Prep Redzone MN Showcase Standouts: OL and DL

We move into the trenches for this next group to take a look at some of my offensive and defensive line standouts from the Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase! Offensive Line [player_tooltip player_id="18139" first="Charlie" last="Folkens"], Rogers (MN) (2021) Folkens was only one of two 2021s at the camp but, in my opinion, was the best one I got to watch on Monday afternoon. His ability to rumble in the trenches is what I’ve always liked about Charlie’s game live. Strong enough to move guys around yet mobile enough to use his sound footwork to stay grounded. A very tough competitor that is still uncommitted with only one offer from Winona State to date, along with some FCS interest still coming in late. Folkens also, from a character standpoint, is an awesome kid that’s extremely easy to have a conversation with Folkgens could be a solid Center at the next level. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfY5s">Senior Tape</a> [caption id="attachment_98541" align="alignnone" width="254"]<a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfY5s"><img class="wp-image-98541 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/IMG_1570-rotated-crop-434x285-1611240229-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="254" height="167" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="18139" first="Charlie" last="Folkens"] #72 had a solid showing at the PRZ MN Showcase.[/caption]  [player_tooltip player_id="116188" first="Tony" last="Nelson"], Tracy-Milroy-Balaton (MN) (2022) One of the hidden gems that came to the MN showcase was TMB’s OL/DL, [player_tooltip player_id="116188" first="Tony" last="Nelson"]. Nelson’s ability to have that man amongst boys’ mentality shows tremendously in his film at a towering 6’7 inches tall. Nelson is certainly a kid that, if his location were near the metro, would have more programs on his radar already but showed that he could play with the best of them on Monday. Nelson could be a sleeper coming out of the southwest corner of the state with just as impressive film defensively as he does offensively. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Esjd8">Junior Tape</a> [caption id="attachment_98542" align="alignnone" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-98542 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/IMG_2073-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="116188" first="Tony" last="Nelson"] from TMB was an under the radar standout we learned about on Monday.[/caption]   [player_tooltip player_id="19003" first="Ryan" last="Retzer"], Belle Plaine (MN) (2023) Retzer continued another nice outing in 1on1 drills in which I have seen him do well multiple times this year. Retzer could develop a little bit more speed in the 40-yard dash (closer to 5.0), but there’s not a doubt in my mind this kid is a mauler from the 2023 class. Retzer has some substantial mobility in the trenches that has started to get some looks from some Division I programs early on. Certainly going to be one from the Outstate that will be playing high-level college football when it’s all said and done because he has so much time to develop even more physical skill, and when you watch, you sometimes forgot he has two more years of high school football left in him. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfJK7">So. Tape</a> [caption id="attachment_98544" align="alignnone" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-98544 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/IMG_2071-1-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="19003" first="Ryan" last="Retzer"], Belle Plaine[/caption]  [player_tooltip player_id="49928" first="Patrick" last="Lavin"], St. Anthony (MN) (2022) Lavin is looked even more impressive in his second PRZ showcase. He showed off how solid his football IQ is in the middle of it all inside the trenches. Lavin is sound as far as his protection and didn’t have many defensive linemen getting to the other side of him on Monday. Certainly another hog molly out of St. Anthony that can play some college football in the coming years. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2DUE0s">So. Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="49865" first="Dom" last="Dietel"], Litchfield (MN) (2022) Dietel was another one I got to watch this season for a second time and showed off an even stronger punch than what I watched this year when the Dragons played Albany. His ability to keep on playing until the whistle sounds are what I like most about Dietel. He has very sound measurables that will get some calls to play high-level college football based on what I saw yesterday. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11797000/5f9728174bb26903b4b2bd87">Junor Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="116196" first="Devin" last="Lockerby"], Fairbault (MN) (2022) The more I look at my list, the more I love the Outstate hog mollies, including [player_tooltip player_id="116196" first="Devin" last="Lockerby"] of Fairbault. Lockerby played like a monster at our Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase. He has a quick zipper when he comes off the snap. Lockerby’s film shows off a player that will block as many dudes as he needs to in the trenches to move his rushing attack forward. An absolute Division I prospect coming out of the Fairbault Falcons program. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EeE9T">Junior Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="112156" first="Carter" last="Geerts"], Byron (MN) (2023) Another promising outstate prospect in the middle of the trenches I liked was [player_tooltip player_id="112156" first="Carter" last="Geerts"] of Byron. Having a slightly smaller frame (6’1, 220), Geerts used his strong footwork to stay fluid and make some solid plays on the offensive line. A substantial amount of potential, He needs some more film to show more of it! Also, a wrestler for Byron, which is the best mix of sports for the hog mollies in the trenches, if you ask me. [player_tooltip player_id="18548" first="Mateo" last="Noriega"], Burnsville (2022) Noriega went from a name I knew from the start of our showcase to turning heads by the end of 1on1s. Noriega started his day putting up some nice testing numbers in the early part of our sessions. Where he really balled out to me was in 1on1s, where he used his significant frame (6’4, 270) to move some kids around the lines. One thing I love about Noriega’s film is how long his hands are on a defender, as he has that "block till the whistle blows" mentality in his game. Noriega showed off yesterday that he can play next level college football for sure. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EWe16">Midseason Tape</a> [caption id="attachment_98546" align="alignnone" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-98546 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/IMG_2075-1-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="18548" first="Mateo" last="Noriega"], Burnsville[/caption]  Defensive Line [player_tooltip player_id="119352" first="Gerald" last="Jones"], Minneapolis DeLaSalle (MN) (2023) A kid that’s very off the radar I liked on Monday afternoon was [player_tooltip player_id="119352" first="Gerald" last="Jones"] from DeLaSalle. I was a big fan of this kid’s footwork and swiping ability in 1on1 drills. Jones has little to no film to watch of game action, but he could be a sound DL/LB combo for the Islanders in the coming years if he can fill out. Aiden Pardino, Zimmerman (MN) (2022) I love to see kids from my neck of the woods out competing like Aiden Pardino of Zimmerman. A prospect that I haven’t watched for the Thunder showed a fantastic burst in the DL group from Monday afternoon. On film, Pardino comes off the edge solid no matter where he is lined up. With a little more size, he could find a home next year playing college football as the Thunder have produced some excellent players in the MIAC and WIAC in the last five years or so. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EY67X">Tape vs. Little Falls</a> [player_tooltip player_id="116499" first="Jacob" last="VanDorpe"], Glencoe-Silver Lake (MN) (2022) Vandorpe was another prospect I enjoyed watching in the defensive trenches on Monday afternoon. Sizeable combo linemen (6’1, 270) showed some sound movement in the trenches and used his frame to move some bodies around. Vandrope I like more on the offensive side of the ball based on the film but had an excellent showing defensively in Savage. He could use a little development on his physicality on the line but is a sound prospect out of GSL. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EhuDc">Junior Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="56452" first="Kendis" last="Ledbetter"], Sioux Falls Washington (SD) (2022) As the Dakotas are my hub for scouting PRZ prospects, I was really excited to watch Ledbetter compete before this showcase started. Before we talk about the drills and 1on1s, let me begin by saying this kid has outstanding character, which will go a long way when networking with college coaches. He was just as impressive on the field, showing great range in his lower body, and has a quick turn radius in his hips. His ability to get off the snap and make a play in the backfield was fun to watch. His frame will also take him a long way (6’3 240) as the Warriors defensive linemen made a strong case as a top 10 prospect in the Dakotas. He definitely showed he’s a Division I prospect in the making coming out of Sioux Falls Washington. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13158827/5fa32b9c688ee310acf3cf4b">Junior Tape</a> [caption id="attachment_98547" align="alignnone" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-98547 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/IMG_2068-1-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="56452" first="Kendis" last="Ledbetter"], Sioux Falls Washington[/caption]  [player_tooltip player_id="18085" first="Josh" last="Franklin"], Fridley (MN) (2021) Franklin made a massive splash at our Prep Redzone MN Showcase on Monday afternoon. Where he stood out most was just how physical he was in training drills. On film, Franklin might have the most speed off the line in the middle of the defensive line you’ll see in Minnesota; think of an edge rusher that sheds off blocks exceptionally quickly as a defensive tackle. He’s not only effective in the backfield; he also plays that run-stuffer role that so many defensive tackles do—also an excellent wrestler for the Fridley Tigers. I think Josh is a Division II prospect but could be a steal at the Division III level based on the opportunities he has right now. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2C9U6H">Junior Tape</a> [caption id="attachment_98539" align="alignnone" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-98539 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/IMG_2072-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="18085" first="Josh" last="Franklin"], Fridley[/caption]  [player_tooltip player_id="116194" first="Mason" last="Wilson"], Stillwater (MN) (2022) Wilson was no doubt on his A-game at Monday’s PRZ MN Showcase at all levels. Wilson has so much explosiveness off the line it’s unbelievable. His shedding ability is second to none, and the way he still plays destructively while still blocking a guy and reroutes to get the ball carrier is outstanding. What impressed me most about Wilson in my first time watching him on Monday was his excellent foot speed as he was driving linemen around with all of his energy to get to the backfield. Wilson is a definite Division I prospect coming out of Stillwater. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11955133/5fb0b12a478d9f0218a8f555">Junior Tape</a>