PRzMN 2026 Rankings Release: QB Breakdown

The Minnesota 2026 inaugural rankings are here and published, and with the initial feature highlighting the star-studded Top-10 posted and able to be read by our lovely subscribers, it's time to dig in and really examine some of the meat of the introductory 2026 rankings and watchlist. With the way college football is continuing to trend, more and more importance is landing on the shoulders of the quarterback position, and for that reason, the recruitment of young QBs begins earlier and gets hotter and more popular than the other positions on the gridiron. There's a greater emphasis on identifying talented gunslingers early, and in that spirit, not to mention MN's drought of P5 QBs (I'm not counting Jalen Suggs, Cole Kramer was our last who qualifies in '19), PRzMN is here to give the first-ever breakdown of the 2026 QB class in Minnesota. It's still growing, but let's enjoy getting to know some of the early standouts who made some noise this past season. Maybe the next Trey Lance is below!   --   #5 Overall: [player_tooltip player_id='224134' first='Nick' last='Kinsey'] (Benilde-St. Margaret's) 6'2, 180 lbs.   I just broke down Kinsey in detail for today's previous feature evaluating and analyzing the Top-10 of the introductory 2026 rankings release, so I'll try not to repeat myself and keep this one shorter so we can get into the other QBs game and skillsets. The young buck, who is the only MN 2026 to hold a college offer right now, was 8-0 spearheading the JV and freshman offenses of BSM and passed for 17 TDs, ran for 6 more, and only threw 3 INTs. Possessing a smooth and fluid throwing motion, a quick release, and a ton of velocity on his passes that allows him to fit the ball into small windows, Kinsey's ability to get the ball out of his hand quickly, accurately, and with good timing are all at a level higher than his age would suggest, but he's got a lot of pressure and hype on his shoulders after his Ole Miss offer and is going to have to have a huge sophomore campaign to back it up. BSM has a returning 2024 QB who put up solid numbers in 2022, so I'm very interested to see what happens in that QB room going into the fall of 2023. Now, let's meet the rest of the gunslingers chasing his heels and coming for that QB1 spot.   #13 Overall: [player_tooltip player_id='592125' first='Mason' last='West'] (Edina) 6'3, 165 lbs. @we50387823   The only QB on the 2026 rankings besides [player_tooltip player_id='212362' first='Roman' last='Voss'] (he's listed as an ATH) to receive varsity reps as a freshman, Edina Hornet nice-sized gunslinger has a lot going for him and is one of bigger names to watch when talking potential D1 and even P5 gunslingers in the '26 class. Also a good hockey player in one of the strongest programs in MN, West's got a lot going for him on the gridiron as well, playing JV ball and getting called up for varsity action against Eden Prairie, where he threw his first varsity TD pass. He also got varsity reps against Eastview, completing some routine curl routes that still required poise and accuracy, which he did by nailing the ball on the upfield shoulder of the wideout, naturally turning him away from contact and upfield for positive yardage. With one of the biggest arms on this list, West can complete big boy throws as a freshman and shows off ball placement and a super clean throwing motion that can pick apart defenses at all levels of the field. West also sees the field well and can fit the rock into tight windows, and I believe he's got a strong chance of holding down the varsity QB spot next season. Must-know name out of the 2026 class and particularly from this talented QB group.   #34 Overall: [player_tooltip player_id='592121' first='Cade' last='Sherman'] (Rosemount) 6', 150 lbs. @Cade_sherman07   6A heavyweight Rosemount has some of the more intriguing '26s on its roster and is led from the QB spot by three-sporter [player_tooltip player_id='592121' first='Cade' last='Sherman']. Playing against both 9th and 10th grade competition, Sherman's a lefty gunslinger with a cannon of an arm that can deliver deep balls far over a burnt DBs head and right in the bread basket and in stride of the awaiting WR. I'm also a big fan of his footwork in the pocket, his toughness when finishing a throw through a big hit, and how he can accurately sling it from different angles all over the field. The toughness and accuracy make me very excited to watch him against a higher level of competition.   #40 Overall: [player_tooltip player_id='592123' first='Jackson' last='Bakkum'] (Eden Prairie) 6', 165 lbs. @BakkumJackson   Playing the QB position for Eden Prairie is a tall task and one of the more high-pressure roles in the state, and upcoming freshman Bakkum is hoping to fill that job after a solid freshman year for the Eagles. Accurate and possessing a strong arm when he sets his feet, Bakkum made some big-time throws from inside and outside the pocket and fit the ball into some tight windows with solid ball placement. Still a ways to go before he's ready for the varsity job but I like what the youngin' is showing off in his first year of high school ball.   #47 Overall: [player_tooltip player_id='493614' first='Christian' last='Whiteman'] (Northfield) 5'8, 160 lbs. @christian_w07   As a St. Olaf graduate I am always following the Northfield Raiders and enthusiastically tracking which may become fellow Oles as well as trying to find the next big-time recruit out of the 507 program. 5'8 freshman Whiteman led his Raiders freshman squad to a 7-1 record in 2022 and was dangerous, quick, and explosive when he tucks and runs out of the backfield and on kick returns. More of an athlete at the QB spot, Whiteman's vision and elusiveness helped tear up every defense he came across, but he also showed a big arm that could effectively complete the deep ball. We'll see if he remains at QB for the future, WR or RB are looking like good spots to capitalize on his abilities with ball-in-hand.   Watchlist   [player_tooltip player_id='483917' first='Christian' last='Flores'] (Owatonna) 5'7, 190 lbs. @ChristianF598   A strong freshman with a 195 lb. bench, 285 lb. squat, and 175 lb. clean to go along with a baseball background, Owatonna's Flores was 45-85 for 561 yards and 6 TDs in 2022. He owns a clean throwing motion and noticeable zip , particularly on throws towards the MOF and down the seam. He can make tougher throws look easy and put the ball on a rope with his strong arm, and I also like his ability to deliver the ball at a variety of angles. Good touch as well. I can't wait to see how he develops over this offseason.   [player_tooltip player_id='489731' first='Kaden' last='Harney'] (Maple Grove) 6'2, 170 lbs. @Kaden_Harney   Passed for 1,326 yards and 10 TDs in 2022 for a strong and competitive Maple Grove freshman squad that watched their varsity counterparts win a big school state title this past fall. Harney is tall and shows a high release point that can deliver the ball over rushers heads and past outstretched arms around the LOS. With a clean delivery, Harney throws a good fade ball and isn't scared to go deep, whether inside or outside the pocket. Harney is also mobile and does a solid job of finding his open receivers quickly and accurately.   [player_tooltip player_id='592229' first='Izaak' last='Johnson'] (Cretin-Derham Hall) 6'1, 175 lbs. @izaakjohnson7   Coming out of a hopefully resurgent CDH Raider program in St. Paul, freshman signal-caller [player_tooltip player_id='592229' first='Izaak' last='Johnson'] was manning the helm of the freshman and JV offenses and showed off a huge arm and a gunslinging mentality. Willing and able to accurately hit the deep ball, Johnson showed solid timing and accuracy on routes all over the gridiron and did a good job of consistently putting the rock right on WRs chest plate on first and second level throws. Also sports a long, lean frame capable of adding a ton of good weight and the mobility to get outside of the pocket and hit open receivers in stride. The CDH coaches have to be excited about his future and potential. I am too.   [player_tooltip player_id='592134' first='Wesley' last='Kranz'] (Osseo) 5'10, 140 lbs. @_WesKranz   I'm always keeping a close eye on up-and-coming Osseo Orioles and first-year quarterback Wes Kranz shows the juice to one day lead the varsity offense of the NW suburb 6A contender. Shifty and electric when he tucks the ball and runs from the pocket, Kranz also possesses a live arm that can stretch the field vertically and drop the ball right over a pursuing DBs head. There's noticeable arm strength in that right shoulder, and he's got some nice reps of him delivering an accurate ball on an outbreaking route to the field from the opposite hash while an opposing DE is bearing down on him rapidly. A tough and dual-threat of a playmaker, Kranz is fun to watch and had a solid first year of high school football with a bright future ahead of him.   [player_tooltip player_id='591745' first='Benet' last='Mathiason'] (Fairmont) 5'9, 160 lbs. @Benet51960293   An Outstate gunslinger with a thick build, Mathiason does a good job of distributing the ball to his playmakers and also shows some effectiveness as a kicker and on the defensive side of the ball. We'll see if QB continues to be his position, but it's a testament to his athleticism and understanding of the system that he stepped in and played it this past fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='592128' first='Peyton' last='Meyers'] (Prior Lake) 6', 175 lbs. @Peyton_Meyers11   Another young buck with baseball experience to go along with passing prowess on the gridiron, 6', 175 lb. Lakers freshman [player_tooltip player_id='592128' first='Peyton' last='Meyers'] only played four games in 2022 due to injuries but showed he was a tough customer and willing to stand into a big hit to complete a throw. He also possesses a capable deep ball with good touch and accuracy while rolling out to his right. Prior Lake has a ton of exciting 2026s hoping to leave their mark on the Metro and Meyers may be leading the bunch in a couple of years. The fall of 2023 will be a big year for the signal-caller.   [player_tooltip player_id='451778' first='Will' last='Otteson'] (Holy Family Catholic) 6'4, 165 lbs. @willotteson   With a great frame to add some weight and muscle and a good hockey background, 6'4 [player_tooltip player_id='451778' first='Will' last='Otteson'] was dual-threat QB for the Fire and was capable and effective at moving his offense down the field with accurate throws to the MOF and on out-breaking routes to the flats. Can also throw while on the move. Hard not to notice his size and length as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='490197' first='Danny' last='Scheller'] (Coon Rapids) 5'11, 175 lbs. @danny_scheller   Also a standout baseball player, Scheller had a good year for CR on the non-varsity ranks and shows off some nifty feet and elusiveness in the open field plus accuracy on the run, the toughness to deliver a strike through a big hit, and can put some heat on the ball when he needs to fit it into a tighter window. I really like how he maneuvers around the pocket and can improvise and make something out of nothing with his athleticism. He'll be ranked in no time!   [player_tooltip player_id='447798' first='Beckham' last='Wheeler'] (Mounds View) 6'3, 190 lbs. @Beckham_Wheeler   No film sadly, but Wheeler has one of the best builds of any QB on this list and is in his first year at the position after playing TE and DL before his freshman year. Still learning the position, but has a big arm and is a good leader among the freshman ranks of the Mounds View Mustangs. With quality experience under his belt as a first-year QB I'm already excited to see what he's got as a sophomore.   [player_tooltip player_id='551372' first='Jerry' last='Wise'] (Park Center) 5'5, 125 lbs.   Park Center pirate freshman QB [player_tooltip player_id='551372' first='Jerry' last='Wise'] attended our most recent PRzMN Showcase and did himself a favor by getting himself in front of our eyes as well as those of college coaches and recruiters. With room to grow and some mechanical actions to clean up in his throwing motion, Wise can still generate a ton of velocity on his short and intermediate passes and has a big arm that's still growing and getting better. Park Center has a ton of up-and-coming underclassman talent on its roster that you should be hearing a lot more about soon. Wise included.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/100-Jerry-Wise.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557433" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wise </figcaption></figure>

The Minnesota 2026 inaugural rankings are here and published, and with the initial feature highlighting the star-studded Top-10 posted and able to be read by our lovely subscribers, it's time to dig in and really examine some of the meat of the introductory 2026 rankings and watchlist. With the way college football is continuing to trend, more and more importance is landing on the shoulders of the quarterback position, and for that reason, the recruitment of young QBs begins earlier and gets hotter and more popular than the other positions on the gridiron. There's a greater emphasis on identifying talented gunslingers early, and in that spirit, not to mention MN's drought of P5 QBs (I'm not counting Jalen Suggs, Cole Kramer was our last who qualifies in '19), PRzMN is here to give the first-ever breakdown of the 2026 QB class in Minnesota. It's still growing, but let's enjoy getting to know some of the early standouts who made some noise this past season. Maybe the next Trey Lance is below!