QB Magazine Athlete Feature

When Giuseppe Barbagallo crossed the goal line for his first touchdown, the voice on the loudspeaker belonged to his best friend.

Vincent was in the announcer’s booth that day and called the play as it happened. “It was an awesome feeling to share that moment with him,” Giuseppe said, “and hearing his voice announce it made it extra special.” Plenty of players remember their first touchdown. Few get to hear their best friend call it.

The Class of 2032 quarterback from Wyckoff, New Jersey is heading into his fourth season of tackle football. His path to the field started on the couch. As a young kid, Giuseppe watched NFL games with his dad. Watching turned into studying, first individual players and then the plays themselves. Eventually, he wanted to be out there doing it himself.

That habit of studying the game still shapes how he plays. “I enjoy the mental side of the game the most,” the Eisenhower Middle School quarterback said. He likes reading defenses, making decisions, leading his teammates, and taking responsibility for the offense. He especially likes helping the players around him perform better.

Playing quarterback didn’t happen overnight. Giuseppe says one of his biggest challenges was making the full switch to the position and earning the job. He did it through daily preparation, extra training, and consistent work over time. “Putting in the work consistently helped everything come together,” he said.

He trains year-round with private quarterback coach Madei Williams, whom Giuseppe credits with the biggest impact on his development. “He never settles and doesn’t stop until I get things right,” Giuseppe said. He describes Williams as a true technician who has worked with some excellent quarterbacks and who pairs a deep knowledge of mechanics with steady encouragement.

Giuseppe also has a mentor closer to his own age. Walker Snee, a high school quarterback and friend, works through reps with him, especially during the summer. Giuseppe says that relationship has helped him build confidence and grow mentally as a quarterback.

His camp schedule shows how seriously he takes his development. Giuseppe has attended QBIQ Camp sessions in New Jersey and Las Vegas, along with regional camps at Don Bosco Prep, St. Joseph’s Regional, DePaul, and Ramapo. He also accepted an invitation to QB Universe for spring 2026.

His idea of a great quarterback comes down to leadership, preparation, confidence, and football IQ. “A great quarterback has to earn trust, stay calm under pressure, and always be willing to learn and improve,” he said. His favorite quarterbacks reflect that view. He admires Tom Brady’s work ethic, preparation, and anticipation, and Joe Montana’s calm confidence in big moments.

Giuseppe’s goals start in the classroom. He wants to stay on the High Honor Roll with straight A’s by managing his time, doing strong schoolwork, and continuing to improve in math. On the field, he’s focused on preparation, good habits, and making calm, accurate decisions. Over the next year, he wants to keep excelling academically while growing as a quarterback and leader, bringing effort, toughness, and consistency both on and off the field.

Football is only one part of his life. Giuseppe is a Junior Black Belt in karate and takes part in a leadership program where he teaches and mentors younger students. He also plays basketball and lacrosse, which help him stay athletic and well-rounded.

Follow Giuseppe: @giuseppebqb on Instagram and X

Honor Roll to Huddle

Giuseppe is a High Honor Roll student, a Junior Black Belt who mentors younger kids, a three-sport athlete, and a quarterback who earned his position through steady work. He’s a well-rounded middle schooler, and he’s building a story people can follow for years. An upgraded QB Magazine membership gives that story a home.

Feature articles give each part of his journey room to be told. Practice Squad includes one article each year, and Starter includes two. Giuseppe has a lot to share: learning football by watching games with his dad, hearing Vincent call his first touchdown, training with Madei Williams, taking summer reps with Walker Snee, and balancing straight A’s with a full camp schedule. A second article can follow his fourth tackle season and his continued growth as a leader.

Each month, he also gets a custom graphic designed around him. That might highlight a smart read against a defense he studied, a calm drive late in a game, or a strong performance at one of his camps. Each graphic gives his family, coaches, and teammates a clear, shareable way to celebrate his progress.

Reposts help that work reach a wider audience. Practice Squad includes two story reposts each month on X or Instagram. Starter includes four story reposts every week across both platforms, plus a monthly wall collab that appears on Giuseppe’s page and QB Magazine’s at the same time. That introduces a Wyckoff quarterback to QB Magazine’s national audience of quarterbacks, coaches, and football families.

The recruiting profile included with both tiers features academic stats alongside performance stats, which fits a student who puts his grades first in his goals. Starter also includes social media consulting to help keep @giuseppebqb focused on the preparation and discipline he values most. It adds consideration for the Top 50 QB Mag Watchlist and priority for the QB Mag College Bus + Camps TOUR, giving him an early look at college campuses. Both tiers include camp access, which fits a player who already travels from New Jersey to Las Vegas to learn and compete.

Starting in middle school gives Giuseppe plenty of time. The articles, graphics, reposts, and collabs he earns during these years will still be there as he moves into high school. Over time, they’ll show how a young quarterback kept building his skills, habits, and leadership.

His football story started with watching NFL games beside his dad, and his first touchdown came with his best friend on the microphone. A membership helps preserve moments like those, along with the preparation and support that continue to shape Giuseppe as a quarterback.

More info: quarterbackmagazine.com/memberships