Back 2 Ballin: Top Gunslingers, Part II
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CEDAR FALLS, IA– We rally into Part II of our top gunslingers from Back 2 Ballin with Iowa 7v7 over the weekend. This list shows off a significant amount of 2027 quarterbacks that intrigue me with their upside. And of…
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Continue ReadingCEDAR FALLS, IA– We rally into Part II of our top gunslingers from Back 2 Ballin with Iowa 7v7 over the weekend. This list shows off a significant amount of 2027 quarterbacks that intrigue me with their upside. And of course, there are 2025 quarterbacks with rising stock including one of my selections for MVP from the entire tournament. Iowa and South Dakota continue to dominate with gunslingers, but upcoming in Part III, there will be another dominant state you will need to recruit from in the Midwest.
Tommy Hoffman Tommy Hoffman 6'2" | 170 lbs | QB Sioux Falls Washington | 2025 State SD , QB, Sioux Falls Sharks/Sioux Falls Washington 2025 Twitter
Tommy was a 2025 quarterback that I saw his stock rise significantly from what I watched last weekend. Getting that live evaluation of him, was critical as I see him up a couple QB spots by next update, due to his developing smooth demeanor. I also thought his throwing efficency on all three levels of the field has been much improved this off-season. I love his growth mechanically since he took over the Warriors as a sophomore as I called it out this weekend, he will be a great one for college coaches to watch this camp season.
Payne Nelson Payne Nelson 5'9" | 165 lbs | QB Iowa Falls Alden | 2027 IA , QB, Sohljahs/Iowa Falls-Alden 2027
One of the best comeback stories from this weekend came from the Sohljahs in 15U Division II, as the Sohlijahs came out of nowhere in bracket play lead by 2027 quarterback Payne Nelson Payne Nelson 5'9" | 165 lbs | QB Iowa Falls Alden | 2027 IA of Iowa Falls-Alden to win the championship in 15U D2. He certainly is a quarterback due soon for the growth spurt, but he certainly impressed me with his ball fits as you can tell he has sound rapport with his receiving core. Payne also came out with a more fiery quick release than I expected at his size and age, which shows me that the upside on this kid has a solid ceiling in my eyes. He also was precise with his accuracy, giving his wide receivers a great cushion on the second and third level. Will be intrigued to watch this young man’s development over the coming years.
Carter Poppe, QB, Iowa Insanity/Cedar Rapids Kennedy 2027 Twitter
Carter showed off a quarterback prospect that at the moment has some raw potenial. However, I came away impressed the more I watched him over the weekend, as he showed off a QB prospect that showed some quick development within his skillsets. Especially on intermediate routes, Carter showed off a clean release mechanically, that showed off steady pop as far as his arm strength. At 6’1 160 pounds, I like this young man’s upside he has coming thru likely over the next few years.
Chace Hermanson, QB, Sioux Falls Sharks/Sioux Falls O’Gorman 2027 Twitter
Another developmental gunslinger in the 2027 class was SF Sharks quarterback Chace Hermanson out of Sioux Falls O’Gorman. I didn’t catch a ton of reps on Chace, however he was another that is a high upside quarterback in the making for the Knights. The skillset that popped out with Chace to me with his arm length and I saw plenty of flexibilty with his arm brewing, as a QB in the future that I could see impressing with his throwing angles he could end up making while throwing from the run or off-platform. He has great upside growing his mechanics over the coming years, as the measurables future college coaches will be looking for, look good for his age.
Bobby Bacon Bobby Bacon 6'0" | QB Iowa City | 2025 IA , QB, Rip City/Iowa City 2025 Twitter
Before I even stepped foot in the UNI Dome this weekend, I recall Bobby being a name I remembered being a standout in 2023’s Back 2 Ballin 7v7 tournament and he exceeded the term “standout” for sure in 2024. Bobby showed off outstanding precision on every deep route he threw all weekend, and his arm strength certainly showed much more depth than the 40-yard field he played on. Not only could Bobby make all the throws this weekend, I certainly saw a huge stock rise with his poise as even when he got the blitz, his total body language just as smooth with a clean pocket. I usually do not put an “offer ASAP” tag on any athlete from a 7v7 tournament, but Bobby might be one of the exceptions to that theory. Not only could he sling, but I loved his A+ character as I certainly what shows off a locker-room leader in the fall and into the next level. One of my 18U selections for MVP.