Elite QB Camp: Best of the 2026s

UW- Eau Claire was kind enough to open the doors on their outstanding indoor facility and play host to the Elite QB Camp operated and owned by former Watertown Head Coach Benji Kamrath. Along with Coach Kamrath, former Gophers QB and QB Motion trainer Tanner Morgan was also apart of the coaching staff that truly helped several of the best QBs in WI and MN learn and develop as passers. The athletes clearly saw the value of this event as 30+ of the best quarterbacks attended to learn and also show off where their talent and development is currently at.   One of the biggest takeaways of the event was the further reassurance towards what I have believed over the past year. The Class of 2026 is the best QB Class that I have seen covering WI, and it has to be up there with the best ever. That is the group we are focusing on in today's recap of the event. The soon to be seniors who dominated the event with their prototypical size, accuracy, touch, and elite arm strength. Talent that is going to put multiple members of the Class into the D1 level and several that will be game changers at the D2 level. Let's break down what we saw from the top individual 2026s.    This was the second time I have been able to watch [player_tooltip player_id='948097' first='Patrick' last='Greisen'] throw live, and it is always impressive. Patrick is a technician in every sense of the word. When he made throws in situations where he could be in rhythm and throw right out of his drop every single attempt looked the same. From his feet to the ball coming out of his hand. A strong base, quick hips and a lighting fast release are so consistent snap to snap and that is what allows his elite accuracy and touch to be what they are. It was great watching him throw after one of the coaches would describe what type of throw they are looking for. Patrick would led step up and either put it on a rope or drop it in over a shoulder. Whatever they wanted to simulate, Patrick could get it done.   Rounding out his outstanding skill set is an arm that has the strength within it to make every throw. On short to intermediate you can expect to see it on a frozen rope. No wasted air underneath the ball and a tight spiral. And when pushing the ball downfield Patrick is able to drive the ball with velocity. There is no concern that the ball will float or hang in the air when attacking 40+ yards downfield. All the while the junior's accuracy stays at the forefront. Patrick is a special talent and a need-to-know prospect in the Class of 2026 QB group.     Right there jockeying for the QB1 spot is Whitnall's [player_tooltip player_id='1570957' first='Tanner' last='Effertz']. Tanner is a special talent. The prototypical size of a D1 QB is there at 6'4" 210+ lbs. However, the size doesn't hamper his mobility whether it be his drop, rolling out, or taking off and running. The junior QB also looked the part of a D1 caliber athlete when we started throwing the ball around The Sonnentag at UW- Eau Claire. There was no question that the strongest arm of the day belonged to Effertz. His powerful base, hips, and shoulder come together to give Tanner the ability to attack any blade of grass on a football field. Watching him drive the ball on throws 25, 35, even 45 yards downfield is not something we have seen often here in WI.   Where Tanner and all big armed QBs have to separate themselves and prove they are D1 caliber athletes is with the accuracy that accompanies that elite power. On Sunday we saw that command over his ball placement. Even when you could tell he was trying to put extra on it the accuracy remained. He understood where the ball needed to be placed and was able to use pinpoint accuracy while keeping it on a frozen rope to his target. Size, arm strength, accuracy, and mechanics come together in a special package with the Whitnall 2026 QB. Coaches, find a way to get to Whitnall and watch him throw live.     We are currently updating the Class of 2026 rankings, so you can ignore the numbers on the left. Brooks is steadily climbing his way up the rankings. Year to year, Brooks would be my choice for the athlete who has improved the most. The '26 has the sound mechanics that have allowed him to be razor sharp with his accuracy to every level of the field. Paired with touch, Brooks was able to carve up defenses early with his pinpoint ball placement and smart decision making.   Now, the junior QB has packed a lot of size and muscle onto his 6'3" frame and with that size has come a big jump in his arm strength. Brooks proved on Sunday that he is able to drive the ball and get it to spots the instant he wants it there. That increase in arm strength has allowed him to be more aggressive, attack smaller windows on Friday nights, and help his team win games. The lefty QB is doing a great job of creating a well-rounded skill set. Coaches, make sure you are either trying to get to his school to watch him throw or get him onto your campuses for summer camps.     Another 2026 QB adding to the outstanding depth and top-end talent is DeForest's [player_tooltip player_id='948127' first='Isaac' last='Ziegler']. Isaac is another athlete who we have watched grow and develop a ton over the past year. He is one of my favorite QBs to watch throw the football around the field because he makes it look so effortless. From smooth feet, to quick and strong hips, to the prototypical release. Every throw looks like he doesn't have to try, yet the ball jumps out of his hand and because his mechanics are so consistent his ability to use pinpoint ball placement shines. Whether it was a deep out to the sideline from the middle of the field or rolling out of the run, the way Isaac can flick his wrist and deliver the ball accurately and on a thread all over the field is tough to find.   The '26 is a natural thrower of the football. He is making strides in his game too. The velocity on the ball is even better since we last saw him. His movements through is drop and delivery are much sharper and consistent too. The arrow continues to point upwards for the signal caller.     This camp was also a great opportunity to get some first impressions on athletes that we haven't seen live until this point. One of the top athletes I couldn't wait to see was St. Joseph Catholic Academy's [player_tooltip player_id='1603927' first='Zach' last='Rizzo']. By the end of the camp it was clear that he is an athlete with a very high ceiling and a lot of tools to work with and develop to reach that potential. Rizzo has the big, strong frame needed to play at a higher level. He looked every bit of his listed 6'4" 225 lbs. Zach also possesses the arm strength to match that big frame. He didn't miss a chance to show off his ability to deliver the ball on a line 10, 20, 30+ yards downfield. The '26 also looks comfortable getting out on the move while still delivering accurate passes.   What has me so excited is the room for growth and development. When it all comes together from his feet to his hips to his throwing motion, Zach has the arm talent to be up there with the best in this Class. I'm excited to see him continue to fine tune his lower body mechanics because as they become more and more consistent we are going to see a massive jump in his play on the field. This is a kid that coaches are definitely going to want to build a relationship with and keep a close eye on. Zach is a high ceiling recruit.     Bryce was an athlete very high on my list of QBs I wanted to see this offseason. He has an elite frame at 6'6" with plenty of room to continue to fill out his frame with muscle and potentially even more arm strength. Matching that elite size is an arm that is able to make every throw with or without his feet being set. Despite his size, Bryce has a compact and efficient throwing motion that gets the ball out quickly. The power is there so that he can push the ball downfield or drive it into small windows in the short to intermediate levels. Bryce does a great job of staying balanced through his drop and throws too. At his size it is easy to get sloppy, but the junior kept things quick, efficient, and under control throw to throw. No doubt, the 2026 out of Oshkosh North has the arm talent, size, and mechanics to play at a high level.   Looking through his season it is clear he has the toughness too. Bryce was able to help lead his team to their first playoff appearance in 8 years. He also did it while playing the final 6 games on a broken ankle. All while putting up 2,000+ yards and 25 TDs. Add toughness to the long list of positives for this kid.     A northern WI QB that has had our attention for while here at PRZ WI is River Falls' [player_tooltip player_id='700211' first='Tino' last='Massa']. The junior looks the part at 6'4" 195 lbs. On Sunday the junior came out and showed off a live arm that has the power to go throw for throw with the rest of the top kids in his Class. Tino proved he is able to generate power and put velocity on his passes. It didn't matter if his feet were set or not. That was great to see repeatedly in person because it flashes throughout his junior highlights. The big QB also plays with an efficient throwing motion that was very consistent. That consistency has aided him a lot in being an accurate passer.   That accuracy was on every rep I watched, and it also translated to the field. In 2024, Tino was a 65% passer while attacking every level of the defense. There is room for the junior to become even more fluid in his movements in the pocket that could bring even more power to his throws, and accuracy. I'm excited to watch Tino continue to develop.     Another junior QB who has grabbed my attention in the past and has me intrigued is Madison West's [player_tooltip player_id='1196149' first='Michael' last='Suominen']. Michael is a QB who wins with clean, consistent mechanics. He is an athlete who is able to make every rep from the pocket look the same because he has worked to make those mechanics automatic. With the consistent mechanics comes consistent control over ball placement. Michael had a very accurate day Sunday. He placed the ball where the coaches wanted it and did well from the pocket and during designed roll outs.   The '26 also has been able to maximize his arm strength. Michael isn't the biggest of the bunch, but he has learned to get everything he can into the ball when he needs to get it there quickly. Michael can definitely put the ball on a rope to the short-intermediate levels of the field. It was a solid day all around for the junior QB.

UW- Eau Claire was kind enough to open the doors on their outstanding indoor facility and play host to the Elite QB Camp operated and owned by former Watertown Head Coach Benji Kamrath. Along with Coach Kamrath, former Gophers QB and QB Motion trainer Tanner Morgan was also apart of the coaching staff that truly helped several of the best QBs in WI and MN learn and develop as passers. The athletes clearly saw the value of this event as 30+ of the best quarterbacks attended to learn and also show off where their talent and development is currently at.