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Crean Lutheran quarterback Caden Jones dropped back in the pocket, planted his right foot and launched a pass about 50 yards toward the end zone.
The football landed perfectly in the hands of wide receiver Ty Johnson, Jones’ best friend.
The touchdown pass last fall wasn’t just another highlight for Jones, it provided a window into his rise as one of the top quarterbacks in Orange County.
The connection against eventual CIF-SS Division 4 champion La Habra showcased two of Jones’ primary strengths: accuracy and chemistry with teammates.
Those two qualities helped push Jones (6-2, 180) to the No. 1 spot in The Orange County Register’s preseason quarterback rankings for 2026.
“Caden has matured physically and mentally,” Crean Lutheran coach Rick Curtis said of the senior, who is committed to the University of Arizona.
“Caden is humble and cares about all of his teammates and coaches. A day never passes without him asking me, ‘How are you doing, Coach?’ “
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Last season, Jones completed 75 percent of his passes for 3,044 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Jones, who is an all-league player in basketball, also showed his mobility by averaging 8.4 yards on 31 carries.
He was selected first-team All-County and Epsilon League MVP in 2025, as he remarkably didn’t throw an interception in the regular season. He threw 291 passes over 10 games without a pick.
“He’s improved as a passer,” said recruiting expert Greg Biggins of Rivals/On3. “The game looks like it’s slowing down for him and he’s processing faster.”
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One of Jones’ top targets this season will be Johnson (6-3, 210), a senior who also is committed to Arizona.
The duo is part of a Wildcats recruiting class that includes Crean Lutheran wide receiver Braylen Ross and Saints cornerback Evan Mack.
It wasn’t a coincidence that Jones committed to the same college as three of his teammates. He values relationships and the tight-knit culture he sees the Big 12 Conference program building.
“That’s really why I chose them,” Jones said of Arizona, where his brother Carter plays linebacker. “I was able to feel like they like me as a person, not only as a football player.”
“It was a real connection I had with them,” he added.
Jones’ collection of receivers this fall will include former Yorba Linda standout Troy Roberts.
Ross and Roberts were both missing at the South County Classic passing tournament on July 18 when Crean Lutheran lost to Santa Margarita 29-0 in the quarterfinals.
Jones left the field at Mission Viejo High motivated to keep working hard with new Crean Lutheran quarterback coach Beau Baldwin.
The former Cal Poly SLO and Eastern Washington head coach has replaced Ryan Porter, Jones’ longtime mentor who is now coaching for JSerra.
“I’ve grown so much just through this summer,” Jones said. “(Porter) is basically family. It was hard (losing him), but you got to do what you got to do.”
For Jones and the Saints, their path this fall includes a nonleague game against JSerra and a promotion to the Bravo League.
The front of Jones’ T-shirt at the passing tournament read “Family.”
“We’re ready,” Jones said of the season. “It’s going to be a tougher schedule for sure but we’re excited just to put our heads down and grind.”
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“We’re going to try to make a statement,” he added.
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This story was originally published July 30, 2026 at 8:41 AM.