Iowa7v7 Back to Ballin Day One: Top RBs, WRs and TEs
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CEDAR FALLS/WATERLOO, IA– Taking a look at the Iowa7v7 Back to Ballin event from Day One with the top running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. These are in no particular order! Note: These prospects are on an “as seen” basis…
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Continue ReadingCEDAR FALLS/WATERLOO, IA– Taking a look at the Iowa7v7 Back to Ballin event from Day One with the top running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. These are in no particular order! Note: These prospects are on an “as seen” basis by myself along with notes from the coaches and teams at the tournament. If there was anyone you think we missed, shoot me an email at Nate@PrepRedzone.com.
Tight Ends
George Williams George Williams 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE Des Moines Roosevelt | 2023 State IA | Des Moines Roosevelt/Team Premier (IA) (2023)
Williams was one of the first tight ends I got my eyes on from Saturday. He used his long arms to his advantage bringing in several well-contested balls into his hands for the Fire Dragons.
Rolling the film on Williams, you see a TE that has good blocking genes with good form and probably one of the best finishers of his blocks I have seen in this Class in the Midwest. He also plays linebacker at Roosevelt, where he has a solid first step off the snap and can shed off defenders at a good rate. I could see Williams playing either spot at the college level.
Brandon Riddle Brandon Riddle 6'3" | 225 lbs | TE MN | Spectrum (Elk River)/Potenza Sports (MN) (2023)
Riddle continues to put together a heck of a highlight tape in back-to-back 7on7 tournaments making catches that had the UNI Dome and me saying, “Wait, he caught that?” The size this kid brings to the table at tight end is next-level material at just the age of 15. This weekend, you could tell that Riddle looked to be the most durable pass-catcher from this list of tight ends from Saturday.
When you roll the film on Riddle, you see a player with big hands and has the catching radius to make plays in extremely tight windows, which is why he’s being pursued at the Divison I level. I would say the only development Riddle can improve on is his blocking ability, which would increase his versatility as one of the best true TEs in Minnesota.
Kellen Kinzer Kellen Kinzer 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE St. Cloud Cathedral | 2023 State MN | St. Cloud Cathderal/My7on7 (MN) (2023)
I referenced a St. Cloud Cathedral connection in my gunslinger’s article and now you get to learn about Kellen Kinzer Kellen Kinzer 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE St. Cloud Cathedral | 2023 State MN , the tight end that was making all the big plays from teammate Jack Pelzel Jack Pelzel 6'2" | QB St. Cloud Cathedral | 2021 State MN . I asked these guys how long they played together for the Crusaders and was surprised to hear it was only one year because their chemistry looked like they had been playing pass/catch since junior high! Kinzer made some impressive catches this weekend with those long arms he has.
When you watch Kinzer’s film, you see a tight end that lines up wide most of the time and but not afraid to go over the middle of the field. Kinzer also runs vital stop routes. He uses those long arms to improve his range to throw the ball into some deeper windows than most Crusader’s wide receivers. I also saw a massive block Kinzer threw, which was at a high physicality level that you wouldn’t expect out of most tight ends. Kinzer’s decisive step off the line, among other things, makes me confident that he can play TE at the college level.
Antonio Fondren Antonio Fondren 6'5" | 270 lbs | DL Osseo | 2023 State MN | Benilde St. Maragrets/My7on7 (MN) (2023)
There’s one thing for sure, My7on7 had one of the deepest rosters I saw at the tight end, grabbing half of the kids on our TE list from Day One, the second being Antonio Fondrin of Benilde St. Margarets. Fondrin came out as one of the top performers for My7on7 as his ability to be a tight end with an intense burst for his position to get away from defenders made him catch my eye this weekend as he played tough man football from my eyes.
Fondrin’s tape has a good mix of him at tight end and defensive end, which could be the next-level position for him. I think his high motor and significant physical presence speaks volumes to him playing as a next-level DE, and although he caught my eye at TE, I believe he brings more to the table at DE.
Wide Receivers
Cole Johnson | Grinnell (IA) (2022)
When I came across Johnson on Saturday, I saw a prospect that had such quick take-off speed of the snap I had to chase him down to figure out who he was. This kid is a workhorse, and his strong route running ability was tough for DBs to catch up with this weekend as he and his QB Dallas Sauser Dallas Sauser 6'2" | 160 lbs | QB Ames | 2023 State IA just drove the bus down the field play after play and game after game. I also came away impressed with Johnson’s stamina, as in the multiple games I watched, I didn’t see any signs of slowing down.
Johnson’s film shows so many next-level dynamics. Johnson has the ability to just fly off the snap with a quick initial step off the line in the slot. He runs a variety of routes and can dabble around the secondary with his footwork. On one particular screen route, I thought the play was over, but he came out of nowhere play and turned it into a touchdown. I looked at our Iowa site and saw we didn’t have Johnson ranked, which I will undoubtedly advocate for when the update comes out in the coming months based on what I saw this weekend.
Mitchell Schares | Cedar Rapids Kennedy/Level Up (IA) (2022)
Schares was one of several Level Up top performers at WR on Saturday. Schares was one of the biggest dogs at WR, standing at a towering 6’4 and having a field day on Saturday just using his length to catch whatever came his way.
Schares has extremely active footwork when breaking down his film for a 6’4 target. Schares uses that length to his advantage with a long stretch for some of the more challenging contested balls. He has next-level speed on both sides of the football, and his footwork exceeds expectations, especially at cornerback. I see Schares at DB at the next level as I can see plenty of college defenses not wanting to throw at this kid for the reasons listed above.
Erassy Antsino | St. Cloud Apollo/Potenza Sports (MN) (2021)
I am disappointed I did not get to watch Antsino more being a kid from my area as he caught my eye from a first look. Antsino showed some speed to the corner to get into the end zone that will be an exceptional slot WR at the JUCO level as he has committed to Ellsworth Community College to play next year.
When Antsino’s tape, you cannot flip the first 15 seconds without watching him flip the field with some excellent footwork and acceleration. When he gets off the snap, and he beats you, good luck catching him because I am going to say he’s one of the fastest players I have watched in the 320 area code. His versatile ability also pans out well in the backfield for the Eagles, as if you can get him to the outside lanes, he can turn it up the field. He is smaller than the measurables side, but with feet and speed like that, I think he’s one of the biggest JUCO steals I see in the 2021 class out of Minnesota.
Blake Janssen | Iowa Falls-Alden/Level Up (IA) (2022)
Janssen was another Day One standout from the Level Up program. Janssen was extremely crisp on his route running ability from what I watched on Saturday.
On Janssen’s high school tape, Janssen is as much defined as a do-it-all prospect out of Iowa Falls-Alden. He logged 29 TDs last season and did it at multiple positions such as WR, KR, PR, QB, etc. As far as the next-level goes, I can see Blake sticking at WR at the next level as long as he develops a quicker turn with his footwork; he has all the skills and size to compete at the college level.
Matteo Bonnin | Hudson/Potenza Sports (WI) (2021)
There has not been a more consistent player that I have watched in 7on7 football in the last year at wide receiver than Matteo Bonnin. Matteo is a WR that has such long-range and is not afraid to get vertical and catch everything that is thrown his way as he did this weekend as usual in Cedar Falls!
When looking at his senior year tape, Bonnin is a defined do-it-all player for the Raiders. He has a mega burst that is just spectacular out of the backfield and is probably the last player on the field the defense wants to tackle with the amount of versatility he has, such as a big stiff arm, excellent footwork, and quick steps all-around. Matteo is a South Dakota signee.
Kader Diop Kader Diop 6'0" | WR Minneapolis South | 2021 State MN | Minneapolis South/Hitmen (MN) (2021)
Diop was one of the big hitters over the weekend for the Hitmen at WR. Diop got loose on quite a few plays with his solid turn with his footwork throughout the weekend.
When you roll Diop’s film, you see a player that has a ton of stamina and pep in his step off the ball. He has excellent footwork to put to work on his routes. My favorite route of his is his stop-and-go route as he has a great dig in his feet to separate from the secondary. He also plays cornerback, but from my eyes, he will be a WR and should get some reps in the return game at the college level—Concordia-St Paul signee.
Kyle Sisler Kyle Sisler 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Southeast Polk | 2022 IA ” last=””] Sisler | Southeast Polk/Level Up (IA) (2022)
I got to watch Sisler back in December at the Level Up tryouts and came way impressed in his game, and he again showed a strong skillset on Saturday in Iowa. Sisler was one of the best WRs over the middle of the field and one that will get you a first down.
Sisler on film from my eyes has speed that goes unseen if you are not watching carefully. He’s a very alert possession WR with a sound vision of knowing where the first down markers are and hitting those spots. His speed gets seen more in the return game as he has the longevity to run for significant return with excellent stamina.
Blake Stahl Blake Stahl 6'5" | 195 lbs | WR Champlin Park | 2023 State MN | Champlin Park/My7on7 | (2023)
Stahl was a WR I got the first glimpse of this Saturday when he made a slick catch while I was watching My7on7 at the UNI Dome.
Stahl’s film shows a long frame as 6’4 195 pounder with long arms that give him a wide catch radius. Stahl is a big possession WR that will need to develop more speed over the coming years to make some noise for the Rebels.
Cade Conzemius Cade Conzemius 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Minnetonka | 2022 State MN | Minnetonka/Hitmen (2022)
Conzemius is another Minnesota prospect that has developed a ton from the last time I saw him over the last 6-7 months. Conzemius has gotten so much faster footwork than what I saw months ago at the Pylon tournament. He’s also gotten a stronger frame in that time, coming in at least 10-15 pounds stronger than when I saw him at the Pylon tournament in Maple Grove last fall.
When I watched Cade’s film from his 2020 season, I saw more versatility in his game as a slot WR that can take out a DB with his juke step and gain plenty of extra yardage. His downhill running ability off the snap is super quick, and the Skippers should use his legs more frequently when he is in motion as he shows he can be an asset in their rushing attack when they need a big play.
Lonny Melvin | Cedar Rapids Jefferson/Level Up (IA) (2022)
In my second showing in the last four months watching Melvin, he again caught my eye with his athletic play on Saturday. Melvin is super versatile and had multiple ways to burn the secondary in their undefeated outing on Saturday at the UNI Dome.
I will second my fellow scout Ben Solomon with Melvin as Lonny is a vocal leader at WR for Cedar Rapids Jefferson that will throw his hand up when he wants the football. He does an excellent job using his athleticism in his catches and will fight for the extra yards. On the defensive side for the J-Hawks, he’s a ball hawk in their secondary that makes good reads on where the football is going. DB is what I see as Lonny’s best fit at the college level.
Chris Frazier Chris Frazier WR Park Center | 2022 State MN | Park Center/Hitmen (MN) (2022)
Frazier was another dynamic WR for the Hitmen this weekend. His burner-type speed was electric for sealing a Hitmen victory on Sunday.
Frazier’s film shows a prospect that you’ll want to make sure you give a cushion if you can because he’ll blow right by you over the middle of the field if you’re not careful. He has a strong twitch in his feet to get loose from an incoming defender. He is an undersized yet solid slot WR threat for the Pirates.
Drew Geetings | Pella Christian/Fire Dragons (IA) (2022)
Geetings looked to be a WR that was tough as nails this weekend on his shorter routes which were his bread and butter from what I witnessed from the Fire Dragons.
When I watched a junior clip from last season, Geetings looked to be a bull at WR that just takes guys with him with his ability to grab yards after the catch with his strong lower body. He seems to be one of those prospects that play way bigger than his measurables might state.
Joe Hall III Joe Hall III 6'1" | 190 lbs | ATH Manhattan | 2022 State KS | Manhattan/785 Elite (KS) (2022)
Hall III has the excellent downhill speed I saw on Saturday. His ability to turn on jets to blow by the secondary on his way to the endzone makes him such a threat.
According to our fellow PRZ Kansas scout Santino Bernal, the Manhattan Indians play is a run-heavy offense, but when Hall III threw the ball his way, Hall III made the best of it and hopefully can create more passing reps in his senior season with his versatility at WR as he can play anywhere and has next-level measurables as a 6’2 190 pounder.
Running Backs
Broden Flackne | Sauk Rapids-Rice/My7on7 (MN) (2023)
From the glimpses I saw on Flackne on Saturday, he showed to be a workhorse for his My7on7 team. Flackne is a defined bruiser at the running back position and also played well at linebacker on Saturday. Although he plays the bruiser role, he has good speed, and you can tell if this were tackle football, he would love nothing more than to just truck stick players over.
Taylan Alejos |Topeka/785 Elite (KS) (2022)
Alejos is a very springy runner that can shed off a good amount of tackles. Another RB that has fluid footwork from east to west and has a remarkable ability to flip the field with his legs. He also is a solid kickoff return man for Topeka.
Darius Newell | Iowa City Liberty/Fire Dragons (IA) (2022)
Newell showed some fluid footwork and was one of the top running backs I had my eyes on from Saturday. On film, Newell shows his shifty feet on his inside, bouncing in between his fair share of tacklers. On Saturday, he added that same footwork to the outside lanes, bringing in plenty of catches on Saturday and using that same sound footwork he has in his arsenal.
More Standouts
Aiden Boehle | WR/TE Minnetonka/Potenza Sports (2023)
Highlights from this weekend in iowa!
3 touchdowns, 1 not recorded. @PotenzaTeams @potenzasports @iowa7v7football https://t.co/aFUgqMOcHq— Aidan Boehle (@aidan1boehle) March 29, 2021
Israel Newby | RB, Manhattan/785 Elite (KS) | (2021)
Mason King | RB, Wamego/785 Elite (KS) | (2024)
https://twitter.com/MasonKing___/status/1376368891484585986
Charlie Crawford Charlie Crawford 5'10" | 160 lbs | RB AC/GC | 2022 IA | WR, ACGC/Level Up (IA) (2022)
Brady Miller | RB, North Polk/Level Up (IA) | (2023)
Had an awesome time playing in Cedar Falls with this great group of guys‼️ Can’t wait to get back out there with y’all‼️ @LevelUpDSM @FlissDionte pic.twitter.com/dKh9IkpRTJ
— Brady Miller (@bradymiller_23) March 29, 2021
Kaden Arntt | Des Moines Lincoln/Level Up (IA) | (2023)
Had an amazing time with my boys at @LevelUpDSM This weekend in Cedar Falls! Great experience playing in the UNI-Dome! pic.twitter.com/u1T5eECAXY
— Kaden Arntt (@ArnttKaden) March 28, 2021
James Mankaka James Mankaka 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Rochester Mayo | 2024 State MN | Rochester Mayo/Hitmen (MN)| (2024)
Brandon Schmelzle | WR, Axtell, KS | (2025)
Chuck Gilbert Chuck Gilbert 6'2" | 170 lbs | WR Holy Angels | 2023 State MN | Academy of Holy Angels/Potenza Sports (MN) | (2023)
Colin Dussault Colin Dussault 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR Chaska | 2022 State MN | Chaska/Potenza Sports (MN) | (2023)
Jarek Purdy | WR, Hays/785 Elite | (2026)
1 highlight of this weekend! @thebrickwahl87 pic.twitter.com/PKhmUqbxrv
— jarek purdy (@Jarekp0) March 29, 2021
Walker Tart Walker Tart 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Dubuque Senior | 2023 State IA | WR, Dubuque/Level Up (IA) | (2023)
Bryce Anderson Bryce Anderson TE Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton | 2019 State MN | WR, Valley/Level Up (IA) | (2023)
Bryant Williams | RB, Burlington/Fire Dragons (IA) (2022)