It was a tough 2024 junior year for Sauk Rapids-Rice’s QB Spencer Ackerman. The talented gunslinger, who had a monster sophomore season, posting 124 completions on 202 attempts (61.4%) for 1,934 yards and 15 TDs to 4 INTs, unfortunately missed seven games of his junior season thanks to a broken thumb on his throwing hand which occurred September 6th versus Sartell-St. Stephen. However, he set himself up for a heckuva comeback in 2025 as a senior. Ackerman went 12-16 (75%) for 143 yards and a TD to 1 INT in a Week 1 loss to Monticello, shaking off the rust and getting the gears in motion for what has the potential to be one of the most dangerous passing attacks in the state. Sauk Rapids-Rice has some explosive speed in their WR corps this season, and if Ackerman can distribute like he did as a sophomore, SRR is going to be a name to watch in Class 5A.

The thing that stood out immediately when looking at Ackerman’s highlight package was his toughness. The kid gets absolutely creamed by pass rushers in the first few plays of the package. Each time, he makes strong, accurate throws. He has a nice deep ball, but what stood out – after his toughness – was how his intermediate throws are on a rope with a lot of pace on the ball. He diced up zone coverage with lasers that defenders couldn’t react to. I wouldn’t classify him as a running quarterback, but he has the speed and athleticism to beat defenses with his legs.

Ackerman came to the Stock Up Showcase as one of the top heralded QBs out of Northern Minnesota, and I think he successfully reinforced that notion. He threw several high-level seam balls early on in the day and successfully caught my attention with them. He’s a multi-year starter whose junior season tape is impressive, and I implore coaches to check him out.