Annie Wingert is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Thunderbird High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX– The quarterback is obviously one of the most important players as commander of the offense and leader of the team. 

Knowing this, Thunderbird wide receiver Daryl Little II, who racked up the second most receiving yards in the state last year, told head coach Matt Nalette he wanted to play quarterback instead when the position opened up going into the 2026 season.

“Really, it was kind of his decision,” Nalette said. “He came in and said, ‘I’m going to do what it takes for the team to win,’ and so he stepped right in.”

From there, Little II got valuable practice over the summer playing seven-on-seven football in which he showed great promise without even running the ball, Nalette said. Taking his performance and running ability into account, the coaching staff knew he would be the starter come fall.

Despite the big differences between playing quarterback and wide receiver, Little II said he was feeling good going into the season. He just had to adopt a new mindset.

“At receiver, it was just make sure I know what I’m doing,” Little II said. “But now, I have to make sure everyone knows what they’re doing.”

Little II has been adjusting to his new position and adopting this new mindset well, as evidenced by his individual stats and the team’s offensive production this season.

Thunderbird (6-3 overall) is averaging 38.6 points per game and sits in third place in the 4A Skyline Region with a 2-1 region record. 

Little II has racked up 2,050 total yards this season, most of those on the ground. So far, he has rushed for 1,077 yards, nearly half of the team’s 2,444 total rushing yards. 

The coaching staff highly prioritized getting the ball into Little II’s hands last season, Nalette said. But, the coach said it is much harder for it to get there when the ball has to be thrown to him versus when the ball gets snapped directly into his hands.

Being a pass-dominant offense in that way created a lot of risk on offense last season, Nalette said. Having Little II play at quarterback has made Thunderbird a more run-heavy team, which gives the coaching staff more confidence in their offense’s ability to produce.

“Sometimes, we were in high-risk situations where we risked turning the ball over because we had to try to throw the ball to Daryl,” Nalette said. “So now with the ball in his hands, I think it is a low-risk offense and obviously high-reward.”

More than his offensive success, Little II has grown as a person in his transition from wide receiver to quarterback, Nalette said. He’s always been a team leader, but that leadership has intensified this season.

“He’s taking that on even more now as a quarterback,” Nalette said. “When you see the way the guys rally around him, I think it gives us a more cohesive team.”

Throughout the process of taking on a new offensive role, Little II’s support has come from all of his coaches and teammates, he said. This includes his father, assistant coach Daryl Little, who has been able to watch his son through this process as dad and as coach.

“It's rewarding, and it's also nerve-wracking,” Little said. “You want to see the kid be successful. He’s not playing in his position, but he’s balling out.”