Stock-Up Showcase Top Preformers: QBs
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Frequent readers will know that I have spent a lot of time recently breaking down the top QBs in the state, so it seemed only fitting that at the combine I scout some of the state’s top gunslingers! 25 QBs…
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Continue ReadingFrequent readers will know that I have spent a lot of time recently breaking down the top QBs in the state, so it seemed only fitting that at the combine I scout some of the state’s top gunslingers! 25 QBs showed up to session 2 of our Stock-Up Showcase, and I’m pumped to present the top performers!
Nick Kinsey Nick Kinsey 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Stillwater | 2026 State MN : 6’2″ 190 lbs Stillwater 2026
The hype was warranted. I finally got to see Kinsey throw in person, and he is everything he’s been hyped up to be. The Stillwater freshman blew the other scouts and me away with his phenomenal arm talent, and excellent ball placement early on, so much so that he won camp MVP. He does a great job leading his wideouts and can put the ball where only the WR can get it. Expect Kinsey to make massive splashes on the camp circuit this fall.
Maximus Simms: 6’2″ 185 lbs STA 2024
Simms was our MVP runner-up, and he also blew me away. He had the misfortune of playing on an extremely run-heavy offense, but when I got to see him on Sunday and he had the potential to open up and really sling it, it was a complete game changer. He has much better arm power than I thought and showed off some elite ball placement on deep routes. I’m not sleeping on Simms any longer and neither should anyone else, he has the potential to break out in a new offense and be a top 5 QB in the state.
Chase Pemberton Chase Pemberton 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Andover | 2024 State MN : 6’3″ 185 Andover 2024
Pemberton rounded out our top 3 QBs at the camp on Sunday. He does a great job of dropping dimes right into the wideout’s bread basket and almost seems to specialize in hitting tough back-shoulder passes. He showcases some clean footwork in the pocket and utilizes a very quick release. He’s going to continue to make splashes on the camp circuit this summer, so the hype around his varsity debut should only keep building. I’m pumped to see what he can do during the season.
Carter (Boom) Carstens: 6’3″ 200 lbs Chanhassen 2025
Carstens was a QB I wasn’t too familiar with before the camp, but I was very impressed with his performance during the showcase. He has a great frame on him and moved around very well in drills. He can stretch the field with his arm talent, and he showed no issue hitting tight crossing routes. He can switch directions quickly and is a contender for the Storm starting QB job next season.
Caden Strand Caden Strand 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH Detroit Lakes | 2025 State MN : 6′ 170 lbs Detroit Lakes 2025
Strand told me to watch out for him this upcoming season, and he was right to do so. Strand does a great job of consistently hitting WRs in the numbers and has a funky but lightning-quick release that was fun to watch all camp. He can sling it downfield with no problem and showed great poise in the pocket despite not having that year of varsity under his belt. Keep your eyes on Detroit Lakes next season.
Brayden Shafer Brayden Shafer 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Princeton | 2025 MN : 6’3″ 190 lbs Princeton 2025
Shafer has been putting in the work in the offseason, and it is noticeable. His mechanics and accuracy have improved greatly in a short period of time. I saw him lofting tough back shoulder-deep balls with ease, and he seemed to quickly develop chemistry with any receiver he got to throw with. Shafer enters his junior year as the projected Princeton QB1 and I’m pumped to see him in his varsity debut.
Ryan Warford Ryan Warford 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Cretin-Derham Hall | 2023 MN : 6′ 195 lbs CDH 2023
The uncommitted Cretin senior continues to show up and impress. Warford currently holds 7 collegiate offers, 4 of which are from the MIAC. He’s mechanically sound and is one of if not the most athletic QB who is still unsigned from Minnesota’s 2023 class. He can play a variety of positions of offense, and when he plays QB does a good job of utilizing his athleticism. Don’t be surprised if you see his name on the best testers list either!
Thor Soukup: 5’11” 180 lbs Maple Grove 2027
Soukup blew me away at the Stock-Up Showcase. I heard rumors about a middle school QB attending, but I wasn’t sure who. It took Thor being pointed out to be to realize that he was a middle schooler. Although still a little unpolished, Soukup has a lot of raw potentials that he displayed on Sunday. He has the arm strength and mechanics of someone years older as he showed no difficulty hitting deeper routes that are a challenge for sophomores. Soukup is a kid whose development as a player could be very fun to watch.
Austin Randall Austin Randall 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH Waconia | 2024 State MN :6′ 185 lbs Waconia 2024
Randall, again and again, continues to impress at camps. He showed off his athleticism time after time during the individual drills, and he has perhaps the best overall athleticism of any QB at the Showcase. When he’s in the pocket, Randall is calm, cool, and collected as he delivers strikes across the field. He has repeatedly showcased the ability to throw on the run and make quick decisions. Expect him to make big waves during the camp circuit.