PRZ Iowa | 2024 Rankings Update | QB Top 10

There are plenty of young and upcoming players in Iowa who have already experienced impressive varsity success or, at the very least, shown signs of high-end ability. Learn about the top 10 Quarterbacks in the class of 2024 who fit that description. They should become household names by the time next fall rolls around and a new season is here. QB1 [player_tooltip player_id="156453" first="Preston" last="Ries"], 6’1" / 195, Monticello, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14912449/61b3b5f42aa6a902209fe6ba">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/PrestonRies21">Twitter</a> Ries looks mature beyond his years; the number 1 Quarterback in the class of 2024 threw for 2,594 yards and 20 touchdowns in his Sophomore campaign and added another 1,343 yards and 14 on the ground. His 3,949 total offensive yards was good for 4th in the entire state. Ries throws darts and has excellent command. There is a play in his highlights where he drills a seam route 30 yards downfield into the smallest window between two defenders. As a runner he is very elusive and, when he runs out of real estate, will plow right through opponents. Ries achieved this all while leading his team in tackles. Follow him closely. QB2 [player_tooltip player_id="118822" first="Trenton" last="Smith"], 6’2" / 205, Ankeny Centennial, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5518805/6176bb5115f5840b6892468e">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/trentonsmith_11">Twitter</a> Smith, number 2 in the rankings, got an opportunity to start the final two games of the regular season against Southeast Polk and Des Moines East. He threw for 230 yards and a touchdown in the effort and showed off impressive throwing mechanics that should have the Centennial community excited about the next couple of years. Smith launched a perfectly timed pass on a slant and go, hitting his target right in stride for his one score. What impresses most right now is Smith’s poise and mechanics. Even under heavy pressure against the eventual state champ Smith appeared to be unphased and maintained his throwing motions. QB3 [player_tooltip player_id="247926" first="Nolan" last="Mount"], 6’0" / 180, Shenandoah, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14809766/61547353ff0d191bcceca754">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/NolanMount5">Twitter</a> The number 3 Quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id="247926" first="Nolan" last="Mount"], has a certified cannon of an arm. The young gunslinger is fearless, and sometimes that gets him in trouble, but you love to see how he trusts his arm and attacks hard to throw routes that he is capable of hitting. His ability suggests that overall efficiency will improve with time. Watching him throw on the run is what impresses most right now. He knows how to get torque into his throws; he opens his chest and hips to get his shoulder all the way around and gets a ton of zip on the ball. The natural arm strength can’t be taught and he’s already attempting hard throws with the right mechanics. QB4 [player_tooltip player_id="247922" first="Drew" last="Larson"], 6’1" / 165, Iowa City High, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Fc3Nm">hudl</a> Larson took half of the snaps in City High’s successfully implemented two Quarterback system. Coming in at number 4, he completed 63% of his passes for 1,346 yards and 16 touchdowns. What stands out most about his game now is the touch he puts on passes, especially deep balls, and his ability to maneuver and stay clean in the pocket. There is a play on his highlights, a flea flicker against Dowling, where he steps away and back to escape pressure, gets hit as he releases the ball, and drops it right into his target’s hands in the corner of the end zone. Larson has a very quick release, too; there isn’t any awkwardness to his throw. QB5 [player_tooltip player_id="247924" first="Dalen" last="Huston"], 6’3" / 205, Marshalltown, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14722334/618dea6e578d0b03e02385dc">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DalenHuston0">Twitter</a> Huston, Iowa’s number 5 Quarterback in the class of 2024, put together a very efficient Sophomore campaign and, with tremendous measurables and athletic upside, appears to be on the verge of a big, breakout Junior season. Huston has nimble feet for his size and age; his mobility in and out of the pocket will undoubtedly lead to a lot of completions in the future. The way he patiently extends plays to keep them alive is not an easy thing for a young Quarterback to do. Huston regularly showed this year that he has impressive accuracy underneath; that can be expected to extend beyond his level one throws in the future. QB6 [player_tooltip player_id="247927" first="Adrian" last="Broadus"], 5’11" / 175, Johnston, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15956142/617c19f490f9ef06c49c17e9">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/AdrianBroadus">Twitter</a> Johnston had some tough luck when it came to injuries at the Quarterback position this season, but should feel good about the future after the body of work [player_tooltip player_id="247927" first="Adrian" last="Broadus"], ranked 6th, put together as a Sophomore. On a play against Waukee he dropped, looked towards the boundary, but pressure clamped down, so he stepped up, got lateral with eyes downfield, and threw a dime to an open receiver. There was plenty of ability on display in the seven games he led the Dragons offense. Broadus was under pressure often and made some impressive throws from difficult, unfavorable positions. He definitely has a high ceiling. QB7 [player_tooltip player_id="247928" first="Luke" last="Wiebers"], 6’1" / 150, Denison-Schleswig, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16813102/Lukas-Wiebers">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/LukeWiebers">Twitter</a> The Monarchs had a tough go of it this fall, but should be very excited about how many young starters they’ll return next year including the number 7 ranked Quarterback in the class of 2024, [player_tooltip player_id="247928" first="Luke" last="Wiebers"]. He completed 70 passes for 1,096 yards and 6 touchdowns as a Sophomore. Wiebers has very clean footwork at the snap and looks really confident in the mesh and on play-action. Wiebers doesn’t appear to get flustered, gets his eyes to his read or downfield to work through progressions, and acts decisively. It is a promising sign to see drilled mechanics and technique carry over to the field for a young Quarterback. QB8 [player_tooltip player_id="156457" first="Carver" last="Blietz-Bentien"], 6’0" / 170, MFL-Mar-Mac, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14199943/61ad1e0e2ab0d6041495851d">hudl</a> Blietz-Bentien benefited from handing the ball off to one of Iowa’s best one-two punches as a Sophomore that allowed him to ease into his varsity role. Those guys have since graduated; the number 8 Quarterback in the class of 2024 will be the guy for the Bulldogs next season and it looks like he’s going to be ready to carry that torch. Blietz-Bentien appears at home under Center and dropping back, especially on play-action, and delivering strikes downfield. He’ll have plenty of opportunities to air it out. The Bulldogs line up in run heavy formations, but do a great job of often getting three or four receivers in routes. QB9 [player_tooltip player_id="247923" first="Quinton" last="Tran"], 5’10" / 160, Iowa City High, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13003964/61739cdb234927034420548a">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/quintontran_">Twitter</a> Tran, the other half of City High’s two Quarterback system, comes in at number 9. The Little Hawks look primed to compete in 5A for at least the next two seasons. Tran’s strengths are a terrific compliment to his counterpart’s; he threw for 925 yards and 10 touchdowns and showed off some impressive mobility in the process. Tran looks comfortable when he gets out of the pocket and throws on the run. He also appears to have an extra gear and poses a threat with his legs. The Little Hawks do an outstanding job of keeping the playbook consistent for each Quarterback, calling plays to their strengths, and not tipping off a defense. QB10 [player_tooltip player_id="156451" first="Noah" last="Keefer"], 6’1" / 150, Knoxville, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14870419/617974014bb2d60b80826212">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/NoahKeefer3">Twitter</a> Keefer and the Panthers struggled to get much of anything going this year on offense, but the experience gained and the ability shown could give Knoxville and their program a chance to turn the corner. Keefer sees the field well, remains calm under pressure, and can extend plays with his legs. What’s impressive is how he keeps his eyes downfield when a pass rush is closing in. If there is a pass to be made he attacks it; if not, he is fast and can make plays with his legs. Knoxville incorporates spread, pro style, and option based formations. Keefer looks comfortable running the offense in each, which is a promising sign for a young player.