Iowa high school football: Top returning QBs in 2025

Dana Becker

Iowa high school football: Top returning QBs in 2025 image

Before we know it, the start of the Iowa high school football season will be here and we will be enjoying those Friday night lights once more.

But until kickoff, there is no better time than the present to look at which players to follow during the upcoming season.

Here are some of the top quarterbacks set for action in 2025 in Iowa high school football across all classifications. Grades included for the players are from the previous season.

AJ Harder, Tri-Center, Sophomore

All Harder did last season was lead the state in passing yards with 2,882 while guiding Tri-Center to the first championship in program history. He recorded 29 touchdown passes and completed 64 percent of his 303 attempts.

Reese Rettig, Iowa City Liberty, Junior

Rettig is the next big signal-caller to come from Iowa City, as the senior-to-be racked up 2,719 yards and 32 touchdowns against just three interceptions on 253 attempts for the Lightning a year ago.

Beau Burns, BGM, Junior

Along with rushing for almost 1,500 yards and 25 TDs, Burns completed 67 percent of his passes for just under 2,400 yards with 34 passing scores.

Cal Jepsen, Sioux City East, Junior

A multi-sport standout, Jepsen completed 64 percent of his passes a year ago with 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He finished with 2,373 yards through the air.

Kellen Haverback, Mount Vernon, Junior

Haverback tossed 27 touchdown passes with just under 2,300 yards in the air, completing over 64 percent of his throws.

Judd Jirovsky, Grundy Center, Junior

Jirovsky stepped right in as QB1, guiding the Spartans to another unbeaten season and state title. He threw for 2,181 yards and 25 touchdowns, completing 74 percent of his passes with just one interception among 193 attempts.

Brock Badding, Carroll Kuemper, Junior

The Knights leaned on Badding and he delivered, tossing 19 passing scores and 2,150 yards.

Kyle Tracy, Iowa City Regina, Junior

Tracy is another from Iowa City who is shining bright, as he had over 1,900 yards and 19 TDs while completing 62 percent of his throws.

Mack Heitland, Waukee Northwest, Sophomore

Thrown to the wolves as a 10th-grader, Heitland delivered, throwing for almost 1,900 yards with 28 passing touchdowns.

Drake DeGroote, West Des Moines Valley, Junior

The Tigers advanced to the 5A state finals with DeGroote at the helm, as he threw for over 1,800 yards with 24 TDs.

Nolan Kriegel, Iowa Valley, Sophomore

Kriegel actually finished second in the state with 40 rushing TDs, piling up 1,991 yards with his legs and another 1,119 and 18 scores with his arm.

Jaxson McIntire, Clear Lake, Sophomore

The Lions leaned on McIntire, as he delivered to the tune of 1,749 yards passing and 25 touchdowns against just four interceptions.

Braylon Bingham, Pleasantville, Sophomore

An exceptional two-way player, Bingham had over 1,700 yards passing with 23 touchdowns while also shining bright on defense.

Beckett Bakker, Waukee, Junior

A soon-to-be four-year starter, Bakker tossed 19 TDs against just two interceptions on 163 attempts, piling up almost 1,600 yards.

 

Dana Becker

Dana Becker is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has been a sports writer since 2000, covering high school sports, the Big 12 and more for On SI, The Fort Dodge Messenger, Mason City Globe-Gazette, Cedar Rapids Gazette and others.