We’re fresh off covering TMB’s stud 2029er Jackson Kruse Jackson Kruse 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB/ATH Tracy-Milroy-Balaton | 2029 MN on September 10th when we named some PRZMN Underclassmen of the Year Candidates. The sophomore is absolutely on fire right now, and in all phases of the game too, and he’s in particularly strong form as a special teamer and returner. Kruse has posted 2 total KOR TDs, including 1 KOR for 76 yard and 1 TD in win over United South Central and 1 KOR for 91 yards and 1 TD in win over MACCRAY.

The KOR against MACCRAY was quite impressive, as he burst through the gut and middle of the coverage unit with so much speed and explosiveness that he was untouched and looked like he was playing and sprinting on another plane of speed than the competition. The last few seconds of the KOR TD run didn’t even have any defenders in the film’s window and view. Kruse was CRUISING! Potential Player of the Year status out of the 2029 class so far this fall. Remember the name!

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2029 Tracy-Milroy-Balaton QB/ATH Jackson Kruse Jackson Kruse 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB/ATH Tracy-Milroy-Balaton | 2029 MN asserted himself as one of the most dynamic athletes in Minnesota thanks to his Week 1 performance. In the Panthers‘ 38-16 win over MACCRAY, Kruse put up an absurdly versatile, three-phase performance that saw him go 14-21 passing for 255 yards and 3 TDs (67%) through the air, 16 rushes for 104 yards and 1 TD (6.5 YPC average) on the ground, 2 tackles and 1 TFL on defense, and a 91-yard kickoff return for six! Someone is sure due for a ranking’s bump!

In the game film, Kruse gets the ball out of his hand quickly and accurate on a variety of different routes, leading his WRs open on deeper throws with effectiveness. It looks like he gets through his reads well and is safe and smart with the football, and he put the ball into some tighter windows for the prep level and for a sophomore, first-year starting QB. Good maneuverability around the pocket, athletic scrambler and will also run behind his pads with physicality. Smooth, ultra-explosive KOR for six that didn’t even see him get touched by a MACCRAY coverage defender. Looked like a track meet of a TD. Defensively, shoots gaps with quickness, physicality, and intent, made some strong 1v1 tacklers against MACCRAY. Very fun watch out of an always-talented TMB program.

Tracy-Milroy-Balaton starts off their 2026 season with a bang as they look to recapture the energy they showed between 2018-2023 when they won 34 games during that span. For Jackson Kruse Jackson Kruse 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB/ATH Tracy-Milroy-Balaton | 2029 MN , Kruse took over the starting reigns for the Panthers’ under Center, and in his first start, he was outstanding. Kruse finished 14 of 21 for 253 yards, 3 TDs, and an INT while adding 95 yards on the ground on 17 carries (5.6 YPC) and a rushing TD. He also scored on a 91 yard kick return TD in the first half, further showcasing his impressive athleticism and versatility. Kruse looked dangerous out of the pocket, being able to scramble effectively and throw accurately on the run. The Panthers should feel confident going forward with Kruse managing their offense, and TMB may have a bright future with this stepping stone for their offense.

An electric 6′, 190 lb. sophomore, TMB’s Jackson Kruse Jackson Kruse 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB/ATH Tracy-Milroy-Balaton | 2029 MN is an eventual four-year starter for the Class A Panthers. This kid needs a bump onto the Big Board ASAP, as he is the owner of some outstanding freshman tape in terms of versatility, playmaking ability, and athleticism compared to his peers and your typical freshman. I’m assuming there’s some strong athletic numbers backing his game, and Kruse is starting the season off strong, rushing 17 times for 95 yards and 1 TD and going 14-21 for 253 yards and 3 TDs through the air as TMB defeated MACCRAY 38-16.

Skillset:

freshman starter last year

mobile, accurate on the move, good scrambler

has reps of him scanning the field, getting through his reads, and delivering accurate strikes on time

touch on his downfield throws

reps at WR – great ball skills, 50/50 ability, and catch radius, especially for his size and age

explosive vertical threat as a WR

vision and physicality far above what his age would indicate as a ball carrier

instinctive in pass defense and easily floats under passes as a zone defender

A varsity contributor as a freshman for the Panthers, Kruse is someone I could see earning himself a higher ranking down the road. He did a little bit of everything last season, seeing time as an RB, QB, and OLB. As a freshman QB, Kruse showed off a lot of promising traits that should serve him well in his development down the road. For starters, Kruse throws a nice ball, particularly on the run. He does a good job of buying time with a collapsing pocket by rolling out and seems to sense pressure well. With a clean pocket, Kruse has shown that he can put a solid zip on the ball and hit wideouts in tight windows. He also brings an underrated scramble component to his game, where he can absolutely take off if he doesn’t like what he’s seeing downfield. Kruse is an athlete that TMB is trying to get on the field by any means necessary. I don’t know if QB1 is in order for him next season, but you can expect to find him balling for the Panthers.

Jackson Kruse Jackson Kruse 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB/ATH Tracy-Milroy-Balaton | 2029 MN is in an interesting position for Tracy-Milroy-Balaton. He will likely have to wait another year before potentially taking the helm at QB with starter Aiden Sanow returning for his senior year, but with his size and athleticism, it’s clear that the Panthers are trying to find other ways to utilize him in their lineup. He notably had a 51 yard TD reception earlier this season against BOLD. He also showed success at LB, though from his tape, it may be clear that QB will be his preferred position. He is fearless in the pocket with taking shots down the field while also being mobile, showing a strong arm and good mobility scrambling out of the pocket. Kruse’s role and how he will be utilized for the Panthers will be interesting to watch heading into 2026.