PRZ Minnesota Combine: Most Promising QBs Pt. 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Continuing my coverage of our Minnesota spring combine, we have 10 more gunslingers who stood out to me throughout the camp!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1647747' first='Connor' last='Kaphing'] - 6'1" 160 lbs Blaine 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of my favorite 2028 prospects from the combine, <strong>Kaphing, </strong>showcased an arm talent uncommon for a freshman. He hit several impressive third-level throws, which looked like they were thrown by a varsity starter, often doing an excellent job leading wideouts while placing great touch on the rock. <strong>Kaphing </strong>also boasts a ton of physical traits that will suit him well for high-level play. 6'5" wingspan and 9.75" hands are wild measureables for a freshman. Also had a 4.44 pro-agility and a pair of 8'10" broad jumps. <strong>Kaphing </strong>is easily a 2028 prospect that needs to be on big boards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641751' first='Gavin' last='Russell'] - 6' 155 lbs Woodbury 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another 2028 prospect who reeks of potential, <strong>Russell</strong>, was able to let it fly successfully throughout the camp. He hit tight first-level windows reliably and even hit a few third-level bombs Sunday afternoon. At his best, <strong>Russell </strong>can go throw-for-throw with every underclassman, and most upperclassmen. Consistency and footwork need some improvement, but <strong>Russell's</strong> ceiling as a prospect is pretty clear. He too possessed a head-turning wingspan and hand size, 6'2" and 9.5" respectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1581375' first='Kellen' last='Willaert'] - 6' 160 lbs Mankato East 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The more I see of <strong>Willaert</strong>, the more I think he has three-year varsity starter potential. He's cool and collected within the pocket and capable of delivering strikes to every level of play. <strong>Willaert </strong>touts improving footwork as well as the ability to blast balls on a rope downfield. He's got a smooth release, and while his testing numbers don't suggest high-end athleticism, he does move a lot better than expected within the pocket. <strong>Willaert </strong>time and time again also showcases one of the best spirals on his passes out of his class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1326439' first='Owen' last='Welk'] - 6'3" 170 lbs Cretin-Durham Hall 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Welk </strong>easily had one of the most impressive frames out of all the QBs who competed last Sunday. A true 6'3" with plenty of room to pack on muscle, Welk brings a lot to the table as a prospect. He also boasts a 6'3" wingspan with 9" hands, ran a 5.03 40, 4.5 pro-agility, and an 8'7" broad jump. His best balls are on short routes, which is assisted by the impressive velocity he puts on every ball. <strong>Welk </strong>is in a great position to compete for a varsity role at the start of his junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1654545' first='Larry' last='Smith'] - 5'9" 160 lbs Brooklyn Center 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most versatile athlete who got reps at QB last Sunday, <strong>Smith, </strong>turned heads as both a gunslinger and a DB. The returning Brooklyn Center starter touts a snappy release and arm strength not usually found in a prospect his size and class. With a 6' wingspan, 4.28 pro-agility, 8'11" broad jump, and 7.03 L-Drill time, it's clear that <strong>Smith </strong>is an extremely explosive athlete. His sophomore year should end up turning heads for his production on both sides of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1651946' first='Mason' last='Woods'] - 5'10" 160 lbs Richfield 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A super underrated 2028 signal caller, <strong>Woods </strong>hit a handful of high-level balls on Sunday that got my attention. He's got the arm strength to hit all three levels, and while I would like to see a little more mustard on his third-level passes at times, his ball placement on those deep routes, especially across the middle, is very impressive. Combine this with 9.25" hands and a 4.6 pro-agility drill, <strong>Woods </strong>could end up developing into a talented varsity starter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1565881' first='Andrew' last='Backhaus'] - 5'11" 190 lbs Minneapolis Washburn 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pre-combine, <strong>Backhaus</strong> was one of my favorite QBs out of Minneapolis. Post-combine, he's solidified his position as the best in my eyes. He tested pretty well with a 4.6 pro-agility and an 8'5" broad jump, but within the pocket, he looks more athletic than those numbers suggest. He's got a relaxed release and was confident when hitting windows across the middle of the field. I think <strong>Backhaus </strong>and Minneapolis Washburn are in for a big 2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1652586' first='Jackson' last='Mastel'] - 6'2" 175 lbs Rogers 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mastel </strong>is going to fight for a QB1 job this fall, but with everything I saw from him on Sunday, I think he has all the potential to win that role. Solid 6'3" wingspan, an NFL QB average 9.75" hand measurement, and an 8'5" broad jump round out his most impressive measureables from the afternoon. When he sets his feet in the pocket, he can rip missiles. Consistency is his biggest area to improve upon, but I like <strong>Mastel's </strong>upside as a prospect ahead of his junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1120517' first='Blake' last='Sieben'] - 6' 160 lbs Anoka 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The projected QB1 for the high-flying Tornados offense next season, <strong>Sieben</strong> isn't just a talented passer, but he also proved to be an explosive athlete during the testing portion of the combine. 4.43 pro-agility drill, 9'6" broad jump, and a 7 flat L-drill all showcased how quick <strong>Sieben </strong>is. During the throwing portion of the day, <strong>Sieben </strong>managed to consistently hit high-level throws across the board. He rarely underthrew wideouts and didn't leave his deep balls hanging. I like <strong>Sieben's </strong>odds of breaking out during his junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1655330' first='Jackson' last='Kirchner'] - 5'11" 195 lbs Andover 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A late addition to the combine, I'm thankful I got to watch <strong>Kirchner </strong>tear it up all afternoon. He produced a solid 4.56 pro-agility time, but he really stood out during the throwing section of the day. He was exceptionally confident in the pocket and ripped several balls in the red zone that turned heads. Ball placement and accuracy were trademark traits of his, and with another year to develop as a QB before he makes the jump to varsity, I think <strong>Kirchner </strong>could turn into a talented prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->