Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase: RB/LB Standouts

<strong>BROOKLYN PARK-- </strong>We move into session two of the top standouts by position from the Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase last weekend! <strong><u>Next Up:</u> Running Backs &amp; Linebackers</strong> We saw tons of outstanding running backs and linebackers this weekend. Our All-Camp Team really tapped in on the big names on turf so we wanted to make sure we evaluated here the more under the radar prospects that we had their attention, but maybe wish we would have watched more. Not all prospects are in that case, but I will not lie that every showcase we have there is always at least 3-5 kids I am kicking myself that I didn’t watch as much as I could have. Here we go, as it is time to look at 10 more standouts from the Linebackers and Running Backs from Park Center. <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Running Backs</strong></span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="205273" first="Damian" last="Tapio"] | Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2024</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-327270" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/3-Damian-Tapio.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Damian was one of my favorite prospects I learned about in this 2021 season. This young man has such a variety of skillsets he showed me vs. Ogilvie, from his very active burst all the way to his agile footwork this kid brings from side to side. While evaluating Damian this weekend, I saw another skill set pop out at me. He may be 5’6 175 pounds, but this dude is a much more solid pass-blocker than he will ever get credit for, especially as a football prospect from the Iron Range as he showed huge credibility on Saturday at Park Center. Damian is a straight-up bulldog on tape and is as much as a contact runner as you could want that will always power thru it with his low center of gravity and terrific balance. Fearless competitor and the more skillsets this kid can grow on along with his big-time drive in the weight room will get this young man to playing on Saturday’s from my eyes. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13283641/61b5efabab9d750d4c198524" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="154572" first="Anthony" last="Sykora"] | West Central Area | 2023</strong> From what I grasped from Anthony on Saturday, I can read that this young man is a high-character kid that college programs are going to want on their roster next year. Anthony was very consistent across the bulk of his drills and showed off a competitive fire in 1v1s in the afternoon. Got a glimpse of Andrew’s tape and college coaches if you are looking for a kid that has the playmaking ability to use his athletic ability to flip the field, you are going to want to watch Anthony ASAP.  You will see Anthony get those reps with a direct snap to show an immediate impact, which he has the last two seasons as a back to back All-District RB of the Year for West Central Area. The best thing on film, I see is that loaded extension Anthony gets when the ball enters his hands, as he really stretches’ out to set a well-based tone for the rest of his run to accelerate, which he does so well on the outside even with some contact coming his way. If I am one of those FCS schools in North Dakota, I am looking down I-94 not too far to get this kid at camp this summer, as West Central Area prospects has had recent success in No Dak. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13267844/61a42df63df5f60bac9756f8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="300454" first="Khalil" last="Warren"] | Minneapolis DeLaSalle | 2023</strong> Khalil was another prospect I had some homework on from last summer at an Islanders practice at Parade Stadium. What did I see since then? Although it was a short season for Khalil, he came back bouncy with his increased torque within his running ability at Park Center. I thought he showed a development in his ability to unlock his hips which created more agility in his step. Khalil on tape runs quite efficiently thru small chunks of contact and has the durability to power into the next level. Where can Khali develop? His vision on the outside lanes, could use some work this offseason as he puts himself on tape sometimes in vulnerable situations to take some physicality contact, as I believe he runs with more balance on the inside vs. the outside as far as the eyes can see. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15154033/615bfee14ba7ef08303abec3" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="105373" first="Damon" last="Green"] | Eastview | 2024</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-327364" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/43-Damon-Green.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Damon was one of the earliest prospect to leave a significant impression at the Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase. Damon did an outstanding job unlocking his hips and really cashing in early on the shuttle drills. He matched up even harder when we got into 1v1s, as I really saw Damon’s excellent athleticism come, the first time seeing it long &amp; in tune since last Fall. That agile RB prospect I mentioned a few sentences ago, really showed it off on tape against Centennial. His ability to switch directions with the swift turn each time was what really stuck out in the inside lane. I also really like Damon’s patience when he roams inside, as his timing on waiting for the gap to grow is outstanding. Damon was a key-sophomore starter on this developing Eastview program and averaged nearly 6 yards per carry, which is significant for a sophomore in 6A. Ever since I scouted Damon for the first time at a 7v7 tournament where this Eastview youngster dominated to a league championship, I have been locked in to this young man’s skillsets and really believe he will be playing on Saturdays. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14592070/6181d6a4bd74ae0cc099c6e3" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56571" first="Maddox" last="May"] | Aberdeen Roncalli (SD) | 2023</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-327369" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/116-Maddox-May.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Maddox was a prospect I was intrigued before the Prep Redzone Minnesota showcase that he was making the near five hour drive from Aberdeen, SD to show out his talents. Maddox tested out in the top 30% of the running back position. You should buckle up when you watch this 6’1 215 pound running back’s junior tape. At that size, being a downhill running back is going to cause significant issues with the defenses front seven. Regardless of where Maddox lines up on tape, he echoes high-level physicality throughout. He shows a bulked up burst and runs really efficiently thru the a-gap which I know coaches throughout the Dakotas love to watch has it is was one tougher gaps to power thru on. Maddox also has finished stamina speed, as he’s certainly not going to be a kid that will get run down near the end zone. I could see. I don’t know why my gut tells me this, but I believe the city of Aberdeen would love to see this kid in Maroon and Gold right up the road based on the skillsets I see. My bold prediction for your Wednesday night reading. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12608318/617efb093deb0e0b984cd75d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Linebackers:</span></strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="309223" first="Harrison" last="Kent"] | Becker | 2023</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-327473" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/132-Harrison-Kent.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> A second-team All-Camp Team, the Becker Bulldogs had some talent in the building at Park Center this weekend and one of them would be [player_tooltip player_id="309223" first="Harrison" last="Kent"]. Harrison was one of the linebacker prospects that tested well within my size/speed ratio and if there is one thing I know about this young man he will give you everything he’s got on the field, which he showed on Saturday and I got to watch it in person last season, and ate the best &amp; only pork chop I have ever eaten on the sidelines of course, which could be why Becker always has one of my favorite linebacking cores in the state year by year? Harrison shows quick get-off hands on the inside, and almost always is one of the first contacts on the ball due that speed we saw last weekend. He does a excellent job with his improvising play by play as he sells chaos to the offense even though it might not be there yet. Harrison is another LB from Becker that I believe has a college football future in my eyes, as I just love how rep after rep he is the first dude to the football and can cover some range too. He has much-watch post season highlights from 2021 below. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13069456/61f1cbaaff01af0b503b9ae5" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="242404" first="Ben" last="Ostendorf"] | Princeton | 2024</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-247398" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/48-Ben-Ostendorf.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> What do you know, another Princeton Tigers linebacker at our Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase and another one that left a lasting impression from Saturday. It wasn’t his testing numbers that do the justice, it is the energy Ben played with in 1v1 reps as he showed a physical presence from the glimpses I saw from him. If you go thru the first 3-4 plays on tape from Ben, you see a 6’0 195 LB prospect that can some damage when the RB enters his zone. It starts out for me with Ben’s stance before the snap, as that positioning alone with cause physical contact to come. It is also wear Ben is connecting with his contact, which when he finds his sweet spot he can crush back those few yards the tailback got due to his natural presence at linebacker. I also really like Ben’s vision, as he showed a great knack for finding the ball carrier in the herd of the madness. Could we have a a <strong>Thomas Rush</strong> or <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18426" first="Haydn" last="Stay"]</strong> coming soon from another Princeton linebacker? We will have to find out, as I think Ben shows plenty of upside to get the chance to play on Saturdays. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16657181/61955d2ddfe298092c822390" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="242450" first="Sam" last="Haug"] | Concordia Academy | 2024</strong> Sam was strong tester from my eyes on Saturday at the linebacker position. He tested specifically well in multiple categories that are significant in making a well put together linebacker. Sam’s tape shows off a young man that has efficient footwork and a quick knack for eye-balling the football just enough set the offense off guard. Sam shows off on a tape, athlecsm like a deer as he shows his instincts as a natural athlete at LB. Sam is consistently efficient at jumping the route and cashing in the key interception, as he shows great transition speed to get out there and the make the play that counts. I would grade Sam at around a 7-7.5 when it comes down to his physical contact level, as I believe there is more than than what gets shown and he has more to prove in the tank with two more seasons to go. A prospect I will be interested to watch in 2022 out of Concordia Academy in Roseville. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15577264/618816ac0dcaab0660248bcd" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Jacob Wrbanek | Maple Grove | 2025</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-327476" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/149-Jacob-Wrbanek.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Jacob was another LB prospect that played at a higher rate when looking at his age. Jacob did the work to make all camp team with his consistent presence when we dropped into 1v1s. Jacob’s hands might be some of the quickest I have seen from the linebacker position in this 2025 class, as he has a gentle tap &amp; go, which was something I mentioned this weekend with the defensive ends. When Jacob ends up dropping into pass-coverage on the second level, from what I could see he looks to have mild comfortability. Jacob is also the workhorse you will see doing everything he can to get contact on the ball carrier as you see him be the last contestant that couldn’t get beat to the end zone. Jacob plays on both sides of the ball, but I would say my preference as a prospect would be at that middle linebacker position as his athletic ability matches there well. Jacob can grow on his physicality by his presence in the weight room and working on looking more physical on tape. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14765318/624dffa9da5b600518976986" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong> [player_tooltip player_id="245995" first="Luke" last="Scheuer"] | Bryon | 2024</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-247403" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/53-Luke-Scheuer.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Luke really looked superb in the L-Drill that I caught from Saturday. Put this young man down on my checklist of LB prospects I wished I watched more now that the tape is being rolled, cause man there is a instincts on Luke. The very strong athleticism comes full-out when Luke bounces into the gap and then quickly shifts his feet into the perfect lane to attack the ball and make the play on first contact. Luke also shows a solid skillset in pass-coverage when he’s needed on intermediate routes as he shows more comfortability than I expected when I started the tape. Luke can grow on his balance when he enters the backfield and he feels the excitement coming but has showed signs of losing his footing which can create an awkward less clean tackle. This young man would be my #1 pick if I were to add one more new name on my All-Camp Team from Saturday. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15201010/618dd5b05ef6250ab8c28b38" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>