Prep Redzone MN Showcase Standouts: RB & LBs

SAVAGE-- We take a look at group one from yesterday at the Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase, as we take a look at the linebackers and running backs. These were my 13 prospects that I enjoyed watching most at these two positions as we got our inaugural MN showcase started! Running Backs Carter Fonger Carter Fonger 5'8" | 195 lbs | RB Superior | 2021 State WI , Superior (WI) (2021) The pedal was on the gas for Fonger again at the Minnesota Showcase after a successful showing at the Wisconsin one weeks ago. Fonger ran some of the most efficient drills in the running back group yesterday. I really love the drive-in this kid’s feet as he’s not only an undersized "bully back", but a player that has really worked his tail out to benefit from not having a fall season. The strength of Fonger will find him a scholarship level opportunity somewhere in the Midwest for sure. No offers as of yet. Junior Tape

Andrew Phillips, New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (MN) (2023) Phillips showed off some excellent hands at yesterday’s Minnesota showcase. He’s a very slippery runner that shows he could be challenging to tackle. A solid sideline runner has some time to show off the potential I saw yesterday for the NRHEG Panthers. So. Tape Cristian Christensen, Mound-Westonka (MN) (2023) I got to watch the WhiteHawks this fall and was reminded of Christensen’s acceleration from that practice I attended. This will be a kid that will get lost between some tacklers and then bolt out of their like lightning. He has a rapid twitch in his feet that can run a player out of their shoes. If Christensen can add some strength, he has a substantial opportunity to play college football. So. Tape Matthew Ortega, Carmel Catholic (IL) (2022) Ortega was one of the most muscular running backs I got my eyes on this Monday. Standing at a stout 5’11 230 pounds, Ortega moved exceptionally well with the football in his hands. His tape is limited, but this kid has some potential. He could be an excellent prospect at linebacker. He recently transferred from Cary-Grove to Carmel Catholic in Mundelein. Tape vs. Huntley Cage Linton, Cretin-Derham Hall (MN) (2021) Linton caught my attention with his vital first step. His ability to break thru traffic and use his burst to his advantage showed out in Savage. A player with good athleticism on both sides of the football for the Raiders in the 2020 season. Holds a couple of Division III and NAIA offers to date. Junior Tape Joseph Forsberg, Martin County West (MN) (2023) Forsberg was one of my favorite young prospects from this running back group. His ability to use his shifty feet and big-time burst is such an asset to his game. This kid is loaded with potential and, in my opinion, will become a scholarship level football player when it’s all said and done at Martin County West. So. Tape

Anthony Moe-Tucker, Kasson-Mantorville (MN) (2022) Moe-Tucker had one of the biggest running back frames at the MN Showcase. I loved the physicality he ran with on Monday afternoon, leaving it all on the field. In his second PRZ showcase, you can see more improvement from this kid as he’s an excellent combo RB/LB on film.  Moe-Tucker is flying under the radar and is undoubtedly a high Division II or I prospect. Junior Tape Max Grand Max Grand 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Ellsworth | 2022 State WI , Ellsworth (WI) (2022) In two showcases, Grand logged two of the fastest 40 yard dash times we have seen in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Grand ran a 4.5 on astroturf and turned in even better than that yesterday in Savage. If you roll back Max’s film, you see the same speed. Watching his film you might think, is Hudl offering a fast motion mode now? Nope, it’s just how quick Grand really is. He sees the field exceptionally downhill and is most certainly a Division I prospect coming out of Ellsworth. Junior Tape Eli Gillman Eli Gillman 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Dassel-Cokato | 2022 State MN , Dassel Cokato (MN) (2022) It was almost cheating for Gillman on Saturday, who some watching might think had Elmer’s glue stuck to his hands for how many balls he brought in. It wasn’t just your easy grabs either; he made some catches that belong on highlight tapes. He may have played a ton at QB for the Chargers this season, but he hasn’t lost his twitchy route-running ability at all. Still very surprisingly waiting for that first scholarship offer. I would love to see the Missouri Valley swoop in sometime soon. Junior Tape Linebackers Mitchell Jezierski Mitchell Jezierski 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Rogers | 2022 State MN , Rogers (MN) (2022) Jezierski made a boatload of plays on Monday afternoon at the MN showcase. On film, I really like how this kid progresses thru high traffic areas and still makes fundamentally sound plays very well. He can fly into the backfield with a quick first step at the ball. I got a glimpse of Jezierski in the first game of football season, and he showed to be just as or more physical yesterday than only three short months ago. Scholarship level talent. Week 4-6 Tape Fox Knutson Fox Knutson 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Wayzata | 2022 State MN , Wayzata (MN) (2022) Knutson just made play after play on Monday afternoon in Savage. If you roll back the film, you see a kid that is extremely disruptive in the backfield. He hits his gaps with great burst and is a very sound tackler. A very under the radar prospect, if you ask me, that is a next-level player out of Wayzata. Junior Tape Andrew Ali Andrew Ali 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB St. Paul Highland Park | 2022 State MN , St. Paul Highland Park (MN) (2022) Ali made his fair share of plays and was one of two prospects on my radar from the St. Paul city conference. Ali has good versatility with his coverage and physical wrap up tackling ability. As if he’s not up there already, look for him to be one of the best seniors in St. Paul next year. Game One Tape Bryan Cassellius Bryan Cassellius 6'1" | 180 lbs | LB Winona | 2023 State MN , Winona Senior (MN) (2023) Cassellius ran one of the faster 40’s I watched at the linebacker position. Cassellius does an excellent job cutting up the middle of the field when he pursues a tackle and finishes with a fantastic strike. He also handles kickoffs and field goals for the Winhawks. Substantial potential and good measurables. Junior Tape Sam Haeuser, Racine St. Catherine’s (WI) (2022) I saw the blow-up speed in Haeuser yesterday at the MN Showcase. If this kid wants something in the backfield, he will find it and find it with ease. I am a big fan of how physical Haeuser is defensively, whether running a dude out of his way to get the ball carrier, tackling ability, or driving inside to get to the first level. Haeuser is certainly a scholarship level prospect based on yesterday’s performance in Savage. Junior Tape