Standout Quarterbacks to Watch Ahead of Week 2

Several Minnesota quarterbacks kicked off the 2025 season with lights-out performances. The quarterback position has never been deeper, as evidenced by the number of signal-callers considered for this initial list.   Looking ahead, I'm eager to see how this list evolves week-to-week.    Here are seven quarterbacks to keep an eye on before Week 2:    Moorhead junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1194605' first='[player_tooltip player_id='1194604' first='Jett' last='']' last='Feeney'] started the year throwing four touchdowns in a 48-10 win over Rogers. His arm strength and accuracy were on full display, highlighted by a 35-yard strike to Jameson Dunlap and a 92-yard bomb to standout wideout [player_tooltip player_id='1629849' first='David' last='Mack']. At 6'2, 195 pounds, Feeney is big, strong, and still with room to grow. He led all passers in Minnesota as a sophomore with 48 touchdowns and finished second in the state with 3,221 yards. His mechanics are clean, his release is smooth, and he can deliver to every level of the field with velocity and placement. Feeney's timing on outbreaking routes and touch on verticals stand out, and his ability to stretch defenses keeps his weapons in constant play. Feeney shows maturity. Entering his third season as a starter, it seems the game has slowed down for him, and it shows in his command of Moorhead's offense. He processes quickly, sees the defense clearly, and makes decisive throws. The son of Spuds head coach Kevin Feeney, a former NDSU quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='1194604' first='Jett' last=''] has sharpened his game through countless hours of film and field work, and it translates to confidence under the lights. College coaches have already taken notice, with offers from North Dakota State and Montana State on the table. Now moving into Class 6A competition, Feeney has the weapons to continue producing at an elite level. With his arm talent, leadership, and preparation, Feeney is one of Minnesota's premier quarterbacks and a player with clear Division I upside.     Edina senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='592125' first='Mason' last='West'] opened his swan song season with four touchdown passes in a 49-21 win over Hopkins. At 6'6, West is a towering presence under center who has already thrown for more than 5,200 yards and nearly 40 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He led the Hornets to the Class 6A state championship game in 2023 and once again has Edina positioned as a contender. West brings the full package. He's tall, poised, and decisive, with the accuracy to complete 65 percent of his throws last fall. He sees the field well, gets the ball out quickly, and puts it where only his receivers can make a play. He can exploit defenses vertically with touch and placement, and his timing on short and intermediate routes sets up yards after the catch. Toughness is another defining trait. West avoids pressure, resets his feet, and delivers strikes while standing in against contact. His size and mechanics allow him to stay calm in the pocket and command the offense with confidence. This season is West's last on the football field before hockey becomes his full-time pursuit. A first-round NHL Draft pick by the Chicago Blackhawks, he'll play at Michigan State after graduation. Still, he refused to give up his final fall with Edina, determined to chase one more run with the Hornets. With his arm, size, and competitiveness, West is one of Minnesota's most complete quarterbacks and a proven winner looking to cap his career with another deep playoff push.     Hopkins sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1651164' first='Tre' last='Moore'] threw three touchdown passes in a tough Week 1 loss to Edina, flashing the same playmaking ability that made him one of the state's breakout freshmen a year ago. Despite heavy pressure from a talented Hornets defense, Moore still found ways to extend plays and deliver strikes, including a long touchdown connection with his older brother, Jayden.Moore is one of the most electric 2028 prospects in the Midwest and our No.1 2028 player and quarterback. A natural playmaker, he shows advanced arm talent for his age and can make difficult throws look routine. He's comfortable throwing on the move, off-platform, and across his body, and he does it with impressive accuracy and velocity. His ability to drop a seam ball into a tight window or hit a receiver in stride separates him from most underclassmen quarterbacks. Mobility is another big part of his game. Moore rushed for 300 yards last season and has the speed to turn broken plays into explosive gains. His pocket presence continues to improve, and he remains composed under duress, keeping his eyes downfield while escaping pressure. What makes Moore so exciting is the combination of polish and upside. With two more years to grow, Moore already is one of the premier names in the state and a player college programs will be monitoring closely.     Burnsville junior quarterback Liam Henke made an immediate impact in his first varsity start, going 10-for-14 for 141 yards and a touchdown while adding 70 rushing yards, including a 63-yard score. Heinke is a gritty, physical competitor. He runs with power, bursts through space, and finishes plays. His athleticism gives Burnsville a quarterback who can create with his legs and stretch defenses vertically. What separates him is his football IQ. He is processing quickly, shows instant recall, and naturally grasps schemes. He diagnoses coverages quickly, makes fast decisions in the option game, and elevates the players around him with his command. Henke already looks a key leader. With his toughness, intelligence, and athleticism, he has the tools to grow into one of the more complete quarterbacks in his class and a true playmaker in 5A.     Minneapolis Southwest junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='923855' first='Kyler' last='Thom'] showed why he's one of the top young arms in the state with a strong Week 1 performance against St. Louis Park. He threw a 10-yard touchdown to [player_tooltip player_id='1288221' first='Trasean' last='Quarles'], set up by a 35-yard strike down the sideline, and later broke free for a 34-yard rushing touchdown to give the Lakers a halftime lead. Thom has been rising all summer, turning heads on the camp circuit with his smooth release and live arm. He throws with velocity and accuracy and shows excellent timing on comebacks and short routes. His tape shows comfort throwing seams and into one-high looks. At 6'2 with clean mechanics, he looks comfortable operating the offense and consistently puts the ball in spots where his receivers can make plays. He's more than just a pocket passer. Thom ran for over 300 yards last season and adds a dimension with his legs. When a play breaks down, he has the athleticism to escape pressure and pick up chunk gains, making defenses account for him on the ground as well as through the air. His 34-yard scramble for a touchdown in the opener was a reminder of that versatility. With arm strength, accuracy, and dual-threat ability, Thom has firmly established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the Twin Cities.     New Prague junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1581347' first='Carter' last='DenHartog'] opened his season by going 15-for-22 for 214 yards and two touchdowns, both deep strikes to receiver Sawyer Jasperson. The duo hooked up eight times for 129 yards, including back-to-back post routes that beat zero coverage for scores. DenHartog was dotting up receivers all night, showing off placement at every level of the field. His arm talent is well-rounded, with both velocity to drive the ball and touch to drop it in stride. The deep ball is a real weapon. He throws it with confidence and precision, giving his receivers a chance to make explosive plays. He's also a capable runner. Late in the fourth quarter, DenHartog broke loose for a 25-yard gain that set up a potential game-winning field goal. Though the kick was blocked, the run showed his athleticism and ability to extend drives with his legs when needed. What stands out from last year to now is his growth. Watching his tape shows a capable quarterback, but the improvement in timing, mechanics, and decision-making is clear. He looks more polished, more confident, and more in control of the offense.     Andover senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1491934' first='Joseph' last='Mapson'] exploded in Week 1, rushing for 216 yards and five touchdowns on 21 carries while adding another score through the air in a 44-20 win over Wayzata. Mapson is one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in Minnesota. At 6'1, 190 pounds, he combines a live arm with explosive athleticism, giving him the ability to beat defenses in multiple ways. Last season he totaled over 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns. His running ability makes him a nightmare for defenses. Mapson runs with vision, acceleration, and toughness, and when plays break down, he can turn them into chunk gains or touchdowns. His Week 1 outburst showed exactly that, as he ripped through Wayzata's defense repeatedly in the second half.College programs are already taking notice. Mapson is a true gamer. He takes care of the ball, leads with confidence, and raises the ceiling of an Andover team making the leap to 6A. With his arm talent, rushing ability, and leadership, he's one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the state and a name to watch closely this fall.

Several Minnesota quarterbacks kicked off the 2025 season with lights-out performances. The quarterback position has never been deeper, as evidenced by the number of signal-callers considered for this initial list.