Nate's Standouts from the PRZ MN Showcase: QBs, DBs, WRs and TEs

Last but not least, we look at the final four groups from last Monday’s Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase from Savage. These 15 prospects set themselves apart from the competition from my eyes. Quarterbacks [player_tooltip player_id="22947" first="Jacob" last="Eggert"], Mankato East (MN) (2022) I finally got to see our #1 QB in the Class of 2022 live and in person, and he certainly lived up to the hype. Eggert had a tremendous zip on the football in all of his throws and showed off some pinpoint across, hitting every dude right in their chest during drills. His throwing motion is extremely fluid and allows him to release the football quickly. His film shows a great pocket presence, but he still has the tools to extend plays and make a solid throw on the run. Another Divison I prospect coming out Mankato. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11060444/5fbe15d1386dd7107cd60ad1">Junior Tape</a> [caption id="attachment_101049" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/IMG_2083-rotated-crop-434x285-1611702650.jpg"><img class="wp-image-101049 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/IMG_2083-rotated-crop-434x285-1611702650-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="22947" first="Jacob" last="Eggert"], #1 QB in our Class of 2022.[/caption]  Connor Gerrell, White Bear Lake (MN) (2022) Gerrell looked a lot bigger in person than I saw on film standing at a sound 6’3, the model measurable height I would want as a college program. Gerrell stood out with his ability to quickly get rid of the football, making the precise throws versus always throwing the deep ball. When you roll back his film, you’ll see the similarities. One thing Gerrell can develop on the shorter throws is a more substantial zip on the football as the college game is much faster, and you nearly need to break your receiver’s fingers to make sure that the ball doesn’t get intercepted. Unfortunately, due to COVID, got limited reps at White Bear Lake but with an excellent showing at the MN showcase and a solid senior season, look for Gerrell to play at the next level. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EW32P">Junior Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="49920" first="Zander" last="Dittbenner"], Mankato West (MN) (2022) News flash: we may need to update those Mankato QB1 city rankings here soon as Dittbenner needs to be on my next list. Dittbenner showed some of the best arm strength out of the left-handers I saw last Monday. Similar to Eggert, his precision was right on the money in drills. As for his film, Dittbenner not only can air it out but can make plays with his quick foot speed as well. Not to mention he’s a fearless runner, getting quality yards with hard contact up the middle. I would love to watch a QB challenge between Dittbenner vs. Eggert this spring or summer to see who outduels to be the best QB in Mankato as I think they are now #1 and #2 respectfully in my city rankings. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eg5WZ">Junior Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="49840" first="Colton" last="Hackel"], Perham (MN) (2022) Hackel, you might remember from our NW Minnesota QB1 rankings from a while back. With Trey Feey on to North Dakota, I’m ready to put Hackel as my #1 QB1 on the board coming from the Northwest part of the state (and I encourage coaches to jump on him quickly). Hackel was one of the top performers from the PRZ MN Showcase in my eyes. His throw radius is very versatile, as he can make throws from the pocket and on the run, and it looks so natural. Hackel’s excellent accuracy will give him an edge at the next level. His ability to extend plays with his legs also makes him an asset in the running game, as you can see the extra speed boost in his game when he sees what he wants. If this kid was a Metro kid, he’d have some offers already but guess what? He doesn’t even have his first offer yet because he’s so under the radar. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11476343/5fc124aa02bc97022cf41ee1">Junior Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="49836" first="Justin" last="Wohlers"], Lake City (MN) (2022) Wohlers can certainly air it out deep, to say the least, and he brought that with him to Savage last Monday. Wohlers was one of the most sturdy QBs at the showcase, standing at 6’6 215 pounds. When he’s not airing it out deep, he shows a quick release when under duress on the short routes. He can create his own plays with his legs, which will help you in short-yardage situations when you need a big body to get you over the line for a first down. He is mostly getting recruited for football for now but is also an excellent basketball player to go along with football and baseball. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Efrpe">Junior Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="49842" first="Nathaniel" last="Staehling"], Brainerd (MN) (2022) I had done a recruiting report on Staehling last March but had no idea how loaded this kid was size was until last Monday in Savage. Staehling was one of the most elusive, ready to go QBs I saw at the MN Showcase. If QB doesn’t work out at the next level, man Staehling could be a huge asset at linebacker. His throwing ability shows some sparks, but his extension of plays on the run is where he checked all my boxes. Staehling is well-built at 6’2 205 and has Division I talent in my eyes coming out of Brainerd. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ef81q">Junior Tape</a> Wide Receivers/Tight End Tate Lahr, Mounds View (MN) (2021) Lahr checked the boxes in the speed department last Monday in Savage. This kid’s versatile, to say the least, as he lined up for the Mustangs at WR, QB, and punter this season and brought one of the top yards per punt averages going into his senior season. Lahr is another prospect that’s legs get a boost when he sees an opening in the defense. I think this kid has an opportunity to play college football; where do you put him, though? He’s best suited on special teams, where he could help out your team on fake punts throwing the ball, hideout as a receiver, and can drop punts for about 40 yards on average. He could be a sound return man too. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eqha5">Junior Tape</a> Colin Girdaukas, Kohler-Sheboygan Lutheran-Sheboygan Christian (WI) (2022) Good luck catching Girdaukas when he’s in pursuit, as he showed why he was one of Wisconsin’s best wide receivers last Monday. Girdaukas turned in another nice showing at his 2nd Prep Redzone Showcase with all that speed I learned the first time around in our Wisconsin showcase. His footwork was extremely active, and if he gets a cut on you, he’s already gone. Girdaukas put up some video type numbers this season with 186 yards per game, a state record of 339 yards, to go along with 18 touchdowns. Very physical in 1on1s when it was his time to get up and get the football. This kid is a Division I prospect and would be so sound in the Missouri Valley. Somehow has no offers to date, which is shocking, to put it nicely. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11291048/5fb932c9a022d80b24c356cd">Junior Tape</a> [caption id="attachment_101050" align="alignnone" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-101050 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/IMG_2082-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Colin Girdaukas of KLC is one of Wisco's most dynamic wide receivers.[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="18426" first="Haydn" last="Stay"], Princeton (MN) (2022) Stay, one of the most highly touted players in the Outstate, came out and showed every scout and college coach exactly what they wanted to see last Monday. Coming in as a tight end, he showed off a length vertical in his 6’4, 220 frames and some great speed in our testing numbers. I’ve seen it in practices and in-person; Stay is as physical of a player as they come and is also a beast on the basketball court as well where he gathers the tough rebounds. In my viewings, I see Stay as a linebacker at the next level, but regardless Stay excelled to a high level in Savage last Monday and changed the setting in the dome. Stay has a wide variety of recruiting interest, to say the least. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EhjDA">Junior Tape</a> [caption id="attachment_101055" align="alignnone" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-101055 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/IMG_2079-1-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="18426" first="Haydn" last="Stay"] of Princeton is one of the Outstates top recruited prospects.[/caption]  Puolrah Gong, Mankato East (2022) My oh my, the length this kid has! Some kids have the length in the arms, legs, etc. Gong has length absolutely everywhere in his 6’6 frame. A little work in his footwork and some increased strength could make his game even better as the routes Gong runs are crisp just needs some work on his cuts. A really sound player on quick-hitting routes with good brakes. Very light next-level interest, but in my eyes has the talent to be a scholarship level player. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11377307/5fc52c9c2aa6590b7c352689">Junior Tape</a> [caption id="attachment_101056" align="alignnone" width="230"]<img class="wp-image-101056" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/IMG_2084-rotated-e1611703294868-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="230" height="230" /> Puoldrah Gong, WR, Mankato East[/caption]   Marselio Mendez, Cretin-Derham Hall (2021) Mendez has been on my radar for a while and balls out every time I watch him, but he just hasn’t gotten that one college football opportunity yet. His bursting ability off the line is still what stands out to me going back to the 2019 season, watching him play against East Ridge and being key to a Raiders victory. I have seen this kid make some jaw-dropping catches in 7on7 this fall and had a productive season with nearly 30 catches, over 1100 all-purpose yards, 13 total touchdowns (12 receiving). Some coaches have been looking at the measurables a little too deep in my opinion on Mendez because, man, the skill Mendez has is really blowing my mind that he doesn’t have a college football opportunity yet. This three-sport athlete has put in the work and wants to play football at the next level; he just needs one chance. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfH3H">Senior Tape</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/08/recruiting-report-marselio-mendez-cretin-derham-hall-2021/">Recruiting Report on Mendez</a> [caption id="attachment_101063" align="alignnone" width="228"]<img class="wp-image-101063 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/IMG_2080-rotated-e1611703418917-228x300.jpg" alt="" width="228" height="300" /> Marselio Mendez of CDH is still an uncommitted senior up for grabs.[/caption]   [player_tooltip player_id="18425" first="Mekhi" last="Collins"], Mankato West (2022) Collins was one of the first standouts I saw last Monday, and I just had to watch more of what this kid was all about. Collins is extremely twitchy off the line, and it’s no wonder Iowa State was the first and somehow the only Divison I program to find this gem WR out of Mankato West. Collins may be 6’5, but runs much much smaller than measurables you’ll see. His brakes on routes are outstanding, and his ability to turn on a deep ball to create space will go a long way at the next level. The Cyclones took an early jump on Collins, and I think it’s about that time for other FBS programs to get a jump on this power 5 prospect. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfY7n">Junior Tape</a> [caption id="attachment_101068" align="alignnone" width="195"]<img class="wp-image-101068 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/IMG_2077-rotated-e1611703578490-195x300.jpg" alt="" width="195" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="18425" first="Mekhi" last="Collins"] of Mankato West is certainly P5 prospect.[/caption]  Defensive Backs [player_tooltip player_id="49870" first="Micah" last="Runion"], Park of Cottage Grove (2022) Runion was an outstanding playmaker that was just all over my notepad from the secondary group in our PRZ MN Showcase. When you watch his film, this kid screams next level defensive back. His physicality level in his tackles is very high. Runion also is a versatile threat on the offensive side of the ball for the Wolfpack, adding over 400 yards of offense this fall. With his skill set defensively, I think Runion is highly under the radar coming out of the 2022 class to start. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/9621068/5fa8b4065caa5a0bc817cd9a">Junior Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="22938" first="Sean" last="Appold"], Rosemount (2021) Appold stood out in his ability to last Monday to have a quick reaction to the football. His ability to get low on that second level to make a play is what stands out most to me on film. His ability to use his burst to explode in zone coverage to make a play is solid. A DB prospect that has good range and can cover a large area. Holds one Divison II offer in the Northern Sun, with some Division III interest as well. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EgzQ3">Senior Tape</a> [caption id="attachment_101074" align="alignnone" width="247"]<img class="wp-image-101074 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/IMG_2086-rotated-e1611703707211-247x300.jpg" alt="" width="247" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="22938" first="Sean" last="Appold"], DB Rosemount[/caption]  Aaron Lee, Shakopee (2022) Lee was one of the fastest prospects in testing from the secondary group from last Monday’s showcase in Savage. In 1on1s, Lee showed some range in 1on1 drills, making some key plays. On film, his ability to get very low on that second/first level is what’s going to make Lee a next-level player. He also does a nice job of being versatile when he’s the lone ranger in the Sabers secondary. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/7050408/5fc0b034f31c53105cc90154">Junior Tape</a>