612Qs Academy: Building the QBs of the Next Generation

Earlier this week I was lucky enough to snag an invite to attend 612Q's Academy. This revolutionary 10-week invite-only program is designed to improve QBs in all facets of their game. Over two hours, the QBs discuss how to improve as leaders, break down coverages, and practice those techniques with on-field drills. The 10 QBs here are all at drastically different stages in their careers. We have returning varsity starters, kids looking to make a big splash their senior year, and young QBs who are still developing to make that jump to varsity. These 10 kids have a lot of talent, so get used to hearing their names!   [player_tooltip player_id='725721' first='Thor' last='Soukup']: 6' 190 lbs Maple Grove 2027   Thor was a last-minute addition to the academy, but I'm glad Soukup showed up. He does NOT have the build of a typical freshman QB. Thick and powerful with great arm talent, Soukup has the misfortune of sitting behind 2026 standout prospect [player_tooltip player_id='489731' first='Kaden' last='Harney']. Soukup can rifle passes into tight windows and showed off some nasty agility during the drills portion of the academy. His development over the next couple of years should be tracked carefully. Soukup has a ton of upside and hopefully, he'll get to show that soon.   [player_tooltip player_id='362278' first='Gaven' last='Dean']: 5'11" 170 lbs Lakeville South 2025   There are very few prospects who have risen up my big boards as quickly as [player_tooltip player_id='362278' first='Gaven' last='Dean']. He won't have the stats that other QBs have due to the style of offense Lakeville South runs, but mechanically Dean is incredibly sound and has looked phenomenal up to this point in the offseason. Dean has a high football IQ and shows off some of the best ball placement out of any prospect in his class. He's got a beautiful release and is plenty mobile, as he racked up 7 rushing TDs as a junior. Dean is part of what I think will be a dangerous and well-rounded 2024 Lakeville South team. With a successful camp circuit this offseason, I expect his stock to rise unanimously.   [player_tooltip player_id='743246' first='Brayden' last='Shafer']: 6'3" 190 lbs Princeton 2025   A lanky QB from northern Minnesota, Shafer was slinging it on Thursday night. Shafer routinely showed off solid pocket mobility and was able to consistently hit targets on the run. Shafer has a clean throwing motion and boasts solid footwork as well. He's a solid arm talent who didn't necessarily have the performance he wanted last year but believes he's due for a big senior season. I'm pumped to continue to see Shafer perform and compete throughout this offseason.   [player_tooltip player_id='1120577' first='Sean' last='Spence']: 6' 170 lbs Two Rivers 2025   Robbed of his junior due to injury, Spence made several impressive throws Thursday night. The Two Rivers prospect will enter his senior year contending for that coveted starting spot. His ball placement on the deep ball is stellar, and while I wouldn't call him a dual-threat QB, he is mobile and comfortable moving in the pocket. On his tape, Spence shows the ability to hit receivers right at the top of their routes and has a lot of success when hitting receivers outside of the hashes. Spence is someone coaches need to add to their big board before his senior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='234769' first='Rylan' last='McCreary-Kujawa']: 6' 160 lbs Rochester John Marshall 2025   Every time I've seen McCreary-Kujawa he's gotten better as a passer. He has a funky throwing motion and consistently puts great zip on the ball. He's been primarily a JV player up until this point in his career but looks to make that leap to varsity during his senior year. McCreary-Kujawa's footwork looks much improved and his ability to hit mid to deep-level passes while never in question, has still gotten better. McCreary-Kujawa is a mainstay at offseason camps and programs, and I'm excited to watch more of him this summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='234766' first='Riley' last='Grossman']: 6'1" 185 lbs Lakeville North 2025   Grossman wasn't there when I went on Thursday, but I think it's important to mention him as he is a mainstay of 612Q's Academy. He's also one of the highest-rated QB prospects in the state. Grossman was named All-Metro and All-District during his junior season. He had 20 TOT on 62% accuracy while putting up over 1,100 passing yards. On his tape, Grossman is dynamic with several highlight-level throws. The lefty can hit small windows across the field with ease and is both comfortable in the pocket slinging, or moving out and throwing on the run. Grossman's recruitment over the next couple of months should be interesting to watch.   [player_tooltip player_id='592128' first='Peyton' last='Meyers']: 6' 180 lbs Prior Lake 2026   Meyers has gone from a talented JV-level QB to someone who I think could have a breakout varsity season next season. His ability to bounce around in the pocket before delivering a strike downfield off of a backfoot is uncanny. Every time I watch Meyers play I become more and more impressed with him. He throws a beautiful deep ball and adapts well when plays break down. I think we'll see Meyers stock rise a ton this offseason on the camp circuit.   [player_tooltip player_id='447798' first='Beckham' last='Wheeler']: 6'4" 205 lbs Mounds View 2026   Wheeler is a rising sophomore out of Mounds View. He has the build of a talented pocket passer, and to his credit, he shares many similar traits to your prototypical pocket passer. Wheeler has a cannon and stretches the field well with his big arm. However, he's also shown the ability to complete short passes, even when the window may be small. He works well out of the play-action, but unlike typical pocket passers, he's fairly mobile too. Wheeler rolls out both ways well and has shown that he can make tough cross-body throws while moving. He's behind a returning starter for one more season, but Wheeler could have a special senior season.   Bauer Tabatt: 5'9" 130 lbs Prior Lake 2027   Tabatt has film out right now, which I love to see from a younger prospect. While he's a little small, he's also a freshman. He was eager and coachable on Thursday and showcased good footwork at times. On his tape he's shown he can both rifle balls downfield and float them over the top of defenders. Prior Lake has produced several college-level QBs over the last couple of years, and I think we see Tabatt evolve into that.   Reed Creighton: 5'11" 135 lbs Belle Plaine 2028   Creighton did NOT look like an 8th grader slinging the rock last Thursday. He may not have any tape yet, but he did the same drills as the high schoolers and performed far better than I would have expected. While Creighton may not see any varsity time as a freshman, I think he'll come into that role well over time. Pay attention to his name over the next couple of years.

Earlier this week I was lucky enough to snag an invite to attend 612Q's Academy. This revolutionary 10-week invite-only program is designed to improve QBs in all facets of their game. Over two hours, the QBs discuss how to improve as leaders, break down coverages, and practice those techniques with on-field drills. The 10 QBs here are all at drastically different stages in their careers. We have returning varsity starters, kids looking to make a big splash their senior year, and young QBs who are still developing to make that jump to varsity. These 10 kids have a lot of talent, so get used to hearing their names!