Matchup Nightmare: Most Unguardable Pass Catchers in MN

The wide receiver and tight end positions continue to evolve, as the "air-raid" system is beginning to take over football at all levels. High School football will always have its classic smash mouth teams, but the best athletes on the field are beginning play on the outside as pass catchers. The term "matchup-nightmare" is often used to describe a player who is very difficult to cover, and today I will go through the top players in Minnesota that I would be scared of if I was a defensive back in the land of 10,000 lakes. &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18063" first="Bryce" last="Lance"], WR, Marshall (6’2")</strong></li> </ul> During the COVID-19 lock down, I would imagine Bryce was fortunate enough to catch passes from his brother [player_tooltip player_id="1562" first="Trey" last="Lance"] who is a  projected first-round QB from NDSU. You can tell that the incoming senior has tremendous experience catching passes, as his ball tracking skills are some of the best in the state. His combination of elite route running and footwork, paired with his 6’2" size likely has college coaches salivating at his potential, and furthermore cementing his position atop my list. &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18422" first="Eli" last="King"], WR, Caledonia (6’3")</strong></li> </ul> King is likely the consensus top receiver in Minnesota, but not as a knock on him I think Lance just has a leg up. The Caledonia junior’s athletic prowess is likely what has landed him some of the most high profile offers in the country i.e. Notre Dame. His breakaway speed which is shown continuously on his highlight reel of electric returns is far and above some of the best in the state. His pure route running ability is still a bit raw and he tends to rely on his speed, but his speed alone makes him virtually unarguable. &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23782" first="Finn" last="Diggins"], TE, Perham (6’5")</strong></li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="23782" first="Finn" last="Diggins"] is a very interesting player, because Perham asks the NDSU commit to do a lot for their triple option offense and even play wildcat quarterback at times, but the Bison recruited him to play tight end for good reason. Diggins still often lines up at receiver and tight end and his 6’5" size with great athleticism projects him almost as terrific rebounder on the hardwood. He has tremendous jump ball skills, and the list of players in Minnesota that would be able to jump with him is very short, which makes him arguably the best tight end in the north star state. &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18421" first="Rashad" last="McKinley"], WR, Hill Murray (6’0")</strong></li> </ul> Incoming junior, [player_tooltip player_id="18421" first="Rashad" last="McKinley"] might have everyone on this list beat in the speed department. On the track he has ran a reported 11.1 in the 100m dash, which would’ve ranked him ninth at last year’s state championship. The Hill Murray wide out’s speed translates to the football field, as he is able to take any touch to the house on any given moment. Rashad has picked up offers from Nebraska and Iowa State, which only makes sense for one of the most electric football players in the state of Minnesota. &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18045" first="Trey" last="Longstreet"], TE, Delano (6’6")</strong></li> </ul> Longstreet is certainly on the short list as one of the best two-sport athletes in the state. The Delano senior currently holds a D2 basketball offer to Northern State, and a D1 football offer to Iowa State. On the gridiron. His 6’6" height towers over the majority of opposing defensive players, while having the athleticism of a college power forward making him truly a matchup nightmare. &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18425" first="Mekhi" last="Collins"], WR, Mankato West (6’4")</strong></li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="18425" first="Mekhi" last="Collins"]’ speed and height combo is absolutely menacing for a player entering his junior season. Last year as a sophomore he reeled in 11 passes for 332 yards totaling a ridiculous 30.2 yards per reception. Collins also came down with six touchdowns through the air. The Mankato West star is also a terrific cornerback, which consistently shows up with his savvy route running on the offensive end and his understanding of beating his opposition making him a tremendous all around receiver. &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>Eli Green, WR, Farmington (5’11")</strong></li> </ul> Eli Green is a speedster who does much of his work out of the slot. Standing at 5’11" and the shortest player on this list Green already stands at a disadvantage, but what he lacks in size he makes up with speed. The Farmington product is also a very crafty route runner that has a knack for finding the open gaps in the defense’s coverage. To put it simply the senior receiver is really good at getting open. &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18055" first="Cade" last="Kramer"], WR, Eden Prairie (6’1")</strong></li> </ul> Eden Prairie’s [player_tooltip player_id="18055" first="Cade" last="Kramer"] is the first 6A player to make the list, but it is well deserved. Standing at 6’1" EP’s star receiver is certainly not the tallest player on the list nor the shortest, but his contested catch ability is arguably the best in Minnesota. When any ball gets thrown in Kramer’s direction he has an innate ability to come down with it, no matter where the ball is placed or how close the defender is on him, making him one of the toughest covers in the state. &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>Rowan Nelson, WR, Melrose (6’5")</strong></li> </ul> Rowan Nelson does not have the same offers, or quite the recognition as other players on this list, but he deserves more. Standing at 6’5" he would be a tough cover for anyone in MN let alone the 3A competition that Melrose faces. Nelson had a terrific junior season bringing in 44 balls for 908 yards and nine touchdowns in only nine games. Playing as a cornerback, return specialist, kicker and punter Melrose quietly has one of the most versatile player in Minnesota. &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="19001" first="Jaxon" last="Howard"], TE, Robbinsdale Cooper (6’4")</strong></li> </ul> Robbinsdale Cooper might have Minnesota best recruit ever on their roster. [player_tooltip player_id="19001" first="Jaxon" last="Howard"] currently holds a laundry list of power five division one offers from any and every school you can think of. It comes with good reason, as already standing at 6’4" heading into his sophomore season raises his ceiling to astronomical levels. His play on the field speaks for itself and for him to even be considered for this list should be enough information you need to know.