Class 3A MN Top QBs to Watch in 2026

Moving up to Class 3A MN, we take a look at a very intriguing QB group full of returning starters, several of whom underclassmen that have immediately made their mark among the conference that will look to continue their paths as leading signal-callers, with the conference holding one of the best groups of returning starting QBs in the state heading into 2026. We take a look at 7 QBs from Class 3A MN to watch out for in 2026!    Pairing alongside fellow top prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1658187' first='Alpha' last='Meaway'], [player_tooltip player_id='1654545' first='Larry' last='Smith'] showcased impressive growth in his sophomore year giving an electric spark for Brooklyn Center's offense. Smith finished with 1601 passing yards, 21 TDs, and 8 INTs while rushing for 524 yards (5.5 YPC) and 6 TDs. Smith is a mobile dual-threat who does an excellent job moving around and outside of the pocket, keeping his eyes down the field for an open target, and creating big plays on the ground. Smith has a strong arm who isn't afraid of taking risky shots through tight windows, and when he hits his stride, Smith is lethal chucking the ball down the field. Brooklyn Center is gleaming with potential with the talent they have on their roster, and Smith could be due for a monstrous junior campaign.     The only other QB from Class 3A to finish with over 1000+ passing yards last season, Brecken Elfering has been overlooked compared to some of the upperclassmen within the 3A conference, but he clearly has been a game-changer for Melrose Area's offense. Elfering finished with 1023 passing yards, 16 TDs, and 7 INTs while also rushing for 1011 yards (5.7 YPC) and 10 TDs on the ground. Working out of a RPO Pistol offense, Elfering is dangerous when he tucks the ball and runs it himself, showing great vision and sneaky acceleration to outrun defenders. Elfering also shows nice touch and depth on his deep throws, being able to find his receivers down the sidelines with fair precision. Elfering should enter his junior season as a much more visible signal-caller to look out for in the 3A conference.     [player_tooltip player_id='1543013' first='Reed' last='Creighton'] was a coveted prospect among our scouts during the offseason, and he continued to show growth after a promising freshman year. Creighton finished with over 1400 passing yards, 14 TDs, and 3 INTs in his sophomore season. A strong passer with quick release and zip on his passes to hit tight windows, Creighton has really improved on his timing and rhythm with his receivers while continuing to improve on his deep ball placement. Creighton also continued to showcase his talents as an improviser, particularly cited with a forced fumble on a run against Worthington with the ball flung back to Creighton, which he was able to maneuver around the defense and turn what could have been a turnover into a first down run. Creighton's game sense and talents will continue to improve with time, and it will be exciting to how Belle Plaine will fare with Creighton's development over the next 2 years.     La Crescent-Hokah struggled to a 1-8 record, but with Maverick Moor providing promise as the beating heart of the offense, it gives the Lancers a promising leader to build around entering 2026. Moor threw for 516 yards, 7 TDs, and 3 INTs while rushing for a team-high 487 yards (5.5 YPC) and 5 rushing TDs. Moor was hit-and-miss as a passer, but his hits created big plays down the field, and as a runner, he was slippery and as elusive like a RB, flashing electric ability as a scrambler. Moor will be an intriguing wild card prospect with big upside heading into his senior year.     De'Anthony Sells has stood out as an exciting small forward prospect for the Eagles' basketball team, and he's certainly on pace toward pursuing a career on the courts, but his athletic talents also stand out on the gridiron. Sells finished with 612 passing yards, 6 TDs, and 5 INTs. Sells has an undeniably commanding presence in the pocket looming over defenders, and he flashed potential with a strong release and arm extension, while launching the ball 40+ yards down the field with the flick of a wrist. Despite a winless campaign in 2025, St. Cloud Apollo clearly has a talented athlete under Center that they can build around entering the 2026 season.     In several ways, [player_tooltip player_id='1288346' first='Brecken' last='Wacholz'] outperformed senior starter [player_tooltip player_id='1648479' first='Teaghen' last='Tolbers'] despite playing with fewer reps, and Wacholz has the opportunity to take full advantage of his potential entering 2026 as the full-time starter for Albert Lea. In 7 games, Wacholz threw for 324 yards, 6 TDs, and 2 INTs while adding a team-lead 578 rushing yards (7.7 YPC) and 7 rushing TDs. Wacholz showcased more potential as a versatile dual-threat who could create big plays with his legs, and while he lacked the passing volume that Tolbers had, Wacholz did a good job with short-to-medium pass plays down the field. Wacholz will need to work more to find a steady rhythm in the pocket, but he has a great opportunity to excel as the lone starting QB for Albert Lea in 2026.     In the first season for the upstart PACT Charter Panthers, they turned to Zac Grawey, an 8th-grade athlete to be their first starting QB for the new team. Grawey performed admirably, finishing with 358 passing yards, 7 TDs, and 5 INTs. While his performance was expectedly erratic as one of the youngest varsity-starting QBs in the state, Grawey flashed potential as a strong gunslinger who shows good instincts and can improvise on the fly, getting good arc on his deeper throws and nice footwork maneuvering around the pocket. As Grawey continues to grow working with his fellow teammates, the synergy for this team should continue to grow, which could make PACT Charter a legitimate force to be reckoned with in the 3A conference in the coming years.

Moving up to Class 3A MN, we take a look at a very intriguing QB group full of returning starters, several of whom underclassmen that have immediately made their mark among the conference that will look to continue their paths as leading signal-callers, with the conference holding one of the best groups of returning starting QBs in the state heading into 2026. We take a look at 7 QBs from Class 3A MN to watch out for in 2026!