Caleb Joe is an 11th grade quarterback in the Class of 2027 from Red Mountain High School in Mesa, Arizona, and his love for football has been growing steadily since he first put on pads at six years old. Like many young athletes, Caleb was involved in multiple sports early on, but football quickly separated itself from the rest. From the moment he joined a team, the game clicked. The combination of competition, teamwork, and responsibility hooked him, and years later that passion has only grown stronger.

What Caleb enjoys most about football is the team concept and the shared pursuit of a common goal. To him, success isn’t individual; it’s collective. That mindset naturally draws him to the quarterback position, where decision-making is constant and leadership is required on every snap. Caleb thrives on being a central part of that process. Reading the field, making adjustments, and putting his teammates in the best position to succeed are responsibilities he embraces. The mental side of the game excites him just as much as the physical demands.

Off the field and on it, Caleb believes discipline, integrity, and a strong work ethic are essential traits for any successful athlete. He places a high value on being coachable, understanding that growth comes from listening, learning, and applying feedback. Those principles guide how he approaches training, competition, and adversity. When things don’t go as planned, he looks inward, searching for lessons rather than excuses.

One of Caleb’s biggest challenges as a young quarterback has been learning to embrace failure. Like many competitors, failure didn’t come easily at first. Over time, he began to understand that setbacks are not only inevitable but necessary. Through experience, he’s learned that the path to success is built on mistakes, adjustments, and persistence. That shift in mindset has helped him grow not only as a player, but as a person.

Caleb draws inspiration from Fernando Mendoza, his favorite quarterback, whom he admires for his leadership and charisma both on and off the field. What stands out most to Caleb is Mendoza’s mindset—never giving in and continuing to push forward no matter the circumstances. That resilience is something Caleb strives to model in his own game.

When he’s not on the football field, Caleb enjoys playing baseball and spending time with his guitar. Those outlets give him balance and help him recharge, but football remains the main focus. His favorite experiences at camps and events come down to one thing: energy. High energy environments bring out the best in him, fueling his competitiveness and love for the game.

Caleb is a goal-driven athlete. In the short term, he is focused on increasing his throwing distance by ten yards, a goal that reflects his commitment to improving arm strength and mechanics. Long term, he has his sights set on becoming faster and more explosive, aiming to run a 4.4–4.5 second 40-yard dash. Those goals shape how he trains, especially during the offseason, when he emphasizes conditioning, lifting, and targeted skill development based on specific areas he wants to improve.

Game days are structured and familiar for Caleb. He always eats a banana before taking the field. Once between the white lines, he begins jogging, warming up his arms and legs, building rhythm and focus. One of his favorite routines is dapping up his center before starting to throw, a small but meaningful moment that reflects trust and camaraderie. At the end, he makes sure to dap up his center and receivers again, reinforcing the bond they share.

A major influence in Caleb’s life is his dad, who continually pushes him to be his best, especially on days when motivation is harder to find. That support has helped Caleb push through tough moments, including injuries. When faced with setbacks, he focused on doing what was necessary to get back on the field safely and efficiently, leaning on advice from people who had experienced similar injuries and knew how to navigate the recovery process.

One of the things Caleb values most is playing alongside his friends on his high school team. Every game is an opportunity not just to compete, but to share meaningful experiences with people he cares about. That connection makes each snap more memorable and each victory more rewarding.

Caleb Joe is also proud of his heritage. He is Native American from the Navajo reservation, and that identity is an important part of who he is. It fuels his sense of purpose and pride as he represents not only his school and team, but his community as well.

If Caleb could leave one message for others, it would be simple: have fun while doing it and don’t take anything for granted. That perspective, combined with his work ethic, leadership mindset, and love for the game, continues to shape him into a quarterback with both character and potential, and his journey is only getting started.