Best Players Available: 2024 QBs Part 1
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As the high school football season draws to an end, I wanted to take a look at some of the top QBs in the state who have yet to find a home after they graduate. I’m drawing on the preseason…
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Continue ReadingAs the high school football season draws to an end, I wanted to take a look at some of the top QBs in the state who have yet to find a home after they graduate. I’m drawing on the preseason PrepRedzone rankings, as well as some of the breakout stars of this season. Kids on this list range from having several offers, to still flying under the radar. I’ve tried my best to provide a strong play-style comparison to either a historical or current NFL/NCAA QB to give coaches and readers a taste of how they are on the field.
Tanner Zolnosky Tanner Zolnosky 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB East Ridge | 2024 State MN 5’11” 190 lbs 3.7 GPA – PrepRedzone Ranked #1 QB
Offers: Bowling Green
Season Stats: 10 GP, 143/236, 60.6% Completion Percentage, 2002 Passing Yards, 19 TOT, 7 Ints, 99.6 Passer Rating
Widely regarded as one of the best arm talents in his class, to my knowledge Zolnosky is one of two QBs in his class to receive a D1 offer. His pocket escapability and pocket presence are elite. He rarely takes sacks and has no issues extending the play on his legs. When he lets his arm loose he can stretch the field with ease, but his best trait is easily his ability to keep the play alive. He could be a steal for an FBS G5/FCS school or a very talented starter for a D2 program. NFL/College play style – Russell Wilson
George Bjellos George Bjellos 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Woodbury | 2024 State MN 6’2″ 195 lbs 4.0 GPA – PrepRedzone Ranked #5 QB
Offers: N/A
Season Stats: 8 GP, 99/174, 56.9% Completion Percentage, 1429 Passing Yards, 10 TOT, 6 Ints, 86.6 Passer Rating
Another QB that oozes talent, Bjellos is another Metro talent with a massive arm. Typically known for his lightning-quick release and his ability to throw on the run, he’s a high-upside talent who has been dominant his entire high school career. He does a great job leading his receivers and has some amazing ball placement on his film. If he can improve his TD/INT ratio, Bjellos could improve into a high-end starter for a D1 or D2 program. NFL/College play style- Baker Mayfield
Chase Pemberton Chase Pemberton 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Andover | 2024 State MN 6’3″ 185 lbs 3.9 GPA – PrepRedzone WL
Offers: UW-River Falls
Season Stats: 6 GP, 83/108, 76.9% Completion Percentage, 1509 Total Yards, 18 TDs, 0 Ints, 151.2 Passer Rating
One of my favorite QBs in the class of 2024, Pemberton has one of the highest ceilings of anyone in the state. Having a near-perfect passer rating after starting 6 games is incredible. His film is loaded with highlights. He’s got a monster arm and a super-fast release. His ball placement is among the best in the state, and he has no issues extending the play with his legs. I will die on the hill that Pemberton has Power 5 potential. NFL/College play style- Tua Tagovailoa
Logan Butler Logan Butler 6'4" | 200 lbs | QB Hutchinson | 2024 State MN 6’4″ 200 lbs – PrepRedzone Ranked #6 QB
Offers: N/A
Season Stats: 9 GP, 47/79, 59.5% Completion Percentage, 806 Passing Yards, 10 TDs, 3 Ints, 117.9 Passer Rating
With a pocket-passing build and one of the cleanest throwing motions, I’ve seen, Logan Butler Logan Butler 6'4" | 200 lbs | QB Hutchinson | 2024 State MN remains drastically underrated in the scheme of Minnesota recruiting. Every coach I’ve talked to has nothing but positive things to say about the kid, and he’s been a good starter on one of the best AAAA teams in the state for two years. His ball placement across the field is stunning, and he always seems to put the perfect amount of touch on the ball. He has FCS upside and would be a massive steal at the D2 or D3 level. NFL/College play style- Nick Foles
Austin Randall Austin Randall 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH Waconia | 2024 State MN 6′ 185 lbs – PrepRedzone Ranked #7 QB
Offers: N/A
Season Stats: 9 GP, 97/152, 63.8% Completion Percentage, 1404 APY, 14 TOT, 4 Ints, 90.5 Passer Rating
Randall was a QB I was high on before the season, and he played well. Randall showed off his talents as an athletic QB on a tough and competitive Waconia team throughout the season. He’s a dual threat who puts great zip on the ball and has a fantastic pocket presence. He can break tackles in the pocket before stepping up and ripping a ball 20 yards downfield, or if he doesn’t like what he sees he can scramble for a first down. He also has great footwork. NFL/College play style – Kyler Murray
Charlie Brandt Charlie Brandt 5'11" | 185 lbs | QB Mahtomedi | 2024 State MN 5’11” 185 lbs Mahtomedi 3.9 GPA – PredRedzone Ranked #8 QB
Offers: N/A
Season Stats: 9 GP, 50/99, 50.5% Completion Percentage, 828 Total Yards, 10 TOT, 6 Ints, 58.5 Passer Rating
Playing in an offense that ran a ton of play-action passes helped Brandt evolve his game to where he has become more than comfortable. He shows no issues zipping balls deep downfield while moving. His pocket presence is also very strong, he does a nice job of stepping up and avoiding contact and isn’t scared to make plays happen with his legs. His ball placement on deep routes is top-notch. NFL/College play style- Sam Howell
Cole Heilbrun Cole Heilbrun 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Wayzata | 2024 State MN 6’2″ 205 lbs Wayzata 3.5 GPA – PredRedzone Ranked #9 QB
Offers: N/A
Season Stats: 9 GP, 86/193, 44.6% Completion Percentage, 1329 Passing Yards, 14 TOT, 11 Ints, 61.4 Passer Rating
A very talented 6A QB who struggled at times this season, Heilbrun still has a serious collegiate upside that coaches need to explore. He’s got a big arm and isn’t afraid to score with his legs. He’s very comfortable stretching the field with deep passes and has a solid frame that should translate naturally to the next level. He’s shown proficiencies in a pass-heavy offense with a lot of play-action. NFL/College play style – Desmond Ritter
Nirvaan Yogarajah Nirvaan Yogarajah 6'2" | 160 lbs | QB Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2024 State MN 6’2″ 160 lbs Benilde-St. Margarets 3.7 GPA – PrepRedzone Ranked #11 QB
Offers: N/A
Season Stats: 11 GP, 205/290, 70.7% Completion Percentage, 3266 Total Yards, 34 TOT, 14 Ints, 113.3 Passer Rating
A lanky QB with a giant arm and a penchant for racking up yards and getting six, Yogarajah has FBS upside and experience in playing in a pass-heavy system. He took a giant leap this season as the Red Knights’s signal-caller and with his continued rapid development he nearly doubled his total TDs, decreased his INTs, found more work in the ground game, and added 10% to his completion percentage. I’m all over the Yogarajah hype train! NFL/College play style – Fran Tarkenton
Merrick Woods Merrick Woods 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Minnehaha Academy | 2024 MN 6’1″ 190 lbs SMB 3.1 GPA – PredRedzone Ranked #12 QB
Offers: N/A
Season Stats: 9 GP, 48% Completion Percentage, 1111 Passing Yards, 14 TDs
A two-year starter for the SMB Wolfpack, Woods has consistently flashed college-level talent in the 18 games that he’s started. His tape reveals a good-sized QB with a quick release, a solid arm, and a penchant for hitting tough back-shoulder throws. He stays calm in the pocket, even when under duress. He can consistently hit tough throws across the hashes and can break a sack when needed. NFL/College play style – Drew Brees
Reece Dawson Reece Dawson 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB Rogers | 2024 State MN 6’3″ 215 lbs Rogers 4.01 GPA – PredRedzone Ranked #13 QB
Offers: Mankato State
Season Stats: 9 GP, 65/99, 65.7% Completion Percentage, 1027 Passing Yards, 10 TDs, 3 Ints, 121.1 Passer Rating
A two-year starter for a Rogers team who just qualified for state, Dawson has had an incredibly efficient season as the Royals QB. He’s got a great frame on him and can heave the ball downfield into tight windows. He’s a “grip it and rip it” quarterback who is not afraid to deliver a strike when under pressure. Despite his eagerness to march the ball downfield, he doesn’t throw many interceptions and he always seems to put great touch on the ball. NFL/College play style – Chad Pennington
Daylen Cummings Daylen Cummings 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Centennial | 2024 State MN 6’1″ 190 lbs Centennial 3.2 GPA – PredRedzone Ranked #14 QB
Offers: UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls, Sioux Falls, St. Johns, Augsburg
Season Stats: 10 GP, 47/75, 62.7% Completion Percentage, 1317 Total Yards, 17 TOT, 1 Int, 121.4 Passer Rating
A 3-year starter for a state entrant 6A program Centennial, Cummings is a two-way player who seems bound to make a difference at the next level. He’s already bagged a pair of WIAC offers but has D1 upside as an ATH. He’s shown that he’s stellar as a safety and proficient as a ball carrier. He does not see many passes in the Cougar’s offense, but when he does he has a well-timed release and solid ball placement downfield. NFL/College play style – Tim Tebow
Kameron Fox Kameron Fox 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB Cooper | 2024 State MN 5’11” 190 lbs Robbinsdale Cooper 3.3 GPA – PredRedzone Ranked #15 QB
Offers: Augsburg
Season Stats: 8 GP, 96/172, 55/8% Completion Percentage, 1417 Passing Yards, 13 TOT, 6 Ints, 89.7 Passer Rating
A talented QB who is fresh off his first offer from the rising MIAC school Augsburg, Fox is sure to collect a few more before he commits later this year. He has a penchant for hitting deep-back shoulder throws and has the confidence to rip balls into tight windows. His pocket presence is also top-notch, he does a nice job of sensing pressure without being overly sensitive, and he can score with his legs when needed. NFL/College play style – Case Keenum
Frank Daniels Frank Daniels 6'4" | 215 lbs | QB Blaine | 2024 State MN 6’3″ 210 lbs Blaine 3.86 GPA – PredRedzone Ranked #16 QB
Offers: N/A
Season Stats: 2 GP (Injury), 16/27, 59.3% Completion Percentage, 216 Passing Yards, 3 TOT, 2 Ints, 78.6 Passer Rating
Robbed of his senior season due to injury, Daniels is a high-ceiling QB who is yet to receive a collegiate offer. He’s a true 6’3″ and has a great frame on him. He has a big arm and can sling it, but he’s not immobile either. Daniels can scramble when needed but he makes his money in the pocket. His ball placement on intermediate to deep routes is stellar and his talent needs to be recognized more. NFL/NCAA Play Style – Josh Allen
Landen Mickelson Landen Mickelson 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB St. Agnes | 2024 State MN 6’2″ 200 lbs St. Agnes 3.2 GPA – PrepRedzone Ranked #17 QB
Offers: UW-Eau Claire
Season Stats: 10 GP, 88/137, 64.2% Completion Percentage, 1512 Passing Yards, 26 TOT, 6 Ints, 122.9 Passer Rating
Regarded by some as the best QB in the state, Mickelson is someone who deserves far more attention than he’s getting. He’s an improviser who finds a way to score, whether with his arms or legs. His ability to throw on the run is uncanny, and his ball placement while rolling out is nuts. He can sling it deep, scramble, or slice up a defense with short passes. He’ll find a path to frustrate the defense one way or another. NFL/NCAA Play Style – Patrick Mahomes
Gavin Frye Gavin Frye 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Holy Family | 2024 MN 5’11” 170 lbs Holy Family – PredRedzone Ranked #18 QB
Offers: N/A
Season Stats: N/A (Not recorded online)
A huge part of Holy Family’s breakout year, senior captain Frye has been doing nothing but improving since I first watched him at one of PRZ’s combines. He’s got a super quick release and is willing to do whatever it takes to win. He can sling it across all levels but shows off the best ball placement deep downfield. He’s elite when used out of a play-action design and is capable of throwing the ball at all sorts of funky arm angles. NFL/NCAA Play Style – Kellen Moore
Jack Wojciak Jack Wojciak 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Irondale | 2024 State MN 5’11” 175 lbs Irondale – PredRedzone Ranked #19 QB
Offers: N/A
Season Stats: 8 GP, 62/127, 48.8% Completion Percentage, 1155 Total Yards, 12 TOT, 4 Ints, 88.0 Passer Rating
If I could describe Wojicak in one word it would be underrated. He’s got a big arm and one of the fastest releases on this list. He rips balls downfield into tight windows and is more than ready to move the ball on his legs. He can throw on the run and has shown that he is proficient in multiple offensive systems. Simply put he’s got swagger and you can see it on his tape. I am very high on Wojciak and I believe that he’ll be a steal for a college. NFL/NCAA Play Style – Johnny Manziel
Hayden Charboneau Hayden Charboneau 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Barnum | 2024 State MN 6’2″ 195 lbs Barnum 3.64 GPA – PredRedzone Ranked #20 QB
Offers: UM-Morris, Gustavus
Season Stats: 11 GP, 95/151, 62.9% Completion Percentage, 1,359 Passing Yards, 25 TOT, 3 Ints, 3 Ints, 123.3 Passer Rating
Small-town QBs are often slept on, and Charboneau is no exception. He’s a mobile pocket passer, who has improved greatly every year. When in the pocket he’s comfortable scanning the field and letting it rip, but when he senses pressure he does a great job of stepping up and making a play downfield with his legs. He has an effortless release and always puts the perfect amount of touch on the ball. He drops lofty balls perfectly in receiver’s bread baskets and seems to be on a path to collegiate success. NFL/NCAA Play Style – Tony Romo
AJ Donovan AJ Donovan 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB La Crescent-Hokah | 2024 State MN 6’1″ 190 lbs La Crescent-Hokah – PrepRedzone Ranked #21 QB
Offers: N/A
Season Stats: 10 GP, 143/261, 54.8% Completion Percentage, 1,977 Passing Yards, 20 TOT, 17 Ints, 72.6 Passer Rating
An All-Star team kicker, Donovan is also impressive as a QB. The right-handed gunslinger can dance around the pocket at ease. He’s also shown the ability to make crazy cross-body throws accurately. His tape is full of deep back shoulder balls that are perfectly placed. His ball placement is stellar on a majority of his tape, and his ability to hit tight windows is uncanny. The dude has serious upside as both a kicker and a quarterback. NFL/NCAA Play Style – Brett Favre
Ky Kelvie Ky Kelvie 5'8" | 160 lbs | QB Buffalo | 2024 State MN 5’8″ 160 lbs Buffalo 3.98 GPA – PredRedzone Ranked #23 QB
Offers: Buena Vista, Gustavus
Season Stats: 9 GP, 94/177, 53.1% Completion Percentage, 1559 Total Yards, 20 TOT, 6 Ints, 92.8 Passer Rating
Kelvie is among one of the biggest success stories this year. As a junior, he stood as QB2 with only 11 completions across 4 games. His senior year he went on an absolute tear with Buffalo amassing 20 TOT throughout a 5-4 record in their first season in 6A. He was named 1st Team All-District and currently has two collegiate offers. His tape is electric and full of highlight-level throws. With pinpoint accuracy and great decision-making, I love Kelvie as a prospect. NFL/NCAA Play Style – Doug Flutie
Levi Hahn Levi Hahn 6'0" | 210 lbs | QB Mayer Lutheran | 2024 State MN 6′ 210 lbs Mayer-Lutheran – PrepRedzone Ranked #24 QB
Offers: N/A
Season Stats: N/A (Not recorded online)
A well-built QB/LB hybrid, it surprises me that Hahn hasn’t snagged an offer yet. A dual-threat QB from Mayer-Lutheran, Hahn is just as comfortable sitting in the pocket as he is taking a designed QB run. When in the pocket he has solid footwork and excellent pocket presence. He does a great job of stepping up in the pocket when he feels pressure around the edge and loves to scramble for big gains if needed. As a passer, he’s calm and collected. He can sit in the pocket and deliver back shoulder strikes, or throw on the run. NFL/NCAA Play Style – Marcus Mariota
Caden Wick Caden Wick 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Prior Lake | 2024 MN 6′ 190 lbs Prior Lake 3.3 GPA – PredRedzone Ranked #26 QB
Offers: N/A
Season Stats: 6 GP, 24/50, 48.0% Completion Percentage, 413 Passing Yards, 6 TDs, 1 Ints, 107.8 Passer Rating
Although he only got to see action in 6 games, Wick put together some really good tape this year and continued to find ways to win. He’s got quick feet, a big arm, and perhaps most importantly has great decision-making on the field. He excels at deep to intermediate balls and it’s a thrill to watch him work through his progressions. He throws on the run well and simply put is a playmaker. Give Wick an opportunity and he’ll surprise you. NFL/NCAA Play Style – Joe Montana
Will Barthel Will Barthel 5'11" | 165 lbs | QB Sr. Michael-Albertville Highschool | 2024 MN 5’11” 165 lbs STMA 3.94 GPA – PrepRedzone Ranked #32 QB
Offers: Bethel
Season Stats: 9 GP, 87/169, 51.5% Completion Percentage, 1437 Total Yards, 9 TOT, 10 Ints, 56.8 Passer Rating
A first-year QB with a quick release, Barthel snagged his first offer from Bethel in November. He’s a sparkplug dual-threat QB who makes plays in the red zone. He does a great job of lofting balls to his receivers right over defender’s heads. He’s comfortable throwing on the run and shows off some good vision as a ball carrier. He has shown off good chemistry with his wideouts and does a nice job of anticipating windows. NFL/NCAA Play Style – Jeff Garcia
Dylan Blount Dylan Blount 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB St Clair | 2024 MN 6’1″ 180 lbs St. Clair 3.85 GPA – PrepRedzone Ranked #38 QB
Offers: St. Olaf, Gustavus
Season Stats: 1,204 Total Yards – 16 Total TDs
A 612QBs pupil who snagged his first collegiate offer last June, Blount is an agile QB whose ball placement is often stellar. He’s a kid who consistently puts in the work and you can see his improvement in his film. While he doesn’t boast breakaway speed, he can beat defenders in a footrace. He’s also able to dance around the pocket before delivering a laser downfield. If you can get open, Blount is going to find you. He’s able to put the ball where only the receiver can get it and does a fantastic job of avoiding oncoming pressure. NFL/NCAA Play Style – Steve McNair