Who Are The IA 2026 Passing Yards Leaders Returning Next Year?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One series that I started over on the Prep Redzone Nebraska side is the "Returning Yardage Leaders" feature, where I look at some of the major statistical categories and break down the leaders returning next year. Let's look at some returning talent in the current junior, sophomore, and freshman classes and their production this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To start, let's examine the juniors who lead the board in passing yardage returning next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa City Liberty's <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1552779' first='Reece' last='Rettig']</em> completed 73% of his passes as he threw for 2,719 yards and 32 touchdowns with a 202.8 QBR. <em>Reece</em> was one of the state's top breakout players as he helped spearhead an explosive offensive that ran through defenses all season long. The most impressive part of <em>Rettig's</em> performance was how surgical he was throwing the ball, with an impressive 70+ completion rate and only three turnovers. There is a lot to be excited about for Reece's senior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17378622/6750ce52aa0c9298c9473fbc' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679b19718deea"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BGM's <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1221942' first='Beau' last='Burns']</em> continues to show why he's one of the top dual-threat QBs in the 2026 class. Beau was a smooth operator as a passer, completing 67% of his passes for 2,391 yards and 34 touchdowns with a 218.6 QBR. Burns also tacked an impressive 1,474 yards and 25 touchdowns on the ground. <em>Beau</em> is the only 8-man player in the top five for passing yards in his class and was the only player with 2,000+ passing yards and 1,000+ rushing yards in the entire state last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16497912/670d1c80756d8d9611134007' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679b19718df37"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sioux City East's <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1238521' first='Cal' last='Jepsen']</em> is one of the QBs sneakily moving up recruiting boards after a great breakout junior season. Leading the Black Raider's offense, <em>Jepsen</em> threw for 2,373 yards and 24 touchdowns on nearly a 64% completion rate and a 158.5 QBR. Jepsen is an absolute gamer at QB who consistently finds ways to keep plays alive and keep the ball moving. He is a well-rounded passer who can heave deep balls delivered with great touch or zip the ball into a tight window over the middle of the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18413977/677d6c73c944c6a3cbc20909' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679b19718df6b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mount Vernon <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1581287' first='Kellen' last='Haverback']</em> has been on a hot streak since the start of his junior season and is now going into a big offseason. <em>Kellen</em> had the Mustang's offense running hot, as they earned a ticket to play in the UNI-Dome before falling in the semi-finals. <em>Haverback</em> threw for 2,285 yards and 27 touchdowns on 64% completions and a QBR of 167.4. <em>Kellen</em> also showed his nose for the endzone with 10 rushing touchdowns on 121 rushing yards. <em>Haverback </em>is a very calm and cool pocket passer who does an excellent job moving through his progressions before making a decision with the ball. Good footwork and mobility allow <em>Kellen </em>to navigate through the pass rush coming at him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17543699/671dd179e47f640f38af8d5c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679b19718df97"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Underwood's <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1221934' first='Garrett' last='Luett']</em> remains pledged to the Hawkeyes for baseball but continues to show why he is such an enticing football prospect with another great season under center. The Eagles' QB threw for 2,184 yards and 22 touchdowns while completing 56.8% of his passes and a rating of 131.6. <em>Luett</em> also showed that he is quite the athlete, with an additional 410 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Rounding out the Top 10:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. <em>Judd Jirovsky</em> - Grundy Center: 142/193 (73.6%), 2,181 passing yards, 532 rushing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 18 rushing touchdowns, and a 210.2 QBR.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1242935' first='Brock' last='Badding']</em> - Kuemper Catholic: 156/286 (54.5%), 2,150 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, and 133.3 QBR.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1242285' first='Keagan' last='Lee'] </em>- Easton Valley: 145/222 (65%), 2,115 passing yards, 488 rushing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, 9 rushing touchdowns, and 182.1 QBR.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1100526' first='Judah' last='Lock']</em> - Grand View Christian: 153/279 (55%), 2,070 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, 3 rushing touchdowns, and 128.9 QBR.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10.<em> Cal Bonifas </em>- Bellevue: 157/239 (65.7%), 1,928 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and 150.2 QBR.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow&nbsp;<em>@PRZ_OscarG</em>&nbsp;for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->