QB Class of 2025: Five names looking to take next step

Fairview’s [player_tooltip player_id="165130" first="Bekkem" last="Kritza"] has all the tools of a star quarterback in the making and powerhouse colleges across the country are taking notice. On the Prep Redzone 2025 prospect watch list, Kritza quickly inserted himself among the most promising freshman prospects in the state. Taking center stage in Coach Tom McCartney’s passing-frenzied offense, he sparkled in his debut against crosstown rival Boulder, throwing for four opening-half touchdowns to lead the Knights to victory. The ’Wow’ factor was evident. “It’s not easy for a freshman,” Fairview’s former star wide receiver and defensive back Grant Page said moments after the game. “A damn-near sold-out crowd, people screaming his name, and he just turned 15. It just shows his maturity. He zoned it out, made plays and helped us win against a very good Boulder team.” Now age 16, Kritza is enjoying being wined and dined by college football’s elite. Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Texas A&M and USC have been among those that have taken interest. Colorado schools CU and CSU have plugged away too, getting early offers in to try and convince the 6-foot-4 quarterback to stay in state. Kansas and Texas A&M have also made him offers. “It’s been a great experience,” Kritza said. “All the colleges, all the coaches, real great dudes. With the whole recruiting thing, I’m sure to have fun with it. I’m still young and have a lot of time to decide. I just want to go everywhere I can.” Kritza threw for 3,192 yards and 22 touchdowns in 10 games as a freshman, leading the state with 319.2 passing yards per game. His postseason debut was nixed as the team forfeited due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Here are four other sophomore quarterbacks to keep an eye out for this fall. [player_tooltip player_id="232155" first="Alex" last="Birch"], Horizon: At 5-foot-8, Birch played bigger than the measurements last fall. He threw for 2,130 yards and had 16 TDs to just five interceptions. In his final game of the season, he got the better of Kritza’s team, throwing for 382 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-33 victory. [player_tooltip player_id="268211" first="Casey" last="Midcap"], Wray: Midcap, at 6-foot, threw for 1,059 yards on 142 attempts, averaging 13.1 yards a toss. He also rushed for 378 yards on a 5.3 yard average, leading Wray to the Class 1A semifinals. [player_tooltip player_id="232153" first="Austyn" last="Modrzewski"], Mountain Vista: As a freshman, he appeared to earn more trust as the season progressed. After attempting just 52 throws through his first eight games, Modrzewski had more than 25 attempts per game over his last four. In that span, he threw for 1,079 yards and 13 TDs to five interceptions. [player_tooltip player_id="232154" first="Ty" last="Reed"], Delta: The 6-3 prospect led Delta to the second round of the Class 2A postseason, throwing for 914 yards on just 80 throws and rushing for 329 on 46 carries. Even with his small workload, Reed was a TD waiting to happen. Over his 126 total passing and rushing attempts, he scored 27 times  — that’s a TD on every fifth touch.