Who’s Got Next? QBs Set to Shine at the Prep Redzone AZ Combine

This Sunday's Prep Redzone AZ Combine is shaping up to be one of the best stops on the spring circuit. There's going to be a ton of talent on the field, with athletes from all over the state showing up to compete, get recognized, and prove something. Whether they're trying to put their name on the map or just build some momentum heading into the summer, this event gives guys a real shot to make some noise.   From testing numbers to 1-on-1s, it's a chance for every position to show how they've developed this offseason — not just physically, but in the way they carry themselves, how they command drills, and how they connect with new peers and coaches on the fly. That stuff matters. You learn a lot just by watching who embraces the competition and who backs down from it.   There are already some quarterbacks on the list that I've got circled — guys I've seen flashes from before, or players I've only heard about but am curious to see live. Some are established names, others are looking to break through. Either way, this group has my attention.    Paiden's size already caught people's attention at last year's event — he looked the part back then, and from everything I've heard, he's only gotten bigger and stronger since. That kind of frame always draws a second look, but what makes him really intriguing is how locked in he's been this offseason. He's been putting in work behind the scenes, and this combine will give us a real look at how that effort is translating when the ball's in his hand. I'm especially curious to see how clean his footwork looks in the throwing drills and whether his mechanics have tightened up. A player his size with good rhythm and control can be a real problem for defenses — and this will be a great early test of where he's at in that development curve. He's definitely one of the guys to keep an eye on throughout the day.     Vincent might not have ideal size, but the kid just knows how to play the position. There's a natural instinct to how he moves in the pocket and delivers the football. Sure, the feet can get a little choppy at times — something you see a lot with younger QBs — but that's part of what makes this event so valuable. It's a chance to see if that's something he's been working on and how he handles himself when the reps start stacking up. What really stands out on film is his touch and ball placement. He's not trying to rocket it in every throw — he throws with purpose, and there's a clear understanding of where he wants to go with the football. I'll be watching closely to see how he handles timing throws and quick decisions in drills. If the footwork has taken a step and the arm is looking clean, he could really leave a strong impression this weekend.     Bodey fits the mold of what you look for physically in a young quarterback — tall, strong, and composed. His mechanics already look pretty polished for his age, and it's clear he's got a natural feel for how to play the position. The ball comes out smooth, and his throwing motion doesn't need a lot of extra moving parts, which is a great starting point for a young QB. With his build, you'd expect him to have some juice behind the ball, and I'm looking forward to seeing just how much velocity he brings during the live reps. These combine settings can sometimes expose timing or rhythm issues, especially when you're throwing to receivers you met 45 minutes ago, but they can also highlight how quickly a quarterback can adjust on the fly. That's one of the big things I'll be watching with Bodey — how comfortable and confident he looks throwing in rhythm to brand-new targets. He's got the frame, he's got the tools, and now it's about seeing how far along he is in putting everything together.     Trae's got a really interesting mix of tools. His lower body mechanics can get a little unconventional at times — not always the cleanest base — but his upper body is fluid, and he's got some sneaky arm strength that doesn't take much effort. The ball jumps out of his hand, and you can tell he's comfortable letting it rip. In a setting like this, with a bunch of reps and no pass rush, that smooth delivery will stand out. The biggest thing I'll be watching is ball placement. These combine reps are perfect for evaluating how consistently a quarterback can throw with accuracy when the variables are controlled. Trae's now at Desert Sunrise, where the QB room struggled mightily last season with both accuracy and turnovers. If he can show poise, clean footwork, and improved consistency, he could be a real answer for them. This is a chance for him to set the tone early and prove he's capable of stepping in and taking charge of that offense.     Gabriel showed some nice traits at last year's combine — he moved well, had clean footwork, and looked comfortable in the pocket drills. He didn't have the biggest arm in the group, and there were some inconsistencies in his delivery and timing, but there was a foundation to build on. He clearly had a natural feel for the position, even if everything wasn't fully polished yet. One of the things that makes his evaluation tricky is that he didn't get a chance to start last season. With Kaleb Burras putting together a monster year at quarterback, Gabriel had to wait his turn. But that also means we haven't really seen what kind of growth he's made under the lights. This combine could be his coming out moment — a chance to show how he's developed after a year learning and training behind the scenes.     Valentine is one of those young quarterbacks who already passes the eye test. As a freshman starter last year at Buckeye, he showed a level of poise and comfort in the pocket that you rarely see from players that age. Now at Mountain Pointe, he's stepping into a new environment with higher expectations — and a more crowded QB room. There's plenty to like about his game. He's calm under pressure, gets the ball out with good velocity, and his ball placement on film is solid. He's still growing into his frame and refining his mechanics — especially that back shoulder dip he sometimes uses to try and generate more power — but that's a common trait for younger QBs still learning how to fully engage their lower half. What I'll be watching for at the combine is how well he adjusts to new receivers and how clean his mechanics look rep after rep. His rhythm and timing are going to get tested in this fast-paced setting. Valentine has the physical tools and early experience — now it's about continuing to sharpen everything around that and showing he's ready to take another step forward.     I got the chance to see Emmett in person earlier this offseason at the Throw It Deep camp, and he made a strong impression — not just with his physical tools, but with his approach. He was locked in the entire time, soaking up every bit of coaching and applying it almost immediately on his next rep. That kind of responsiveness says a lot about where his mindset is and how seriously he's taking his development. Physically, there's still room for him to fill out a bit. As he continues to add size and strength, his arm will naturally become more powerful. What stood out the most, though, is how composed he was. He never looked rattled, never rushed — just steady and focused. So much of playing quarterback comes down to how you think, how you respond, how you lead — and Emmett looks like he checks all those boxes. This combine will be a great stage for him to keep showing that maturity.     Parker stood out last year at this same combine with his athleticism — he moved well, had serious burst in his drills, and nice footwork throughout the day. You could quickly tell he was a guy who could create when things broke down. But like a lot of younger QBs, his ball placement wasn't quite where it needed to be. That's why this year's showing could be such a big moment for him. He now has some valuable varsity experience under his belt, and it's already produced flashes — most notably a ridiculous debut where he went 14-of-14 for 274 yards and 5 touchdowns. What I'll be paying close attention to this weekend is how much more polished he looks. Has the ball placement caught up to his athleticism? Does he throw with better anticipation and timing? And just as importantly — does he carry himself like someone who's played under the lights and knows what he's capable of now? He'll get a chance to back up the buzz and show that he's truly taken that next step forward on Sunday.

This Sunday's Prep Redzone AZ Combine is shaping up to be one of the best stops on the spring circuit. There's going to be a ton of talent on the field, with athletes from all over the state showing up to compete, get recognized, and prove something. Whether they're trying to put their name on the map or just build some momentum heading into the summer, this event gives guys a real shot to make some noise.