Nate’s Big Dogs of the Game: Hutchinson/Rocori

<strong>COLD SPRING-- </strong>Every week, we name the "Big Dogs of the Game" to the top standouts who show off the most pride, best play, etc., for their roster. Here’s who stood out between ranked rivals in Hutchinson vs. Rocori. We didn’t quite get our big numbers last like a week, but the two 2019 state participants are loaded with talent! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18438" first="Sam" last="Rensch"], DB/WR, Hutchinson (2022)</strong> Rensch, a top 20 prospect in our 2022 class, was an intriguing prospect to watch on Thursday. For a 6’6 defensive back and wide receiver, Rensch has excellent footwork for a player of his size. His wide range of length will do wonders for him at the defensive back if he decides on football at the next level. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11549992/5ddee1854205c110f4a40d39">SO. Tape</a> <strong>Drew Schneider, LB, Rocori (2021)</strong> Schneider was the leading tackler for the Spartans on Thursday night. His vision in between the tackles was what I was impressed with against Hutchinson. Watching back his midseason tape, Schneider also shows he’s that guy that comes out of nowhere and gets a physical tackle on the ball carrier. A player who missed our rankings and somehow only has one Division II offer from the Beavers of Bemidji State back in April. Defensive MVP from this rivalry battle on Thursday. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EXFfP">Mid-Season Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18056" first="Tristan" last="Hoppe"], LB/FB, Hutchinson (2021)</strong> Hoppe played well on both sides of the ball. Hoppe plays the bully at fullback for the Tigers and maneuvers players for yards. Next level linebacker can lay the wood at a very consistent level from a physical standpoint. Hoppe also has great measurables and will make an excellent Division II linebacker in the Northern Sun, which is my projection on where he ends up. Defensive game MVP for Hutchinson on Thursday. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EZNj4">Mid Year Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18067" first="Luke" last="Humbert"], WR/RB, Rocori (2021)</strong> Humbert got one touchdown on Thursday on a tipped ball, but that wasn’t even close to what I was impressed with. Humbert is such a versatile player when you break down the film on both sides of the ball. Has some shift in the running game for the Spartans but shows off great on-ball skills in coverage defensively. I would predict Humbert to be a running back at the next level because he has such smooth footwork to juke out linebackers like a Madden game. Another prospect that has multiple Northern Sun offers to choose from. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CWa8t">Jr Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="49848" first="Mitchell" last="Piehl"], RB/DB, Hutchinson (2022)</strong> Piehl didn’t have the biggest game from a stats perspective on Thursday, but you see a player with some next-level wheels when you roll his film. Piehl is an excellent downhill runner with the football in his hands at running back. Extremely active with great measurables in pass coverage and is not afraid to get his hands on the football. He has a great backpedal that I project will be a safety at the next level. College programs will be busy in Hutchinson over the next year or so, with Piehl, [player_tooltip player_id="18438" first="Sam" last="Rensch"], and a player we’ll talk about soon back there. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CWa8t">Junior Tape</a> <strong>Brady Linn, RB, Rocori, (2021)</strong> A significant thing I enjoy about watching football in this section is the sneaky running backs. I watched it earlier this year in Willmar’s Michael Price, and I got the same vibes from watching Brady Linn from Rocori on Thursday night. Linn had a fantastic game for over 100 yards rushing against Hutchinson. I already described him as sneaky, as the Rocori senior just got lost by the Hutchinson defense on Saturday with his quick burst and ability to break loose for big yards against the Tigers defense. A certain diamond in the rough prospect, as the senior doesn’t even have any tape! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18171" first="Tucker" last="Haakonson"], WR, Rocori (2021)</strong> Let me start by stating: how does this kid not have an offer on the table? Haakonson has such a quick trigger on reacting to where the football is going and has excellent decision making. Haakonson is one of Bauer’s biggest receiving threats this season, but if someone gave this kid a chance at cornerback, they would be getting a steal. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CnBa9">Jr. Tape</a> <strong> [player_tooltip player_id="18447" first="Devon" last="Verhasselt"], WR/DB, Hutchinson (2022)</strong> Verhasslt is the third player I hinted at earlier in the Tigers secondary that could be a next-level prospect. His ability to come out of nowhere and make a play you didn't even know he was nearby is what makes him a special player. I also had some key plays at a wide receiver but projections a defensive back in college. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11550068/5e7a53780c54160cdcd038a2">So. Tape</a> <strong>Brady Blattner, LB, Rocori (2022)</strong> Blattner was key on getting tackles in that first level causing the Hutchinson rushing to attack a few problems on Thursday. I fell in love with this kid's size at linebacker as just a junior at 6'2 225 pounds. With more film, Blattner could be a sleeper coming out of the Spartans program. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EZJuD">Tape vs. Delano</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="49825" first="Aaron" last="Elliot"]t, ATH, Hutchinson (2022)</strong> The way Elliott stays engaged and physical on both sides of the ball is what stands out about his game. A first-team defensive back in our 4A preseason team Elliott is a jack of all trades for the Tigers. His jack of all trades ability makes him just another dominant prospect out of Hutch's 2022 class. Look for him to be a combo LB/DB at the next level. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2DnPG0">So. Tape</a> <strong>Camdyn Bauer, QB, Rocori (2021)</strong> The game MVP leading the Spartans with three touchdowns on their new field, Bauer has us guys at Prep Redzone Minnesota kicking ourselves we didn't have him in our 2021 rankings. With his ability to be a versatile QB1 that is mobile in between the tackles running the ball and completed more than 65% of his passes against the Tigers defense, Bauer was firing on all cylinders in Week 6. Bauer is another unknown as far as his next-level plans but has the tools to be a promising prospect to the right suitor. Bauer has a solid touch on the football that can air it out or hit his guys on the first or second level. &nbsp; &nbsp;