Minnesota QB Max Brosmer Lands on NFL Draft Hot Board

By Eric Strack |

Updated: Dec 21, 2024

Max Brosmer - Minnesota Gophers — Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Gophers haven’t had a quarterback drafted to the NFL since Craig Curry was taken in the 8th round (No. 208 overall) of the 1972 NFL Draft. That’s a 52-year drought, for those counting.

Max Brosmer spent the first four years of his collegiate career at FCS New Hampshire, where he proved to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country, at that level. After finishing 2023 as the FCS leader in passing yards, Brosmer entered the transfer portal, where he quickly found a match in PJ Fleck and the Minnesota Gophers.

Immediately when he got on campus, the Gopher coaching staff knew Max was different. Not only did he have the talent and processing ability needed, to be a high-level FBS QB, but he had the work ethic too. Since he arrived on campus, nobody enters practice facilities earlier than Max Brosmer, and nobody stays longer.

Max Brosmer finally appears on 2025 NFL Draft radar

It’s that work ethic that turned him into a high school nobody, who had to settle for FCS New Hampshire, into a legitimate NFL Draft prospect. After going pretty much the entire CFB season without any draft recognition, Brosmer has finally caught at least one major NFL Draft expert’s eye.

This week, ESPN draft expert Jordan Reid (ESPN) — who happens to be a massive Minnesota Vikings fan — placed Max Brosmer as his No. 9 quarterback on his 2025 NFL Draft QB Hot Board, carrying with it a projected “mid-to-late day three” selection.

9. Max Brosmer, Minnesota

Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 225 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Mid-to-late Day 3

Brosmer is a quick passer with unwavering confidence. He has an average arm but gets the ball out quickly. Both his completion percentage (66.8%) and off-target percentage (9.0%) rank in the top 20 of the FBS and demonstrate his understanding of how to place the ball in tight coverage.

He plays with a constant chip on his shoulder, and that competitiveness shows on film. Brosmer doesn’t hesitate on throws, and his confidence grew as he became more acclimated to the FBS level. He shares similar traits to longtime NFL backups who spend a decade or more in the league.
Jordan Reid – ESPN

After a bit of a slow start, which included a devastating week one loss vs the North Carolina Tar Heels, Fleck and the offensive coaching staff put their full trust into their one-and-done quarterback, allowing Brosmer autonomy to run the offense in-game and change plays at the line of scrimmage.

After the UNC loss, Fleck gave up on trying things his way. Running the football in 2024 was not going to win games. Instead, he completely handed the offense over to offensive play-caller Greg Harbaugh, something that NEVER would have been possible, if not for the trust he gained in record-time, with Brosmer.

How good is the Minnesota Gophers QB?

As a result, Max threw for 2,617 yards, 17 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions. His yardage total is 6th most in program history, his touchdown passes are tied for 9th-most, and his 68% completion rate is by far the best ever, from a starting Minnesota Gophers QB.

🚣 26/33 CMP
🚣 320 YDS
🚣 4 TD

Max Brosmer's best game of the season sent @GopherFootball to an easy win over Maryland.#B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/f8v1VTBv9G
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 26, 2024

And he still has time to add on at the Duke Mayo Bowl, which he has already committed to playing in. While some quarterbacks will skip bowl season, as to make sure they do not fall down draft boards, Max Brosmer has a chance to do the opposite.

This week, he’s just starting to appear on NFL Draft boards. On January 3, scouts from just about every team in the NFL will be tuned into ESPN, to see if this kid from Minnesota is any good. If he can have a big showing vs a depleted Virginia Tech defense, then who knows how high he could rise.

He has a bit of an Aaron Rodgers style quick delivery, too. That is usually a good thing, but can cause him not to step into his throws, causing them to tail late. Here’s Jordan Reid getting into that drawback.

Brosmer’s inconsistent drive strength on throws shows on tape, as some of his passes tail off as they get closer to their targets. He’ll have to be more consistent when driving the ball into tight areas or outside the numbers.
Jordan Reid – ESPN

Max may not have the greatest arm, but it is solid. Where Brosmer excels is in the areas NFL QBs must. He has incredible poise in the pocket and his ability to work through full-field reads/progressions is better than just about any QB in the Big Ten… possibly the nation.

We’ll see if that leads to his name being called in April. It’s only been 52 years coming…