IA 8-Man League Top QBs to Watch in 2026

Iowa boasts an impressive amount of returning starters under Center who should inherit the top rankings within the conference in terms of passing production while also flashing the athleticism to cross over as premier prospects that shouldn't be overlooked within the state despite playing on a condensed, more spread-out league. We take a look at 8 QBs from the 8-man league in Iowa to watch out for in 2026!    [player_tooltip player_id='1197463' first='Nolan' last='Kriegel'] has received more recognition across the state for his outstanding rushing ability. Kriegel finished as the state's leader in rushing TDs (43) while also ranking 7th in the state in rushing yards (1944). Kriegel also was efficient on the air despite a lighter workload, completing just under 64% of his passes for 788 yards, 13 TDs, and only 1 INT. He also caught 3 passes for 87 yards and 2 TDs. Kriegel is dangerous whenever he takes off with the ball, using his bigger frame to shed off defenders and boasts impressive breakaway speed when he gets to the second level. As a passer, Kriegel shows solid ball placement and velocity on his medium-to-deep throws, making some nice passes in stride, and this ability shouldn't be overlooked despite his prowess on the run. Kriegel is an interest prospect, with his versatility and dominance on the field could make him a legitimate WR/LB prospect at the next level, though Kriegel could also make a push to keep playing QB in college. Kriegel will look to cap his high school career by bringing the Tigers a state championship title.     Kriegel earned most of the glory being listed as the best QB in the 8-man league last season, but there could have been a good argument for [player_tooltip player_id='1601642' first='Jax' last='Steger'] to be seriously considered for that title as well last season. The most effective dual-threat in the 8-man league by far, Steger threw for 1858 yards, 29 TDs, and only 4 INTs while rushing for 1245 yards (11.1 YPC) and 21 TDs. Steger showed several glimpses of impressive talent as a passer, slinging the ball with confidence, showing impressive depth and quick velocity on his passes to zip the ball right to where the receiver needs to be to make the play. Steger has also proven capable keeping the ball who's sneaky on the run, slipping through open gaps both up the middle and outside the perimeter, showing great acceleration and agility as a ball-carrier. Steger is without a doubt the face of the Vikings' team that will look to sustain their success they've had over the last two seasons going forward.     After 5 straight losing seasons, East Union took multiple steps forward in 2025, with much of their success coming thanks to the development of [player_tooltip player_id='2072482' first='Braxdyn' last='Tucker'] as a potent leader of their offense. Tucker completed over 63% of his passes for 1204 yards, 21 TDs, and 5 INTs while rushing for 494 yards (5.7 YPC) and 7 TDs. Watching his tape, Tucker's mechanics in the pocket are impressively polished for his age, showing poise, good footwork, and doing a great job throwing the ball on the run as well as under duress. Tucker throws a nice deep ball and he's effective on QB Draw/Power plays to gain chunk yardage on the ground. Tucker has been a difference maker so far for the Eagles, and he should continue to lead this team in the right direction over the next 2 seasons.     Kayvin Morris excelled in his first year under Center for the Redhawks' offense in 2025. Morris completed just under 70% of his passes for 1208 yards, 19 TDs, and only 4 INTs while rushing for 497 yards (5.8 YPC) and 8 rushing TDs. Morris was often the driving force of the offense both on the pass and on the ground. With their RBs struggling to gain ground last season, Morris was often the best option on option keeper plays and on scrambles, moving around the pocket with quick feet and showing great agility maneuvering around defenders. Morris does a good job in scanning the defense and anticipating where open lanes will be whether to hand the ball off, toss to the motioning receiver, or keep it himself, and while the Redhawks' offense was largely composed of shorter plays to gain yardage after the catch, Morris did show flashes as a strong deep passer. Morris will remain as the face of the Redhawks' offense for one more season.     Kale Moore struggled in his first year as a starter for the Mohawks in 2024, but he's grown quickly and has begun to find his stride under Center. Moore finished with 1242 passing yards, 16 TDs, and 6 INTs while rushing for 431 yards (4.4 YPC) and 8 TDs. Moore has flashed as a multi-sport athlete for Moravia, pitching for their baseball team and as a shooting guard for their basketball team. His skills from these sports translate well on the gridiron, flashing solid power in his throws, good lower-body twitch and control, and speed to scamper around defenders on the run. Moore's performance on the field should continue to take additional steps forward as he enters his senior season.     Inheriting the starting job this season for the Hawks, Trey Cota endured peaks and valleys throughout the 2025 season, but rounded out the year strong as one of the more promising signal-callers of the 8-man league. Cota threw for 1348 yards, 21 TDs, and 10 INTs while rushing for 266 yards and 7 TDs. A solid southpaw who throws well outside the perimeter, Cota is a great improvise who can create plays outside the pocket, making some impressive throws through tight windows, and keeping his eyes down the field for an open target on scramble plays. Cota isn't a particularly fast runner, but he has great ball-vision and changes direction with subtleness for big plays, especially in the redzone. Cota will look to guide the Hawks back to the playoffs as he enters his senior season.     The offense for CAM took a step back in 2025 compared to previous seasons as they underwent changes with several underclassmen players taking over in the varsity lineup. Among the biggest changes was at QB, with Zach Kauffman emerging as a starter, and despite battling with up and down performances, Kauffman finished with 1168 passing yards, 19 TDs, and 10 INTs while adding 110 rushing yards and a TD. Kauffman showed flashes as a gunslinger who had success in the vertical passing game, slinging the ball with a strong spiral and arch to hit the receiver in stride. While not a scrambler, Kauffman showed good footwork moving around the pocket and solid accuracy throwing on the run. Kaufman has plenty of good traits that can build around his role as the centerpiece of the CAM Cougars' offense to bring them back into contention.     Cody Milks has the traits and frame of being a solid Pro-Style QB with strong pocket presence, though he will look to improve his mechanics over the offseason to generate more points off his performances. Milks threw for 1404 yards, 13 TDs, and 7 INTs while rushing for 157 yards and 5 TDs last season. Milks does a solid job on his progressions, showing good timing and placement on his throws, and he has one of the stronger arms in the 8-man conference currently. Milks has the physicality to shed off defenders and lower the shoulder for extra yardage like a RB while keeping the ball up the middle. Milks is a bit of a wild-card prospect, but he has the skillset to potentially break through as one of the top QBs in the 8-man league in 2026.

Iowa boasts an impressive amount of returning starters under Center who should inherit the top rankings within the conference in terms of passing production while also flashing the athleticism to cross over as premier prospects that shouldn't be overlooked within the state despite playing on a condensed, more spread-out league. We take a look at 8 QBs from the 8-man league in Iowa to watch out for in 2026!