15 c/o 2023 Minnesota Giants

If I had to pick one position group on the football field that I think Minnesota produces the best prospects at: I would choose the offensive line. Dating back to the far reaches of my memory in Seantrel Henderson (Cretin-Derham Hall) and Jimmy Gjere (Irondale), the Land of 10,000 Lakes has year-after-year produced quality, quantity, and top-end talent at the OL spot in a much higher frequency than any other position group in football. Just for the sake of mentioning it, you’d have a heckuva argument deciding between DL, WR, LB, and TE for that second spot, but this is not the time or the place for that argument, so back to it. Every fall we witness some mammoth high schoolers play football on the gridirons of our great state, and this past season was no exception as we saw the likes of Cole Madsen Cole Madsen 6'8" | 285 lbs | OL Buffalo | 2022 State MN (Buffalo - 6’8, 300), Ethan Fischer Ethan Fischer 6'9" | 265 lbs | OL Maple River | 2022 State MN (Maple River - 6’8, 260), Tony Nelson Tony Nelson 6'6" | 265 lbs | OL Tracy-Milroy-Balaton | 2022 State MN (TMB - 6’7, 270), Martin Koivisto Martin Koivisto 6'6" | 290 lbs | OL Shakopee | 2022 State MN (Shakopee - 6’7, 300), and many more senior monsters scattered throughout MN bring some serious beef to the table. Now that the class of 2022 is enjoying the final spring of their high school experience and are looking towards the next step of their future, that beef has now been passed to the 2023s, and fortunately, we have XL rising seniors ready to take their seat at the table. Check out who some of the biggest and baddest seniors will be next season in MN with this PrepRedzoneMN feature highlighting 15 c/o 2023 Minnesota Giants! I hope you enjoy. 2023s Peyton Lange Peyton Lange 6'9" | 340 lbs | OL Minnehaha Academy | 2023 State MN (SMB) 6’9, 385 lbs. Uncommitted. @peytonlange2 Unquestionably the biggest player in MN and possibly the entire Midwest comes out of Minnehaha Academy and their gargantuan OT Peyton Lange Peyton Lange 6'9" | 340 lbs | OL Minnehaha Academy | 2023 State MN . He’s caught the attention of more than a few college programs and has visited the likes of Michigan State and Iowa on game day visits and has received a junior day invite from NDSU and Illinois. There are going to be quite a few eyes on Lange’s senior year and performance, and he’s already laid a solid groundwork of tape with his junior film showcasing a solid first step, strength in his drive blocks, and some improved mobility from his sophomore year that saw him climb to the second level and get off the ball quicker and easier compared to his underclassman season. I also saw some quick feet and solid angles in his pass pro reps and even some impressive tackles from the DT position. He’s also a college strength and conditioning coach’s dream and has a high ceiling with that coveted size for the OT spot. If he puts in the work this offseason I think it’s going to pay off! Reese Tripp Reese Tripp 6'8" | 320 lbs | OL Kasson-Mantorville | 2023 State MN (Kasson-Mantorville) OT. 6’7, 325 lbs. Committed to Minnesota. @TrippReese We have seen the rise and peak of the Kasson-Mantorville OT recruitment process happen almost as quickly as they come, and in this homer’s opinion, it couldn’t have ended sweeter as he wasted no time in jumping on his hometown offer from the Minnesota Golden Gophers. There was just too much for the Gophs to pass up on, as the PrepRedzoneMN Showcase standout has already put in a ton of work to transform his body to drop north of 50 extra pounds off that 6’7 frame and possesses great athleticism and some very impressive junior film. He flies around on the football field no matter if he’s on the offensive or defensive line, and I love his display of body control, overall, and brute strength that he brings to the trenches. He also fires off the ball and 100% looks like a P5 OL prospect on tape. I think there’s a very high chance Tripp can become another decorated stalwart on the U’s offensive line, much like Blaise Andries, Conner Olson, and Sam Schlueter held it down the past few seasons. Jeremiah Sims Jeremiah Sims 6'7" | 295 lbs | DL Minneapolis North | 2023 State MN (MPLS North) DL/OL. 6’7, 280 lbs. No offers. @JeremiahSims53 We’ve seen some big boys come out of the MPLS North Polars program in recent memory. Davon Townley, Quientrail Jamison-Travis, and Odell Wilson all passed the eye test while terrorizing the trenches and opposing quarterbacks in the 612 and deep into the 2A state playoffs and the newest Polar XL standout has revealed himself in 6’7, 280 lb. Jeremiah Sims Jeremiah Sims 6'7" | 295 lbs | DL Minneapolis North | 2023 State MN . I can’t lie, it’s a little difficult to pinpoint where he is on the field during a lot of his reps of his junior film, especially due to how many different positions he plays. He also wears multiple different numbers, and with how broad the arrows on the Hudl can point at times I can’t confidently give a complete eval without 100% knowing who is who. However, from the reps where I could tell where Sims was playing I saw some impressive traits and skills for the 6’7 lineman. On the DL his first step and how quickly he covers ground in the backfield stand out on tape and he also has the quickness to cross face of the tackle. I also enjoy how he uses his hands with precision and he carries his 280 lbs. well from what I can see. A big senior year can help catapult him onto D1 radars like his predecessors before him! Jacob Lopau Jacob Lopau 6'7" | 280 lbs | OL Rocori | 2023 State MN (Rocori) OT. 6’7, 280 lbs. No offers. @JacobLopau Coming out of outstate powerhouse and recruiting hotbed Rocori comes the 6’7, 280 lber. Jacob Lopau Jacob Lopau 6'7" | 280 lbs | OL Rocori | 2023 State MN . The St. Joseph native visited North Dakota State in late November and put some intriguing reps on film during his junior season such as his menacing down blocks, physical pass pro finishes, and quality blocks at the second level that shows off some natural strength and solid balance that allows him to reroute his body to engage with opponents and successfully execute blocks on quicker LBs and DBs. On tape, it also looks like he’s a leaner 280ish pounds that could flourish in a college S&C program. Coming from the Spartans program you know he’s going to be technically sound and mentally strong as well so there’s a lot to like physically and intangibly in the 2023 St. Cloud area prospect. Matthew Schoenecker (New Prague) OT. 6’7, 260 lbs. No offers. @MattSchoeneckr The junior just received his first form of digital college attention as the University of St. Thomas reached out earlier today with a junior day invite. The 6’7, 260 lber. can get a lot of momentum going and a full head of steam off a couple of steps and has some natural pop and strength in his upper body that sent defenders flying. He’s a destructive run blocker and a lean 260 with a lot of length and run blocking experience. Beau Johnson (Spring Lake Park) OT. 6’7, 250 lbs. No offers. @BeauSLP23 The SLP Panthers RT plays with great pad level and fires off the ball low for a 6’7 lineman. Once he engages with opponents he puts his feet into overdrive and keeps those suckers pumping until the guy in front of him is in the turf or way out of the play. I’m a fan of his body control and ability to stay engaged with a defender - especially at the second level - and I also saw a couple of reps that showed off a solid first step in pass pro and active feet consistent with his blocking in the run game. I’d bet he has a lot of untapped potential still and his best days of football are in front of him. Yet another recruit to know out of Spring Lake Park. Jack Vold (Wabasha-Kellogg) OL/DL. 6’7, 230 lbs. No offers. Junior film shows off a lean, long body that would explode in a college strength and conditioning program. Shows off some good instincts and an ability to impact the run and pass game but has to play with a lower pad level to really unlock his full potential and production. Most of the reps come from various spots on the DL and he can definitely flash dominance thanks to that size, physicality, and willingness to tackle. Caleb Lange (Brainerd) DE. 6’6, 220 lbs. No offers. @CalebLange10 Has received junior day invites from North Dakota State, South Dakota, and Minnesota State University-Moorhead. Versatile prospect who is effective as a blocker and pass catcher and can play as an inline TE or lead block from an HB position. He’s strong at the point of attack and can execute swipe-backs, lead blocks, and pass sets as well as find work in space. Can really grow and fill into that 6’6 frame as he grows and develops more too. Brainerd has some big, talented young men coming up through the program ranks so keep your ears open for Warrior recruiting news going forward. Chiddi Obiazor Chiddi Obiazor 6'6" | 220 lbs | DL Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN (Eden Prairie) TE/DE. 6’6, 220 lbs. Offers from Ohio University. @ChiddiO One of the most physically gifted and talented players in the entire class of 2023. Holds D1 offers in both football and basketball and his older brother Namdi just signed with Texas Christian out of the JUCO ranks from Iowa Western. Had himself a really impressive showing at the Minnesota prospect camp this summer and flashed at DE for the Eagles in his junior campaign while displaying a very explosive get-off and a knack for finding the football with either his hand in the dirt or from a standup OLB spot. Very disruptive and capable of single-handedly destroying a play and drive due to his superb athleticism alone. If he works to become a three-down DL and finish plays when given the opportunity he is going to be a heckuva force in the Metro as a senior. Sam Koopmeiners Sam Koopmeiners 6'7" | 215 lbs | TE Cretin-Derham Hall | 2023 State MN (Cretin-Derham Hall) TE. 6’7, 210 lbs. No offers. @Koop30 A two-sport standout for the CDH Raiders, Koopmeiners brings some noteworthy size to the TE position and displays the ability to be a really effective and dangerous weapon in the passing game. He runs some good routes and has a little bit of wiggle in his hips that allows him to gain separation out of his breaks. He also uses that basketball background to his advantage and will high point the football and make athletic catches thanks to his stellar coordination. He’s poised for a big senior season in St. Paul! Sawyer Tordsen Sawyer Tordsen 6'6" | 265 lbs | DL Fairmont | 2023 State MN (Fairmont) OT/DT. 6’6, 260. No offers. @SawyerTordsen Brought a ton of beef to the talented 2021 Fairmont campaign and was a force off the edge as a defensive end. Also was an effective run blocker as an OT but I think he does his best work from the DE spot. Great length, fast in pursuit, and thunderous at the point of contact makes for a productive pass rusher who can adjust to a ball carrier’s path and close on the football well. Also does a great job of getting his hands up into passing lanes when he can’t get to the QB. I think he has FCS potential from the DE spot if he keeps working hard and getting stronger. Jerome Williams Jerome Williams 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL Osseo | 2023 State MN (Osseo) OL. 6’5, 285 lbs. Committed to Minnesota. @nolimitjerome I am so dang excited that this kid is going to be a Gopher. The Minnesota staff landed a stud in the Osseo product and snagged his commitment right as things were about to blow up on the recruiting trail following offers from the likes of Illinois, Mizzou, West Virginia, and Kansas. Williams fires off the ball like he’s shot out of a cannon and gets hip to hip with opponents before they can react or even brace for the incoming contact. I love the bend and flexibility he shows off as a blocker and is excellent at working and readjusting to blocks in space. This all goes without even mentioning his fantastic strength and finishing ability from the OL spot. He’s obviously athletic and is going to be a powerful and effective puller from the interior OL at the B1G level. Words can’t describe how excited I am to see him and the aforementioned move some bodies together in Dinkytown. Grant Chapman Grant Chapman 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL Anoka | 2023 State MN (Anoka) OL. 6’5, 280 lbs. Offers from Iowa State, Kansas State, Kansas. @_Chapman_73 One of the top overall recruits in the state and the #1 remaining uncommitted lineman in the state for 2023 comes out of the Anoka Tornadoes program and their 6’5, 280 lber. Grant Chapman Grant Chapman 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL Anoka | 2023 State MN . Besides , Chapman was one of the first ’23s to earn a D1 offer in Minnesota and backed it up with his play as he is a quick-footed and nimble offensive lineman who is a devastating puller and particularly tough at setting the edge from his OT spot and executing cut off and seal blocks near the perimeter of the offensive line. Great at blocking downline and can start and stop in space well for a kid of his size which helps him matchup against all types of defenders. I really like his quickness and footwork on tape and he moves very impressively for his size. He recently visited Iowa State and Minnesota for their junior day events. Mason Kolling (Kingsland) ATH. 6’5, 250 lbs. No offers. @kolling_37 A small school recruit with some big-time size comes from 9man Kingsland and their XL TE Mason Kolling. The dude is a truckstick with the ball in his hands and was a menace to tackle for defenders in Southeast Minnesota. He’s an impressive pass-catcher at his size with what looks like legit quickness and start and stop ability at a legit 250+. He’s also a dominant blocker and moves really well for his height and weight. With the strong tradition of plus-sized 9man athletes coming out of MN I think Kolling also has what it takes to potentially play at the D1 level. Missouri Valley schools take note! Charlie Gleason (Stillwater) DE. 6’5, 225 lbs. No offers. The Ponies had a heckuva DE combo this past fall in UMD commit and the 6’5, 225 lber. Charlie Gleason. #49 has a strong lower body that eats cut blocks up for breakfast and is fast and tenacious in his pursuit of the football. He’s an intriguing blend of speed and power who packs a punch at the point of attack and can beat blocks with impressive lateral agility, good pad level, and that aforementioned lower body strength. The more I watch his tape the more I like it and I think Gleason has a very high probability of being one of 2022s biggest stockrisers. He’s putting some good things on tape and should get on some radars after this upcoming camp circuit.