and I will do a one-on-one throwing session with coach Campbell.”

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