PRZIA 2026 Rankings Update | QB Prospect Profiles (Top 7)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa high schools are enjoying a nice run of producing major college quarterbacks in recent years. Max Duggan (TCU), Hunter Dekkers (Iowa St.), Jake Rubley (Kansas St.), JJ Kohl (ISU), Jaxon Smolik (Penn State) and [player_tooltip player_id='376911' first='Connor' last='Moberly'] (ISU) were in the 2019-24 Classes. Top '25 signal caller, [player_tooltip player_id='252221' first='Alex' last='Manske'] from Algona, verbally committed to the Cyclones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone Iowa released its <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/plenty-of-movement-additions-in-26-rankings-update/">updated '26 Rankings</a> last week. Underwood's [player_tooltip player_id='1221934' first='Garrett' last='Luett'] checked in as QB1 on that list, No. 29 overall in the cycle. West Des Moines Valley's [player_tooltip player_id='401870' first='Drake' last='DeGroote'] comes in as the No. 2 player at the position and 36th overall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at Luett, DeGroote and the rest of the PRZIA Top 7 signal callers in '26: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1221934"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Luett (6-3, 205) verbally committed to the University of Iowa Baseball program during the fall of '22. The u003ca href=u0022https://x.com/PrepBaseballIA/status/1774114085702942979u0022u003etwo-way standoutu003c/au003e on the diamond was first-team all-state as a freshman last summer. Luett completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 2547 yards and 32 touchdowns with nine interceptions as a sophomore on the football team last fall. The Iowa Print Sports Writers Association named him second-team all-state. There's no doubt he can spin it, as evidenced by his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17905831/6567a256c11a020f60fcadeau0022u003e10th-grade highlight videou003c/au003e. He benefits from a strong arm allowing him to make difficult throws. He often makes it look effortless. He shows a good feel in the pocket and can deliver plays off schedule with good mobility.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["401870"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"DeGroote started as a sophomore, which isn't easy to do at one of the state's winningest programs. The Tigers reached the UNI-Dome with him completing 53.1 percent of his passes for 1194 yards and 13 touchdowns against seven interceptions.  He added 231 yards (4.4 YPC) and four scores on the ground. The 6-foot, 180-pound dual-threat signal caller could take a big step forward this fall with his consistency throwing the ball. Valley supplies him with Division I skill position players, too. He possesses a strong arm and is poised throwing the ball on the move, as you can witness watching his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18042448/6556cebb2ab0be05547e09abu0022u003esophomore highlight videou003c/au003e. His delivery is short and compact, and he sells play-fakes well. DeGroote's development should be fun to watch because the skills are present.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1238521"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Jepsen's recruitment is starting to pick up following a sophomore season that saw him complete 58.5 percent of his throws for 2,330 yards and 19 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He visited Nebraska last month. Jepsen (5-10, 170) shines during his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18413977/6564eb2102b1a70b6813157du0022u003e10-grade football highlight videou003c/au003e. Escapability is a big part of his game. He keeps his eyes downfield while consistently avoiding the rush. Arm Strength, feet and throwing mechanics are sound. Jepsen throws a nice deep ball. He also stood out on the baseball diamond, earning Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association third-team all-state honors as a freshman last summer.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["401674"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Nahas (6-0 185) could step into a starting role in 2024 after backing up the graduated Dante Cataldo as a sophomore last fall. Senior u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18169957/65cd422b42071b1238628eddu0022u003eParker DePhillipsu003c/au003e also might step in as the Maroons' QB1. Having two talented signal callers is a good problem to have if you're Dowling coach Tom Wilson. Nahas (6-0, 180) displays nice upside during his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17802447/654ee76fe985580984792064u0022u003e10th-grade video highlightsu003c/au003e. He owns a powerful arm with some zip and a nice touch. He drops dimes on timing routes regularly and can move around in the pocket.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1238171"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"McGuire (6-0 160) started behind center for the Warrior varsity in '23. He completed 49.3 percent of his passes for 1,075 yards and 10 touchdowns with 11 picks for a young team growing together. With that experience, McGuire could be in line for a step forward this coming season. He illustrates during his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17773209/65512e560660b50598ac7652u0022u003esophomore highlight videou003c/au003e an ability to hurt opponents with his arm and legs. He's elusive when carrying the football, making life difficult on defensive linemen and linebackers. McGuire tosses the ball well on the move. His skill set could also work at another position on the next level. McGuire wrestles and plays baseball at Washington.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1240560"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Bakker (5-11 180) enjoyed a solid sophomore season as Warrior starter, completing 53.2 percent of his attempts for 1387 yards and 14 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He added 576 yards (5.4 YPC) and four scores rushing. As we can see during his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17852760/65772cf002bc840160fa8f1fu0022u003e10th-grade video highlightsu003c/au003e, that dual-threat skill set stresses defenses. He looks like a running back on designed running plays with good vision and cutting ability. Bakker moves the pocket when necessary and can spin it rolling out. He's another one whose athleticism could work at another position.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1221948"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Paulsrud (6-1, 185) fits in the same mold as others on this list that excel at signal caller but are just generally good football players capable of succeeding at other positions. As a sophomore last fall, he did more damage with his legs than his arm. He rushed for 896 yards and 13 touchdowns, adding five scoring passes. He also racked up 62.5 tackles and averaged 35.8 yards on 10 kick returns. During his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14884967/655cddf832dc430abcf1b621u0022u003e10th-grade highlight videou003c/au003e, Paulsrud's athleticism and quickness pop off the film no matter where he lines up. He's a problem in the open field.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6625bbc9c198f"} /-->