PRZ Iowa | 2023 Rankings | Winter Update | QB Breakdown

The Quarterback in Iowa’s class of 2023, a very impressive and uncharacteristically deep group of gunslingers, is loaded with talent. Many experienced a big Junior season and were able to join or move up within the rankings after putting some unbelievable skill on display. Preview some of the ranked Quarterbacks below by seeing the attributes, tools, and abilities that make them so good at what they do. Newcomers QB6 [player_tooltip player_id="246721" first="Beckett" last="DeJean"], OABCIG, 6’1 175, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GLZVp">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/bdejean2313">Twitter</a> DeJean joins the list at number 6 after stepping in at Quarterback this fall as the successor to brother Cooper and, it appears to be safe to say, that the transition for the Falcons was seamless. DeJean amassed 3,378 yards and 39 total touchdowns while leading OABCIG to a quarterfinals appearance and with him at the helm are a favorite to get back to the dome and capture a title next year. DeJean, on both sides of the ball, proved he has the kind of elite athleticism that should see him playing on Saturdays, even if it isn’t at Quarterback. What makes him so special at Quarterback, though, is his mobility and vision. He sees the field incredibly well in the mesh and on the run; he has a knack for keeping plays alive and then striking as soon as a defense makes a mistake or gives him something to work with. QB13 [player_tooltip player_id="246723" first="Bennett" last="Brueck"], Indianola, 6’0 170, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13328340/618ebc7290efa00bc88fd3ec">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/bennettbrueck">Twitter</a> First team all-district and second team all-state Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="246723" first="Bennett" last="Brueck"] put together an impressive body of work leading the Indians in 2021 and hops into the ranks at 13. His 2,418 yards and 25 touchdowns through the air, good for second in each category in 4A , helped his team to big wins over the likes of Lewis Central and Bondurant-Farrar. Brueck does such an excellent job throwing the ball on play-action out of Indianola’s 20 and 21 personnel sets. The way he can move and throw on the run, paired with the Indians’ difficult to defend route concepts that have anywhere from three to five receivers running patterns at a time, is a dangerous combination. The timing of Brueck’s throws is mature for a high school Quarterback whether he’s putting some air under the ball downfield or putting it on a rope underneath. QB18 [player_tooltip player_id="246724" first="Tate" last="Haughenbury"], North Linn, 6’5 180, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8590472/6187f0a60dcaab06602468c0">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Thaughenbury_1">Twitter</a> There is a lot to like about Haughenbury’s skill set and how much potential he has made it clear he possesses to grow at the Quarterback position. He threw for nearly 2,000 yards as a Junior, finding the endzone 23 times and throwing just 5 interceptions. Haughenbury’s frame and measurables draw you in, but it’s what he compliments his size with that gets him into the Quarterback rankings at number 18. What stands out instantly is how nimble he is, how quick his feet are, and how much body control he has. A degree of awkwardness would be expected for someone his size at his age, but there isn’t any. The way he maneuvers in and can escape from the pocket is very athletic. Once he fills out he is going to be nearly impossible to get to and take down. Haughenbury also happens to have a cannon for an arm. QB23 [player_tooltip player_id="246726" first="Tye" last="Hughes"], Iowa City Liberty, 6’2 175, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14468990/61a45bf242057f0308effd69">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TyeDhughes">Twitter</a> Liberty runs a number of offensive sets and Hughes looks very confident and poised taking snaps out of each one. His ability to execute at a high level operating different formations with different personnel helps him into the Quarterback rankings at number 23. Hughes kept the Lightning in some close games against very tough competition and they were realistically a few snaps away from a record that would have had them in the playoffs. He only attempted 165 passes the fall, but made them count and showcased some high-end ability. Some things that stand out on film is how quickly he can get the ball out and throw to a spot and how accurate he is stepping into his throws when under pressure. Hughes has the kind of throwing mechanics that lead you to believe he is on the verge of a big, highly productive senior year. WL [player_tooltip player_id="246725" first="Carson" last="Strohbeen"], Sioux City North, 6’1 185, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12472245/6175a1b4041e55018c3e1711">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/carsonstrohbeen">Twitter</a> Strohbeen made the most of his passing attempts on a run heavy Stars team that makes him a name to keep an eye on heading into 2023. Expect his number to be called more often after flashes of very impressive play. The bulk of Sioux City North’s plays are called out of doubles and trips formations, which are very well suited Strohbeen’s abilities and could easily support a heavier workload if he continues to develop. Strohbeen, a lefty, has a very crisp and concise release. He appeared to be under pressure often last year, but those throwing motions lended really well to his need to get the ball out fast and throw on the run. He was able to get a lot of power into his throws from unfavorable positions. Strohbeen, if he can stay clean a little more often, has the makings of a Quarterback who could really light it up. Stock Risers QB3 [player_tooltip player_id="104088" first="Braylon" last="Kammrad"], Lewis Central, 6’1 185, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13140480/619c5cad6899180b24d2d29b">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KammradBraylon">Twitter</a> State champion and first team all-state Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="104088" first="Braylon" last="Kammrad"] proved he is one of the best in the state this fall and it would not be a surprise to see him start to land offers at the FCS level or higher. He has the skill set and an obvious understanding of the game that is deep and has enabled him to accelerate his development. Kammrad’s outstanding all around play moves him up to number 3 in the rankings. He led class 4A in passing and total yards and it is not hard to figure out why. The way he is positioned at the point the ball is released looks identical from the pocket or on the run, stepping into a pass or moving laterally, or from any other number of possibilities. The result of being that well-trained of a passer is command. It’s like he can point to a spot and put the ball there on whatever speed or trajectory is needed. QB4 [player_tooltip player_id="104079" first="Tyler" last="Smith"], Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 5’10 175, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13123864/61899e9f9a9c4d09487b6255">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TylerSm1010">Twitter</a> Smith sees some big movement in his Quarterback ranking sliding up to number 4 after a year that made it clear he is operating on another level. There are different tiers of pass difficulty and Smith is at the top. He can make any throw and, arguably, has the most pure arm talent in the entire class. Smith threw for 2,300 yards and 24 touchdowns and added another 520 and 8 on the ground. Some of the things he did to get there have to be seen to be believed, so check out his film. Smith threw a touchdown to the front pylon on a deep curl off his back foot, on the run, from 29 yards out. He dropped another score into the back corner of the end zone; the ball seemed to soar over defenders and drop out of the sky right into his receivers hands. He constantly puts the ball where only his target can get it against really tight coverage. QB5 [player_tooltip player_id="104082" first="Teagon" last="Kasperbauer"], Harlan, 6’2 185, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/14831837/619d3c3447979609647f5ea8">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Teagon_Kasper">Twitter</a> Kasperbauer and company were on fire all fall; they never scored fewer than 36 points and were held under 40 just twice. He commanded what looked like the greatest show on high school turf throwing for 3,307 yards and 46 touchdowns in the Cyclones’ 13 contests that ended with a state championship. His onslaught of offensive production moves him up to number 5 in the rankings. What stands out on film is how he knows where and when targets are going to be open. The way he understands coverage and trusts his receivers to go and get the ball really impresses. Kasperbauer is terrific in the gun, but it is fun to watch him take snaps under center. His drop is textbook and he sees the field well. It is clear that Kasperbauer is capable of plugging into a number of schemes at the next level and can handle a big playbook. QB8 [player_tooltip player_id="152538" first="Landon" last="Hochstein"], Norwalk, 6’3 200, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12941413/618978189a9c4d09487b4f9a">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/landonhoch">Twitter</a> Hochstein’s season was limited to eight games due to injury, but what he did with that time could see him climb up even further in the rankings in future updates. He now sits at number 8 after a season where he averaged over 250 yards of total offense and 3 scores per game. Something that is clear right away on film is how smooth his mechanics are and how effortless his release is. The throwing motions are perfectly natural and it is just as evident when he is fitting balls into tight windows underneath as when he is launching it on vertical routes. It is also obvious that he is knowledgeable of the game and what his job demands. This is rare, but you can see on film that Hochstein will adjust the presnap alignment of his receivers and can often be seen yelling things to teammates before the snap. His stock will continue to rise. QB10 [player_tooltip player_id="104085" first="Colby" last="Collison"], Bondurant-Farrar, 6’3 185, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13164915/Colby-Collison/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/colby_collison">Twitter</a> When it comes to dual-threats, Collison was already established as one of the best in his class, but it is obvious his game as a passer took a big step forward this year and he moves up to round out the top 10 in the Quarterback rankings. Collison was under a lot of pressure in the playoffs against Waverly, so the Bluejays ran a little more max protection. On a play where only two receivers were in routes he drilled a comeback on the sideline right over the top of a Linebacker in the flat and in front of a Corner who was over the top. It was a far throw and a hard one to complete. Earlier in the year against Indianola he showed tremendous poise by stepping into a throw while taking a big hit that was right on the money to a deep crosser. Collison’s passing prowess took a big jump and he has Bondurant-Farrar looking dangerous next year.