Top 5 “Small School” players in MN

Tony Liebert

July 20, 2020 @ 11:06 AM

There is reason why everyone enjoys talking about the big school players from the metro area, because the best players tend to come from those areas. I happen to believe there is plenty of talent in Minnesota that goes unnoticed or underappreciated from the smaller schools and programs. I will go through who I believe to be the top five players in Minnesota regardless of class that play for small schools. My criteria for a "small school" is a non-private school that enrolls 600 or less students with a football program that plays at the 3A level or lower.   <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="18038" first="Josh" last="Buri"], RB/LB, Stewartville, senior</li> </ul> Buri is arguably the most productive player on this list. As a junior for Stewartville (584 students/3A) last season Buri accumulated 2,301 scrimmage yards and 34 total touchdowns, en route to an 8-1 record for the Tigers. He plays almost exclusively in the offensive backfield, but he will contribute as an instinctual linebacker when need be. On the offensive end Stewartville’s workhorse is one of the most gifted runners in Minnesota as his highlight reel of explosive runs, seems to never end. Personally, I believe Buri is the most talented player in Minnesota without an FBS offer. [embed]http://twitter.com/Josh_Buri25/status/1276149763449200640[/embed] <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="18047" first="Gavin" last="Wysong"], QB/OLB, Hills-Beaver Creek, senior</li> </ul> Hills-Beaver Creek’s (201 students/9Man) QB, [player_tooltip player_id="18047" first="Gavin" last="Wysong"] is one of the most exciting players in Minnesota. Standing at only 5’9" 185 pounds the incoming senior recorded 1,637 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns, as well as 958 yards and 16 touchdowns through the air. The do-it-all stud even finished with 124 total tackles (67 solo) as a junior. HBC does play nine man football, but that should not discredit Wysong’s dominance. According to his twitter he has received plenty of interest from local D3 and D2 schools, but no offer has been imminent. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8572718/5de3fb4fff01bd0c9cf2bc94" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="22926" first="Jaden" last="Norby"], RB/QB/OLB (TE), West Central Area, senior</li> </ul> West Central Area’s (414 students/2A) [player_tooltip player_id="22926" first="Jaden" last="Norby"] is one of two players on this list that have committed to a college program. Standing at 6’4" 240 pounds Norby has been recruited by North Dakota as a tight end, but for WCA he rarely if ever plays that position. West Central Area runs an old school triple option offense, and Norby often plays as a running back or even wildcat QB. His play making ability was likely what created such an intrigue from college programs. He also gets run on the defensive end as a disruptive outside linebacker making him one of the best all around players in Minnesota. [embed]http://twitter.com/jaden_norby/status/1267890264393342976[/embed] <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="23782" first="Finn" last="Diggins"], RB/TE/OLB, Perham, senior</li> </ul> Diggins is in a very similar situation to Norby, as standing at 6’5" 215 pounds the Perham (438 students/3A) senior has the ideal tight end build. North Dakota State saw this in him an recruited him to play the tight end position. At Perham he is asked to do a little more, as he also plays wildcat QB and running back in Perham’s triple option offense. Although he is asked to play much more tight end than Norby, their playing style is very similar. Diggins standing at 6’5" is a match up nightmare for anyone in the state. The eight time national champs will be getting quite the athlete in 2021. [embed]http://twitter.com/finndiggins/status/1265705729664716802[/embed] <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="19003" first="Ryan" last="Retzer"], OG/DE, Belle Plaine, sophomore</li> </ul> Belle Plaine’s (469 students/3A) [player_tooltip player_id="19003" first="Ryan" last="Retzer"] is the youngest player to make this list, as only heading into his sophomore season he is already dominating at the varsity level. Standing at 6’2" 245 pounds Retzer is built like a human wrecking ball. The 10th grader’s finishing ability is already some of the best in the state, as his Hudl is flooded with pancake blocks. Retzer is a bit undersized, but I would imagine college coaches are already salivating at potential. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9725101/5e9898b4664b1e0aec7bec81" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>