2020 Team Preview: SMB Wolfpack

<ol> <li>ST. PAUL-- In our 2nd team preview of the 2020 upcoming football season, I took the trip out to St. Paul to check out Chris Goodwins's bunch, the 4A runner-ups from last year, the SMB Wolfpack. After coming off a big year, with a handful of key seniors lost to graduation, this team is already out to prove that they are "not just a program that cranks out Division I prospects," but a program that is a whole lot more than that. I give you the 2020 fall team preview of the SMB Wolfpack.</li> </ol> SMB Prospect List This is our list of prospects we gathered from Hudl of the top college prospects that make the SMB Wolfpack roster. Enjoy! Toby Jacobson, FS, (2021), Senior Captain Jacobson is one of the captains of this 2020 team from the Wolfpack. Had 55 tackles and 5 INTs last season. Jacobson is a resilient athlete that is a total ballhawk and dives in on defense wherever he needs to make a play. Jacobson is also an outstanding student with a 3.91 GPA. Holds offers from Concordia-Moorhead, Macalester, and St. Olaf with other MIAC programs showing strong interest as well. Toby's Meal of Choice for the Rest of His Life: Potatoes. "You can do a lot with potatoes," which when you think about it, might be the best answer due to the endless possibilities you have with potatoes like mashed potatoes, tater tots, french fries, etc. Toby's Elevator Pitch to College Coaches: "I wake up every day knowing I am improving myself that day, whether it's on the field, in the classroom, with my family and my faith. I work hard every day, I show up to every lifting session and I do whatever I can to improve myself. I love being a teammate and being with the guys because football is a lot of fun." Check out Toby's film <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9765874/5ded4ca9ab924d0ca8f0eaca">here</a>. [player_tooltip player_id="18127" first="Trent" last="Finney"], TE, (2021) Finney has been rising all summer to probably be one of our top 3 tight ends when the next 2021 rankings come out. Finney runs extremely crisp routes and has tremendous hands to give Johnson a blue-collar tight end to throw to. The 6'3 240 tight end is also an outstanding leader as he is another 2020 captain for the Wolfpack. Holds offers from St. John's, River Falls, Concordia-Moorhead, Grand View (IA), Hamline with plenty of interest from Division I Division II, Division III, and NAIA. Check out Finney's film <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11365177/5dec992cbd6a7d0cbc574d8f">here</a>. [player_tooltip player_id="18060" first="Kevvan" last="Anderson"], DT (2021) Anderson's ability to be run-stuffer in the backfield is something to watch. At 6'1 300 he brings an elusive playing style in his game and can also wreak havoc getting after the quarterback. Holds offers from St. John's and Grand View (IA) thus far. Brings a Gilbert Brown type of player to his game. as a nose guard, I think Anderson could benefit from a great senior year to show more college coaches what he's all about. Check out Anderson's film <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9765846/5e090fa832dced09a803078f">here</a>. [player_tooltip player_id="18128" first="Savion" last="Robinson"], WR, (2021) Robinson is a big-time player that loves getting the deep ball. Don't think he all about the deep ball though, he can run some crafty routes and can is a 6'0 170 pound wide receiver that can go up and get it. Robinson is one that is flying up to our wide receiver rankings. The University of Mary gave Savion his first offer in late June, but don't think the Northern Sun and Division I FCS is done with Robinson anytime soon as his stock is rising quickly on PrepRedzone.com. Check out Savion's film <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11665023/5de48536688ea7066c820c54">here</a>. [player_tooltip player_id="18219" first="Elijah" last="Short"], CB, (2021) Short on tape shows off how effective he is in zone coverage for the Wolfpack. His ability to adjust and make a hard tackle is one of the best traits of his game no matter where he is on the football field. The first 20 seconds of his film is a must-watch below. He has speed around 4.5-4.6. Holds offers from Mayville State, St. John's, and Concordia-Moorhead amongst other interest in Division II and III programs throughout the Midwest. Check out Eli's film <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/10442414/5de5c51264e0650db095eb70">here</a>. [player_tooltip player_id="18198" first="Tony" last="Avila-Tovalin"], WR/DB, (2021) Avila-Tovalin provides plenty of options for the Wolfpack. He plays a little bit of everything from wide receiver, defensive back, and special teams. After missing a few games last season due to injury, that versatility may need to be scaled down. I enjoyed watching Avila-Tovalin in the return game, and I feel could be a solid safety at the college level because he does have good tendencies to be an active defensive back yet can also be a ballhawk too. Check out Tony's film <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10075242/5de7ec2c17628613e003590c">here</a>. Evan Rechelbacher, DE (2021) Limited film on Rechelbacher made it hard to evaluate his talent. Check out a few plays against Fridley last year . [player_tooltip player_id="18423" first="Chase" last="Carter"], DE/T, (2022) Carter is so quick to shed off of offensive tackles it's almost unhuman like. One of the top defensives ranked prospects on PrepRedzone.com, Carter caused all kinds of problems last year with 18.5 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks. What I love about his tape is how mobile he is to find where the football is. I love a defensive line prospect that can crush it as not only a run-stuffer but cause pressures on quarterbacks as well. Nebraska and Iowa State have already taken notice of Carter on the gridiron, just like Hampton, West Virginia, Florida, Minnesota, and Vanderbilt have on the basketball court. It will be something to see which sport Chase chooses, as he has some excellent opportunities in both sports. Chase's Meal for the Rest of His Life: Mac and Cheese. And no not Kraft! Chase prefers oven-baked Velvetta mac and cheese. Chase's Elevator Pitch to College Coaches: "For me, I am a player that comes into games and practices with an underdog mentality and that for me it's about coming for the top spot and not settling with anywhere I fit. Even getting offers now, when I see other people, it motivates me even more. You are getting a player that will come in hungry, working hard every day, while having fun doing it." You can <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13176842/5dab5c55041ef50f6c3b7472">click here</a> for Carter's film. Michael Hall, MLB, (2022) Hall is an excellent reader of the offense as I saw on tape, identifies very well where the football is on every play. A reader of eyes, Hall had 9 tackles for a loss and 2 INTs last season for the Wolfpack. This prospect's football IQ is very high and also has a great motor to back it up. Look for Hall to lead the charge at linebacker with the graduation of Wisconsin commit, [player_tooltip player_id="2212" first="Kaden" last="Johnson"]. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11365255/5de2fc24f569ca1110375f90">Hall's Sophomore Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="18534" first="Charlie" last="Johnson"], QB, (2022) Captain The new QB1 for the SMB Wolfpack is [player_tooltip player_id="18534" first="Charlie" last="Johnson"]. Johnson has already impressed me in a leadership role in his short time as QB1 for SMB in 7on7 and at the SMB practice, I caught. He has the arm strength to make any throw and has such quality mobility to get outside the pocket and make a play. He has such a variety of WRs to throw to, he will do awesome in this offense even with his limited reps as a starter. Look for Johnson to be on our upcoming Class of 2022 rankings when they come out soon! Charlie's Elevator Pitch to the College Coaches Reading: "I am going to be a guy that is going to come in day in and day out and work hard. I may not as of now have had all the stars as some other guys do, but I know myself and I am ready to work and show coaches what I have to offer." Check the link below for the big arm you haven't seen yet out of Johnson. The big arm being shown off by Johnson <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Cf8jh">here</a>. Judah Thomas, WR, (2022) Thomas runs some of the crispest quick routes I've seen on film this year, especially on his slants. Thomas is going to be an under the radar wide receiver for [player_tooltip player_id="18534" first="Charlie" last=" Johnson"] who is going to have some fun throwing to this year, based on his ability to get quick first downs. Thomas is one to watch in the Class of 2022. Check out Thomas's sophomore film <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CVLec">here.</a> Sanjay Redd, RB, (2022) Watching Redd's tape you can tell how efficient he is reading blocks and getting in between the tackles. His quality speed is outstanding but his football IQ is what will show at the next level. Does need some development size-wise, as he's listed at only 150 pounds but don't let that take away that he's going to have the run the ball a lot more this season without PrepRedzone.com #1 ranked prospect [player_tooltip player_id="7244" first="Jalen" last="Suggs"]. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13064796/5e98bfe97bddd70c084c6aeb">Redd's Top Plays from his Sophomore Film</a> Luke Sugalski, T, (2022) Sugalski is an elusive tackle that is quite mobile enough to move some linemen around and create good-sized holes for his running back, Sanjay Redd. This Wolfpack offensive line is one of the biggest in their section, averaging about 270 pounds across the board. Sugalski does have perfect offensive linemen height at 6'5 that lines up nicely next to Lange at 6'9. Check out Sugalski's film <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CcGrW">here.</a> [player_tooltip player_id="19004" first="Peyton" last="Lange"], OL/DL, (2023) At 6'9 366 pounds, Lange is the closest thing to a truck-sized you are going to see in Minnesota high school football over the coming years. Started as just a freshman last year, and from what I saw at practice last week, moves very well. Lange is the definition of a people mover on both sides of the line and does it very easily. Plays nose guard, guard, and center from the Wolfpack. Already has over 5000 views on Hudl, which is a very good indication, college coaches are watching this 2023 prospect already. Check out Lange's Freshmen tape <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11405042/5db47ce1e985160d3c432ba6">here</a>. One Word to Describe the Wolfpack "Resilient." is the word QB [player_tooltip player_id="18534" first="Charlie" last="Johnson"] used to describe this Wolfpack roster. "Feisty." is the word DE [player_tooltip player_id="18423" first="Chase" last="Carter"] used to describe the Wolfpack, after their unfortunate loss in the state title game. FS Toby Jacobson used the word "determined" as this year's roster has to overcome the criticism of last year's loss in the state championship game. Team Goals "Play as a team, everybody needs to come together," was the biggest team goal new starting QB [player_tooltip player_id="18534" first="Charlie" last="Johnson"] had to say, after losing their highly touted marquee players, as the Wolfpack are well aware it's going to take an entire unit of key players to try and top last year's team. Johnson said it's important that as a first-year starter that he throws the football well to his loaded options of pass catchers he has in Robinson, Finney, Avila-Tovalin, Thomas, and others. As for DE [player_tooltip player_id="18423" first="Chase" last="Carter"], he wanted to touch base on those doubting the Wolfpack in 2020. "A lot of people are going to doubt us because we lost a lot of big pieces but we are still bringing back a lot of great players and as a team, we can be just as good, if not better than last season," said Carter about this year's Wolfpack new and improved roster. Carter, of course, wants to return to "The Bank" to win a championship, but his goals fall in line with doing whatever it takes for the Wolfpack to get back to Minneapolis. "Last year left a bad taste in my mouth, so I want us to win a championship this year." As for FS Toby Jacobson, he had similar thoughts. His mindset is for the Wolfpack to "work hard every day, and he wants to set this program up for years and years, and not just to be known for a few name guys." Games to Watch I already have this one circled on my calendar, but for the average football fan looking for a top-notch game in Minneapolis-St. Paul in early October, you need to take a look at this one: Friday, October 9th: Home vs. Minneapolis North, @ Blake School, Hopkins. 7 PM. This may be the best game you will see in all of the Twin Cities metro this season. [player_tooltip player_id="18066" first="Zach" last="Yeager"] can sling the football, Air Force commit [player_tooltip player_id="18033" first="Terrance" last="Kamara"] is such an elusive running back between the tackles. [player_tooltip player_id="18034" first="Dominic" last="McMillian"] is such a versatile threat that does it all. And who can forget about [player_tooltip player_id="22927" first="Davon" last="Townley"], who is up to over 15 Division I offers and sadly, was off our radar the last time we put out a Class of 2021 rankings. All those Division I prospect are coming to Hopkins to play the Wolfpack in early October and man, oh man it's going to be battle! Other Games of Note: Friday, September 4th: Home vs. Minneapolis Washburn, 7 PM Thursday, September 17th: Home vs. St. Anthony, 7 PM St. Anthony lost a lot of great players last year in CSP commit WR [player_tooltip player_id="11048" first="Troy" last="Ellison"], Jamestown commit LB Owen Martin, CSP commit RB Jonathan Kieren, and UW-Stout commit OL Jackson Mack and others. It will be interesting to see how the Huskies fare after an 8-1 record last season. Friday, October 2nd: Home vs. Mound-Westonka, 7 PM Wednesday, October 21st: Away at Fridley, 6 PM Football with the Outside Factors All of us have Tuesday, August 4th deep inside our football calendar which is when the MSHSL will make the call if Minnesota will be having a fall football season. I asked the three how they have stayed focused on all the outside questions of having a 2020 fall football season. "I'm telling myself we are having a season until I find out we are not having a season," QB [player_tooltip player_id="18534" first="Charlie" last="Johnson"] said to PrepRedzone.com. Johnson certainly doesn't want to get behind the coin of making excuses as these kids from SMB are coming out to play no matter what. For DE [player_tooltip player_id="18423" first="Chase" last="Carter"], he "is focused on getting himself better," so he can help the team in whatever way he can which has been his driving force to just keep going like the Wolfpack are going to have a season in 2020. "I'm expecting a season," said SMB FS Toby Jacobson, as he continues to lift every day and do whatever he can to get better. Jacobson as a senior captain has been extremely active in communicating with his teammates to go out there and have fun so we are ready for our 2020 fall season. Go Wolfpack!