Class of 2020 MN Top Unsigned: QB/RB/FB
I’ve been making a deliberate effort to not try and discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and its affect on the college recruiting landscape for the MN preps I am blessed to cover, but with campus visits and even face-to-face meetings delayed…
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Continue ReadingI’ve been making a deliberate effort to not try and discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and its affect on the college recruiting landscape for the MN preps I am blessed to cover, but with campus visits and even face-to-face meetings delayed it’s time to dive headfirst into promoting the c/o 2020 unsigned athletes from each and every position group on the gridiron. These ’20 athletes are the most impacted, so any kind of exposure these articles can provide will hopefully be helpful and important. Northstar Football News will continue these features with the firth and final installment of the series where we will focus on the always important quarterbacks, running backs, and my favorite position: the fullback. Minnesota has put out some game-changing signal-callers and rushers that have impacted college football programs of all levels of football from FBS to DIII and NAIA. This year is no exception, and there are some impressive 2020s that remain unsigned as we get into the tail-end of recruiting and head towards camp and hopefully the season. Whether you need duel-threat or pocket-passers at the quarterback position or a RB or FB, their are some accomplished Minnesota boys still uncommitted and looking for the right place to ball. Take a look at some still available playmakers, and enjoy the review of their careers and accomplishments. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy!
Quarterbacks
Josh Fobbe (Becker) 6’1, 205 lbs. @fobbe_3 Offered by SMSU. All-District, Minnesota Vikings All-State Team, MN All-Star Game participant. According to GopherHole.com he was “2018 All District. In junior season, has completed 106 of 189 passes for 1349 yards (135 ypg) and 18 TDs. Has 46 carries for 579 yards (12.6 ypc) and 9 TDs. 2017 St. Cloud All Area. All Conference. In sophomore season, completed 88 of 152 passes for 1314 yards and 17 TDs. In freshman season, completed 83 of 137 passes (61%) for 1390 yards and 23 TDs.” Senior Season
Jake Breitbach Jake Breitbach 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Robbinsdale Armstrong | 2020 State MN (Robbinsdale Armstrong) 6’3, 185 lbs. @BreitbachJake Offered by Bemidji State. 3.94 GPA and 28 ACT. According to GopherHole.com he was the “2018 District MVP. All District. Sports Jam All Area HM. In junior season, completed 120 of 227 passes for 1703 yards (189 ypg) and 18 TDs. Had 147 carries for 885 yards and 15 TDs.” Senior Year
Blake Ihrke (NRHEG) 6’3, 180 lbs. @BlakeIhrke14 According to GopherHole.com he was a “2018 All District HM. In junior season, completed 89 of 167 passes for 1696 yards and 24 TDs.” No reported offers. Senior Year QB/LB
Runningbacks/Fullbacks
Austin Berning (Becker) 5’11, 190 lbs. @austinberning10 Offered by University of Jamestown, Dordt University. Fluid runner with great hands and route-running to be a utility RB out of the backfield. Got a little shiftiness to him too. Final Ride
Khalid Brooks (Osseo) 5’8, 165 lbs. @khalidbrooks_ No reported offers. Got to see Brooks play live against Anoka last season, and he’s lightning in a bottle with great balance, agility, and vision that helps him to be an elusive and speedy back. Senior Season Highlights
Zach Niebuhr (United South Central) 5’8, 180 lbs. All-District, Third Team AP & MFCA All-State, MN All-Star Game participant, alberttribune.com All-Area selection. Totaled 290 carries for 1,792 yards and 29 TDs + 50 receiving yards and 99 tackles on defense. As quoted by the albertleatribune.com and stated by his coach: ““Zach is arguably the greatest football player to ever play at USC,” said United South Central head coach Brandon Neseth. “He finished his career with 70 touchdowns and made the extraordinary look ordinary for the last four years he was the starting running back at USC.” No updated highlights.
Nick Hendler (Holy Family) 6’0, 180 lbs. 2018 District MVP, 3x All-District. @NicholasHendler According to GopherHole.com his ” junior season, (he) had 149 carries for 964 yards and 13 TDs. Had 9 receptions for 83 yards. Has 58 tackles, 2TFL, 2FF, 2 INTs, and 2 PDs. 2017 All District. In sophomore season, had 117 carries for 562 yards and 2 TDs. Had 33 receptions for 363 yards and 1 TD. On defense, had 69 tackles and 1 FR.” Junior Season
Brian Orellana (Spring Lake Park) @Brianorellana Totaled 1,731 and 14 TDs. Strong runner who is low to the ground and can run around you or pack a punch running through you. Led a dominant SLP run-first offense to 2 straight section titles. Visited Bemidji St and St. Cloud St. Career Highlights
Tesheldon Robinson (Osseo) 5’8, 180 lbs. @Tesheldon2020 Visited SMSU. Also a shifty back who can pack a punch if needed, Robinson played some FB in the Orioles offense and plays with a low center of gravity and does a good job of keeping his legs going before, during, and after contact. Senior Season Highlights
Isaiah Thompson (Detroit Lakes) 5’9, 185 lbs. @theisaiahthomp Visited SDSU. 2x state wrestling champion in 170AA. According to GopherHole.com he was the “2018 District Player of the Year. Running Back of the Year. All District. In junior season, has 215 carries for 1,672 yards (7.7 ypc/167 ypg) and 15 TDs. 2017 All District. In sophomore season, has 56 carries for 428 yards and 5 TDs.” Speedy threat at RB with powerful legs and good vision. Senior Highlights
Trevor Pomeroy (Winona) 5’11, 205 lbs. @trevor_pomeroy Visited MSUM, SMSU, MSU-Mankato. 2x All-District. Junior season had 190 carries for 1,610 and 15 TDs. Holds the Winhawk all-time rushing record. Senior Highlights
JJ Mucha-Owens (Albert Lea) 6’0, 180 lbs. @jbuckets25AL Visited UMD, SDSU, UND. All-District, albertleatribune.com All-Area. Posted 205 carries for 1,897 yards and 10 rushing TDs + 1 receiving TD. Also recorded 15 tackles and 5 INTs as a CB. Senior Year Mid-season Highlights
Markus Pokornowski (Cloquet) 6’0, 185 lbs. @MarkusPokornow1 2x All-District, MN All-Star Game participant, 2018 District OPOTY. In junior season, had 124 carries for 1351 yards and 22 TDs. Added 8 receptions for 131 yards. Has 37 tackles and 11 TFL on defense. Was also featured on Northstar Football News’ top unsigned LBs as well. Senior Year
Cole Sanow (Minneota) 5’11, 195 lbs. @cole_sanow 2018 Marshall All Area First Team. In junior season, had 170 carries for 1442 yards and 25 TDs. Had 229 receiving yards and 54 tackles.
Fullback: Riley Wingert (PEM) 6’3, 240 lbs. @rjwingert34 All-District, All-Area. Visited USD, SDSU, SMSU, MSU-Mankato. Offered by University of Jamestown. Would most likely play DL in college, but Plainview-Elgin-Millville 6’3, 240 lber. Wingert’s first play on his Hudl has him returning a fumble, and he looks great running the ball. Plus, I didn’t hear of him until after I had posted the unsigned DL article. Wingert is a natural and aggressive DLineman and is an athletic kid for his size. Senior SZN
Fullback: Ethan Mills (St. Paul Central) 6’0, 240 lbs. @Ethan21646140 2x All-District, District OPOTY. Recorded 43 pancake blocks, and 117 tackles, 15 TFLs, 3 FFs in 2019. Prototypical fullback who’s aggressive in pass-pro and lead blocking, and uses his hands well. Combined with his strength and size, he’s a heckuva load running at you through the hole. No reported offers, does have a Carleton College jersey on his Hudl profile. Senior Highlights
Fullback: Elijah Leonard (Duluth East) 5’10, 250 lbs. @leon99rd Was mentioned in Northstar Football News top unsigned DLineman list, Leonard may have possibly not played football his senior year as he hopes to be a surgeon. However, watch the kids junior highlights and you’ll be motivated to see if he’s still interested in playing football. Watching him run with the ball in his hands in straight-up awesome, as he’s a smooth and athletic runner with great feet and the obvious ability to put you on your butt. Some of my favorite highlights of anyone in the class. Check them out you won’t regret it -> Junior Highlights
Fullback: Jack Bentson (Pillager) 5’10, 225 lbs. @JackBentson22 Visited MSUM and UMN-Crookston (rip), 2x All-District, All-Section, All Area, District Lineman OTY 2019. Little Mack truck of a FB who generates great North to South movement, has strong legs with a great center of gravity, and a ton of pop at the point of contact. Junior Highlights