612QBs Challenge: Superlatives and Top Performers

612Quarterback's inaugural 612Q's Challenge was a resounding success. A big-time multi-group session to conclude a summer of work for Minnesota-born-and-bred gunslingers split between middle and high school athletes, I was fortunate enough to check out the high school period, which consisted of over 20 quarterbacks from the 2024-'26 classes with a few college signal-callers mixed in for good measure. Styled in a similar fashion to the vaunted Elite11 QB competition, which scores points based on accuracy of the throws, the participating quarterbacks were ran through and graded on a number of different scenarios and types of passes, including quick game, sprint outs, classic dropbacks, and more, the top half of each group was picked to move on to the final challenge, where two high school QBs earned first and second place after a great day of slingin' the rock around.   I appreciate 612 Quarterback's owner Quinn Frisell for having PrepRedzoneMN out for the event. Quinn - a former standout QB himself at Mankato East and Robbinsdale Armstrong before taking his talents to Itasca Community College and eventually Augsburg, where I played against him in college - is a charismatic QB coach and developer with a detailed understanding of the position, particularly the mental part of the game, and an excellent ability to connect and support young men in the great game of football. I saw myself during my MIAC days how competitive and locked in he was as a player, and he's transitioned smoothly and successfully to the coaching world. Additionally, he's making significant waves in the MN QB scene, bringing a trustworthy and passionate source to MN quarterbacks looking for development and overall bettering the gunslingers from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. We appreciate your hard work over at PRzMN, Quinn. Now, let's dig into the top performers and recap the event. It was a heckuva time.   --   612Q's Challenge First Place: [player_tooltip player_id='652799' first='Chase' last='Pemberton'] (Andover) 2024. 6'3, 185 lbs.   612Q's Challenge Second Place: [player_tooltip player_id='348683' first='Logan' last='Butler'] (Hutchinson) 2024. 6'4, 200 lbs.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/PQp6bV1s.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-930815" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">612 QBs Challenge</figcaption></figure>   Mr. Do-it-All: [player_tooltip player_id='279756' first='Caden' last='Wick'] (Prior Lake) 2024. 6', 190 lbs.   Undoubtedly one of the top performers at Sunday night's event, Prior Lake's [player_tooltip player_id='279756' first='Caden' last='Wick'] is set to take over the Lakers' starting QB role from now-graduated Luke Crosby, who will be playing his college football in nearby Northfield for the St. Olaf Oles this fall. The future of the Lakers QB room looks to be in good hands, as Wick was one of the most balanced and consistent gunslingers in attendance at the 612Q's Challenge. Confident and poised, he looked quite good yesterday at Lakeville South High School, showing off one of the prettiest balls of the bunch, as well as solid velocity on his throws, which included deeper tosses downfield, where he was able to put the ball on a rope. The accuracy and anticipation were also noteworthy, as well as his consistency in his footwork and mechanics, and he was able to complete every pass asked of him yesterday with ease. Wick was also a first-in-line kid who led by example and was locked in and focused all session long. I'm very excited to see what he can do leading the 6A Lakers this fall.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/05/90-Caden-Wick.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-330715" width="455" height="336" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wick </figcaption></figure>   Top Dog: [player_tooltip player_id='348683' first='Logan' last='Butler'] (Hutchinson) 2024. 6'4, 200 lbs.   This was my first time seeing Hutchinson's talented gunslinger [player_tooltip player_id='348683' first='Logan' last='Butler'] in person, and boy was I excited to finally see him up close and personal. All of 6'4 and pushing 200 pounds with a long, lean build that could easily add 20-30 pounds of good weight at the next level, Butler was the most physically talented QB in attendance last night, with a big arm and obvious arm talent that combine to make him a scholarship-worthy QB prospect at the next level. With a smooth throwing motion and high release point, Butler could sling the rock all over the field seamlessly, with a tight spiral, noticeable whip, and the arm strength to complete the toughest throws asked of him (not just from yesterday's session) just as well as a three-step slant or out. The final challenge of the night came on a three-step fade, where the QBs were required to put as little air on the ball as possible, and Butler could put the ball on a line from 50-60 yards out with good touch in impressive fashion. He's going to add a passing dimension to the Tiger's offense that is really going to give defenses fits. I also liked his competitiveness and coachability, and he lived up to the hype from his junior tape and the many good things I've heard about him from fellow PRzMN scout [player_tooltip player_id='1292716' first='Nate' last='Wahl']. Butler also reports a 37" vert, 9'7" broad jump, and 4.1 pro agility. I'm not sure how he doesn't have an offer yet, NSIC schools should be all over this kid, and with the size and athleticism, I think MVFC schools should keep sniffing around as well. Going to be a big fall!   Mr. Dual-Threat: [player_tooltip player_id='241908' first='Austin' last='Randall'] (Waconia) 2024. 6', 185 lbs.   I'm not saying the other QBs at yesterday's 612Q's Challenge weren't athletic, as that is far from the truth and it was an impressive bunch in that regard, but the playstyle and way Waconia's [player_tooltip player_id='241908' first='Austin' last='Randall'] carried himself earned him the nod of "Mr. Dual-Threat" for this batch of superlatives. His pocket movement, ease, and control when working around the pocket and evading faux rushers were smooth, clean, and very noticeable from yesterday's session. The tape backs it up too, as Randall can really hurt defenses with his legs, and he also demonstrated some good things with his arm, as he was precise when throwing on the move and could generate some solid velocity on his throws to the first and second level of the field. He's going to have a big statistical year with the Wildcats this fall.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/44-Austin-Randall-1-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-757970" width="554" height="369" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Randall</figcaption></figure>   Mr. Prototype: [player_tooltip player_id='606591' first='Hayden' last='Charboneau'] (Barnum) 2024. 6'2, 205 lbs.   Looking and playing far bigger than his 6'2, 205 lb. frame, Barnum Bomber gunslinger [player_tooltip player_id='606591' first='Hayden' last='Charboneau'] was poised and stood tall in the pocket, leading me to name him "Mr. Prototype" from yesterday's competition. If a college program is looking for a prototypical pocket passer, the 2024 signal-caller could be your man, and in addition to the composure and technical consistency, Charboneau displayed some of the best timing of the QBs in attendance, and was accurate to all three levels of the field on a variety of different throws. With his stud WR [player_tooltip player_id='706021' first='Caden' last='Sheff'], who was also present yesterday, I'd expect Charboneau to easily surpass his 2022 statistics and have one of the top one-two QB/WR punches in Minnesota and especially in the Outstate.   Can't Wait to Keep Following: [player_tooltip player_id='941798' first='Drew' last='Huebner'] (Morris) 2025. 6'4, 205 lbs.   Newer to my radar, Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta's [player_tooltip player_id='941798' first='Drew' last='Huebner'] was certainly eye-catching, and will be building on a 2022 season that saw him post 2,309 passing yards and 26 TDs through the air last fall in a monster sophomore campaign. I can see why he was so statistically successful last fall, as he flashed a big arm and completed some of the harder throws asked of the QBs in effortless fashion. He was a bit inconsistent, but flashed some impressive reps. Plus, he's got great size and the ball came out of his hand hot. He'll be a fun one that PRzMN can't wait to keep following.   Dark Horse: [player_tooltip player_id='362278' first='Gaven' last='Dean'] (Lakeville South) 2025. 5'11, 150 lbs.   When I say "Dark Horse" when talking about Lakeville South's [player_tooltip player_id='362278' first='Gaven' last='Dean'], I mean a dark horse in the 2024 and 2025 MN QB race, not just a dark horse from yesterday's 612Q's Challenge. Just like his older brother, who committed to MSU-Mankato and is now at Sioux Falls, younger bro Gaven has one of the best arms in the state, especially for his size. Naturally talented and gifted in his passing abilities, Dean was impressively accurate and consistent, and could generate a eye-catching amount of velocity on his throws all over the field. He was also consistent in his mechanics and did a great job of fusing his upper and lower body to produce as much zip as possible. He also showed a quick release and effortless throwing motion, and had one of the strongest arms in attendance, which was fun to watch given how much more room the rising junior has to grow into his frame. Dean was my most-fun-to-watch QB on the day and brought a lot of good things to the table entering his upperclassman campaign. We'll see if he can win that QB1 spot with the Cougars in a few weeks. I'll be monitoring the QB race and Dean himself closely.   Biggest Surprise: [player_tooltip player_id='652799' first='Chase' last='Pemberton'] (Andover) 2024. 6'3, 185 lbs.   Andover has a good one on their hands in rising senior Pemberton, who really impressed me last night at Lakeville South and walked away as the winner of the inaugural 612Q's Challenge. Good height, lots of room to grow and fill in on his frame, and confident slinging the ball over the gridiron, Pemberton was the most consistent passer of the entire event and very accurate to all three levels of the field. He was able to put a 50-yard fade on a rope with ease, and had good mechanics and didn't waste movement in his motion or footwork. The accuracy and consistency were particularly impressive and he possessed timing and anticipation as well. He'll tear it up for Andover this fall.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/69-Chase-Pemberton-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-757988" width="587" height="391" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pemberton</figcaption></figure>   Ready to Make 2023 His: [player_tooltip player_id='242490' first='Tyson' last='Schultz'] (Bloomington Jefferson) 2024. 6'4, 205 lbs.   Despite some notable transfers out of the Bloomington Jefferson program, rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='242490' first='Tyson' last='Schultz'] is ready to make 2023 his and was an eye-opener for yours truly after showing out at the inaugural 612Q's Challenge. Big-bodied kid with a great head of hair on him, Schultz could really push the ball vertically, and I also liked how accurate and consistent he was throwing the rock on the move. He was steady in his accuracy throughout the day and did a good job of leading his WRs while giving them the time to finish the route, and looked clean in his mechanics. That big body and mobility should also help him hurt defenses with his legs and add another level of offensive ability to the Jags offense this fall. I'm looking at him to have a breakout season this fall.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/IMG_7201-rotated.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-733767" width="284" height="378" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Schultz </figcaption></figure>   Look at that Deep Ball: [player_tooltip player_id='743239' first='Andy' last='Simonsen'] (Minnetonka) 2024. 6'2, 175 lbs.   I watched just about every QB in attendance at yesterday's 612Q's Challenge throw vertically, and Minnetonka's Andy Simonson threw a deep ball that really stood out among the group. The ball really pops off his hand and for his size, Simonson can really push the ball downfield and with touch. The WRs looked like they loved catching bombs from him. Also flashed some solid reps on various throws throughout the night.   Shouldn't be Overlooked: Carter Skrtic (Chanhassen) 2025. 6', 170 lbs.   A good athlete with two years of high school ball ahead of him, Chanhassen's Carter Skrtic had a good day at yesterday's 612Q's Challenge and although he didn't do one thing in particular super well, he was balanced and was solid in a lot of different areas of passing. There's a lot of QBs on the Chan roster going into the fall but Skrtic may have the inside track for the starting job, as he's got a good arm and good mechanics and finished in the upper half of the day's competitors.

612Quarterback's inaugural 612Q's Challenge was a resounding success. A big-time multi-group session to conclude a summer of work for Minnesota-born-and-bred gunslingers split between middle and high school athletes, I was fortunate enough to check out the high school period, which consisted of over 20 quarterbacks from the 2024-'26 classes with a few college signal-callers mixed in for good measure. Styled in a similar fashion to the vaunted Elite11 QB competition, which scores points based on accuracy of the throws, the participating quarterbacks were ran through and graded on a number of different scenarios and types of passes, including quick game, sprint outs, classic dropbacks, and more, the top half of each group was picked to move on to the final challenge, where two high school QBs earned first and second place after a great day of slingin' the rock around.