26 Metro Minnesota 2026s

Now that the 2022 regular season of MN high school football is gone with the wind and playoffs are fully upon us, PRzMN wanted to take some time this week to highlight some freshman first-year players who have come across our radar throughout this season and get some good ol' fashion film evaluations posted for our lovely subscribers. Although non-varsity tape can't be used consistently to predict where a prep recruit projects to the college level, good players tend to perform at a high level no what who they're playing against, and in Minnesota, we have identified many high-profile studs early thanks to their JV tape and performance before them finding glory at the varsity level. [player_tooltip player_id='19020' first='Elinneus' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='120503' first='Aiden' last='Horel'], Rod Finley, and most recently [player_tooltip player_id='368529' first='Jide' last='Abasiri'] are four of the first that comes to mind when looking back at standouts that [player_tooltip player_id='1292716' first='Nate' last='Wahl'] and I have found and liked before them contributing to the varsity level, and with the way college football recruiting exists, has changed and is still evolving, it's becoming more and more relevant to evaluate freshman and get prospects on your board as early as possible. Because a lot of these kids don't play varsity yet, I'll be keeping the evals. shorter than usual, but I'm excited to bring to our readers a first look at 26 Metro Minnesota 2026s that have come into our crosshairs since the '22 season kicked off. Stay tuned for an upcoming Outstate feature as well. Thanks for reading and remember these names!   --   Braden Minta (Eden Prairie) TE/DE. 6'3, 220 lbs. @BradenMinta   One of the biggest players on the field in his freshman highlights, Minta is capable of producing splash plays as a pass catching TE and is dominant at the point of attack as a run blocker who can overwhelm and finish opponents with ease. He possesses good technique as a blocker, legit size, good strength, and has an exciting first play of his freshman tape against Prior Lake where he makes a big catch and sheds some tackle attempts like his 6'3, 220 lb. frame would suggest. Minta can also make an impact from the DL and around the LOS with that aforementioned technique and size. Make sure you keep your eye out for the Eden Prairie young buck when the introductory 2026 rankings get released soon.   Sid Chowdhury (Eden Prairie) DB/WR. 5'9, 135 lbs. @SidChowdhury19   An Eden Prairie freshman cornerback who made a nice interception against Minnetonka on a goal line fade that fell right into his lap thanks to his tight coverage, Chowdhury is comfortable and consistent at tackling in space, understands leverage as the outside defender, and shows that he can shed blocks as well. He had a really nice forced fumble against Lakeville South thanks to that tackling technique this season as well.   Brody Bauer (Lakeville South) OL. 6', 205 lbs. @brodynbauer   A freshman offensive lineman who can get off the the ball well and utilize good hand placement, Bauer is capable of finishing opponents if they get too off balance or out of position. I'll be excited to see how the Cougars strength and conditioning program develops Bauer over the next couple of years.   Nic Swanson (Lakeville South) RB. 5'11, 170 lbs. @nicswanson28   Another prolific freshman Cougars RB that caught PRzMN's attention and followed in the footsteps of [player_tooltip player_id='234775' first='Connor' last='Cade'] last fall, 2026 RB Nic Swanson posted 1,850 rushing yards and 19 TDs to help Lakeville South's freshman squad go 7-1 this regular season. Rocking #28 and looking long and explosive like South's varsity RB (not a comparison), Swanson has burst and top end speed that can be so dangerous in the Cougars Power-T offense and also possesses vision, quickness, and contact balance against freshman competition. Swanson can easily take the edge on opposing defenses or break tackle attempts with power and is another exciting emerging talent coming out of Lakeville. Keep up the great work, Nic. I'm extra excited to see how Swanson and his game continues to grow and progress.   Carter Wendorff (Lakeville South) OL/DL. 6', 205 lbs. @WendorffCarter   Another 6A Lakeville South freshman to make the list, Wendorff has three games of 2022 tape and has a great rep of him running far downfield and making a tackle in open space in punt coverage despite playing offensive line as a freshman. He goes full out in between the whistle and has some good reps of him going hard and working to finish blocks. Lakeville South freshman have done a good job of marketing themselves the past couple years.   [player_tooltip player_id='212361' first='Jabari' last='Strader'] (Benilde-St. Margaret's) WR. 6', 175 lbs. @StraderJabari   There are some noteworthy underclassmen wide receivers coming out of the Red Knights, as well as an exciting quarterback, and 2026 6', 175 lber. Bari Strader is definitely worth mentioning as he looks much more like a varsity WR than a freshman on tape, especially against freshman competition. He uses that size to his advantage as well, high pointing contested catches and stiff arming defenders off him like he's playing against middle schoolers. With great speed, Strader can easily run away from defenders and cover a ton of ground as a MOF defender from his free safety spot. I also really like the twitch he shows both as a route runner and when the ball is in his hands, and I'll be very surprised if he's not playing varsity ball next season. Also, I'll just be straight up, he's going to see himself pretty high up there in these upcoming 2026 introductory rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='402073' first='James' last='Engle Jr']. (Maple Grove) RB. @JamesEngleJr   There's a good chance that the tradition-rich Maple Grove RB lineage continues if Engle Jr. can keep up the production he put out in 2022 as a freshman, totaling 104 carries for 1500+ yards and 23 TDs and doing so in athletic fashion. With a ton of burst out of the backfield and some shifty hips that defenders have a very hard time reading and squaring up, Engle is lethal in the open field and elusive in space, capable of consistently making the last defender miss and finishing big runs for six. Engle also has good speed at the top end and has good contact balance for his size as well. He looks like a talented and balanced RB who was a big play machine this season. I'll be keeping a close eye on Engle Jr. as the off-season's go by.   Daniel Vannett (Prior Lake) TE/K/P. 6'2, 160 lbs. @DanielVannett   A long, lean freshman specialist who handled PATs, FGs, kickoffs, and punts, Vannett's got a good boot on him for a young buck and can get the ball downfield with good strength and height depending on what you need him to do. That versatility and ability to impact a ton of special teams will come in handy as he grows and gets stronger.   Noah Gratz (Prior Lake) DT. 6', 215 lbs. @gratz_noah23   A good-sized interior lineman, Gratz displays a great get-off as a defensive tackle and also shows the strength to hold and fight through double team attempts at the LOS. He looks coordinated when he runs and is fast for his size and age and puts that on display, as well as a nose for contact, in a long-snapping rep against Shakopee where he runs downfield, blows up a blocking attempt or two, and makes a beautiful and strong tackle on the returner in the open field. I'm a big fan of his motor and body control for a freshman and see a ton of potential for Gratz's future. Stay tuned with PRzMN for updates on Gratz, I have a feeling there will be more as the years progress.   Marcus Snyder (Spring Lake Park) QB/LB. 6', 165 lbs. @SnyderMarcus0   With good size and a basketball background that so often aides Minnesota preps football skillsets, Snyder is a physical and impressive runner from the QB position who defenders looked scared to tackle in freshman competition. He can be a North-South guy but has good speed as well, and his mobility is an asset as a passer as well. A bruising Spring Lake Park QB is a great look for the Panthers and I would love to see them have one leading the helm again.   Caleb Francois (Minnetonka) OLB. 5'11, 150 lbs. @CalebFrancois11   A 5'11, 150 lb. OLB and offensive weapon who looks long, lean, and strong against fellow 9th graders this fall, Francois looks athletic, fast, and nimble, and is a violent and efficient edge defenders who is a hard hitter and very capable of picking off passes in pass defense. He can also torch DBs as a wideout and can do a lot of things offensively, which speaks to his athleticism and playmaking ability all over the field. I'd say the future is bright for the Minnetonka product.   Cade Sherman (Rosemount) QB. 6', 145 lbs. @cade98094280   Unfortunately, Sherman separated his elbow and needed a season-ending surgery on October 15th but still put some good things on tape in his midseason highlights prior to surgery. A smooth lefty gunslinger with a big arm who will hang in the pocket to make a throw through big contact, Rosemount's Sherman is tough, athletic, and accurate when getting the ball downfield. I like his arm strength for his size and age, and after seeing some of the big hits he took at the midseason point of 2022 I can safely say he's one of the tougher freshman in the 2026 class.   Quinton VeDepo (Rosemount) RB/DB. @QVedepo   Also a standout hockey player who also competes in track, VeDepo opens his freshman film with a BEAUTIFUL hurdle clean over a Lakeville South defender after snagging the rock out of the air as a WR. He then lands the jump, stays upright, and slips through two more tackle attempts to complete a more-than-impressive touchdown play. He also possesses great vision, lateral agility and power out of his cuts, and hands out of the backfield. VeDepo is obviously athletic and a strong kid who I am quite pumped to continue following and watching. Keep it up, young man! That hurdle was something.   [player_tooltip player_id='224134' first='Nick' last='Kinsey'] (Benilde-St. Margaret's) QB. 6'2, 185 lbs. @Nickkinsey2026   Already established as the state's most prolific 2026er after earning a huge SEC offer from Ole Miss this past June during summer camp season, Kinsey also holds an offer from FBS UConn and has been busy this fall, visiting Ole Miss, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, and Oregon on game day invites and also meeting with the legendary recruiting analyst Tom Lemming for his annual photoshoot. Kinsey definitely has arm talent, with a fluid and pretty throwing motion that gets the ball out quickly, efficiently, and accurately at all levels of the field. He's also mobile and athletic inside and outside of the pocket, can make throws off balance and at a variety of angles, and possesses a noticeably strong arm. Kinsey is certainly backing up the hype against freshman competition and I cannot wait to see how he dices up varsity defenses. Kinsey is making and defending a strong case for the #1 prospect in the state for the 2026 class. Stay tuned with PRzMN for those upcoming rankings!   Jackson Bakkum (Eden Prairie) QB/LB/DB. 6', 160 lbs. @BakkumJackson   Another Eden Prairie Eagle first year, Bakkum has limited game tape but was EP's freshman QB and showed he could complete a variety of routes with his arm with success in 2022.   Kammren Cummings-Coleman (Coon Rapids) ATH. @KammrenCummings   The younger brother of Minnesota's 2022 season breakout star [player_tooltip player_id='438689' first='KhiJohnn' last='Cummings-Coleman'], 2026 graduate Kammren played freshman and JV so far in 2022 and is explosive with the ball in his hands just like his older bro. He plays fast, whether he's running the ball, lead blocking, or blitzing as a LB, and is a natural playmaker who can do a lot of things asked of him on the gridiron and do them well. College coaches and recruiters are going to have his name on their board early, thanks to his brother as well as his own skillset.   Sean Nadeau (Prior Lake) LB/RB. 6', 170 lbs. @SeanNadeau11   Another Prior Lake Laker, Nadeau has done a good job of keeping his Hudl profile updated with new game film and in his freshman year with PL the 6', 170 pounder has put good things on tape as a QB, LB, and RB. He's a strong kid with noticeable get-up as a runner going North-South who can run through weaker tackle attempts and outrun slower defenders. I also like what he shows as a linebacker, as he's a strong and mechanically sound tackler who is comfortable in space and does a great job of utilizing angles, quickness, and/or strength to get around blocking attempts. That speed also helps him to perform as an efficient blitzer as well, and if I had to guess I'd say linebacker is where his future lies. Nadeau is a natural at it.   [player_tooltip player_id='402076' first='Mason' last='West'] (Edina) QB. 6'3, 190 lbs. @we50387823   A three-sport standout who has found success on hockey rinks and baseball diamonds across MN, not to mention the gridiron, well-built [player_tooltip player_id='402076' first='Mason' last='West'] (great last name) completed his first varsity touchdown on October 15th and is bound for many more as his prep career continues to progress. West has a great arm that can push the ball smoothly downfield with great touch and only where his wideout can play it, and as a testament to his arm strength I was a big fan of the third play of his midseason tape where he rockets a beautiful deep comeback from the opposite hash right into his receiver's hands for a great first down toss. That's not an easy throw to complete, especially for a freshman, and he's also accurate on a variety of different throws on the route tree. I'm very excited for the pocket-passer, his arm, and his future at the QB position. Good tape, Mason!   [player_tooltip player_id='923847' first='Pete' last='Anderson'] (Eden Prairie) RB/LB. @PeteAnderson07   The Eden Prairie RB and LB plays fast defensively and can go sideline-to-sideline in pursuit of the pigskin from his linebacker spot. He's got good burst out of his stance, is slippery at avoiding blocks in run defense, and is a solid tackler who keeps his feet active through contact. That same speed helps Anderson pop off some solid runs as a RB as well.   Dylan Hawley (Prior Lake) RB/LB. 5'10, 185 lbs. @DylanHawley44   Hawley has done a good job of keeping his highlights and Hudl profile updated and has a ton of film available from his 2022 season. As a LB and RB, Hawley excels through contact and has a ton of juice as a ball carrier who keeps his feet pumping, pad level low, and great contact balance. Big, fast, and athletic is generally a good combination for a RB, and Hawley consistently refuses to get taken down at first contact no matter who he's playing against. I really like watching him run the rock and I think he's got a productive future on either side of the ball going forward. Hawley is a great addition to those future 2026 introductory rankings.   Kaden Harney (Maple Grove) QB. @kaden_harney   Also a standout baseball player, Maple Grove's Harney is the younger brother of accomplished 2025 Crimson hooper Keegan Harney and possesses his brother's athleticism. Although he's lacking in film, playing QB at one of MN's finest 6A programs is no easy task. Please update that Hudl soon, Kaden!   Ethan Sather (Eden Prairie) DL/OL. 6'3, 215 lbs. @EthanSather3   The younger brother of stud Eden Prairie lineman and state champion wrestler [player_tooltip player_id='105391' first='Will' last='Sather'], younger brother Ethan is already taller than his big bro and holds good size at 6'3, 215 lbs. at 14 years old. Ethan is also an accomplished wrestler and manned the DT and OG spots for Eden Prairie's freshman OL and DL. I already broke down some of his film earlier this season so I'll try not to repeat myself, but there are some enticing things going on in his 2022 tape. His regular season highlights display a lineman with a great first step and noticeable speed and explosiveness for a freshman offensive lineman. Sather flies off the ball like he was shot out of a rocket, is aggressive at the point of contact, and is comfortable and efficient in space. If I had to pick my favorite thing from the young buck right now it's definitely that get-off. He's been very disruptive and productive in the non-varsity ranks of EP football.   Howie Johnson (Forest Lake) DE. 6'3, 220 lbs. @Howie_Johnson92   With eye-popping size for a prep DE, especially a freshman, 6'3, 220 lb. Howie Johnson recorded a 335 lb. squat this summer in the Forest Lake Rangers weight room and is going to be a force in the Metro once his time comes. Sadly, he hasn't updated any game film, but I'll be eagerly checking every day until I get my eyes on the young buck. There are some legit big dudes coming out of Forest Lake in the coming graduating classes and Johnson has the chance to be one of the strongest.   Olamide Olagbaju (Park Center) DE. 6'2, 185 lbs. @0lamide0   A long defensive end and small forward for the Park Center Pirates, Olagbaju hasn't updated his Hudl account for either sports but bears a striking resemblance in size and background to one of the better 2025s in the state, fellow Park Center Pirate [player_tooltip player_id='234787' first='Xavier' last='Fleming']. PC puts out good athletes and I'm excited to evaluate Mr. Olagbaju when he gets some film posted.   Peyton Meyers (Prior Lake) QB. 5'11, 160 lbs. @Peyton_Meyers11   The Prior Lake freshman QB does a good job of getting the ball out of his hand quickly and with accuracy and is mobile and able to hurt DBs and defenses either in or outside of the pocket.   Skyler Werner (Prior Lake) DE. 6'3, 220 lbs.   Another freshman DE with eye-popping size, Werner has been disruptive around the LOS and especially in the run game from his defensive end spot. He plays with great leg drive, hand placement, and physicality, and although his film is limited I have a feeling this won't be the last we hear of his name and that great frame.

Now that the 2022 regular season of MN high school football is gone with the wind and playoffs are fully upon us, PRzMN wanted to take some time this week to highlight some freshman first-year players who have come across our radar throughout this season and get some good ol' fashion film evaluations posted for our lovely subscribers. Although non-varsity tape can't be used consistently to predict where a prep recruit projects to the college level, good players tend to perform at a high level no what who they're playing against, and in Minnesota, we have identified many high-profile studs early thanks to their JV tape and performance before them finding glory at the varsity level. Elinneus Davis Elinneus Davis 6'2" | 300 lbs | DL Moorhead | 2023 State MN , Aiden Horel Aiden Horel 6'5" | 325 lbs | OL Prior Lake | 2024 State MN , Rod Finley, and most recently Jide Abasiri Jide Abasiri 6'6" | 290 lbs | DL Prior Lake | 2024 State MN are four of the first that comes to mind when looking back at standouts that Nate Wahl Nate Wahl 5'8" | 210 lbs | DL Big Lake | 2027 MN and I have found and liked before them contributing to the varsity level, and with the way college football recruiting exists, has changed and is still evolving, it's becoming more and more relevant to evaluate freshman and get prospects on your board as early as possible. Because a lot of these kids don't play varsity yet, I'll be keeping the evals. shorter than usual, but I'm excited to bring to our readers a first look at 26 Metro Minnesota 2026s that have come into our crosshairs since the '22 season kicked off. Stay tuned for an upcoming Outstate feature as well. Thanks for reading and remember these names!