2023 MN Rankings Update: 22 Small Town Superstars

Every year, high school football players in small towns around our great state strap up the pads and represent their town (sometimes multiple towns) under bright lights on a beautiful Minnesota Friday night. Unlike a lot of their peers around the Twin Cities Metro, these outstate athletes go out and compete without the bonus of recruitment and media exposure that Metro-area preps receive and go to battle on the gridiron simply for the love of the game, the chance to bring some bragging rights to their community, and more time to spend with their best friends. I’m not saying that the kids in the Metro play only play for media attention and accolades, but you can’t deny that there is a significant dichotomy in the amount of publicity kids receive from outstate MN compared to our bigger cities. It’s a shame too, as there have been some very impressive prep prospects the past few years to come out of small towns from the Iron Range down to the borders of Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota, and we at PrepRedzoneMN are always concerned with bringing light to these sometimes overshadowed recruits. One of the reasons I was so excited when I first landed my job with NorthstarFootballNews was to bring more recruiting attention to under-appreciated hotbeds of talent around the Land of 10,000 Lakes. I also try to get as many small-town boys into the rankings as I can, and at the time of every publishing update, I feel that I haven’t added enough and am still missing some of the small-town superstars our state has to offer. Now that the 2023 update is complete I wanted to highlight some of these rising seniors in Minnesota who I did manage to get on my radar, and if some of the names on this list aren’t familiar to you yet, don’t worry, as they’re working hard to wake you up to them soon. Enjoy! Prospects [player_tooltip player_id="112049" first="Tyson" last="Cooreman"] (Randolph) ATH. 6’4, 195 lbs. 3.9 GPA. Ranking: 13th overall. Population of Randolph: 481 It’s been a huge pleasure seeing the Randolph Rocket standout [player_tooltip player_id="112049" first="Tyson" last="Cooreman"] grow from a tall, lanky, AAU gym rat into a real deal college football prospect with great size and a ton of potential versatility at the next level. In a funny "small world" moment, I got a tip on Cooreman from my former college landlord down in the 507 when the Randolph prospect was only a freshman coming off his first season of high school competition, and boy was it a quality tip, to say the least. Now going into his final year of high school, the 6’4 Rocket has put some impressive reps on tape as primarily a WR, LB, and RB. He opens his tape with a heckuva introduction, as he takes a corner route up the field sideline and cuts and slips through four or five attempted tackles for a 60+ yard TD reception. His long legs are a part of a strong lower body that also possesses balance, quick feet, and YAC ability in the open field. I love his defensive plays, particularly as he shoots through the LOS and into the ball carrier’s hips with solid burst and closing speed. He lined up all over the field both offensively and defensively and made plays wherever he was positioned. Can’t wait to see how he continues to grow, develop, and make plays. [player_tooltip player_id="112047" first="Sam" last="Backer"] RB. 5’11, 190 lbs. Ranking: 40th overall. Population of Chatfield: 2,990 The experienced Gophers playmaker has elevated the program to new heights and played a gigantic role in the exhilarating AA state championship run that resulted in a 14-13 electric victory over West Central Area/Ashby. Backer is coming off FCS junior day visits to South Dakota State and North Dakota State and filled out the Bison’s green & white #21 jersey quite well. I think he’d be a great addition to the competitive Missouri Valley Football Conference, as the 5’11, 190 lber. is an athletic blend of speed and strength who displays vision and contact balance as a ball carrier who busted off some big runs and broke a ton of tackles in 2021. He’s got a lethal spin move he doesn’t mind pulling out in space, and although he has combined junior and sophomore highlights (not my favorite) you can see he’s got some legit juice as a RB. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how his recruitment continues to evolve. [player_tooltip player_id="123046" first="Nathan" last="Fenske"] (Lakeview) WR. 6’2, 180 lbs. Ranking: 66th overall. Population of Lake View Township: 1,685 I’ll get this out of the way now, but the Lakeview Lakers have one of the most talented offenses in all of Class A football and are led in the rankings by a 6’2, 180-pound wideout [player_tooltip player_id="123046" first="Nathan" last="Fenske"]. Also a talented hooper, Fenske was a beast running post routes during his junior campaign and is also a contested-catch standout who high points the football well and can bring the ball in through contact. Once he can long stride in the open field he gave opposing DBs a lot of trouble in their pursuit and at a long 6’2 with standout athleticism and vertical ability, I think he’s a promising prospect on the gridiron as well as the hardwood. More on the Laker’s offensive prospects in a minute or two! [player_tooltip player_id="295962" first="Owen" last="Leach"] (Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton) ATH. 6’6, 190 lbs. Ranking: 70th overall. Population of Dilworth: 4,410. Population of Glyndon: 1,299. Population of Felton: 135 This isn’t my first time talking about the DGF two-sport standout and it will be far from the last, and I think Leach has the chance to be one of the best sleepers in the entire 2023 recruiting class of Minnesota. With a ton of athleticism and the skill set to match his basketball background, Leach recorded 35 tackles, 12 TDs, and a sack from the QB and DB/LB spots and was especially potent as a ball carrier when he took off from the QB spot. He’s got good burst and speed for a 6’6 prospect who has no problem playing physically either with the rock in his hand or defensively, and I love how he flies around and defends the edge from an OLB spot. He’s also a competent passer that forces defenses to defend the air and he can also take on and eat a block with zero hesitation. I honestly don’t know where he would best project at the college level but I would be ecstatic to find out! Can’t wait for the senior tape, Owen. Hit some camps this summer! [player_tooltip player_id="112106" first="Gage" last="McManemy"] (Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial) DL. 6’4, 250 lbs. Ranking: 100 overall. Population of Lake Crystal: 2,625. Population of Wellcome: 696. Population of Memorial: 176 There is an article idea stacked in my queue of 2023 features for PrepRedzoneMN involving rising seniors who qualify as a potential sleeper with high ceilings that could blow up on the recruiting trail this summer/next fall, and you bet your hiney McManemy will be highlighted. The LCWM lineman has already earned two All-District nods as well as "Lineman of the Year" recognition, and on tape, the south-central Minnesotan stands out particularly well as a defensive lineman, where his quick get off and ability to tackle in space helped him make plays in the backfield all season long in 2021. At 6’4, 250 pounds he can get upfield in a hurry thanks to his attractive blend of speed, quickness, and power. For the 2A competition, he was facing he was a load to handle and I think he qualifies as having some of the biggest potential among the small school sleepers on this list. [player_tooltip player_id="112076" first="Noah" last="Strickfaden"] (Norwood Young America) QB. 6’2, 185 lbs. Ranking: 101 overall. Population of Norwood Young America: 3,725 There are more than a few small-town quarterbacks on the 2023 PRzMN rankings update that is visibly and enticingly athletic on their junior films and offer a lot of upside as a college football recruit and NYA’s [player_tooltip player_id="112076" first="Noah" last="Strickfaden"] is among the best to fall under this lofty banner. The first four plays of his junior tape show off his dual-threat capability well, as he can take off and make use of the open field and long stride past opponents with ease and put the right ball right where he wants it in the passing game. I saw some solid ball placement to throws on all three levels of the field and as a defense, you need to always be aware of where he is and what he’s doing at all times. He also had a sweet play in the middle of his highlight tape where he dove over and was basically carried into the endzone on the shoulders of a would-be defender, and I was happy to see him visit Fargo and NDSU Bison for their junior day in late March. Going to be a great fall, Noah! [player_tooltip player_id="112075" first="Andrew" last="Phillips"] (NRHEG) RB. 5’10, 190 lbs. Ranking: 102 overall. Population of New Richland: 1,136. Population of Hartland: 331. Population of Ellendale: 739. Population of Geneva: 349 Located right between Owatonna and Albert Lea around an hour and a half south of Minneapolis, NRHEG has themselves a heckuva RB in 5’10, 190 lber. [player_tooltip player_id="112075" first="Andrew" last="Phillips"]. A big-play machine in 2021, Phillips is very dangerous when he gets to the sideline and is patient, efficient, and quick when setting up defenders in the open field with quick cuts and jukes. It looks like defenders had a tough time squaring up and getting a clean shot on the rising senior and he’s got some impressive lower body strength that helps him slip through tackle attempts and contact as well. He put the team on his back on more than a few plays last fall and is going to be a workhorse for the Panthers in 2022. As of right now he hasn’t reported any interest or offers so get at him college coaches! [player_tooltip player_id="295816" first="Jackson" last="Thompson"] (Moose Lake-Willow River) RB. 5’8, 175 lbs. Ranking: 103 overall. Population of Moose Lake: 2,812. Population of Willow River: 457 One of my favorite junior tapes of the entire 2023 graduation class in not only Minnesota but the entire Midwest, Thompson has my vote for the pound-for-pound toughest ball-carrier in Minnesota and is a very exciting continuation in a distinguished MLWR legacy of RBs. The 5’8, 180 lber. has some impressive weight room numbers (305 bench, 440 squat), which helps explain his exhilarating contact balance and the crazy 13.2 YPC average in his 64 carries for 846 yards and 12 TD junior stat line. He routinely seeks out, slips through, runs over, stiff arms, and outruns opponents physically and excitingly you don’t get to see every day. He also blocks like a madman and plays like a prospect 40-50 pounds heavier, and I also love how he finishes his runs by lowering the shoulder and doesn’t willingly go out of bounds without a defender paying the price of admission, a trait I don’t see as often as I’d like to nowadays. Can’t wait to see who starts recruiting this kid. Right now he hasn’t reported any interest or offers. Caden O’Malley (Tri-City United) LB. 6’, 190 lbs. Ranking: 104 overall. Population of Montgomery: 2,977. Population of Lonsdale: 4,010. Population of Le Center: 2,475 Also a stud wrestler, O’Malley is coming off of a 3rd place 170AA finish at the latest MN state wrestling meet and finished with a 39-7 record and 22 pins to go along with a section championship in 2AA. I always love how wrestling translates to the gridiron, and it clearly shows up in O’Malley’s film as he is one of the hardest hitters of all of the 2023 tape I watched for the recent PRzMN rankings update despite his 190 lb. stature. He accelerates well both out of his stance and through contact and is quick to get to the hip of ball carriers once he diagnoses the play. He takes solid angles to the ball and has no problem bringing the hammer in 1-on-1 tackling situations and left more than his fair share of QBs, RBs, and WRs bruised and sore after playing four quarters of ball against the TCU missile. There’s a lot to appreciate in how many plays of his junior film are in the backfield of opponents. With wrestling concluded I hope the Le Center native puts some pounds on and is a monster at the dining room table for the remaining months of the spring and summer. He’s coming off of a visit to CSP and Augustana and has received quite a lot of NSIC recruiting attention since wrasslin’ finished up. Going to be a big senior year for Mr. O’Malley. [player_tooltip player_id="112085" first="Clayton" last="Kosel"] (Lakeview) RB. 5’9, 180 lbs. Ranking: 106. Population of Lake View Township: 1,685 I promised you more Lakeview Lakers and I have delivered! Get to know playmaker [player_tooltip player_id="112085" first="Clayton" last="Kosel"], whose speed and contact balance for 5’9, 180 helped him pop off more than a few long TDs in 2021, especially if you let him get to the sideline. I like how he sees the field and when he hits an open hole he’s able to hit another gear in the speed department which also allows him to set up clean cuts and jukes to evade tackle attempts in the second and third levels of the field. Thanks to some work in the weight room Kosel is also able to run through a defender or two and drag opponents for extra yards if you need him to in a short-yardage situation. The rising senior is just coming off a junior day visit to Minnesota State University-Moorhead - where he also took a game-day visit during the season - and is going to be an integral part of Lakeview’s 2022 run at a Class A state championship. [player_tooltip player_id="195283" first="Greg" last="Schafer"] (Lakeview) RB/CB. 5’10, 155 lbs. Ranking: 113. Population of Lake View Township: 1,685 Another Lakeview product to make the list, Schafer is lightning in a bottle and torched defenders up the middle of the field or out on the edge thanks to good burst and top-end speed. I also like how he can catch the rock out of the backfield and he also shows some balance when finishing runs through ankle swipes, arm tackles, and diving attempts. Schafer is a big play machine and has a fun junior tape that deserves a top-115 ranking and is the electric part of a lightning & lightning combination of RBs for the Lakers offense this coming fall. He took a game-day visit to Minnesota State University-Moorhead this past season and [player_tooltip player_id="204837" first="Hunter" last="DeLoach"] (Norwood Young America) DL. 6’3, 225 lbs. Ranking: 119. Population of Norwood Young America: 3,725 I’m excited to have another NYA athlete make the list as Central High School defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="204837" first="Hunter" last="DeLoach"] brings solid size and a strong motor to the DE position. The rising senior has no problem pursuing ball carriers downfield and has some noteworthy reps on his junior tape that show him running down the football out near the sideline, in the defensive secondary, and just about anywhere else on the field the ball could go to. He runs well for 225 and has a strong rip to disengage from blocks. I also like the pop he brings upon contact and I think he’d thrive in a college program where he can lift and develop a little more. Keep an eye out for the Raiders this fall! [player_tooltip player_id="201177" first="Asher" last="Zubich"] (Mountain Iron-Buhl) QB. 6’2, 185 lbs. Ranking: 137. Population of Mountain Iron: 2,853. Population of Buhl: 963 A talented small-schooler hailing from north of Hibbing is another athletic QB to make the recent PRzMN 2023 rankings update comes out of Mountain Iron-Buhl High School and their QB1 [player_tooltip player_id="201177" first="Asher" last="Zubich"]. Also a standout guard on the basketball team, Zubich has been playing varsity since his eighth-grade year and shows off that experience in his ability to improvise a play when things break down and gain positive yardage with either his legs or his arm. He’s accurate on the run on bootlegs and play-action passes and is also very dangerous as a ball carrier when he takes off and runs. It’s hard to find condensed game film of him playing football as most of his Hudl profile is filled with basketball highlights, so I can’t wait until I can get my eyes on some senior film from Mr. Zubich. [player_tooltip player_id="112131" first="Albert" last="Rundell"] (Watertown-Mayer) QB. 6’1, 190 lbs. Ranking: 141. Population of 4,408. Population of Mayer: 1,955 I know I’ve mentioned the theme of athletic, well-built, small-town quarterbacks finding themselves included in the PRzMN 2023 rankings update, and when I first decided to tell you guys about this trend Watertown-Mayer High School’s QB1 [player_tooltip player_id="112131" first="Albert" last="Rundell"] was one of the first prospects that came to mind. He’s a load and a half at 190 pounds and had some impressive runs showing off a physical truck stick and lower body strength to go along with his ability to put the ball on a rope on throws over the middle of the field. He also shows off nice touch on the run on throws to all levels of the field and I can’t help but love the fact that he’s playing QB while rocking jersey #35. I think it’s sick. Rundell hasn’t reported any recruiting interest or offers but I hope that changes in the coming months. Also a three-sport athlete! [player_tooltip player_id="295966" first="Marcus" last="Johnson"] (Mayer Lutheran) LT/DT. 6’4, 300 lbs. Ranking: 145. Population of Mayer: 1,955 The defending Class A state champions are graduating a ton of talent in 2022 graduating class but retain the bruising lineman [player_tooltip player_id="295966" first="Marcus" last="Johnson"] for their upcoming 2022-’23 season. Fresh off Concordia-St. Paul, Minnesota State-Moorhead, and North Dakota visits, Johnson loved to put people into the dirt in his junior film as a OT in the run and pass game as well as from the DT spot. I specifically like his DL reps, as he showed off a great get-off for 300 lbs. in an impressive state championship game TFL at the Bank as well as in a play at around :50 seconds into his tape wherein the 300 lber. tackled the RB through & with an OG for a 2-in-1 special TFL. He’s got some dominating strength at the point of attack and put a hurtin’ on smaller opponents all season long in 2021. He also practiced against FBS talent and commit [player_tooltip player_id="49819" first="Teigan" last="Martin"] every day for years, so that sure doesn’t hurt. He has a lot of room to fly up the rankings at the next update if he keeps putting in work! [player_tooltip player_id="154572" first="Anthony" last="Sykora"] (West Central Area) ATH. 5’10, 180 lbs. Ranking: 148. Population of Barrett: 410 Another stud wrestler who earned himself a state championship 170A this past March after a 47-5 junior season and has earned junior day invites from Augustana and Concordia-Moorhead so far this spring. Twice name his district’s RB of the year, Sykora tore up gridirons of west central Minnesota with some exciting two-way tape as a RB and DB with broken tackles and picked off passes galore. He’s quick, strong, and thrives when things have broken down and a play needs to be made. He even threw out a hurdle at around :50 seconds into his film and I’m a big fan of his balanced skill set as a football player and the toughness and grit he brings from his wrestling background. Would love to see some more recruiting attention come his way soon! [player_tooltip player_id="300626" first="Reese" last="Sheldon"] (Cloquet) WR. 6’2, 190 lbs. Ranking: 153. Population of Cloquet: 12,000 The largest place on this small town PRzMN feature, Sheldon brings some nice size to the WR position and has reported FCS interest in the form of a North Dakota game day visit as well as a NDSU junior day invite. The 6’2, 190 pounder recorded 800+ AP yards and 6 TDs to go along with 20 tackles and an interception on defense, and on film I like how he works through contact both when hitting his marks while running routes and with the ball in his hand after the catch. I also like the vision, balance, and quick feet he shows off as a ball carrier and no qualms about tackling in space as a SS/LB or on kickoff. With his size and versatility I think he could project to a number of positions at the next level and I’ll be keeping tabs on how he keeps growing and adding weight as well. [player_tooltip player_id="112082" first="Owen" last="Louwagie"] (Lakeview) QB. 5’10, 160 lbs. Ranking: 160. Population of Lake View Township: 1,685 The final Lakeview product on this 2023 feature is also a MSUM Dragon recruit in gunslinger [player_tooltip player_id="112082" first="Owen" last="Louwagie"]. The third party of the three-headed monster in the Lakers offense, Louwagie flashes some accuracy and arm strength on his deep throws and is also a shifty and elusive ball carrier when he tucks the rock and runs. He’ll also stand in there and deliver a throw through oncoming contact and flashes mobility outside of the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield. Don’t sleep on Lakeview! [player_tooltip player_id="119520" first="Jayden" last="Hoss"] (Pipestone Area) OL/DL. 6’3, 260 lbs. Ranking: 169. Population of Pipestone: 4,092 With the size to play all over the offensive and defensive lines, Pipestone Area Arrows rising senior [player_tooltip player_id="119520" first="Jayden" last="Hoss"] is also in possession of a boot on his right foot that helped him boom PATs through the uprights to contribute to all three phases of football for his hometown team. He can beat blocking attempts with quickness from the various DL spots and is solid at sealing defenders away from the ball. Although he looks a tad high in his pad level, I did see some decent pass pro sets as well. He’s been invited to North Dakota, Carthage, UMary, Dakota Wesleyan, MSUM, and Bemidji State’s junior days and is also an All-Conference heavyweight wrestler. Go Arrows! [player_tooltip player_id="273301" first="Camron" last="Enright"] (Redwood Valley) QB/LB. 6’1, 185 lbs. Ranking: 170. Population of Redwood Falls: 4,989 The final player of this article to check some intriguing athletic and hard-running boxes from the QB position and SW MN prospect Cam Enright. He’s slippery, fast, and physical when he totes the rock and also can hurt defenses with his arm thanks to some solid accuracy down the field. He does his best work with the ball in his hand however, and can scoot around the gridiron with ease and fluidity while out running opponents. Would make a great wideout or linebacker at the next level in my opinion. Enright visited Augustana in late March and also received junior day invites from Valley City State and MSUM. [player_tooltip player_id="19014" first="Landon" last="Blaufuss"] (Breckenridge) DL. 6’3, 215 lbs. Ranking: 183. Population of Breckenridge: 4,938 I have a lot of family on my mom’s side who graduated from Breckenridge, so I always keep a close eye on the Cowboys and their upcoming prospects in both football and wrestling. Rising senior Blaufuss plays all over the gridiron and lined up at DE, DT, OT, OG, LB, and TE in 2021 and was named All-Section and District DL of the Year and recorded 73 tackles and 5 tackles this past season. With solid size for the prep level, he sent some opponents flying last fall and flies around like his hair is on fire and he has to explode through someone to extinguish it. He uses his hands well to disengage from blocks from his DE spot and will be counted on in a ton of different ways this upcoming season for Breckenridge. Blaufuss attended MSUM’s junior day a few days ago as well as NDSU’s in the middle of March and is still waiting for that first official college football opportunity. [player_tooltip player_id="244997" first="Tate" last="Link"] (Dassel-Cokato) ATH. 5’9, 180 lbs. Ranking: 209. Population of Dassel: 1,506. Population of Cokato: 2,738 A beast on the wrestling mat who finished in fourth place at 182 lb. AA this past spring, Link earned a Concordia-Moorhead junior day invite and has received Dakota Wesleyan and Bemidji State recruiting interest as well. Primarily a LB on the gridiron, Link recorded 43 tackles, 9 TFLs, and a defensive TD in 2021 and does some good work around the LOS as an off-ball LB and occasional DL. He flies downhill when he sticks his cleat in the ground and closes on the ball in space in impressive fashion and had a heckuva state championship game this past fall as the Chargers won their first-ever football state title. If he landed with the Cobbers he’d be a great #d3fb commit.