Command and Confidence: The QBs Who Delivered at ASU 7s

These quarterbacks didn't just show up — they showed out. From their command of the offense to the way they handled pressure, each one of them made it clear they came ready to compete. Whether it was ball placement, poise under pressure, or just the way they carried themselves running their offenses, each one of these dudes brought something to the table.   A couple showed flashes of real arm talent, others looked sharp with their decision-making and timing. It's not easy to stand out at an event like this, but this group did.    [player_tooltip player_id='883279' first='Kael' last='Snyder'] has been on a steady rise since taking over as Perry's quarterback as a sophomore, and after watching him at ASU 7s, it feels like he's nowhere near done growing. He looked locked in from the jump — calm, confident, and totally in control of what was happening around him. He's got a quiet confidence that's easy to spot once the ball is snapped. He wasn't trying to force anything or do too much — just letting the game come to him and picking his spots. What stood out most was how comfortable he looked going through his reads. He trusted his arm, knew when to let it rip, and also didn't hesitate to take what the defense gave him. That kind of discipline can be tough to find in 7s, where it's tempting to chase big plays every rep. His ball placement was sharp, and there was a natural rhythm to how he operated — like he already had a blueprint in his head before the snap. You can tell he's matured a lot since last season, and that's what makes his ceiling even more exciting.      [player_tooltip player_id='401159' first='Donivan' last='Dixon'] might've had the single most impressive outing of the day in my eyes. I already knew he had the arm talent, but I was really curious to see how his game would hold up in a 7-on-7 setting where his athleticism and legs couldn't be used as a cheat code. Turns out, he didn't need them. He showed he could absolutely take over a game with just his arm and decision-making alone. He looked fully in command out there — running the offense smoothly and making throws that made you do a double take. His mechanics were tight, his release was quick, and he zipped the ball into some pretty tight windows. What really stood out was his timing and confidence. There were a few throws that most guys would've hesitated on, but he let them rip with conviction and put them right on the money. Off the field — or at least when he wasn't under center — he was locked in and hyping up his teammates, especially the defense. That energy says a lot about his leadership. It looked like a group that had bought in across the board, and that kind of chemistry starts with the guy leading the huddle. Big-time showing from a quarterback who seems ready to make serious noise this season.      [player_tooltip player_id='1369445' first='Brodie' last='Vehrs'] looked locked in the entire day and played a huge part in helping Basha bring home the championship. There's just a calmness to the way he operates that you don't always see in a 7s setting, where things can get hectic quick. Every rep, no matter what happened the play before, he came out steady and focused. That kind of poise is huge, especially when you're leading a team loaded with talent like Basha. He showed that same zip on the ball I've seen on film, but it felt even more controlled live. He didn't just rely on arm strength — he threw with purpose, timing, and a real feel for how to get the ball to his playmakers in stride. And when you've got the kind of weapons he has around him, that matters. He didn't try to do too much, just trusted the system and let his guys work. You could tell the confidence is there, and it's backed up by preparation. He seemed totally in sync with the offense and made some high-level reads that showed real growth. If what we saw at ASU 7s is any indication, Vehrs is more than ready to lead this Basha group into a huge year.      [player_tooltip player_id='1587252' first='Evan' last='Heinrich'] just looked like a guy who's been here before. Going up against solid competition, he never seemed rushed or rattled — just stayed in rhythm and played his game. What jumped out right away was how accurate and on-time he was on the short and intermediate throws. He didn't need to show off his arm on every rep, and he didn't force anything — just took what the defense gave him and kept the chains moving. That type of consistency and decision-making goes a long way in this format. Now, his throwing motion isn't the flashiest or most textbook, but it's quick, it's compact, and it flat-out works. The ball comes out clean and on a rope more often than not. And when he did decide to let it fly deep, it looked great. His spiral is tight, his touch is smooth, and his receivers didn't have to work too hard to track it down. When you look back at what he did last year — over 2,400 yards and a 30:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio — it's obvious the kid can play. But what I saw at ASU 7s makes me think he's not done climbing. He's got the tools, the maturity, and the poise to lead ACP to another big year.      [player_tooltip player_id='678025' first='Mason' last='Penrod'] looked like a totally different quarterback at ASU 7s compared to what we saw last season — in the best possible way. As a sophomore, he showed off a really solid deep ball, but there were times when he leaned on it a little too much. At ASU, that wasn't the case. He looked way more balanced, way more composed, and it felt like he was really starting to take command of the position. You could see the growth in how he went through his progressions. He wasn't just locking onto his first read — he was patient, reading the field, and getting the ball where it needed to go. His mechanics looked smooth, and the game seemed to slow down for him a bit. He wasn't forcing throws or rushing decisions, which shows real maturity. When he did decide to go deep, it was calculated and clean — not just taking shots for the sake of it. You could tell he's starting to understand when to take risks and when to keep things on schedule. That's a big step for any young QB. With his improved decision-making and the confidence he's clearly gaining, he's in line for a big jump this fall. If he builds on what we saw at ASU 7s once the pads come on, don't be surprised if his name keeps popping up more and more.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Didn't See Everything, Still Saw Enough</h2>   There were a couple guys I was really excited to see going into the night, and even though I didn't get a full look at them, I still came away feeling pretty good about where they're headed.   [player_tooltip player_id='1844156' first='Carter' last='Puma'] didn't get a ton of live reps while I was there — I missed the very beginning — but between what I did catch and some of the clips he posted afterward, there's a lot to like. He's stepping in for a quarterback who was super technically sound, but Puma seems to bring some of that same polish. If he finds rhythm early, Horizon could be in good shape.   [player_tooltip player_id='1134311' first='Gunner' last='Fagrell'] also caught my eye, even without stuffing the stat sheet. His mechanics looked so clean from top to bottom — he generates power from his base and delivers with a quick, snappy release. It's all really efficient. He didn't panic under the sack timer and clearly took pride in going through his reads rather than settling. Not every performance is flashy at these events, but there's a lot of value in seeing a quarterback stick to good habits and trust his process.   I'll definitely be keeping an eye on both of these guys this fall.

These quarterbacks didn't just show up — they showed out. From their command of the offense to the way they handled pressure, each one of them made it clear they came ready to compete. Whether it was ball placement, poise under pressure, or just the way they carried themselves running their offenses, each one of these dudes brought something to the table.