25 Minnesota Breakout Stars of 2022 so far..

Why does it have to go so fast? We're already at the midseason point of the 2022 season in our Great State of Minnesota and I for one could not be more thrilled with the competition, surprise teams, individual efforts, and the little recruiting splash that have defined this fall into October. Of all the news that has occurred, even the recruiting offers and commitments, I have been the most captivated by the new names taking center stage this season in a variety of classes of prep football. Whether it's a brand new prospect I haven't seen or heard of, a kid finally getting a starring role, someone being bumped up to varsity full-time, or a combination of one or more of these things, I've been referring to these players as breakout stars, and throughout this article I'll be highlighting and reviewing some of Minnesota's Finest 2022 Breakout Stars so far, letting you know why they're a breakout star, and updating you on why you need to know them. We got juniors, seniors, and even some JUCO prospects you won't want to miss out on right here, as always, with PrepRedzoneMN.   --   [player_tooltip player_id='438689' first='KhiJohnn' last='Cummings-Coleman'] (Coon Rapids) 2024. WR.   The biggest breakout star of 2022 so far is a name you're going to want to know if you're a fan of MN prep football and the P5 recruiting scene. The two-sport standout got some weight behind his name early this fall with two 100+ receiving-yard games and a 286-yard night against Buffalo in the first three weeks of action, scoring 6 TDs along the way as well. A lot of people took notice - including those at the P5 level - and Iowa State smartly became his first offer on September 16th, along with a few other names on this list. To the Cyclones credit as well, they were the only program to reach out to the junior when the September 1st live period came into effect, and since their offer Minnesota, NDSU, and Iowa have all contacted him with game day invites and graphics. This was a dude not a lot of people's radars coming into 2022 and as mentioned, is now the biggest breakout player of this fall. We still need to see some more film to affirm his potential standing, but from his uploaded game tape on Hudl he is looking like a complete receiver with explosiveness, athleticism, and speed. He's burnt DBs deep, turned small catches into long TDs run with his YAC ability, and has soft hands who can be depended on for big plays and the more routine ones. I like watching him pluck balls out of the air over the middle too.   Kaden Vig (Kittson County Central) 2023. DE. 6'6, 235 lbs.   A massive and production defensive end who I missed in my Preseason All-State series due to KCC not subscribing to Hudl, Vig is the state's sack leader through the midway point and has put up some monster defensive stat lines that includes 13 tackles the last three games. His 9 sacks came in the form of a 3.5 sack game against Park Christian, two sacks against Northern Frazee, 2.5 vs. Win-E-Mac, and one against Stephen-Argyle Central. Vig also has totaled 51 tackles, 18 TFLs, 248 receiving yards and 2 TDs. Sadly, no film, but he's still a name to know for 5-0 Kittson County Central.   [player_tooltip player_id='19029' first='Gavin' last='Nelson'] (Simley) 2023. RB. 6'1, 220 lbs. Minnesota Gophers wrestling commit   It's not that Nelson is just now coming to our attention, the recruiting scene, or varsity action, as the Minnesota wrestling commit, is a top-5 220 lb. recruit in the nation, a Minnesota state champ, a Greco national champ, and was twice named to the World Team in what is still a blossoming career on the mat. He's also been a beast for Simley's football team, but the reason he made this breakout list is that he only just began uploading game tape four months ago. It was a sight for sore eyes, as I am a huge fan of bell cow, XL, and North-South prep RBs who seek out contact and carry a mean truck stick in their repertoire. He's been off to one of the hottest starts in 2022 and has posted 104 rushes for 890 yards and 12 TDs and is a big reason why the Spartans are 5-0 and looking like a legit 5A state title contender. Wrestlers are notoriously bad at updating their senior year highlights, so if you get the chance to Nelson run the rock live this fall I would take advantage of the opportunity. It sounds like he's been a runaway train of a ball carrier this fall.   Mo Saine (Eden Prairie) 2024. DT. 6'5, 270 lbs.   On a loaded Eden Prairie Eagles for the 2022 season, the massive defensive tackle Saine still came into 2022 under the radar and without much name recognition and was certainly under the radar before Iowa State sent him a gameday invite and eventual offer after he checked Ames out with two teammates. Now, he's reported interest from Northern Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas State, and Wisconsin, and visited Dinkytown last Saturday as the Gophers took on Purdue. He looks all of 6'5, on tape, and if he's actually weighing around 270 lbs. it is looking lean and long and I'm sure quite intriguing in the eyes of college coaches. He's also showing some solid stuff on tape in terms of movement skills and how he uses his hands and massive frame to get off 1-on-1 blocks. We're going to need to see more tape and get some verified measurements on the big boy but I'm going to do my best to get him to our upcoming PrepRedzoneMN Showcase in December!   [player_tooltip player_id='348771' first='Leyton' last='Patzer'] (Forest Lake) 2024. RB. 5'8, 175 lbs.   If you've been reading my stuff this fall you know PRzMN has been a fan of the resurgent Forest Lake program, who are sitting at 3-0 with a massive game with Stillwater set to kickoff tomorrow night. Forest Lake has a variety of contributors and talents, but spearheading the offense is a newcomer and breakout star out of the 2024 class in [player_tooltip player_id='348771' first='Leyton' last='Patzer']. With 75 carries for 557 yards and 7 TDs at the midseason point of '22, he's shown off vision, quickness, and versatility while catching the ball out of the backfield, taking direct snaps, and breaking tackles in a variety of ways. For a buck seventy-five he's got some power behind his pads and has laid and impressively absorbed some big hits as a ball carrier so far this season. Welcome to the varsity scene, Leyton! It looks like it's been no trouble at all for you.   [player_tooltip player_id='105365' first='Carter' last='Holcomb'] (Rochester Mayo) Junior. WR. 5'10, 170 lbs.   The PrepRedzoneMN Showcase standout isn't new to varsity action and is definitely not in his first year of being productive, Holcomb qualifies for the breakout list mostly due to him stepping into the star role on Mayo's offense and passing attack after his brother's graduation last spring in the 2022 class. The older Holcomb - who set the MSHSL career reception record and is now at Winona State - and his younger brother were an experienced and dynamic one-two punch last fall but with Cayden's graduation, this has turned 100% into the [player_tooltip player_id='105365' first='Carter' last='Holcomb'] show. Mayo is looking like a legit 5A contender right now and a big reason for that is the ultra-productive and explosive WR and returner, who is sitting at 37 receptions for 800 yards and 9 TDs and almost 300 return yards between his nine PRs and five KRs. He's fast, fearless, and great in tight spaces, able to cut on a dime both as a route runner and when the ball is in his hands. I can't wait for his updated film from 2022, and make sure you keep your eyes on the Spartans as the 5A season progresses. Lot of good football in the 507 this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='312928' first='Landyn' last='Nelson'] (Andover) Senior. QB. 6'2, 195 lbs.   Stepping in for graduated All-Metro kid is never an easy task, but Andover's [player_tooltip player_id='312928' first='Landyn' last='Nelson'] has taken the opportunity and ran it with for 4-2 Andover after last night's victory over Coon Rapids. His predecessor, Connor Develice, was a tough, efficient, and dependable signal-caller who led the Huskies to a 10-1 record and an appearance in the 5A state quarterfinal, but Nelson is showing that he's got some juice too. His stat line is looking impressive through six games as he's completed 92 passes out of 140 completions (66%) for 1,289 yards and 19 TDs to only two interceptions and is averaging 215 yards a game, 9.2 yards an attempt, and a 129 passer rating. No film yet but I'll be the first to watch it when it drops.   Newmann Thomas (Minneapolis Patrick Henry) Senior. RB. 5'7, 160 lbs.   I've been super excited about some of the resurgent programs in the Minneapolis and St. Paul city districts this fall, and representing Minneapolis this year is the Patrick Henry Patriots, led by their playmaking RB Newmann Thomas. Both Thomas and the Pats are having a big year, with a 5-0 start for the first time in a while and a big win last Friday against the 651's resurgent program: Harding/Humboldt. They also take on another pleasant surprise from MPLS in the South Tigers today at 5:30, and if Henry can continue its 232 rushing YPG average they're going to have a good shot at keeping the magic going. Thomas has broken out in terms of his production and leadership and is sitting at 85 carries for 859 yards and 12 TDs with a 10.1 YPC average and 172 yards per game through five games of 2022. He's made this season his own and on tape, I like his vision, one-cut ability and shiftiness, and contact balance for his size. He's got a smooth and shifty gait that does a good job of not hinting where the senior is going to cut to, and the combination of that gait and his cutting skills has left a lot of defenders looking foolish in his wake. Not a lot of recruiting attention going on right now for Thomas either!   Eli Paulson (Anoka) Senior. WR. 5'9, 150 lbs.   The son of legendary World and Olympic silver medalist Brandon Paulson - who owns and operates one of the best wrestling clubs/schools in the United States in Pinnacle Wrestling right here in Roseville - stud two-sporter Eli Paulson has been fantastic as a pass catcher for the Anoka Tornadoes in 2022. Paulson was named to the 6A Preseason All-State team as a returner as well, so it's safe to say he's got some juice and explosiveness with the rock in his hand, but where he's really excelled this fall in his consistency and receptions numbers. Paulson has sat atop the state's leaderboards (thank you MNFootballHub) at #1 in total receptions for basically all of 2022, and his 60 catches so far this year is 20 more than the next closest WR. He's also used those 60 catches to earn himself and his offense 648 yards and 4 TDs, and has rushed for a TD and is handling kick and punt return duties as well. Working primarily out of the slot, Paulson makes it very hard for defenders to get a hand on him in his release, and he can also drop his hips and create separation at the top of the route. He also has strong hands that will pluck the ball out of the air and he smartly works back to the football, and I like how he tracks and plays the ball as well. He's tough and not scared of contact, and boy does he possess a nice spin move and some quick feet that makes it look like opponents are trying to grab a greased-up pig while attempting to corral him. He's been Anoka's go-to weapon this fall and has taken advantage of every opportunity as a senior and #1 offensive option.   [player_tooltip player_id='105374' first='Maxwell' last='Woods'] (Chanhassen) Junior. RB. 5'11, 180 lbs.   Woods was definitely a known commodity in the 2024 class last season, when a lot of good things were being said about his athleticism while got brief tastes of varsity action as an underclassman. He was Chan's leading rusher in 2021, but with the Storms loss of now-Wyoming Cowboys WR Charlie Coenen, Woods has stepped into the role of Chanhassen's primary offensive weapon, and boy is it looking good the junior and his team. He's looking at 78 carries for 709 yards and 9 TDs and has helped Chanhassen to a 4-1 record prior to tonight's matchup with Waconia. Also a star hooper, Woods has game breaking speed that can outrun pursuit angles impressively, especially when he gets the sideline, and I love how he sets up his cuts as well as the power and ease he shows when he plants his cleat in the ground. He's made some fantastic runs so far this season and looks consistent in his ability to make the first man miss, making him a clear-looking Division 1 RB with P5 potential. We need some verified measurements and numbers first, but the tape is looking quite good from this fall. There is a lot to be excited about in Mr. Woods and I'm pumped to be a part of the bandwagon.   [player_tooltip player_id='441518' first='Dane' last='Borene'] (SMB) Junior. DE. 6'5, 240 lbs.   SMB is once again stacked on their DL, but going into this season a lot of the attention was focused on junior [player_tooltip player_id='242417' first='Trent' last='Page'], a 6'4, 245 pounder who did a lot of good things as a sophomore, so many good things perhaps, that 6'6, 240-pounder [player_tooltip player_id='441518' first='Dane' last='Borene'] somewhat slipped under the radar coming into 2022. However, he's made sure to breakout onto the Metro and recruiting scene as a now-junior, posting 25 tackles, 6 sacks, 4 TFLs, and a FF at the midseason point and earning game day invites and recruiting graphics from Iowa State, Navy, Minnesota, Columbia, and Northern Illinois, and has excitedly visited Iowa State and Minnesota in September for unofficial, game day experiences. His junior midseason tape displays a 5T DE with a great first-step, technique and bend at the top of the pass-rushing arch, and lateral agility that makes him hard to size up for opposing OTs. His overall hand usage, mobility, and tackling all flash a little bit on the tape as well. There's a lot to like and I'm thrilled to see how he continues to grow and develop as a prospect and recruit.   [player_tooltip player_id='368599' first='Juriad' last='Hughes'] (Irondale) Junior. WR. 6'1, 170 lbs.   There are some really promising prospects at Irondale High School right now, especially in the 2024 class, and among them you have to make sure you remember WR [player_tooltip player_id='368599' first='Juriad' last='Hughes'], who had a good showing at the Minnesota Gophers prospect camp this summer, which helped him earn gameday invites and initial recruiting graphics from the Gophs in September. Iowa State and Northern Illinois have also sent him game day invites, and with good size, some deep threat ability, and ball tracking skills, there's some good things going on. I want to see him break more tackles and finish big plays in the rest of his 2022 tape.   Antonio Menard (Lakeville North) Junior. DE. 6'3, 215 lbs.   Do you guys remember Greg Menard? The former Lakeville North and North Dakota State All-Everything DE? If not, venture to Youtube and peep some highlights, but what I'm getting at here is that there is another Menard on the scene, and that my friends, is a reason to celebrate. Meet 2024 6'3, 215 pounder Antonio Menard, who has qualified for the state wrestling tournament and also competes in track & field and soccer for the Panthers. You can tell he comes from his brother's stock in the second play of his midseason tape, where he put a prolific Prior Lake lineman who shall remain nameless right on his butt on an attempted pull that is a big boy play not a lot are able to make, to say the least. He's quick, strong, and excellent at the point of contact, with versatility all along the defensive line. He's been disruptive and aggressive and another shining example of a rapid Lakeville North defender. He's visited the Gophers, Cyclones, and Bison on game day experiences this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='368529' first='Jide' last='Abasiri'] (Prior Lake) Junior. DL. 6'6, 270 lbs.   I'll keep this one shorter as I've talked about Abasiri a lot of the last couple of months, but the long and massive Prior Lake defensive lineman isn't new to our radar or that of P5 squads - earning a ton of summer camp invites and a lot of recruiting attention once September 1st rolled around - and culminating in an Iowa State offer on September 17th. Welcome to the P5 scene young man! Since then, Kansas State has been all over him, and he's heard from Duke and Iowa and earned an invitation for Tom Lemming's recent prep photoshoot in Madison. His midseason film shows a giant NG/3T who knows how to use his size and length to locate the ball and shed blocks with easy. He can even take on multiple blocking attempts over the course of a play and hold his gap, get his big hands under the chest plate of opponents, and dominate weaker blockers. More from him soon, I'm sure.   [player_tooltip player_id='368530' first='Easton' last='Suess'] (Kasson-Mantorville) Junior. DE. 6'5, 205 lbs.   A pleasant surprise and recruiting stock-riser from 2022 that has broke out and separated himself from his 2024 peers comes out of Kasson-Mantorville and their two-sport standout [player_tooltip player_id='368530' first='Easton' last='Suess']. A long, lean, 6'5, 200+ pound edge defender with a great basketball background and skillset, Suess heard from NDSU first and has heard from them plenty since they initially reached out September 1st. Since his unofficial visit to Fargo on September 10th, the likes of South Dakota State, Northern Illinois, Iowa State, and Minnesota have all contacted the junior, and I'm hoping he's as excited about the uptick in momentum on the recruiting trail. He's a natural at getting his arms up into passing lanes and knocking down or picking off passes, and his get-off, quickness, and ability close on QBs and RBs in the backfield all look strong. Keep it up, Easton!   [player_tooltip player_id='438724' first='Hunter' last='Kallstrom'] (Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg) Junior. LB. 6'4, 205 lbs.   Man, it never gets old seeing a small schooler breakout in the national recruiting conversation from Minnesota, and Kerkhoven's [player_tooltip player_id='438724' first='Hunter' last='Kallstrom'] is starting to get some real steam behind my name and someone the home state Golden Gophers are keeping a close eye on. Now that 2024s can be officially contacted, he's broken onto recruiting scene, and the Preseason All-State pick has also caught the attention of GopherIllustrated contributor Ryan Burns. The junior has picked up right where he left off from his sophomore year as a crushing, lead-blocking fullback, and is also looking dangerous with the ball in his hands. He can run, catch, and work through tackle attempts either with physicality or agility, and overall the junior is just a natural, do-it-all football player and another strong representation of the type of players small town MN produces. Big things coming!   Koi Perich (Esko) Junior. ATH. 6'2, 180 lbs.   I've been all over Esko and Perich for a few months now so I'll keep this short as well, but Koi has broken out on the P5 recruiting scene after certainly being on the radar of the likes of Minnesota and Wisconsin in particular. Explosive, fluid, and a natural playmaker, Perich can do just about anything asked of him on the gridiron and is putting out some very strong tape both as a sophomore and now junior. As an OLB this fall, he's been flying off the edge like he's shot out of a cannon and laying some hard, violent hits in a variety of manners. He can play in space and off the edge with comfortability and ease, and I really like watching him at the point of attack. You'll be hearing more about him soon.   Quientrail Jamison-Travis (Minneapolis North/Iowa Western C.C.) Sophomore. DE. 6'4, 280 lbs.   The college sophomore was a dominant giant as a prep for the Polars and nearly wound up at Iowa State before landing at MN-friendly Iowa Western Community College, where many DL from the Land of 10,000 Lakes have found a second chance. This fall, he's earned offers from North Carolina-Charlotte, UAB, Washington State, Western Kentucky, Arkansas State, and Nebraska and I can't wait to see where he ends up.   Isaiah Green (St. Cloud Tech/Northern Iowa/Iowa Western C.C.) Redshirt Freshman. DL. 6'2, 300 lbs.   The Northern Iowa bounceback and St. Cloud product is back in the D1 mix with the mighty Reivers after earning a D1 offer from Long Island University. Green was also a monster wrestler back in the day and is up to a gaudy 6'2, 300 pounds.   Deonte Bryant (Hopkins/Iowa Central C.C.) Sophomore. DE. 6'5, 240 lbs.   The JUCO stat-stuffer and former Hopkins Royals standout DE and wrestler Bryant has been a force with Iowa Central over the past two seasons and has entered the big boy recruiting sphere with a Toledo offer on September 30th. Northern Iowa followed shortly after. Huge wingspan and a strong, athletic background are two big things to like in the sack monster from Minneapolis.   --   Some other names to know:   Dylan Vokal (Maple Grove) 2025. Punt Returner and Wide Receiver   Nathan Hromadka (Maple Grove) 2025. TE. 6'5, 200 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='452873' first='Jake' last='Tepley'] (Braham) 2024. QB. 6', 200 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='242385' first='Landon' last='Dillon'] (SMB) 2024. RB. 6', 215 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='312947' first='Damien' last='Bentho'] (Brainerd) 2023. RB. 5'10, 185 lbs.   Corey Bohmert (Mahtomedi) 2023. RB. 5'10, 175 lbs.

Why does it have to go so fast? We're already at the midseason point of the 2022 season in our Great State of Minnesota and I for one could not be more thrilled with the competition, surprise teams, individual efforts, and the little recruiting splash that have defined this fall into October. Of all the news that has occurred, even the recruiting offers and commitments, I have been the most captivated by the new names taking center stage this season in a variety of classes of prep football. Whether it's a brand new prospect I haven't seen or heard of, a kid finally getting a starring role, someone being bumped up to varsity full-time, or a combination of one or more of these things, I've been referring to these players as breakout stars, and throughout this article I'll be highlighting and reviewing some of Minnesota's Finest 2022 Breakout Stars so far, letting you know why they're a breakout star, and updating you on why you need to know them. We got juniors, seniors, and even some JUCO prospects you won't want to miss out on right here, as always, with PrepRedzoneMN.