21 PRzMN Midseason Stock Risers of the 2021 Season
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With COVID-19 creating a college football recruiting landscape unparalleled in modern times, the 2021 and 2022 high school graduating classes faced more restrictions and obstacles than we’ve ever seen in order to find a college home to play at. Scholarship…
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Continue ReadingWith COVID-19 creating a college football recruiting landscape unparalleled in modern times, the 2021 and 2022 high school graduating classes faced more restrictions and obstacles than we’ve ever seen in order to find a college home to play at. Scholarship availability was limited, in-person evaluations and visits were halted, and a lot states throughout the U.S. didn’t even know if there was going to be a 2020-21 season for any sport, so unfortunately the 2021ers got the short end of the stick and a lot of prospects didn’t get the proper assessments from college staffs that they were due. The trickle down effects from the pandemic are still being felt for the now seniors of the class of 2022, and although things are slightly more back to normal, scholarship numbers are still limited and the 2022ers are facing some of the same recruiting issues as the previous class. It is for that reason that the 2021 fall season had a lot riding on it for the current seniors, to say the least. Yes, they were allowed a camp season going into year during the summer, but there is still a lot of opportunity, potential scholarship bucks, and roster spots on the line for the seniors and potentially juniors, as a lot of college staffs are waiting to see how a recruit looks in pads and produces before offering up. With all of that in mind, I am very excited to bring to our faithful PRzMN subscribers the important “Midseason Stock Risers” feature for this 2021 fall season. Now that a significant portion of the regular season is concluded there have been some prospects throughout the state who have really elevated their play and recruitment status and have caught the attention of the PrepRedzoneMN staff. Whether they made big strides in the weight room in changing their body, bumped up their technique, noticeably improved their film, or are impressively building on a previous season, these primarily seniors have boosted their stock in the eyes of the state and of college staffs around the Midwest. To find out who made our PRzMN Midseason Stock Risers list, simply scroll down! Thanks for reading, and congrats to the studs balling out this year, it’s been a great season in Minnesota so far.
Minnesota’s Stock Risers
Will Chlebecek (Lakeville South) TE/OLB. 2022. 6’3, 215 lbs. @WChlebecek
Probably the biggest stock riser in the entire state this season has come from Lakeville South’s two-way aggressor Will Chlebecek – who recently earned his first college football offer from Northern Iowa. I don’t think this kid was on anyone’s radar going into the season, including mine, but that has quickly changed as he is putting out some really nice tape playing against the best competition Minnesota has to offer. He’s fantastic at the point of contact and flies out of his stance and into opponents pads before they know what’s happening. He’s capable of pulling, swiping back, and working to the second level as a TE/HB, and can lay some devastating blocks if he gets a clean shot on you. He’s got noticeable strength and aggression on film and has also made some nice plays in the passing game for the Cougars. At a lean, mean 215 lbs., he could blow up in a college weight program and I think it’s safe to say he has his best football in front of him. UNI surely won’t be his last D1 offer before things are all said and done, and I love how he exploded onto the scene and made me look foolish for not knowing about him. Keep it up, Will!
Zach Jorgensen Zach Jorgensen 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Fairmont | 2022 State MN (Fairmont) QB/DB. 2022. 6’3, 180 lbs. @ZachJorgensen6
Coming into the season the Fairmont signal-caller held Northern State and Bemidji State offers and had also visited North Dakota and Sioux Falls but quickly shot his stock up after reportedly catching the eye of Minnesota Gophers instate recruiter Matt Simon during the Cardinals game against Marshall during Week 1 of the season. He earned a gameday invite to the Gophers game on September 11th, and shortly after received another gameday invite from the Fighting Hawks of North Dakota and attended their home game on September 19th. It seems that he’s potentially positioned himself on a short list of Minnesotans on the Gophers radar for a PWO, and after checking out his midseason tape it is easy to see why. He’s looked like the best athlete on the field throughout the first half and then some of the regular season, and from the QB position he looks very mobile and elusive inside and outside of the pocket, capable of making defenders miss to buy time while he keeps his eyes downfield to make a big throw or when he tucks the ball and takes off. When he’s in the open field as a ball-carrier he’s shown good quickness, anticipation, and vision, and had some electric runs through the first five weeks of the season. Additionally, he’s got some noticeable arm talent, as the ball fires out of his hand and he’s capable of hitting a variety of throws all over the field. He potentially projects to multiple positions at the next level and has an intriguing frame that would really benefit from a college strength and conditioning program. I’m excited to see how his recruitment continues to progress through the rest of the season and into the winter.
Emmett Johnson Emmett Johnson 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Holy Angels | 2022 State MN (Holy Angels) RB. 2022. 6’, 185 lbs. @EmmettJohnson_
Arguably the most talented player in the 2022 class, Johnson came into the 2021 season with 8 D1 offers from the likes of Western Kentucky, Montana State, SDSU, UND, South Dakota, Central Michigan, UNI, and Eastern Michigan. Although it may seem hard for a kid with that many offers to still boost their stock, I think that Johnson has done that and more in 2021 and has really solidified himself as a potential P5 sleeper. So far this season he has posted stat lines of:
- 240 rushing yards, 300 AP yards, 4 TDs against Hill-Murray Week 1
- 38 carries for 360 yards and 5 TDs against South St. Paul Week 3
- 28 carries for 110 yards and 5 TDs against Cooper Week 4
- 28 carries for 222 yards and 4 TDs against Benilde-St. Margaret’s Week 5
- 24 carries for 416 yards and 5 TDs against St. Louis Park Week 6
He’s leading the state in all three major rushing categories with 175 carries for 1,453 yards and 24 TDs through only six weeks of play, and has received in-season offers from Southern Illinois, Florida A&M, and St. Thomas and has also visited Iowa State and Iowa in September. Although I’m happy his senior year production has resulted in some more D1 opportunities, I still think he is underrecruited and deserves to be playing for at least a FBS squad next fall. He had a good camp season, and from some of the B1G insiders it seems that he impressed coaches at every place he camped, so this in-season production is big for his recruitment stock and should help college recruiters see that he has big-time potential in his future. He’s a prospect I am keeping track of more than most, and I hope the B1G and Big12 attention continues to roll in for him, especially if he can continue to boost his stock and continue this production for the rest of the season.
Jacob Deutschman Jacob Deutschman 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Anoka | 2022 State MN (Anoka) QB. 2022. 6’1, 200 lbs. @JacobDeutschman
The Anoka Tornadoes signal-caller came into the season with zero reported college interest or offers but has exploded onto the passing leaderboards and is leading the state in completions with 133, is second in yards with 1,470, and has thrown 10 TDs through six games of the 2021 regular season. He’s performing like one of the best QBs in Minnesota thus far and has helped Anoka to their best record in a while as they sit at 4-2 going into this Friday’s matchup with Park of Cottage Grove. Without any reported interest coming into the year, Deutschman has without a doubt strengthened his recruitment stock as a prospect, and on his midseason tape he impressively finishes his throws through contact when a DL or LB is bearing down on him, and also shows accuracy from the pocket or on the move on a variety of throws. He also has some wiggle as a runner, and I specifically like his zip when he makes throws over the middle and into traffic. He also brings good size to the position for a prep QB and DIIIs and DIIs really need to start giving this kid a look. Keep up the great work, Jacob!
Derrick Jameson (Maple Grove) RB. 2022. 6’1, 190 lbs. @JrJameson
Man oh man, what a sleeper we have here at the RB position. Coming into 2021 the next great Crimson RB has reported zero offers or interest from colleges at any level, but has cemented himself as a no doubt scholarship RB talent who has recorded 65 rushes for 674 yards and 11 TDs through six weeks at an impressive 10.4 YPC average. The PrepRedzoneMN Preseason All-State selection hasn’t updated much film on Hudl, but in his Week 1 game tape against Osseo he shows that he’s built on his impressive junior highlights and consistently makes the first man miss with long legs that carry him past opponent’s pursuit angles. He’s an intriguing blend of speed and size and would be a homerun DII back if a NSIC school wants to get involved. Maple Grove is pretty loaded this year.
Alexander Carstens Alexander Carstens 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Chanhassen | 2022 State MN (Chanhassen) LB. 2022. 6’2, 205 lbs. @AlexCarstens12
The PrepRedzoneMN Showcase standout is building on a stellar junior year and looks noticeably stronger and more explosive in his senior tape compared to his junior season. Primarily playing as a standup edge defender for the Storm defense, Carstens aggressively takes on block attempts and is instinctive when locating the football. When pursuing down the LOS I like how he stays flat and doesn’t waste steps, and his closing speed in space makes it very hard for opponents to make a move when trying to get away from him. He’s been hanging in the backfield of opposing teams much more this season than in 2020, and is a strong tackler who makes sure ball carriers feel him when he puts them into the turf. College staffs are also noticing his uptick in performance, and he’s received gameday invites to St. Thomas and Augustana and visited those schools in September. He’s posted 47 tackles, 7 TFLs, and 3 sacks through only four games of the 2021 season.
Jay Homuth Jay Homuth 6'5" | 180 lbs | WR Burnsville | 2022 State MN (Burnsville) WR. 2022. 6’5, 200 lbs. @jay-homuth
I’ve been following Mr. Homuth since he was a 6’5 wideout on Burnsville’s JV squad a couple of years ago, so I am very very excited to see him putting things all together as a senior. He came into this season with no offers, but has quickly gotten on the radar of college staffs at all levels and has received gameday invites to Concordia-St. Paul, Northern Iowa, and the Minnesota Gophers in September, and showed to be a possible PWO recipient of the Golden Gophers. With excellent size for the WR position, Homuth has been using that frame to his advantage through the first five games of the season. He can catch balls in traffic and box out defenders to not allow them to make a play on the ball, and his long legs help him surprise DBs when he runs by them on deep routes. He’s a splash play machine who has scored on some big receptions this year, and he can also use that big body to step out of tackles and cut away from out of control tackle attempts. He can also snag balls over defenders like you’d expect from a 6’5er, and also shows that he can drop his hips and break his routes off well for a kid of his size. He’s put in a ton of work over the last year to prepare for this season and I am pumped to see it paying off. He’s got some really intriguing tape that is going to AT LEAST result in some DII offers before things are all said and done. Atta kid, Jay!
Tim Wyandt Tim Wyandt 6'0" | 165 lbs | QB Apple Valley | 2022 State MN (Apple Valley) QB. 2022. 6’, 175 lbs. @TimWyandt
Apple Valley’s QB1 has really caught my attention this season and has been playing his butt off so far in 2021. As mentioned in the intro, the 2020 season was incomparable in the obstacles high schoolers had to face to play their prep seasons, so a lot of players highlight tapes were overall limited. Wyandt was one of these preps, as his junior tape is short due to the COVID affected season, so I was definitely not aware of how dang shifty and electric he is as a ball-carrier. He’s certainly showed that prowess so far in 2021, and has ripped off some exciting runs that show quickness, balance, vision, and speed. He’s got some nasty cuts and moves in his repertoire, and additionally has made some accurate throws into tight windows through the midseason point. I have to reiterate though, I really enjoy watching him run the ball.
Colton Gregersen Colton Gregersen 6'2" | 235 lbs | DL Burnsville | 2022 State MN (Burnsville) LB. 2022. 6’2, 230 lbs. @GregersenColton
One of my favorite preps in Minnesota’s 2022 class is finally receiving some D1 attention after coming into the season with only three Division II offers. He’s been invited to and attended two Minnesota Gopher gamedays and in my opinion is the most likely instater to receive a coveted Golden Gopher PWO opportunity. He’s also received a Pioneer League roster spot from Valparaiso and visited St. Thomas a few days ago. The Burnsville senior made an absurd one-handed interception against Anoka, popped off a crazy run as a FB against Woodbury, and has been defeating double teams and making QBs lives a living hell week after week in Minnesota’s biggest class. He’s a menace off the edge and uses a variety of means to beat block attempts and doubles, including effective hand use and a ton of burst out of his stance. He’s still one of the harder hitters in the state as well as one of the most effective pass-rushers. I still think some Missouri Valley schools need to get involved.
Justin Wohlers Justin Wohlers 6'6" | 215 lbs | QB Lake City | 2022 State MN (Lake City) QB. 2022. 6’6, 205 lbs. @JustinWohlers
The Lake City QB has his squad sitting at a pretty 6-0 at this point in the season and started the season off with a bang as he led his team in a win over Caledonia – snapping the nation’s longest current high school win streak. The 6’6 signal-caller had himself a monster day during their Week 3 matchup with Rochester Lourdes, as he went 22-25 passing for 284 yards and 4 TDs and added 85 rushing yards and 2 TDs on the ground. In his game tape, his arm strength looks like it’s improved, and he’s still fantastic as a ball-carrier and possesses speed and quickness for his size. He looks more confident in the pocket this year as well, and is delivering balls right on the money and with zip. Right now, he holds three MIAC offers, but if he keeps up the good work I think some scholarship offers may be coming his way, potentially at another position as well.
Dalton Barrett Dalton Barrett 6'7" | 250 lbs | DL Brainerd | 2022 State MN (Brainerd) OL. 2022. 6’7, 245 lbs. @DaltonBarrett15
Man, what an improvement on film from the former Pillager now Brainerd Warrior lineman. Barrett was also limited in his junior tape thanks to COVID but seems to have taken big strides in his strength, technique, and physicality on the football field. Going against good competition, he’s working to the second level well and looks a lot more smooth and mean compared to his junior film and is finishing blocks with authority on smaller opponents. His initial punch looks like it has more impact, and his footwork has been cleaned up and looks much more strategic in his pass set. With such an intriguing frame I am happy that Barrett is putting it all together, and he will no doubt add to his offer list if he keeps this up. Right now, he only holds an offer from Minnesota State University-Moorhead.
Brendon Buerkle Brendon Buerkle 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Springfield | 2022 MN (Springfield) QB. 2022. 6’2, 190 lbs. @BrendonBuerkle
The small school prospect is killing it from the QB position for Springfield and is topping the state leaderboards with an astounding 29 TDs and 2,015 yards through six games. He’s also second in Minnesota with 126 completions, and on tape he shows good touch and accuracy on throws downfield and over the middle. He can also get the ball out of his hands quickly and will stay in the pocket and set his feet to complete a throw with a big hit bearing down on him, and with this type of production I think he’s firmly planted himself on college coaches radars. I can’t wait to see what his numbers look like at the end of the season, and I hope some schools start getting involved in his recruitment soon, as he’s reported no interest or offers.
Aidan Mueller Aidan Mueller 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Orono | 2022 State MN (Orono) RB. 2022. 6’1, 190 lbs. @AidanMueller4
The Orono Spartans captain and three-year starter has stepped his game up and has recorded 151 carries for 760 yards and 4 TDs through the midseason point of 2021. This includes a monster 242 yard, 3 TD performance against Holy Angels, and although he hasn’t compiled his game tape yet the film shows a RB with long legs and a long stride that can slip through weaker tackle attempts who generally needs multiple defenders to take him down in the open field. He keeps his feet active and will stay patient before hitting a hole, and is shifty and makes it hard for opponents to line him up and get a clean shot on his legs. He’s fun to watch and is having an excellent senior season despite Orono sitting at 1-5 at this point in the season.
TJ Chiabotti TJ Chiabotti 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB North Woods | 2022 State MN (North Woods) RB. 2022. 5’11, 195 lbs. @tjchiabotti24
Boy, is this kid having himself a senior season. Chiatbotti is so far Minnesota’s biggest stat monster and has put up some ridiculous single-game stat lines such as: 202 yards and 3 TDs vs. Mille Lacs, 348 yards and 4 TDs against Braham, 206 yards and 2 TDs vs. Barnum, and 306 yards and 5 TDs against Chisolm. Through six games he has tallied 131 carries for 1,339 yards and 18 TDs and has added 173 receiving yards and 4 more TDs, along with 2 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. He is absolutely 100% electric on film, capable of running through or over multiple defenders at a time. Some of his runs have been just absurd, as he sends kids flying out of their cleats with cuts, can sprint untouched into the endzone with a big hole, will spin out of or through contact, and will keep his legs pumping through defenders holding onto his legs, jumping on his back, and trying to get in his way. With a very strong lower body he can break tackles in a variety of ways and is a complete back who can catch the rock out of the backfield as well. Although he’s definitely cemented his skills and production as a senior, he was popping off runs like this as a junior, so unless I’m missing something from an in-person evaluation I cannot figure out for the life of me why he doesn’t have a single offer at this point in time. Generally, small school standouts like this do great in the MIAC or NISC, so I hope a coach or recruiting coordinator recognizes that he’s doing something special on the field on Friday nights that not every prep can achieve and how that talent can improve a college RB or DB room. Someone PLEASE offer this kid!!
Ryan Butler Ryan Butler 6'5" | 220 lbs | OL Mound Westonka | 2022 State MN (Mound Westonka) OL. 2022. 6’5, 250 lbs. @RyanButler73t
Coming into the season, Mound Westonka’s stud OT only held DIII and NAIA offers from Morningside, St. Olaf, Gustavus, and Augsburg, but due to his stock rising play during this fall he earned his first DII offer from Minnesota State University-Moorhead and committed to the Dragons six days ago to play his college ball. With a strong frame that can add a ton more weight and muscle at the next level, he is proficient and experienced in run and pass blocking and possesses strong hands and a powerful initial punch who is hard to disengage from when he gets inside hands on defenders chest plates.
Bryce Buckingham Bryce Buckingham 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL Hopkins | 2022 State MN (Hopkins) DL. 2022. 6’3, 250 lbs. @BryceBuck99
A prospect who has been on big schools radars since his sophomore season at Hopkins, Buckingham was negatively affected by COVID-19 and had very limited junior season film, so things went cold on the recruiting trail for the DT. However, as his impressive senior tape continues to roll out, Southwest Minnesota State finally made for the senior’s first offer, and FCS Valparaiso is also starting to get involved. It’s hard not to think he’s got D1 potential from his film, as he moves very well for 250 lbs. and looks quick and twitchy on tape and is capable of beating blocks with power or speed. He’s got a good first step that allows him to beat opponents off the snap and can get in opponents backfields before the play develops. He also shows a mean arm-over that he uses effectively to defeat 1-on-1s, and is a strong tackler who isn’t letting ball carriers get away when he grabs ahold of them. He’s fun to watch and may be one of the biggest DL sleepers in the Upper Midwest. With Hopkins’ tradition of D1 athletes I hope some more coaching staffs check out the Royals biggest senior standout in 2022.
Zander Dittbenner Zander Dittbenner 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Mankato-West | 2022 State MN (Mankato West) QB. 2022. 6’, 195 lbs.
The Mankato West QB is putting out some impressive senior tape that should bolster his recruitment efforts in the eyes of college staffs. On the first play of his midseason tape he throws an absolutely gorgeous deep ball to Mekhi Collins Mekhi Collins 6'4" | 205 lbs | WR Mankato West | 2022 State MN that shot up and through the air and landed right in the breadbasket for a beautiful TD that reminded me of some of Russell Wilson’s deep tosses. The senior recorded 18 TDs at the midway point of the season (15 throwing, 3 running) and has some impressive touvh on his deep balls and obvious zip and arm strength on more intermediate throws all over the field. His mechanics are smooth, his footwork is consistent, and he’ll also gouge defenses with his legs when he takes off and runs. He’s a good athlete with good speed who can do just about everything asked of him at the QB position. NSIC schools should really check this kid out, especially when you think about the tradition of QBs that has come out of the Scarlett program.
Jacob Kilzer Jacob Kilzer 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Maple Grove | 2023 State MN (Maple Grove) QB. 2023. 6’2, 195 lbs. @KilzerJacob
The Crimson’s junior signal-caller started things off strong last season as a sophomore and certified himself as a potential D1 talent thanks to some good reps as Maple Grove’s starting QB as an underclassman. He’s definitely cemented his name as one of the best football players in his class this season, as he’s already visited NDSU, Minnesota, and SDSU and has also received a gameday invite from the South Dakota Coyotes. At a thick 6’2, 195 lbs., Kilzer has a cannon attached to his arm that can get the ball downfield with power and touch. He also does a good job of getting the ball out of his hand quickly, and improvise and make something happen when the play breaks down, and is a fast and dangerous runner with the ball in his hands. He has no problem taking a big hit to make sure he gets the ball off, is mobile in and out of the pocket. He’s the #1 ranked QB in Minnesota for 2023 for a reason, and I’m excited to see how his recruitment continues to evolve.
Nick Fazi Nick Fazi 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN (Eden Prairie) QB. 2023. 6’1, 175 lbs. @NickFaziQB_12
Has taken over as QB1 for the perennial contenders Eden Prairie and immediately raised his stock to the point of visiting the Gophers for a gameday visit as well as receiving a ton of mail from Iowa State. On his midseason tape he displays a lot of the same skills and characteristics as the successful Eagle QBs before him, as he’s got the arm talent to throw when called upon but is athletic enough to help out in the run game, is mobile and can throw out on the run, and is a great decision maker who takes care of the football and prevents turnovers and bad decisions. The ball gets out of his hand in a jiffy, and he sees the field well and is able to anticipate receivers getting open and can put the ball only where they can get to it. He is also tough and will sacrifice his body for the good of the team. Watch out college coaches, the next great Eagle signal-caller is here!
Asher Zubich Asher Zubich 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2023 State MN (Mountain Iron-Buhl) QB. 2023. 6’2, 185 lbs. @AsherZubich
The PrepRedzone Preseason All-State pick doesn’t have updated stats on MNFootballHub or much updated film on Hudl, but has helped Mountain Iron-Buhl to a Top-10 ranking in the state for 9man and is a heckuva athlete at the position who has run around, run over, and passed on every squad he’s played against so far this season. I think he has potential to be the best player in all of 9man these next two years.
Carson Hansen Carson Hansen 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Lakeville South | 2023 State MN (Lakeville South) RB. 2023. 6’1, 190 lbs. @CarsonHansen21
Besides Hansen’s parents and family, I think I am the junior RBs biggest fan in the state of Minnesota. I talk about him a lot, so I’ll try to keep this shorter, but last week the 6’1, 190 lber. broke the Lakeville South career rushing record with his 24th TD only halfway through his junior season for the Cougars. Already having solidified himself as one of the best Lakeville South football players ever – which is really saying something – Hansen has impressively built on his sophomore campaign that saw me name him one of the Top-10 performers from Minnesota all of last season. He is a threat to take the ball to the house every time he touches it, and with his long legs and strong frame he has explosive speed and natural elusiveness in the open field that makes his runs look like a walk in the park. I will stand on the table for this kid as a P5 prospect, and as GopherIllustrated’s Ryan Burns hypothesized, that may be at either RB or S at the next level. Either way, this kid is a Top-5 player in the Class of 2023 and will continue to raise his stock every game he plays. You’re a stud, Carson!