Talking QBs with Breakout Potential for 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While we don't want to wish summer away too fast, it's easy to peak around the corner and see the Iowa high school football season quickly approaching. Friday night lights will be shining brightly before we know it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In preparation for the upcoming campaign, I thought it would be fun identifying five breakout candidates at each position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's the group at the quarterback position:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1688209' first='Chase' last='Harden'], 2029, Des Moines Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A senior starter threw all but two of the passes attempted by Des Moines Christian in 2025. That opens up the job for candidates ready to lead the Lions. That group certainly includes Harden, who impressed the heck out of me watching him spin it at the Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament during April at the UNI-Dome. The arm strength was present. On top of that, Harden is advanced for his age with pocket presence, ball placement and working through his progressions. He'll have to win the job, but if that happens, a breakout is the likely outcome.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2119929' first='Daniel' last='Storck'], 2029, ADM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A theme for these write-ups on young signal callers will be that they performed well at April's Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament in the UNI-Dome. Storck stood out for his poise in playing the position in relation to age. One would think he was a seasoned veteran not a freshman that completed 10 of 14 throws for 84 yards in his brief varsity exposure in 2025. The left-hander flashes arm strength to make all the throws while also possessing the touch to fit the ball into tight spaces. Storck ran for a touchdown during his brief time of the varsity and looked in Cedar Falls like a guy that can confound defenses with his legs if they don't respect his ability to run. Like many young quarterbacks are being taught these days, he throws accurately from multiple arm slots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1630523' first='Baylor' last='Petrie'], 2028, Cedar Falls</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Petrie has put in the time developing in preparation for winning the starting job this coming fall and breaking out with the opportunity. The son of former Northern Iowa quarterback, Tom Petrie, Baylor was another standout from the Back 2 Ballin High 7v7 Tournament. Petrie has good size and sees the field well from the pocket. He works quickly through progressions. The throws are accurate and placed where his guys can make plays after the catch. A strong arm allows for all the throws to be made, putting pressure on the defense to defend the whole field. Petrie is a good athlete that can keep plays alive off of schedule or pick up yards on the ground if they're available.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2119998' first='Ethan' last='Cole'], 2029, Marion</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back2Ballin was my first exposure to Cole. He backed up a senior as a Marion nine-grader last fall, completing 4 of 5 passes for 63 yards and a pair of touchdowns without an interception. Cole wasn't asked to run, but that could be a part of his game based on the mobility and athleticism he showed at the 7v7 tournament. As a thrower, the right-hander owns a compact delivery with a quick release and easy throwing motion. Cole puts the ball on receivers where they can make plays while avoiding danger. He surveys the field quickly and keenly with a calmness in the pocket. Marion returns weapons to take a significant step forward in 2026, and a Cole breakout would go a long way in making that happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665207' first='Nicholas' last='Stupp'], 2029, Gilbert</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tall, long-limbed young signal caller, Stupp was one of the top risers from the Back2Ballin event. The arm strength is apparent right away. He complements it with a good feel for ball placement and consistent accuracy. Like others on this rundown, Stupp is mature beyond his years in terms of feel for flow of the play, staying calm and finding the open teammate. Athletic and nimble, the Gilbert sophomore moves well in the pocket and his long legs with speed allow him to threaten the opposition on the ground. Stupp has a very high ceiling. He can take a big step towards reaching it with a breakout campaign in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->