Quarterbacks Rising in ’28 PRZIA Rankings Update

<!-- 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><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-5-group-6/">Kickoff '26: Class 5A X-Factors</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-4a-district-6/">Kickoff '26: Class 4A X-Factors</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-3a-district-6/">Kickoff '26: Class 3A X-Factors</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone Iowa kicked off its rankings update series last week with a fresh look at the 2029 Class. The updated rankings can be found <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/iowa-high-school-football-2029-class-player-rankings/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/iowa-high-school-football-2029-class-player-rankings/"><strong>HERE</strong></a>. A positional breakdown from the release can be found <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/rounding-up-te-rb-in-przia-29-rankings-update/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/rounding-up-te-rb-in-przia-29-rankings-update/"><strong>HERE</strong></a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week, the 2028 recruiting cycle is being discussed. You can check out the new rundown <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/">HERE</a></strong>. An overview of the update can be located <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/adding-context-to-przia-iowa-28-rankings-update/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/adding-context-to-przia-iowa-28-rankings-update/">HERE</a></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, we'll take a closer look at the group by position. Here's what we have so far: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/o-line-dominates-przia-28-rankings-update/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/o-line-dominates-przia-28-rankings-update/">OL</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up is quarterback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1671366"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a85cc7290720"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Murdock held onto the top spot in the most recent Prep Redzone Iowa Class of 2028 quarterback rankings. He did so on the back of a 66-percent completion percentage leading to 2,250 yards and 27 touchdowns against only five interceptions as a sophomore last season. The athleticism is unusual for a signal caller. Murdock rushed for 200 yards and four scores. On defense, he collected 29.0 tackles, 17 of which were solo stops. He registered 2.0 tackles for loss, intercepted six passes and defended three more. The path to present production along with the tremendous upside can be seen during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23821466/69090d18e506a16ff8f87112">sophomore highlight video.</a> Murdock can spin the ball, putting it through tight windows or pushing down the field with accuracy. He works through his progressions quickly and shows pocket presence. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["980028"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a85cedf58c65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis got his feet wet as a sophomore starter last season at one of the most consistently successful programs in Class 5A. He completed more than 60 percent of his passes for 1,514 yards and 10 touchdowns, adding 240 yards and a couple of scores on the ground. I watched Davis advance his play from last year's Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament to this year's event. It's been a steady progression with a great chance to break out this fall. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/25611907/68ffb2d2c0556aa610d9c62b" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/25611907/68ffb2d2c0556aa610d9c62b">10th-grade highlight video</a> reveals a broad base of skills behind center. First, Davis has a real calm presence in the pocket and flows well away from pressure. He can make all the throws, releasing them from various arm angles. While not a runner, Davis is quick and agile enough to sidestep defenders and chew up yardage if the field opens up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1656914"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a85d0ad9d444"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After scouting Mericle at the 2025 Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament, I left the field believing in his bright future. He took a step forward in that progression last fall with a solid first season as a varsity starter at West Liberty. The sophomore completed 58.4 percent of his tosses for 1,661 yards and nine touchdowns against eight interceptions. The Comet offense returns a lot of talent for 2026, when Mericle has a chance to break out after another offseason of training. The 1<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23366691/690c09ef870e2f0be6410f38" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23366691/690c09ef870e2f0be6410f38">0th-grade highlight video</a> features a tall, strong-armed signal caller behind center. Mericle moves well in the pocket and can pick up yards with his legs when the opportunity presents itself. Expect a step forward for West Liberty with Mericle being a big part of the progress.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1630523"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a85d2edb6407"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Petrie has spent his first two seasons at Cedar Falls mostly competing on the non-varsity level. As was evident when watching him at the Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament this spring at the UNI-Dome, he's developed nicely and is ready to step into the starting role in 2026. Petrie has a strong frame and a strong arm, providing him with a solid foundation on which to build. He also has good blood lines, his father, Tom Petrie, a former Northern Iowa quarterback. I like Baylor's ability to get to the ball to different levels of the field from various arm angles. He fires the ball through small openings and puts the rock on the money down the field. Young Petrie is a good athlete with quick feet behind center, allowing him to move the pocket or tuck the ball and run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["854786"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a85d52a658b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like [player_tooltip player_id='1630523' first='Baylor' last='Petrie'], Alford moves into his junior campaign having spent two years developing behind a talent varsity starter in a successful program. And like Petrie, Alford is prepared for the assignment. I saw him following his freshman year at the Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament in 2025. There was potential to develop into a difference-maker behind center. In viewing highlights from last prep season and this year's 7v7 action, Alford has added strength and filled out his frame. There's still room to grow there, too. He stands out for his ball placement. It's an easy throwing motion into a crisp release and the hitting of receivers in the hands while they're in stride. Expect a breakout season for Alford as he looks to lead Kuemper to back-to-back state titles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->