Blake Roskopf received his first Division I offer early last year from the University of Minnesota. That drop of interest turned into a waterfall, with recent interest in the Desert Edge High School quarterback surging.
“I was just excited because mine was a little later,” Roskopf said about his offer from Minnesota. “All my offers really happened in one year. I was kind of down on it and then one day it just popped up out of nowhere.”
Roskopf threw for 37 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season and will be the 11th-ranked quarterback in the nation entering his senior year, according to 247Sports. Roskopf, who has more than 25 Division I offers and is quickly becoming one of the country’s most sought-after high school quarterbacks, is in the midst of navigating the recruitment process.
After completing visits to Mississippi State and Oklahoma State, Roskopf has seven more visits planned, including North Carolina, Washington, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, the University of Arkansas and a return trip to Mississippi State.
Zerek Sidney, a Desert Edge receiver, committed to the University of Washington in late January, and will graduate with Roskopf in the class of 2027. Roskopf said he is looking forward to touring the Huskies’ facilities as he tries to narrow his decision of where he will play in college.
Roskopf could also reunite with offensive lineman Jalayne Miller, who will be attending Stanford this year.
Or Roskopf could go to Oregon and sit behind Dante Moore, who decided to return to the Ducks after suffering a College Football Playoff loss in the semifinals against Indiana.
Each visit will give Roskopf an opportunity to evaluate coaching staffs, offensive systems and campus environments as he works towards making a college decision.
“Blake was the leader of our offense, as he should be,” said Scorpions defensive back Antonio Para. “I go out on the practice field early, but, you know, he beats me sometimes. He’s always on the field first, and he’s always the last one off the field, so, really, his hard work and dedication shows, and every offer he has is 100% deserved.”
One of Roskopf’s top priorities in his college decision is earning playing time as soon as possible.
“I want an opportunity to play and then I want to be somewhere where I’m going to feel comfortable and be able to do what I’ve got to do,” he said.
While Roskopf has received recruiting interest from major programs such as Oregon and Georgia, he has not yet spoken with representatives from Arizona State or Arizona, and neither school has extended an offer.
Roskopf led his team to a 5A state championship in 2024, and earned his fourth star in the 247Sports rankings after a strong start to the 2025 season.
“You just really got to lock in and focus on the season and try to climb the rankings, but you can’t really worry about it or let it get to your head,” Roskopf said.
As Roskopf works his way through the recruitment process, Scorpions coach Henri MacArthur has been there to help guide him along the way, while also giving Roskopf space to make his own decision.
“We talk here and there. He’s taking trips so he gets his own kind of feel for the program,” MacArthur said. “I try not to overwhelm him with too much information, but sometimes we bounce things off each other. My role is more so just to try to help him get recruited and get as many options as possible and then at that point, it’s up to him and the schools to figure out what that fit is.”
Beyond the offers and rankings, Roskopf’s maturity and work ethic on and off the field have defined his growth over the past couple of seasons.
“It’s been great coaching Blake. He’s serious about football and serious about winning,” MacArthur said. “And that reflects in everything that he does. He’s always early to everything, last guy to leave which is exactly what you want out of your quarterback and obviously the talent speaks for itself. He can make every throw. He’s 6-5, 230 (pounds) so it’s been awesome.”
Along with that maturity and work effort, MacArthur said Roskopf stays humble amid his rise as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks.
“His personality type makes him likeable to all his teammates and coaches. He’s very coachable,” MacArthur said. “He gets along with everyone so people really want to go to battle for him which is important when you’re playing quarterback.”
Roskopf has big goals for his senior year, saying he hopes to throw 60 touchdown passes while limiting his interceptions to under four.
“I think that’s great. You know I want our guys to have big expectations and big goals,” MacArthur said. “And you know if he can do that, then we’ll be holding up a gold ball (a championship trophy).”
Beyond succeeding in the college ranks, Roskopf has his eyes set on an NFL career. Wherever his football journey takes him, he has already left his mark at Desert Edge by winning one championship while diligently training for another.
“To be remembered past college and to be able to come back here and people know who I am still,” Roskopf said, “I think that would be pretty cool.”
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