Class 5A Senior QB Watchlist for the 2025 season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In preparation for the 2025 season, we take a look at the top QBs within the most competitive and difficult division in the high school football landscape in Iowa. Over the last season, these QBs have solidified themselves as great leaders for their offense, and they have proven that they can compete among the best of the best in the toughest division in the state. We take a look at 7 of the top oncoming senior QBs in Class 5A Iowa to watch in 2025!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1552779"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679848a1b39ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1552779' first='Reece' last='Rettig'] took over the reins under Center at Iowa City Liberty this season, and he immediately surged as arguably the best performing QB in Class 5A last season. Rettig finished 2nd in the division with 2719 passing yards and 32 touchdowns to just 3 picks. Rettig also had the second highest completion percentage in Class 5A (73.1%), and his 202.8 passer rating was the highest in the division. Rettig also ran for 482 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground. Rettig boasts an impressive combination of arm strength, deep accuracy, and athleticism, as he constantly maneuvered around defenders last season to extend the play and create some stunning highlight-reel moments. Rettig will try to lead Iowa City Liberty to a state title in his senior season after coming short in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1240560"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679848a1b3a3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1240560' first='Beckett' last='Bakker'] has experienced exponential growth in his performance since becoming the starting QB for Waukee as a freshman. Bakker engineered his best campaign so far in 2024, throwing for 1582 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only 2 interceptions. He added 472 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground. Bakker has improved as a sharp passer, showing great control on his touch and depth of his passes. Bakker plays well throwing on the run, and he possesses impressive breakaway speed for a QB. Bakker is a tough competitor, and his progress over his 3 years as a starter has been impressive to watch. Expect him to bring it all together heading into a highly anticipated senior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238521"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679848a1b3a98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After a strong showing in his sophomore season, [player_tooltip player_id='1238521' first='Cal' last='Jepsen'] showed a considerable amount of growth in his passing mechanics through the 2024 season. Jepsen finished with 2373 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions. A true pro-style QB, Jepsen was one of the most precise passers in Iowa last season, showing some insane accuracy on many of his deep throws, and possessing the footwork, quick reads, and an impressive level of power on his passes with the flick of his wrist. Jepsen heads into his senior season as a top athlete in both football and baseball, and he could see a lot of attention from big schools in both of those areas. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401870"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679848a1b3afb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401870' first='Drake' last='DeGroote'] will have high expectations heading into his senior season as the #1 ranked QB in Iowa, but he has made an impressively strong case to claim that title. DeGroote finished last season with 1816 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 9 picks. He also ran for 212 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground. The numbers may not look as impressive as some of the other names mentioned earlier, but he reads his progressions throughout the play very well, finding the gaps in his defense, and hitting his throws with sharp accuracy. DeGroote's leadership guided the Tigers to their first state championship appearance since 2019. DeGroote will be on full display in 2025 as he tries to cap his high school career with a state title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238506"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679848a1b3b5d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1238506' first='Cameron' last='Cantonwine'] made significant progress as a passer in his junior season, and he's solidified his role as the central piece of the Cyclones' offense. Cantonwine finished with 1819 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 8 picks, while rushing for 615 yards and 8 touchdowns. Cantonwine has already proven his big-play potential on the ground, but I was impressed with how much he improved on his reads and his arm strength, which showed as he was able to stretch the ball down the field more this year toward his dynamic WRs. If Cantonwine continues to improve on his accuracy, he should certainly be one of the most dangerous QBs in Iowa in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1234329"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679848a1b3bbc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1234329' first='Vernon' last='Benda'] proved to be quite a breakthrough for the J-Hawks this season, and it culminated with the team posting their first winning record since 2015. Benda finished with 1840 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 7 picks, while adding 4 touchdowns on the ground. Benda showed great touch and accuracy on his horizontal passes, and while he still has room to grow on his deep ability, Benda proved to be nimble eluding defenders, and he looked confident holding his own under Center in his first year as a starter. Cedar Rapids Jefferson could be an underrated contender to watch out for 2025 with Benda leading the way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238171"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679848a1b3c17"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1238171' first='Grady' last='McGuire'] is one of the more interesting QBs within Class 5A, though he showed considerable improvements in his performance in 2024 to earn a spot on the watchlist. McGuire finished with 865 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and just 6 picks compared to 11 as a sophomore. He also ran for 513 yards and 7 touchdowns. Playing for an offense which utilizes the T-formation heavily, McGuire proved to be a shifty, dynamic runner who was difficult to bring down and broke out big runs often. While his passing mechanics still have a lot of room for growth, there were glimpses of brilliance as a pocket passer during his junior season. McGuire will be one of the biggest question marks heading into his senior campaign, but the upside his very high on this athlete. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->