2023 PRzMN Rankings Update: Well-Built LBs

It has been a big relief to have finally published the Minnesota 2023 rankings update for PrepRedzoneMN, and although they are far from perfect and will be due for a manicure soon I am elated to be back to writing and have a lot of articles incoming surrounding the rising seniors in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. An important part of the update process is noticing and recording different trends, consistencies, and standouts as you watch hundreds of clips in a condensed period, as that information can be extremely valuable to college programs and used to create content for PRZ later on down the road. Within the 2023 class in MN there were some visible and interesting specifics among the various position groups, geographic locations, and measurables, and today I’ll be bringing to our awesome subscribers the first, and maybe my favorite, of these trends. While I was deep into the update process, my eyes kept gravitating towards the impressive and noteworthy size of the linebackers in the 2023 class scattered throughout the Top-150. From the new names to grace the rankings to some of the more established ’backers I’ve had on my radar for some time now, there are some XL-sized LBs all around the Metro and outstate Minnesota, and I have a complete breakdown of their game, skills, recruitment, and more below. I hope you enjoy this 2023 PRzMN Rankings Update feature highlighting these 12 Well-Built LBs! Thanks for reading. [player_tooltip player_id="112123" first="Reese" last="Littlefield"] (Centennial) 6’3, 235 lbs. Ranked #41 overall, #4 LB With eye-popping size reminiscent of soon-to-be Golden Gopher and 2022 Burnsville Blaze thumper [player_tooltip player_id="49823" first="Colton" last="Gregersen"], Littlefield is one of a few Centennial Cougars who bring a lot to the table as recruits and have a great chance of continuing to move up the rankings. Also a standout lacrosse player, Littlefield is a throwback MLB prospect who eviscerates blocking attempts and reads/flows to the ball well in run support, and is a strong tackler in space. He displays a good ability to start and stop when in pursuit of ball carriers down the LOS and explodes through RBs when he makes contact. I also like his play speed for 6’3, 235 pounds and could watch him defeat blocks all day long. Littlefield puts some good things on tape on his junior film and I like how athletic he is while also holding the title for the biggest linebacker in Minnesota. It will be interesting to see how he keeps growing and if that impacts his positional projection to the college ranks, but he is certainly going to be one of the best run stuffers in the state next fall. He’s earned junior day invited from North Dakota State, MSU-Mankato, and SMSU. Recently cleaned 260 pounds as well. [player_tooltip player_id="19018" first="Zach" last="Dahl"] (Farmington) 6’3, 230 lbs. Ranked #55 overall, #8 LB The Farmington Tigers will be in the running for the best defense in the Metro in the fall of 2022, with their impressive strength and conditioning program and hair-on-fire play style ingratiating itself in the crop of 2023 Tiger defenders. Leading the second level of their defense is the massive 6’3, 225 lb. monster [player_tooltip player_id="19018" first="Zach" last="Dahl"], who hasn’t reported any recruiting interest or offers at this point. That will surely change after more coaches and recruiting staff gets some eyes on his tape, as Dahl runs through blocking attempts and ball carriers like he’s playing against JV opponents and is consistent in anticipating the path of the ball both in between the tackles and out in space. He rarely allows RBs to fall forward and gain yardage after initial contact, and I also like his lateral agility and short-area quickness. This all goes without even mentioning how big a fan I am of his size and experience within the Farmington defense, as the Tigers have put out some impressive defensive prospects over the past few years. Keep an eye out for big #55! [player_tooltip player_id="300245" first="Gaabi" last="Boucha"] (Warroad) 6’3, 225 lbs. Ranked #60 overall, #10 ATH 6 1/2 hours northwest of Minneapolis, hugging Lake of the Woods, Muskeg Bay, and the Canadian border sits the small but talent-rich town of Warroad. Home to some heavyweight hockey alumni including TJ Oshie, Dave Christian, and Gigi Martin, Warroad High School now has a big-time potential football prospect who is 6’3, 225 lb. RB and LB [player_tooltip player_id="300245" first="Gaabi" last="Boucha"]. If you read a lot of my stuff and/or follow me on social media, you know this isn’t my first time highlighting the outstate product, but that usually consists of me referencing him hurdling, trucking, or running by opponents from the RB position. For today’s LB feature, I’ll focus on his defensive characteristics, but I’ll start with his recruitment status. Boucha visited the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in Brookings in November and was invited to South Dakota’s junior day, but it’s only a matter of time before the NoDak and Minnesota schools get involved. He opens his defensive highlights upon his junior tape with a terrific smack on a WR screen that sent his poor opponent almost horizontal from the impact. It’s obvious he’s athletic at 6’3, 225+, and the lower body strength he demonstrates while running through contact as an RB would translate well to defeating blocks and tackling with authority. He gets out of his stance well and can drop his hips to change direction and would make an excellent ILB at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="295824" first="Caleb" last="Sandstrom"] (Elk River) 6’3, 220 lbs. Ranked #129 overall, #18 LB Another impressive linebacker who doubles as a crushing lacrosse player in the spring, Sandstrom has been invited to MSU-Mankato, MSU-Moorhead, Bemidji State, North Dakota State, Augustana, and South Dakota State football junior days and successfully hit a 300 lb. bench max out in February grinding with the Elk River strength program On the gridiron, the 6’3, 220 lber. played a ton of HB in the Wing-T Elks offense and laid some crushing hits as a blocker against both DEs and LBs when he gets his hands on the chest plates of opponents or gets a clean shot on them in the open field. He also made a splash as a receiver on seam routes in and near the redzone and does a good job of overall and working and moving in space. I think he projects best to the LB position at the next level and expects a big senior year out of #8. [player_tooltip player_id="19006" first="Gavin" last="Bass"] (Rosemount) 6’3, 220 lbs. Ranked #39 overall, #3 LB The younger brother of former South Dakota State offensive lineman Ian Bass - younger brother Gavin has been on my radar longer than any other LB on this list, and for good reason as he is big, strong, physical, and talented. He attended South Dakota State and Iowa gameday visits this past fall and cleaned 261 pounds back at the end of December pumping iron in the Irish weight room. His 2021 highlights show off a bruising OLB & TE who dominates on the edge and crushes RBs and QBs when he gets ahold of them. He’s strong enough to help out on the offensive line of Rosemount but covers ground and closes on the football like a true LB and has a nonstop motor that doesn’t quit until someone is in the ground. I love how he uses his hands to disengage from TEs and tackles when defending the run and would be stoked to have this guy defending the edge of my defense. There is a ton of strength in his game and I think he’s got a great shot of following in his brother’s footsteps in the FCS ranks. [player_tooltip player_id="112091" first="Charlie" last="Fragassi"] (St. Paul Highland Park) 6’2, 225 lbs. Ranked #62 overall, #6 TE Great to see a 651 city boy make the list as Highland Park’s experienced two-way athlete [player_tooltip player_id="112091" first="Charlie" last="Fragassi"] would make for an excellent linebacker at the next level. I have him ranked as a TE right now, but love how his game would translate to the defensive side of the ball. He can flip his hips and change direction smoothly and moves well after the catch as he can run by and/or slip through tackle attempts without losing momentum or balance. In his defensive reps on his junior tape, Fragassi shoved tackles into the dirt or beat them off the snap with relative ease, and completely enveloped QBs when he gets in the backfield. There’s speed and finesse in his game to go along with brute strength and physicality and I think there’s a lot of promise in his game whether he projects to TE or LB at the next level. Maybe even DE depending on where he ends up. He’s been invited to Illinois State, North Dakota State, MSU-Mankato, MSU-Moorhead, Augustana, SMSU, and South Dakota State junior days from late January throughout February. Also can power clean 245 pounds four times and can rep 225 pounds six times. [player_tooltip player_id="112046" first="Wes" last="Overton"] (Rockford) 6’3, 215 lbs. Ranked #38 overall, #2 LB The most versatile linebacker on this list comes out of the Delano area and Rockford High School’s 6’3, 215 lb. LB [player_tooltip player_id="112046" first="Wes" last="Overton"]. The long and instinctive ’backer has also been on my radar for some time as he got varsity action as an underclassman and has put out some really exciting, impressive, and dynamic highlights both offensively and defensively. In 2021 he was tied for fourth in the state in interceptions with 7 - by far the highest among LBs - and also contributes to the offensive side of the football and posted 17 receptions for 407 yards and 5 TDs in his junior season. As a LB, his impact on the passing game and natural ability in coverage is probably better than any linebacker I’ve scouted in AT LEAST the last five years. He makes reading the QBs eyes, finding pass lanes, and securing the catch look incredibly easy, as he’s got noteworthy spatial awareness and body control in droves. Overton is a smooth and fluid athlete who doesn’t waste steps and can do anything asked of him on the football field, and do it well while making it look good. He hasn’t reported any interest or offers as of March 8th, which I find astounding. Someone is going to land a DUDE! [player_tooltip player_id="212682" first="Peyton" last="Bishop"] (Eastview) 6’1, 230 lbs. Ranked #80 overall, #11 LB There have been some nice-sized football prospects out of the Lightning program over the past decade, but I can’t remember a LB this well-built since former Bethel Royals standout Mike Delich, and even Mr. Delich was giving up some pounds on rising senior [player_tooltip player_id="212682" first="Peyton" last="Bishop"]. The 6’1, 230 lber. hasn’t reported any interest or offers on his Twitter, but after seeing his playmaking ability from the LB position in his junior tape I think that will change sooner rather than later. Bishop has a nose for the ball and showed that off through forced fumbles, punt blocks, interceptions, and sacks in his 2021 season and showcased an intriguing amount of burst, speed, and natural pop for a kid of his size. He can shoot gaps, work off blocks, and is a technically sound tackler who can make plays in the backfield, in the hole, and even out in space. I really like his closing speed as well. College coaches: get at him! [player_tooltip player_id="143274" first="Daniel" last="Tschida"] (Roseville) 6’1, 220 lbs. Ranked #76 overall, #10 LB The 220 lber. recently maxed out at 285 pounds on the bench press a day ago and has earned junior day invites from Princeton and Columbia. He visited NDSU, Iowa State, and St. Thomas on gameday visits this fall and is a four-sport athlete for the Raiders who also holds a 4.0 GPA. In his All-Conference 2021 junior season, he played against some of the top teams in the state and was a consistent force and playmaker and a 3-down LB who can play the run, blitz, and cover with efficiency. He’s a tough assignment for iOL blockers thanks to his combination of speed and strength and can easily work off blocks without showing his chest to lineman. Can also pursue to the sideline and is a sound tackler with nice size to boot. Would make an excellent Ivy League defender. [player_tooltip player_id="19022" first="Kayode" last="Amusan"] (Woodbury) 6’3, 215 lbs. Ranked #28 overall, #1 LB The #1 LB in the class of 2023 isn’t the largest, but his height, length, and general frame add to his overall intrigue as a LB prospect. Amusan made his way to Iowa State, South Dakota State, NDSU, and Minnesota for gameday experiences and visited Northern Illinois at the end of January for their junior day. He’ll be competing for the title of "Hardest Hitter" in Minnesota and cranked more than a few QBs and RBs over the course of his 2021 campaign. Amusan runs like a deer and can cover an impressive amount of ground with each and every step, especially when closing on the ball. He moves and operates naturally in space and can start and stop successfully when pursuing the ball. He’s also got length for days. High ceiling, strong athlete, and has his best football in front of him. Also the younger brother of former Woodbury, Highland CC, and Davenport product Kolade Amusan, who is currently in the transfer portal and needing a new home to finish his career out at. The Amusan boys can play! [player_tooltip player_id="245761" first="Ty" last="Neils"] (Mankato West) 6’3, 205 lbs. Ranked #124 overall, #16 LB Stepping into the proverbial cleats of 2022 graduate, MN Mr. Football finalist, and Brown LB signee [player_tooltip player_id="49868" first="Ryan" last="Haley"] for the Mankato West Scarlet is 6’3, 205 pounder [player_tooltip player_id="245761" first="Ty" last="Neils"]. A college strength and conditioning coach is going to love getting his hands onto Neils, as he’s long, explosive, and athletic. He also flies around and hits like a LB ten or fifteen pounds heavier, and shows range, instincts, and speed for days in his junior tape with the defending 5A state champs. He’ll can sideline-to-sideline and multiple gaps pursuing ball and gets into the toes and hips of ball carriers before they have time to react. Absolutely one of the faster linebackers on this list. He visited St. Thomas’ recent junior day and also was invited to attend MSU-Mankato’s. Big senior year coming, Ty! [player_tooltip player_id="237319" first="Jackson" last="Cercioglu"] (St. Thomas Academy) 6’2, 210 lbs. Ranked #82 overall, #12 LB The final thumper included in this feature comes from a fertile LB producing St. Thomas Academy and their 6’2, 210 lber. [player_tooltip player_id="237319" first="Jackson" last="Cercioglu"]. Wearing that #25 jersey for the Cadets is no small feat, and Cercioglu is the newest LB to continue its tradition of greatness, which means he was given the honor for a reason. He attended a South Dakota State gameday in October and has recently been invited to MSU-Mankato and SDSU junior days as well. He posted 103 tackles in 2021 and displayed a strong ability to execute stunts and blitz through different gaps as a blitzing linebacker. He’s got some good burst out of his stance - which helped him block some punts on special teams - and pursues the ball with solid angles and does a good job of breaking down before contact. He laid some big hits in 2021 and is going to lay a lot more before his prep career is all said and done. Keep working, Jackson!