The 4A Watchlist: Quarterbacks

The 4A Watchlist is where I list out my top 75 football players coming into this season in Class 4A. This year, I have 8 players who primarily played QB last season that are worth noting heading into the 2020 season.   [player_tooltip player_id="23887" first="Brendan" last="Bates"], Marshalltown, SR Bates took over the starting role with a solid campaign last season, leading his Bobcats to a 6-0 start before facing a tough stretch of playoff teams to finish the season at 6-3. Despite playing in a run-first offense that’s based out of a Wing-T, Bates managed to throw for 974 yards and 14 touchdowns. Bates has pretty good accuracy to him; looking cool under pressure whether in the pocket or rolling out. Currently, Bates has 2 D-3 offers from Loras and Simpson coming his way over the summer.   [player_tooltip player_id="23828" first="Jase" last="Bauer"], Ankeny, SR Starting since he’s been a sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id="23828" first="Jase" last="Bauer"] returns to lead one of Class 4A’s best offenses. Bauer managed to gain 2576 total yards and 26 total touchdowns last season, leading the Hawks to a quarterfinals run. He’s got a cannon for an arm and the accuracy to match. When he finds room to run it into the open field, he’s just as dangerous there too. Currently, he has FCS offers from UNI, and Eastern, Southern, and Western Illinois.   [player_tooltip player_id="23861" first="Henry" last="Clymer"], Cedar Rapids Washington, SR Washington’s football program has been on the downturn for the last couple of seasons, but with enough key players coming back this season, they could make a difference and bring the program back around. Leading the way is QB [player_tooltip player_id="23861" first="Henry" last="Clymer"]. Last season, Clymer passed for 1370 yards and 10 touchdowns on a 64.5 completion percentage. He has a strong arm and could make a play on the ground if he has to. Currently, it doesn’t look like he has any offers on the table, but if he has a strong season this year, that could change.   [player_tooltip player_id="23947" first="Jaxon" last="Dailey"], Southeast Polk, JR Seen as the best QB in the class of ’22, Dailey should build off a strong sophomore season with an even better junior year. His stats last season include 1297 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and a 113.1 passer rating while leading the Rams to the state quarterfinals. The lefty has it all, a good arm, great accuracy, and is cool under pressure. As of now, Dailey has offers from Michigan, Iowa State, and Buffalo, but will certainly have more over the next two years.   [player_tooltip player_id="23854" first="Aidan" last="Dunne"], Dubuque Hempstead, SR Dunne looks like one of the more underrated dual-threat QBs in 4A. Last season he threw 12 touchdowns while rushing a team-high 7 TD’s as well, as he combined for 1905 total yards. Dunne is a scrambler who can extend plays with his legs, and he has a strong arm to make those tough throws on the run. Right now he doesn’t have any offers yet, but that should change during the season.   [player_tooltip player_id="23886" first="Raphael" last="Hamilton"], Iowa City High, SR Raph Hamilton is poised to have a breakout season in 2020. Last year, he threw 766 yards and only 4 touchdowns, while also rushing for 343 yards and 4 more touchdowns. While those aren’t exactly eye-popping stats, his 6’4, 230 lb frame should get him some looks across multiple positions at the next level. His size makes him a bowling ball in the open field, and he has a solid arm too. Hamilton plays some defense too, as he was a reserve linebacker throughout last season, and he even played a little bit of time as a defensive end in his sophomore season too. Currently, his only offers are from D-2 Northern State and NAIA’s Graceland and Grand View.   [player_tooltip player_id="23831" first="Marcus" last="Morgan"], Iowa City West, SR Whether it’s on the gridiron, hardwood, oval, or diamond, [player_tooltip player_id="23831" first="Marcus" last="Morgan"] is one of the best multi-sport athletes in the state. While the Trojans missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008 last year, Morgan still had a pretty good season, throwing for 1723 yards and 11 touchdowns. Morgan has a cannon for an arm, and he can also use his athleticism and speed to escape blitzes and keep plays alive. Currently, Iowa State, Ball State, Central Michigan, UNI, and even Dartmouth have offered him a football scholarship, while Iowa is offering him for baseball.   [player_tooltip player_id="23839" first="Max" last="White"], Cedar Rapids Kennedy, SR While [player_tooltip player_id="23839" first="Max" last="White"] basically plays like a running back who passes, that doesn’t make him any less dangerous to opposing defenders. Last season, White threw for 751 yards and 7 touchdowns, but his 1114 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground made him a pivotal part of the Cougar offense that went to the state semifinals in 2019. The son of Kennedy HC Brian White, Max has the athleticism and moves to get away from tacklers and break out for a big gain. Currently, he has no offers, but expect his stock to rise during the season, as he could very well move to the college level as a running back, strong safety, or outside linebacker.   Other notable names [player_tooltip player_id="23941" first="Lennx" last="Brown"], Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln, SR [player_tooltip player_id="23964" first="Luke" last="Longval"], Sioux City East, JR [player_tooltip player_id="23998" first="Jack" last="Rutz"], Johnston, JR [player_tooltip player_id="24006" first="Austin" last="Schubert"], Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson, JR [player_tooltip player_id="23968" first="Noah" last="Storts"], Johnston, JR