Standout QBs to Watch in Week 7

This week's Standout QBs to Watch highlights seven quarterbacks who each have their own way of commanding the offense. Regardless of style, each has proven capable of leading their team and producing when the game is on the line. Check them out below.    Few quarterbacks in Minnesota carry themselves with the blend of calm and confidence that Harney does. Often compared to Joe Burrow for his presence and demeanor, he's unflappable and surgical, leading the top-ranked Maple Grove offense that leans heavily on power and counter concepts from under center. Within that structure, Harney operates like a coach on the field—commanding protections, identifying rotation, and delivering the football decisively. When called upon to spread out, he processes quickly and fires with accuracy in rhythm, excelling in the quick and intermediate game. His motion is compact, and the ball arrives with tight spin and natural touch. When asked to run, he gets downhill, can extend plays, and flashes creative athleticism when the pocket breaks down. What separates him most is his mental makeup. He's a curious, detail-oriented learner who studies pressure looks and constantly challenges coaches to explain the “why.” South Dakota State's staff landed a poised, polished leader ready to elevate a championship culture.     Felton is one of the more intriguing developmental quarterbacks in the Twin Cities—an athletic, physical presence under center who brings a defensive mentality to the position. At 6'2”, 200 pounds, Felton transitioned from playing linebacker and safety to quarterback this year, and the raw tools are apparent. In Champlin Park's 42-41 thrilling win last week, he was inconsistent throwing, but added 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just nine attempts. The week prior he threw for 216 passing yards and a touchdown in a win. He's a plus-one runner who adds a legitimate power element to Champlin Park's RPO-heavy system, giving defenses constant conflict between containing his legs or collapsing on stud running back [player_tooltip player_id='1633474' first='Preston' last='Nelson']. Inside of 10 yards, he's efficient and decisive, delivering quick-game throws and RPO slants with velocity. His command of timing routes and deep progressions is still developing, but his willingness to attack downhill as a runner makes him a true dual-threat problem. Felton's frame, leadership, and competitive edge stand out.     Ellingson is emerging as one of Minnesota's most intriguing dual-sport athletes and quarterback prospects. A standout on both the gridiron and baseball diamond, Ellingson brings a natural feel for timing, rhythm, and movement that translates seamlessly between sports. At quarterback, he combines smooth mechanics with a strong understanding of spatial leverage, consistently putting the football where only his receivers can make a play. His ability to throw from multiple platforms and maintain accuracy under pressure separates him from most high school passers at his level. In Willmar's recent win over St. Cloud Tech, Ellingson delivered his most complete performance of the year—completing 14 of 17 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns while posting a near-perfect 156.9 passer rating. The tape highlights his calm footwork in the pocket, quick eyes through progressions, and confidence to step up and attack tight windows. Even when protection breaks down, he shows controlled mobility, resetting his base and delivering with precision on the move. Ellingson's arm talent, poise, and understanding of offensive structure make him a rising prospect to watch.     Junior Jameson Niska powers Blaine's modern spread as a dual-threat quarterback. Although he didn't play much quarterback before this year, he embraced the challenge over the summer and has quickly adapted. He's thriving at his new position. Over the past two weeks, Niska has gained nearly 400 total yards, accounted for four touchdowns, and even caught a 14-yard pass. A high-end 100-meter sprinter, Jameson is a violent, decisive runner who creates a plus-one numbers advantage in the ground game. His speed forces defenders to take difficult angles, opening cutback lanes that he jumps towards and through. As a passer, Jameson delivers accurate throws and reads RPO keys effectively, giving the Bengals a true run-pass conflict weapon. His poise and physicality make him a perfect fit for an offense that values space and quick decisions.     Class 3A's second-ranked Pequot Lakes has looked every bit the part of a title contender, and junior quarterback Blake Spiczka has been central to the Patriots' undefeated start. A polished, efficient passer with a calm command of the offense, Spiczka operates with the poise of a senior and the discipline of a system-built quarterback. His mechanics are compact and repeatable, allowing him to get the ball out quickly and accurately to all areas of the field. Within Pequot's balanced attack, he excels at keeping drives on schedule and forcing defenses to defend every blade of grass. Spiczka's ability to control tempo and read coverage has powered a unit averaging more than 35 points per game. Against Pine City, he completed 14 of 19 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns, then followed with another sharp performance against Hibbing, finishing 12 of 18 for 165 yards and a score. His pre-snap awareness, quick processing, and steady leadership have turned Pequot Lakes into one of the state's most efficient passing teams.     A first-year starter, Senst is the newest in Hermantown's line of big, poised passers—and he might have the highest ceiling of them all. His physical presence immediately stands out: tall, strong, and balanced, with a compact, repeatable release and the arm strength to drive the football deep or attack tight windows in rhythm. Senst moves fluidly, showing the mobility to roll out, extend plays, and deliver strikes on the run. His basketball background shows through in his footwork, balance, and body control. His calm demeanor in the huddle reflects a natural leader. Senst opened the 2025 season on fire, leading a Hermantown offense averaging 56 points per game through its first month. In a 42–22 win over Duluth East, he threw for two touchdowns, extending an early-season stretch that's already produced seven scoring throws. His command and accuracy have helped make the Hawks nearly unstoppable early in games, often finishing contests before halftime. His decision-making sharpens with experience, which should make for a productive off-season.     Guzzo gives Cotter true dual-threat flexibility and the temperament to manage a game for a run-first script. He's comfortable carrying designed QB run—power, GT, and read so the offense can live in plus-one numbers and stress edges. As a passer, he's most effective off play action and keepers. Cotter is 5-1 and averaging 41 points per game. Through the first four games of the season, Guzzo threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns. It's important to remember that he's played defense since his underclassman years (safety into overhang), and that vision translates to anticipatory throws and smart pull-keep decisions in the option world. Cotter lean's on his command at the line. He gets them into the right answer when the box is loaded. Expect him to be the short-yardage closer, the red-zone problem on QB power/read, and the field general in two-minute.

This week's Standout QBs to Watch highlights seven quarterbacks who each have their own way of commanding the offense. Regardless of style, each has proven capable of leading their team and producing when the game is on the line. Check them out below.