Carson Palmer named his own son, Fletch Palmer, as the starting quarterback at Santa Margarita for the 2026 high school football season. Vanderbilt commit Matthew Smith will serve as the backup.
The second-year head coach at his alma mater rejects accusations of nepotism.
Palmer claims the quarterback competition was completely fair and extremely competitive. Would he consider making a change if the high school football season starts to go south over the next few weeks?
Fletch Palmer is starting for Santa Margarita over Matthew Smith.
Santa Margarita added two separate transfers at quarterback during the offseason. Junior West Stansbury transferred in from Coronado High School in El Paso, Texas. Matt Smith transferred in from Villa Park High School in greater Orange, California.
The Eagles held an open competition at quarterback during the spring practice period and preseason camp. The two new transfers battled with Fletch Palmer.
Fletch Palmer is the son of former Heisman Trophy winner and 2005 NFL passing touchdowns leader Carson Palmer. Carson Palmer took over as head coach at his alma mater, Santa Margarita Catholic High School, in 2025.
Stansbury is rated as a three-star recruit in the Class of 2027 with scholarship offers from UCLA and UTEP. Smith is also rated as three-star prospect in the Class of 2027. He committed to Vanderbilt over Utah, Princeton, San Jose State and UC Davis, among others. Palmer, a Class of 2028 recruit, is not yet rated by the major recruiting services.
In the end, Palmer beat out Stansbury and Smith for the starting job. The Eagles are 2-0 after wins over Jones and Centennial.
Carson Palmer went with his own son over the Vanderbilt commit.
Most people expected Matt Smith to start over Fletch Palmer and West Stansbury. Palmer played in three games as a sophomore in 2025 but he only completed five passes for 74 yards. Smith threw for more than 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns at Villa Park.
Carson Palmer ultimately named his son as the starter.
He wants to be clear that it was earned, not given. It was not nepotism. They were both granted equal opportunity to compete.
“Matt Smith came in, was a senior. He came in kind as the leader. It was very competitive, from the beginning of spring. It got more and more competitive … They went head to head. Both had really good camps.”
Fletch Palmer completed 21 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in Week 1. He completed only six of his 13 pass attempts for 52 yards in Week 2. Santa Margarita is 2-0. Would Carson Palmer consider making a switch?