2021-'22 PrepRedzoneMN Player of the Year: Semifinalists

Although there has been a brief delay since the initial publishing of the PrepRedzoneMN Player of the Year quarterfinal selections due to the 2023 rankings update, I am pumped to be back in the saddle for the second edition of one of our more significant offseason series. In the introductory installment of the 2021 Player of the Year award, we named 50 quarterfinalists spanning every classification and geographic region of Minnesota who balled out under the lights of Minnesota gridirons. Today we’ll be cutting things down from 50 to a stiff 15 selections, and although these standouts represent a variety of positions, areas of the state, size, and skillsets, I can firmly say that I thought these 15 studs had the best seasons of any preps of the fall of 2021. Based on a variety of reasons including production, team success, film, and physical dominance, check out who was named a 2021-’22 PrepRedzoneMN Player of the Year Semifinalist below. Congratulations to all of the picks! Semifinalists [player_tooltip player_id="116189" first="Kristen" last="Hoskins"] (Alexandria) WR. C/o 2022. 5’9, 165 lbs. Committed to Minnesota The most explosive, twitchiest, and fastest player in the state. Threat to score every time he touched the football who could weave and cut through traffic with confidence and grace. Best athlete on the field every Friday night and a unicorn in terms of that kind of playmaking ability coming from Northern Minnesota. I know I speak for the Gopher fanbase when I say that I am stoked to see this kid in Maroon & Gold. Derrick Jameson (Maple Grove) RB. C/o 2022. 6’1, 190 lbs. Uncommitted. Took 6A and the Metro by storm in what was a near-perfect season for the Maple Grove Crimson. Lethal combination of speed and power that gave opposing DCs fits no matter who they were playing. Lead the Crimson and their wealth of talent en route to a 6A runner-up finish playing against the best teams in the state and came into the season greatly overlooked, including by myself. [player_tooltip player_id="18427" first="Emmett" last="Johnson"] (Holy Angels) RB/DB. C/o 2022. 6’, 190 lbs. Committed to Nebraska 2021 Minnesota Mr. Football Award winner after totaling more than 2,500 yards and 42 TDs during his senior season that culminated in an offer and commitment to his only P5 suitor the Nebraska Cornhuskers, which really made me appreciate the staff at the B1G rival. Rushed for over 1,000 yards in every game of the season and scored four or more TDs in eight different games. Dominant on both sides of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id="22923" first="Eli" last="Gillman"] (Dassel-Cokato) RB. C/o 2022. 6’, 200 lbs. Committed to Montana Was a tough, selfless, workhouse of a RB who put the team on his back and carried the Dassel-Cokato Chargers to a 3A state championship. Best athlete across multiple classifications of Minnesota prep football who could run you over just as easy as he could run by you. Intense, strong, playmaker who is a great fit for the FCS level and the Montana Grizz. [player_tooltip player_id="18420" first="Lucas" last="Heyer"] (Hill-Murray) OG. 6’5, 285 lbs. Committed to Stanford Best player at the position Minnesota is best known for: the offensive line. Dominant, mauling, and nasty, Heyer was the best recruit in the state and would probably also win the award for "least fun to play against" in terms of a personal matchup. Special student-athlete with a very bright future and legitimate NFL potential. [player_tooltip player_id="49912" first="Matthew" last="Donovan"] (Kasson-Mantorville) QB/ATH. C/o 2022. 5’10, 165 lbs. Committed to Bemidji State Was the heart & soul of the exciting and cohesive Komets squad that fought tooth and nail into a 4A state championship against the behemoth that was the 2021 Hutchinson Tigers. Quick, gritty, and a nose for the endzone helped Donovan create a ton of splash plays from his QB position, mostly with his legs. Younger brother of former KM and South Dakota standout Riley Donovan and also a big-time goal scorer on the hockey rink. Going to be an exciting WR at the next level, just like his brother. [player_tooltip player_id="112069" first="Jerome" last="Williams"] (Osseo) OT. C/o 2023. 6’5, 285 lbs. Committed to Minnesota The most physically gifted and athletic OL from a fertile lineman state in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Eye-catching junior film resulted in multiple P5 offers before he committed to the hometown Gophers. One of the highest ceilings in the state who is coached by my former DC Ryan Stockhaus at Osseo High School and hopes to lead a rejuvenated Orioles squad into the 2022 season with their most talented team in a while. [player_tooltip player_id="112043" first="Carson" last="Hansen"] (Lakeville South) RB. C/o 2023. 6’1, 195 lbs. Named the 2021 MN Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior, not sure when the last time that happened. Hansen is the 2023 prospect I am most willing to stand on the table for and I think he is and is going to be a superstar. Unreal production at the big-school level since he was an underclassman who is dynamic enough to project to multiple positions at the next level. Just earned his first P5 offer from the Kansas State Wildcats. [player_tooltip player_id="18425" first="Mekhi" last="Collins"] (Mankato West) WR. C/o 2022. 6’5, 205 lbs. Committed to North Dakota State The most talented player on an absolutely loaded 5A state champion Scarlet squad. Matchup nightmare who was athletic enough to play CB at 6’5 and is also an accomplished hooper who brings that skill set and eye-popping frame to the gridiron. Going to be a heckuva NDSU Bison who will hopefully follow in the footsteps of recent NFL Combine standout Christian Watson, who sports a similar frame to Collins. [player_tooltip player_id="18442" first="Drew" last="Berkland"] (Wayzata) ATH. C/o 2022. 6’, 190 lbs. Committed to Minnesota to play baseball I don’t think Wayzata do-it-all athlete [player_tooltip player_id="18442" first="Drew" last="Berkland"] got nearly enough credit for his gridiron exploits as he deserved. The Gophers baseball commit started on a loaded Trojans defense as only a sophomore thanks to natural ability and physical prowess. As a senior, he was asked to do a little bit of everything for the Minnesota 6A powerhouse and aided the Wayzata offense and defense from multiple spots, and filled the role as their #1 option. Would have made a heckuva safety at the next level but am pumped to see him represent the home state on the baseball diamond. Charlie Ryks (Breck) QB/DB. C/o 2022. 6’, 190 lbs. Uncommitted Had one of the best statistical seasons of any one player in the state and totaled some mind-boggling production to the tune of 141-259 for 2,084 yards and 23 TDs, 86 rushes for 507 yards and 12 TDs, and 123 tackles, 13 TFLs, 5 FR (1 for TD), 4 sacks, 4 interceptions (2 returned for TDs), and 2 PBUs. I mean, holy cow. I love seeing that almost throwback individualism on the football field coming from the private school ranks and am always a fan of a natural, do-it-all football player. I can’t explain why, but I feel like this dude would be a great Johnnie. [player_tooltip player_id="49819" first="Teigan" last="Martin"] (Mayer Lutheran) TE/DE. C/o 2022. 6’6, 215 lbs. Committed to Liberty One of the most decorated players in Minnesota who dominated on both sides of the ball at Class A state champion Mayer Lutheran who is a FBS and arguably P5 recruit coming from the small-school ranks. Hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface in terms of his frame and has the chance to blow up into a monster in a college strength and conditioning program. Moves really well for a kid of his size who is heading to a FBS up-and-comer in the Liberty Flames and Head Coach Hugh Freeze. [player_tooltip player_id="49828" first="Colin" last="Nagel"] (Hutchinson) QB/ATH. C/o 2022. 6'3, 230 lbs. Committed to Minnesota-Duluth Spearheaded the 4A state champion Tigers and stepped in as an XL quarterback whose play style bruising frame was reminiscent of now Boise State Bronco Russell Corrigan. Like Corrigan, Nagel will play TE at the next level, but as a senior prep he was one of the most physically imposing ball carriers and QBs in the entire state. Versatile athlete who continues a tradition of strong, gritty, and memorable Hutchinson products. Going to be a heckuva UMD Bulldog. [player_tooltip player_id="116197" first="Zach" last="Juckel"] (Lakeville South) LB. C/o 2022. 6’3, 205 lbs. Committed to Air Force Tackle machine from the 6A ranks with a nose for the football like a bloodhound and the closing speed to match. Intriguing frame that will thrive in a college strength and conditioning program that broke the Lakeville South career tackle record and was the heart and unquestioned leader of the 6A state champions and the most dominant team in the state of Minnesota for 2021. [player_tooltip player_id="19001" first="Jaxon" last="Howard"] (Robbinsdale Cooper) ATH. C/o 2023. 6'4, 240 lbs. Uncommitted National blue-chip recruit whose meteoric recruiting rise we have not seen since only the great Seantrel Henderson. Highest ceiling and most gifted athlete in the state of Minnesota. Can't wait to see where he commits and would be absolutely estatic if he stayed home and played for Minnesota.