Schmitz flashed his dual-threat skillset as a sophomore for Paradise Honors. A natural athlete with good speed and elusiveness as a runner that can hit his spots as a passer. Good ability to manipulate pressure and extend the play while keeping his eyes downfield for a target. Accelerated release that gets the ball out quick and can throw on the move to either direction.

Parker Schmitz Parker Schmitz 5'10" | 200 lbs | QB/ATH Paradise Honors | 2027 State AZ clocked the fastest 40-yard dash of any quarterback at the event with a 4.65, and also posted the second-best shuttle time at 4.5 — and he did it all with some serious twitch for his size. You could see right away that his first two steps were explosive, and it didn’t take long for him to hit top speed. His 8’7″ broad jump and 7.82 L-Drill added to a well-rounded testing profile that proved he’s not just fast in a straight line — he’s quick and agile, too. What made Parker’s performance even more impressive was how fluid and effortless it looked. He moved like a smaller player, with clean transitions and little to no wasted motion, and showed the kind of mobility that can really open up an offense. At a position where athleticism is becoming more and more valuable, he’s clearly a modern QB — one who can extend plays, pick up yards with his legs, and reset quickly when on the move.

Parker Schmitz Parker Schmitz 5'10" | 200 lbs | QB/ATH Paradise Honors | 2027 State AZ really stood out to me at last year’s combine, and he showed up this year looking like an even more confident version of that player. What immediately jumped out to coaches was his athleticism — he’s got real top-end speed, and it’s a huge asset in his game. Not only does it let him threaten defenses with his legs, but it gives him the ability to escape pressure, extend plays, and turn broken reps into something positive. Heading into the event, I had my eye on his consistency and accuracy — and he absolutely delivered. He threw some of the best deep balls of the day, not just in terms of distance, but in how catchable and well-placed they were. Even when working with unfamiliar receivers, his ability to lead them and put the ball in the right window stood out. He’s also got the right mentality for the position. Calm, collected, and focused — nothing seemed to rattle him out there. He just went about his business with quiet confidence and let his game do the talking. After seeing the strides he’s made over the last year, I’m excited to follow his progress this fall.

Parker stood out last year at this same combine with his athleticism — he moved well, had serious burst in his drills, and nice footwork throughout the day. You could quickly tell he was a guy who could create when things broke down. But like a lot of younger QBs, his ball placement wasn’t quite where it needed to be. That’s why this year’s showing could be such a big moment for him. He now has some valuable varsity experience under his belt, and it’s already produced flashes — most notably a ridiculous debut where he went 14-of-14 for 274 yards and 5 touchdowns. What I’ll be paying close attention to this weekend is how much more polished he looks. Has the ball placement caught up to his athleticism? Does he throw with better anticipation and timing? And just as importantly — does he carry himself like someone who’s played under the lights and knows what he’s capable of now? He’ll get a chance to back up the buzz and show that he’s truly taken that next step forward on Sunday.