Hill-Murray is home to one of the most talented rosters in Minnesota this fall, especially at the top end. The Pios are led at the front by a very promising QB in the 2029 class in Brayden Hartmann Brayden Hartmann 5'9" | 180 lbs | QB Hill-Murray School | 2029 State MN . A second-year starter at the varsity level, Hartmann can really sling the rock around for his size and age, with his boomin’ arm showing up in a couple of live evaluations this summer, namely NDSU’s first-ever FBS camp. Hartmann popped off in HM’s thumping of Chisago Lakes in Week 1, stretching the field vertically with ease, putting some serious zip on the ball when needed for tougher throws and smaller windows, and showing off footwork, quickness, burst as a ball carrier. Good footwork in his throwing mechanics as well. Accurate on the move and looks a lot more comfortable from his 2025 tape. Kid had a good offseason.

After an incredible run as a freshman, Brayden Hartmann Brayden Hartmann 5'9" | 180 lbs | QB Hill-Murray School | 2029 State MN got off to an electric start to his sophomore campaign as Hill-Murray opened their season with a 49-0 shutout over Chisago Lakes. Hartmann threw for a whopping 290 yards and 5 TDs before being pulled early in the 3rd quarter during the completely one-sided win. The growth in Hartmann’s frame was evident, he looked a lot bigger when he stepped foot onto the field, and he looked much stronger with his throws while also improving on his progressions and overall confidence as he looked much more present in the pocket. With this level of performance, the Pioneers will have big expectations this season as they looked to progress toward become a frontrunner for the 4A title in 2026.

Brayden Hartmann Brayden Hartmann 5'9" | 180 lbs | QB Hill-Murray School | 2029 State MN had already established himself as a strong leader under Center for the Pioneers, guiding the team to the Class 4A quarterfinal round as a freshman; not bad for a freshman QB guiding a unit who has been particularly strong in the 4A conference over the last 4 seasons. Hartmann has already developed excellent mechanics for his age, playing with precision and poise in the pocket, greatly complementing a strong run game with his ability to stretch the field at all 3 levels with his throws, finding a strong rhythm with his teammates. Speaking of which, Hill-Murray retained a young and strong core to give Hartmann an ideal supporting cast to work with, and the Pioneers could be a dark horse contender to watch out for in the 4A conference in 2026.

Brayden Hartmann Brayden Hartmann 5'9" | 180 lbs | QB Hill-Murray School | 2029 State MN immediately took the starting reigns as a freshman and excelled under Center, and the Pioneers’ gambit of letting the freshman start immediately paid off as he helped sustain their success they’ve had over the last few seasons. Hartmann threw for 1121 yards, 18 TDs, and 3 INTs as he guided the team to a 9-2 record and a state quarterfinal appearance. Hartmann quickly grew confident, and as time went on, Hartmann looked fearless slinging the ball down the field, showing excellent precision, power, and control in the pocket, and his passing mechanics have shown to be more advanced than most upperclassmen in the state. Hartmann will be an exciting QB to watch develop over the next few years as he will look to help the Pioneers make a deep push in the 4A conference once again in 2026.

A varsity starter at QB for the Pioneers as only a freshman, Hartmann threw for 1,100 yards and 18 TDs while only throwing 3 INTs and winning All-District HM honors. His arm strength is incredibly uncommon for his age. He shows no issues pushing the ball downfield and even leads receivers on deep balls. He’s made a number of throws that are perfectly dropped into the wideout’s breadbasket, despite the windows being extremely tight. He’s exceptionally calm in the pocket, even when it’s collapsing, and will even take a big hit if it means delivering a dime downfield. His pocket mobility shows flashes of high-level play, and he’s capable of making high-level throws on the run. I’m pumped to see what Hartmann can accomplish over the next couple of years.

We end with a MN standout, and one of two 8th graders in attendance. Brayden Hartmann Brayden Hartmann 5'9" | 180 lbs | QB Hill-Murray School | 2029 State MN doesn’t officially have a HS home yet, but what the kid does have talent to develop and lean on at the QB position. Brayden is another athlete who I labeled as a technician. Despite his age it looked like the ’29 has put in time learning the position. He has a smooth throwing motion, and the ball came out of his hand in a perfectly tight spiral every rep that I watched from him. Brayden was also surgically accurate in the short and intermediate levels. His threat downfield will come as he grows and gets stronger, but right now the 8th grader is leaning on touch, accuracy, and efficiency. Three areas that will lead a QB to a lot of success. I’m looking forward to 4 more years of Brayden Hartmann Brayden Hartmann 5'9" | 180 lbs | QB Hill-Murray School | 2029 State MN .