Top 10 Players in MN Regardless of Class

Prep Redzone has the most comprehensive class by class rankings you can find, but we unfortunately do not have a ranking of the top players in Minnesota regardless of class. While we begin to inch closer and closer to the 2020 high school football season, I thought it would be a great time to preview who I believe to be the top players in Minnesota regardless of which grade they are in.   <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="19001" first="Jaxon" last="Howard"], TE/DE/OLB, Robbinsdale Cooper, sophomore</li> </ul> Robbinsdale Cooper’s ’prodigy’ [player_tooltip player_id="19001" first="Jaxon" last="Howard"] has a legitimate argument to be the best sophomore in the country let alone Minnesota. Standing at 6’4" 215 pounds he is already built like a player much older than 15 or 16 YEARS OLD. Last season as a freshman, he put together film that I simply have never seen from a player at his age. He showed strength and athleticism that most people don’t reach at all throughout their life. He currently holds a whopping 34 total power five conference scholarship offers, headlined by LSU, Oregon, and Oklahoma. Howard has the potential to be the best football player to ever come out of Minnesota, and as a MN resident I am very intrigued to see how his football career will play out.   <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="18026" first="Bastian" last="Swinney"], OT/OG, Edina, senior</li> </ul> After Edina’s [player_tooltip player_id="7246" first="Quinn" last="Carroll"] left for Notre Dame after his senior season in 2018, some wondered when would ever see an offensive lineman come out of Minnesota of his dominance. We didn’t have to wait very long, as [player_tooltip player_id="18026" first="Bastian" last="Swinney"] picked up right where his former teammate left off. Standing at 6’6" 290 pounds, he has humiliated opposing defensive lineman for his entire Varsity career. He has committed to the University of California, but there is no doubt he has left his mark on MN high school football along the way.   <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="18025" first="Riley" last="Mahlman"], OT/DE/TE, Lakeville South, senior</li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="18025" first="Riley" last="Mahlman"] is a name that most MN high school football fans should no by now. Early in his high school career college coaches quickly salivated at his at his 6’7" height and massive wingspan, while he has footwork and speed of an NBA power forward. He is quite versatile as he dominates as a traditional downhill blocker, but he can even sneak out for pass routes as a tight end. His defensive prowess often gets overlooked, but he contributes to Lakeville South’s success in a multitude of ways.   <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="18422" first="Eli" last="King"], WR/CB, Caledonia, junior</li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="18422" first="Eli" last="King"] on the other hand is a name that might not be as well known, unless you’re from southern Minnesota. The King family have been a integral part in making Caledonia one of the best football programs in the state. Eli’s brothers Owen and Noah have been playing behind center for what seems like for ever, which opened the door for their youngest brother Eli to become their number one target. Eli might have the best argument to be the most talented out of his brothers. Last season as a sophomore he recorded 1,881 all purpose yards and 26 total touchdowns. Standing at 6’3" 170 pounds he currently holds offers from Notre Dame, Minnesota, and Iowa just to name a few.   <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="18033" first="Terrance" last="Kamara"], RB, Minneapolis North, senior</li> </ul> Minneapolis North has one of the most talented teams in the entire state of Minnesota, which is headlined by [player_tooltip player_id="18033" first="Terrance" last="Kamara"]. You probably know by now that Kamara put up video game-like numbers last season for the Polars. He is an uberly talented all-around back with speed and quickness that makes him elite for his position. He currently holds 19 total offers ranging from the D2 to FBS level, headlined by Navy and Central Michigan. Kamara is in-line to have a monster senior season.   <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="18027" first="Jake" last="Ratzlaff"], LB/TE, Rosemount, senior</li> </ul> Now that [player_tooltip player_id="7244" first="Jalen" last="Suggs"] has graduated, Ratzlaff could very well be the best all around high school athlete in Minnesota. He is an elite hockey prospect that was drafted 86th overall by Green Bay Gamblers in the 2018 USHL Futures Draft. He is expected to player for the University of Minnesota on the ice in 2021, but he has some work do on the gridiron. As a junior he was his districts defensive player of the year, and Kare 11, All-Metro, and Star Tribute first team. It was well deserved as his elite speed and strength wrecked havoc all over the field, making him one of the best players in the state.   <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="18420" first="Lucas" last="Heyer"], OT/OG, Hill Murray, junior</li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="18420" first="Lucas" last="Heyer"] has as good of a chance of any to carry the torch as Minnesota next great offensive lineman. He checks off all the boxes that an elite o-line prospect needs. He stands at 6’5" 307 and he has the agility of a player much lighter than his stature. His finishing ability is next to none making him a road-grader. The junior holds offers from Minnesota, Arizona State, and Nebraska to headline a long list of power five schools.   <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="18029" first="Justice" last="Sullivan"], MLB/OLB, Eden Prairie, senior</li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="18029" first="Justice" last="Sullivan"] is best described as just a football player. The Eden Prairie linebacker plays with a reckless abandonment that any coach would love from the captain of their defense. He consistently lays the boom upon the opposition, while showing the versatility to rush the passer and even drop into pass coverage at times. He is expected to attend the University of Iowa in 2021, and the Hawkeyes are getting a stud.   <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="18032" first="Dorian" last="Singer"], WR/DB, Tartan, senior</li> </ul> Tartan’s [player_tooltip player_id="18032" first="Dorian" last="Singer"] is one of the best play makers in the state. His all around athleticism allows him to make plays that leaves much of his peers in awe. Standing at 6’0" 170+ he has ideal length to be shutdown in coverage, and he uses it to his advantage. His 17 total touchdowns last season flashed his potential. 13 college programs were intrigued by his performance, and offered him a scholarship, led by Matt Campbell and Iowa State.   <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="18423" first="Chase" last="Carter"], DE/OT, Minnehaha Academy, junior</li> </ul> Minnehaha Academy has produced a plethora of elite talent in a short period of time, and [player_tooltip player_id="18423" first="Chase" last="Carter"] certainly continues that trend. The 6’6" 220 pound junior is still a raw prospect, but his flashes of talent is some of the best in the state. He is already a very gifted pass rusher and he can get to the quarterback at a superb level. He currently holds offers to Iowa State and Nebraska, but I expect that list to only grow.