16 More Must-Know Outstate Studs for 2022

PrepRedzoneMN is ready and excited to put the 2021 season and its film behind us and finish out the Preseason All-State film grind with this last batch of studs found in the Hudl grind of every prep program in the state. Personally, we're always on a mission to bring recognition and exposure to under-recruited athletes, and in Minnesota in particular we really want to shed light on talented football players from Outstate MN and the small schools that make up the regions far outside the Metro. Below, we've named 16 must-know Outstate studs at almost every position on the gridiron, and from New Ulm up to International Falls, these boys can play. Get to know these ballers before Week 3/4 kicks off below, and thanks for reading!   Tate Zeller (Rochester John Marshall) DE. 6'4, 230 lbs. @ZellerTate   The Rochester product has received game day invites from Concordia-St. Paul and Augustana this fall and attended the Dordt University and South Dakota prospect camps this past summer. With great size and the strength to back down opponents with power rushes and make tackles while still engaged with blockers, Zeller has a good motor and will pursue ball carriers out to the edge and can run down QBs and RBs if they don't respect his speed. He also uses his hands well when keeping OL at bay and eventually disengaging, and he's got no problem laying the boom when given the chance. John Marshall and the entire Rochester area is stacked with intriguing defenders and I hope Zeller sees his recruitment pick up soon!   [player_tooltip player_id='313126' first='Devin' last='Orbeck'] (Melrose Area) DB/WR. 6'2, 185 lbs. @devin_orbeck3   The Central Minnesota athlete, who earned Class AAA First Team Preseason All-State DB honors this summer, visited St. John's in April of last spring and also received a camp invite to the Sioux Falls Cougs. However, things have been quiet on the recruiting front since the spring. The two-way playmaker shows a knack for the big play from his WR or safety spots and was a total ballhawk in 2021 who picked off opposing passes all over the field on telegraphed throws. Orbeck also has some noticeable juice after the catch and can beat tackle attempts with speed or quick, well-timed cuts that leave defenders grasping at air. I think he projects best to DB in college but is going to be very hard to contain on both sides of the ball in 2022.   Jake Friedrich (Thief River Falls) ATH. 6', 195 lbs. @jake_friedrich   Thief River Falls - generally known for their hockey prowess - have themselves a stud on the gridiron in RB/LB/P/K Jake Friedrich, who also doubles as a monster in the weight room and posted a 460 lb. max squat and 305 lb. bench press this past summer and only built on those numbers before the season starting. The Preseason All-State Class AA Athlete was invited to and attended the Minnesota State University-Moorhead junior day but besides that, the senior has received limited recruiting attention, a fact sure to change as the season progresses. Offensively, the RB can slip through weaker tackle attempts thanks to that strong lower body and shows a little bit of shiftiness and comfortability catching the ball out of the backfield. On defense, he's a good tackler and uses that same slipperiness to avoid blockers and traffic when finding the ball. Looks bigger than his 6', 195 lb. frame would suggest as well!   Tyler Stone (West Central Area) DL/OL.   A two-way Preseason All-State pick who helped his squad to the Class AA state championship game in 2021, Stone's junior highlights show off a strong, physical, and potentially dominant lineman who made some big hits and clutch 4th down steps from the DL last season. With a good get-off and heavy hands, he's a very tough 1-on-1 blocking matchup and a natural hard hitter who sends opponents backward when he lowers his pads. I love how he explodes into the backfield from his 3T spot and attacks blocks with good leverage, and he also crushed some defenders as a pulling guard last fall. That junior tape is a good, fun watch and I hope college programs have taken notice of the talented West Central Area/Ashby prospect. Without a Twitter, I can't give you guys much status on his recruitment!   [player_tooltip player_id='424448' first='Jonny' last='Robideau'] (Barnesville) LB. 6', 220 lbs. @JonnyRobideau   I've been especially smitten with a few Barnesville recruits over the past couple of seasons (most notably the Zenzen's and Adam Tonsfeldt), and they have another player that is easy to fall in love with in the well-built LB Jonny Robideau, who is coming off a Class AA First Team Preseason All-State nod at the LB position. This will be his fourth year of starting on varsity for the Trojans defense, and that experience shows up in his junior tape as you can see him smoothly read his keys, diagnose the ball, and find the ball with minimal time wasted. He closes quickly and aggressively for a bigger linebacker and can assist in pass coverage, and Robideau is also a booming tackler when given the chance. He takes on blocks with similar pop as well. Going to be a big year for the Barnesville MLB.   [player_tooltip player_id='299995' first='Braden' last='Skifstad'] (International Falls) DL. @BradenSkifstad   Always cool seeing a prospect come out of one of our Northernmost programs in the International Falls Broncos, and senior defensive lineman Braden Skifstad was a beast in 2021 and shows off twitch, speed, and muscle from a good-sized defensive end. His skills netted him a Second Team selection on the Class AA Preseason All-State DL team. He's also got a playmaker mentality - as shown by his natural want to scoop and score in the third play of his junior tape - and is instinctive enough to recognize that when he can't get to the QB he can throw his hands up and into passing lanes. All in all, he's got a balanced skillset that makes for a very challenging 1-on-1 blocking matchup. Skifstad is going to be even more disruptive in 2022.   [player_tooltip player_id='313152' first='Cole' last='Thompson'] (Minnesota Valley Lutheran) WR/DB. 5'11, 175 lbs.   The Preseason All-State Second Team WR and First Team DB for Class AA put up some monster stats on the offensive side of the ball last season to the tune of 43 receptions for 744 yards and 16 total TDs and did so with flash and finesse. With great balance and the ability to go up and high point the football, he made some smooth and impressive catches in 2021 to go along with some slick runs after the catch and uses that playmaking ability on defense where he ballhawks all over the field. Man, he's fun to watch as a WR though, and I think he's got what it takes to project to the offensive side of the ball in college. No Twitter so I don't know where he's at with recruiting, but someone needs to hit the Minnesota Valley Lutheran program hard in 2022-23, they are stacked.   Ethan Boll (Crookston) FB. 6'1, 210 lbs. @EBoll38   The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks commit was a First Team pick for Class AA FB and absolutely rocks opponents from either there or his LB spot. The 6'1, 210-pounder has quick, active feet when the rock is in his hand and is a rangy LB who attacks blocks with force and is great at bringing his hips through contact when finishing tackles. Nothing better than watching a dominant fullback put kids on their butts, though! Can't wait to watch Boll in Grand Forks.   Jamison Reed (Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa) WR. 6'5, 195 lbs. @JamisonReed23   The Class A First Team Preseason All-State WR was nearly picked for Preseason Offensive POY thanks to his intriguing frame, athleticism, and junior tape, and through two games of his senior season he is backing up the accolades. A long-limbed deep threat with body control and 50/50 catch ability in droves, the small schooler plays the ball well when it's in the air, which allows him to drift back DBs who are already giving him tons of cushion in coverage. Reed was a soft-handed TD machine last season and should see his recruitment kick off sooner rather than later, as the two-sport standout hasn't reported any college interest or offers. Keep balling, Jamison!   Dallen Ernst (Breckenridge) DL/OL. 6'5, 240 lbs. @DallenErnst   A three-sport standout and a member of Breckenridge's talented 2023 graduating class, Dallen Ernst was named First Team Class A Preseason All-State OL and DL and even contributes as a LS on special teams. Ernst is an explosive finisher as a blocker with good strength and leg drive and a nonstop motor that doesn't quit until the opposition is on the turf. He's also got the strength to hold blockers at bay while he locates and eliminates the ball carrier, and last year he posted 51 tackles, 2 FRs, and a TD from his DL spot. He's got two NSIC offers from MSUM and Sioux Falls and will see that number grow as the fall turns to winter. Breck has some dudes this year.   Nolan Hildahl (Yellow Medicine East) FB. 5'10, 180 lbs. @nolan_hildahl   The Class A Preseason All-State First Team FB and Granite Falls native is a three-sport standout at Yellow Medicine East and hasn't yet reported any college football interest or offers. The small school, two-way contributor flies around on the gridiron like his hair is on fire and is an aggressive ball carrier who sets a physical tone for YME's offense. His lower body strength helps him run dudes over, stay upright through contact, and take on blocks defensively while keeping his body in position to tackle the ball carrier. DIII's need to get on this kid immediately!   Max Olson (Martin County West) DL. 6'3, 225 lbs. @maxolson65   The First Team Class A Preseason All-State OL and DL was one of my favorite linemen in all of the small school divisions and made a big impression on PrepRedzoneMN after we initially checked out his junior highlights this spring. Olson has the frame that could blow up in a college strength and conditioning program and put up some monster stats in 2021, including 88 tackles, 27 TFLs (!), 5 sacks, 2 PBUs, and a fumble recovery and was a hard hitter who picked up and slammed more than his fair share of RBs as a junior. He's long, strategic, and efficient with his hands on both offense and defense, and can either slip by or run through opponents depending on the situation. I'm just a big fan of his body frame and play style and I think his skillset will translate well to the next level. No reported interest or offers! Coaches: please get at him.   Wyatt Williamson (Martin County West) LB. 6'3, 200 lbs.   Martin County West represent! Another First Team Preseason All-State pick this time at the LB position, Williamson is 6'3, 200 and totaled 82 tackles, 6 TFLs, and 5 PBUs in 2021 and has put some really good things on film going into his senior season. A strong and technically sound tackler with length and a good understanding of pursuit angles/leverage, Williamson can also impact the passing game and is comfortable between the tackles or out on the edge. I hope defensive coaches are stopping by Sherburn this fall!   Ethan Spanier (Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa) DE. 6', 230 lbs. @espanier24   Another BBE Jaguar to make the First Team Class A Preseason All-State list, defensive end Spanier visited the MSUM Dragons in April but is into the senior season without a ton of recruiting attention. Thick and compact with long arms for a 6' DL, he's got some bend off the edge and the ability to beat OTs to either shoulder thanks to his quick first step and quickness. He also split a couple double teams in his junior tape and a solid array of pass rush moves as a 5T that have to give small school OL fits. He's got some strong technique and a lot of athleticism in a solid 230 lb. frame. I hope his recruitment picks up soon, he deserves it!   Bryant Callenius (Wheaton-Herman-Norcross) LB. 6'1, 195 lbs.   One of the best defenders in all of 9man, W-H-N LB Bryant Callenius earned First Team Preseason All-State LB honors as well as the 9man Preseason DPOY award from PrepRedzoneMN going into his senior season. A ferocious hitter who also happens to be a very challenging blocking assignment, especially in space, Callenius closes quickly and has some impressive pop and strength at the point of contact for 195 pounds. He goes hard out there and is fun to watch thanks to his motor and overall aggressiveness, can go sideline-to-sideline in pursuit, and diagnoses plays quickly. I can't wait to watch him lay some more people out this season.   Luke Frank (Delano) LB. 6', 215 lbs.   Delano has put out some monster prep football players over the years and is filled with good-sized and physical seniors in this 2023 class. One of them is LB/FB Luke Frank, who is built like a bowling ball on film and knocks into opponents like one too. I like his overall mobility at his size, and he's an asset in coverage from the MLB spot, capable of running with faster skill positions downfield. He's also physical between the tackles and can beat blocking attempts with speed if necessary, and you already know I love seeing FBs put people into the dirt, a skill the Delano senior was not lacking in 2021.

PrepRedzoneMN is ready and excited to put the 2021 season and its film behind us and finish out the Preseason All-State film grind with this last batch of studs found in the Hudl grind of every prep program in the state. Personally, we're always on a mission to bring recognition and exposure to under-recruited athletes, and in Minnesota in particular we really want to shed light on talented football players from Outstate MN and the small schools that make up the regions far outside the Metro. Below, we've named 16 must-know Outstate studs at almost every position on the gridiron, and from New Ulm up to International Falls, these boys can play. Get to know these ballers before Week 3/4 kicks off below, and thanks for reading!