Editors note: This is the first in the eight-part “YPS Top 40” series from Your Prep Sports highlighting 40 of the top returning football players for the 2023 season.

Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The YPS Top 40 is an eight-story series highlighting 40 of the top returning football players in the Your Prep Sports area by position group.

The series starts with the most important position on the field – quarterback.

In the next seven days seven other position groups, running back, receiver, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, defensive back and special teams will all be featured.

The Your Prep Sports area will feature some of the top quarterbacks in the state this season.

Here is a look at the top returning quarterbacks in the Your Prep Sports area.

Drew Larson

Senior, City High

One of the most versatile quarterbacks in the state Larson is a unique talent that has the ability to do it all for the Little Hawks.

A dual threat quarterback that has accounted for more than 3,500 yards of total offense and 40 touchdowns over the past two seasons the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Larson is also a starter at safety and returns punts for City High.

While his athletic ability and versatility makes Larson stand out he is among the most productive and accurate passers in the state.

Larson has completed 66 percent of his passes while throwing for 3,187 and 35 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions the past two seasons.

Last season Larson ranked fourth in 5A in total touchdowns (25), seventh in passing yards (1,841) and second in completion percentage (68%) while also rushing for 303 yards and five touchdowns and catching a touchdown pass.

As a safety Larson ranked sixth on the team in tackles and led City High with two interceptions.

Graham Beckman

Senior, Liberty High

Beckman was one of the biggest breakthrough stars in the state last season bursting onto the scene with an all-state season in his first year as a full-time starter.

The signs for success were evident after Beckman completed 13-of-15 passes for 184 yards in spot duty as a sophomore.

Last season Beckman quickly ascended into the ranks of the top quarterbacks in the state ranking in the top 10 in the state in both passing yards and touchdowns while directing Liberty High to the best season in program history.

Beckman earned second-team all-state honors in Class 4A after passing for 2,580 yards and 31 touchdowns with just four interceptions while completing 63 percent of his passes.

An excellent athlete at 6-foot-1 and 194 pounds, Beckman also rushed for 320 yards and four touchdowns while leading Liberty High to a single season record for wins and the first playoff win program history.

Jack Wallace

Junior, West High

A starter since his freshman season Wallace has quickly climbed the ranks as one of the top quarterbacks in the state.

After throwing for 829 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman starter in 2021 Wallace took a huge step forward last season.

Wallace ranked eighth in Class 5A with 1,754 passing yards last season while completing 58 percent of his passes and throwing 17 touchdowns with just two interceptions.

At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds Wallace has impressive size and has the arm strength to push the ball down the field, evident by his 15.1 yards per completion last season.

Wallace showed impressive growth in his pocket presence and decision making last season and rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown.

If Wallace can take another step forward this season he will firmly cement his status as one of the top signal callers in the state.

Quinton Tran

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

After sharing the quarterback duties at City High the past two seasons Tran is expected to take over as the full-time starter at Clear Creek Amana.

Tran was impressively efficient in his two seasons at City High completing 74 percent of his passes with 21 touchdown passes and just two interceptions.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Tran has equally effective throwing from the pocket and using his legs to make plays.

Tran passed for a combined 1,649 yards over the past two years while also rushing for 228 yards.

After throwing for 925 yards and 10 touchdowns while splitting reps as a sophomore in 2021 Tran made the most of his opportunities last season.

In starts against Pleasant Valley and Davenport West Tran completed 37-of-58 passes for 473 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 35 yards.

Tran brings immediate production and leadership to a new-look Clear Creek Amana offense that will look to improve after averaging less than 14 points per game last season.

Gentry Dumont

Senior, Regina

While the breakthrough for area quarterbacks Beckman and Wallace came last season the breakout for Dumont should come a year later.

Dumont was solid in his first full varsity season a year ago throwing for more than 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior after having his sophomore season cut short by injury.

Now healthy and more experienced Dumont enters his final prep season looking and feeling like a different player.

Physically Dumont looks different growing an inch and gaining more than 30 pounds since the end of last season.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Dumont will look to build on last season where he completed 50 percent of his passes while throwing for 1,049 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

A bigger, strong Dumont could be more involved in the Regina running game this fall and will be a two-way starter at defensive back after picking off a pass and making eight tackles last season as a safety.

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