Note: Grades reflect a combination of film study, statistical output, and program experience. These are meant as evaluations – not criticisms.
Aidan Bouman
Grade: A
Context
In 31 career starts, Bouman has passed for 6,402 yards and 42 touchdowns, which currently puts him at third and fifth in the team record book for those respective stats. He has won 22 games, and experienced his most productive season last fall, going 214/312 for 2,959 yards and 19 touchdowns. Completion percentage stood at 69%, and he only threw four interceptions on the campaign.
Analysis
Bouman is a pure pocket passer that remains calm under pressure and takes care of the ball. He is an elite game manager, scanning through his options and being poised in critical moments. This upcoming season, it is paramount that Bouman’s release time improves, especially since South Dakota’s offensive line returns just one starter and is projected to regress.
Tommy Rittenhouse
Grade: A
Context
Rittenhouse was recognized as an All-MVFC Honorable Mention honoree in 2024. On the year, he went 286/428 for 3,187 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also contributed with his legs, rushing for 608 yards and 10 touchdowns. Starting all 14 contests for the Redbirds, Rittenhouse averaged 212.5 passing yards per game and also completed 67% of his passes.
Analysis
A true dual-threat quarterback who can pick apart a defense both through the air and on the ground. He is at his best when he is moving around in the pocket, executing play action or run pass option calls. Rittenhouse can take over a game whenever he wants to, something that many other QBs in the Valley simply aren’t capable of doing.
Chase Mason
Grade: A-
Context
He has waited patiently for his time, and now is at the forefront of a crucial season for South Dakota State. Known for his running ability, Mason will have to prove himself as a passer to reach his full potential. He could sling the ball around in high school, as he threw for 2,000 yards during his junior season at Viborg-Hurley.
Analysis
Mason possesses remarkable athleticism at 6-4, 230, being an explosive weapon in the run game and avoiding defenders out of the backfield. He didn’t attempt many passes last season, but when he did, he looked sharp and was pinpoint accurate. A player with incredibly high upside that has potential to break out in 2025.
Beau Brungard
Grade: A-
Context
Brungard was a First Team All-MVFC selection as an all-purpose player last year, starting 12 games and passing for 2,141 yards and rushing for nearly 1,000 (998). He has a high ceiling due to his proven production and insane athleticism. The Springfield Local product will have to minimize mistakes (11 INTs) and focus on refining his arm talent.
Analysis
A dynamic player with breakaway speed and a knack for effortlessly eluding defenders. He made some unbelievable throws in 2024, but also struggled at times and turned the ball over during critical moments. With a new offensive coordinator in Mike Yurcich, Brungard is projected to take a huge leap forward and significantly advance his overall craft.
Cole Payton
Grade: B+
Context
A strong believer in development and working up the depth chart, Payton is ready to embrace the starting quarterback job. He has been an important part of the team, accumulating 1,141 rushing yards and 469 passing yards as the backup QB. Questions remain about his throwing capabilities, but he has been consistent, maintaining a completion rate of 64% throughout four seasons.
Analysis
He is a powerful downhill rusher that plows through the opposition and refuses to be taken down. Despite the impressive statistics as a runner, Payton always wants to throw first, exercising patience when dropping back. He surveys the field well and can spread a defense with his cannon of an arm.
DJ Williams
Grade: B+
Context
Williams started the first three games of 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury to his throwing hand. He put up impressive numbers in that span, completing 46-of-72 passes for 571 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions while also rushing 39 times for 242 yards and 4 touchdowns. As a result of his performance vs Incarnate Word, Williams was named MVFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Analysis
Similar to many other quarterbacks in the MVFC, Williams boasts exceptional athleticism. He has potential as a passer, but sometimes struggles with accuracy and progressing through his options. If his first read isn’t there, he tends to bail out of the pocket too quickly or make an errant throw. There are certainly no questions about his escapability, but finding balance – particularly with his decision-making – will be key moving forward. Hopefully injury doesn’t derail his career, and he is able to return to his previous form.
Elijah Owens
Grade: B
Context
Owens was a Jerry Rice Award Finalist and MVFC All-Newcomer Team nominee following a year in which he held a 69% completion rate and threw for 1,717 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also recorded 645 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns.
Analysis
Another absolute gamer at the quarterback position. Owens injected life into the Indiana State football program as a redshirt freshman and created several memorable moments, utilizing his legs to buy time and then capitalize on blown coverages in the secondary. There were certainly growing pains, but Owens responded well to adversity and has immense talent.
Matthew Schecklman
Grade: B-
Context
Not initially the starting quarterback for Northern Iowa, Schecklman overtook Aidan Dunne and provided the Panthers with a spark offensively. He had some notable performances, going 18-of-26 for 250 yards and one touchdown at South Dakota and also notching 270 passing yards against both Missouri State and North Dakota State. Schecklman will have to prove himself worthy under a new regime, but he should have the upper hand in the QB competition heading into fall camp.
Analysis
Schecklman is not afraid to push the ball down the field, and he remains firm in the pocket, willing to embrace contact to deliver a clean pass. He found a lot of success on vertical routes, dropping dimes to his receivers and rarely missing deep shots. If he is able to remain healthy, Schecklman has what it takes to thrive in the MVFC.
Simon Romfo
Grade: C+
Context
Romfo started all 12 games last year and ranked fifth in the MVFC in passing touchdowns with 18. He went 183/301 for 2,051 yards and 8 interceptions. Unfortunately for Romfo, a shoulder injury withheld him from spring ball and appears to have buried him on the depth chart. Jerry Kaminski and Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson are battling fiercely for the starting role, while Romfo plays catch up.
Analysis
Romfo had an up-and-down 2024 campaign, putting forth a solid performance one week and then struggling mightily the next. He is at his best in play action, as it gives him the ability to make quick, sharp decisions without putting much thought into his throws. He excels in the scramble drill, galloping towards first down markers and sacrificing his body to gain necessary yardage. Time will tell if he is able to retain his job.
Jim Ogle
Grade: C
Context
Ogle transferred to Murray State from Louisiana Monroe in April of 2024. Out of high school, Ogle was rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and earned All-State honors four times in Alabama. He is one of two quarterbacks listed on Murray State’s 2025 roster.
Analysis
A former attendee of Jacksonville HS, Ogle was an absolute gun slinger in the prep ranks, passing for 3,111 yards and 45 touchdowns as a senior. He is patient in the pocket, waiting for plays to fully develop before forcing the issue. Ogle is also a viable option when carrying the ball.
Final Rankings
- Aidan Bouman (A)
- Tommy Rittenhouse (A)
- Chase Mason (A-)
- Beau Brungard (A-)
- Cole Payton (B+)
- DJ Williams (B+)
- Elijah Owens (B)
- Matthew Schecklman (B-)
- Simon Romfo (C+)
- Jim Ogle (C)
