40 More Minnesota Midseason Highlight Tape Evals.

The Preseason All-State wideout and matchup nightmare have been a big play machine so far in 2022 with impressive YAC displays, successful vertical routes, and redzone snags all showing up early in his highlights. Reed does a good job of getting open on a variety of routes, especially out-breaking ones, and with his soft hands and mobility at 6’4, 200 he can turn smaller and intermediate gains into big plays. There’s a lot to like in the small school standout through the halfway point.

The 6’1, 220-pound freshman is grinding in the non-varsity ranks of Metro football but already possesses noteworthy size and a great get-off for his age/weight. He wrecked the world of some opposing OGs and OCs and knocked them straight on their butt at initial contact. He’s got heavy hands, is a good tackler and can close on ball carriers quickly. He’s been a beast in the trenches through only 2.5 games of 2022. Eden Prairie has more than a few upcoming defensive linemen worth knowing and I think Walden is going to see varsity action sooner rather than later if he keeps this up.

Has posted 60 carries for 410 yards and 6 TDs through the midseason point of 2022 and is a strong runner in between the tackles in North-South action. With a strong lower body Mr. Knight can get you a couple of extra yards after initial contact, and I also like his vision and how he sets up and hits the hole. Defenders need to come correct when they come at Stormy Knight Stormy Knight 5’8″ | 185 lbs | RB Maranatha Christian Academy | 2023 MN .

The 2025er is getting JV and sophomore reps as a DT and OC and has been an effective finisher from the OL in both pass pro and run blocking alike. Twistol has effective hand placement and also looks able to defend read-option attacks from the DE spot. Only getting better too!

The senior wideout has been effective out of the slot and has torched Orono and Cooper deep so far in 2022. With a dangerous one-cut in the open field, Snyder has also sent would-be tacklers grasping for air on short dumps after the catch as well as on kickoffs. He can use and see space pretty well and also shows some soft hands on tough throws on shorter routes. Good size too!

One of the best players in the state has been a beast and a half through the midway point of 2022 and has looked dominant and crushing in the run game for the Prior Lake Lakers. With a beautiful square base and strategic, choppy steps, Johnson explodes through opponents and shows off excellent strength at the point of attack. He’s had his will with people so far this season and is going to continue to dominate the rest of the year. His footwork and finishing ability have been pristine.

The 290 lb. iOL has been strong in the run game and uses his leg drive and second effort to finish defenders into the ground whenever possible. It looks easy for him at times to wash DL out of the play and I also like how he can move from one block to another and is always finding work. Debuhr is a compact, tough, and strong recruit with a great frame for the interior OL. DIIIs need to get at this kid.

The 2024 ballhawk is also a standout hooper on the hardcourt and has posted an impressive 5 interceptions through 5 games of the 2022 season. I love how he reads the QB’s eyes and doesn’t hesitate to trigger on the football downhill from his safety position. I like how he makes sure to stay on top of streaking WRs downfield and his athleticism helps him take advantage of misthrows. QBs need to make sure to look this kid off when they play the Wildcats.

Has two TD catches out of his four total receptions in 2022 and has also handled kickoff return duties and has covered kickoffs too. He uses his speed well when given the opportunity and can cut and make people miss without killing his forward momentum.

The 195 pound linebacker has been on QBs butts in a jiffy off the edge and has been a strong presence on the boundary OLB spot for the Cardinals. I like the speed he brings when pursuing RBs and QBs and how he can slip by blocking attempts. Tabla is also a strong tackler and it looks like he’ll fight like hell to defend that edge of the defense. It’s a solid midseason tape to watch that I definitely enjoyed checking out.

The good-sized wideout has posted 16 receptions in 2022 and has looked strong through and after the catch and has bounced off big hit attempts and juked past defenders after reeling the ball in. I see a little bit of a hip drop when he’s breaking off his routes as well and he’s been successful both over the middle and on out-breaking routes. I like his toughness from the wideout spot.

A 6’1, 190 lb. linebacker is a part of a few Zephyr stock risers in their 2023 class. I like how he keeps his feet active and drops his hips to effectively tackle in space as well as use his long arms to get up into passing lanes to break up throws. He shows a successful ability to contribute in pass coverage and has a solid frame that could add a ton of weight and muscle in a college S&C program.

The 5’11, 195 pounder has posted 62 rushes for 422 yards and 5 catches for 166 receiving yards with 6 TDs to boot. I really like his git up and acceleration at the second and third level of the defense that has helped him pop off some big runs and splash plays in his senior year. Brown Jr. had an especially productive game against Eastview, where he made the Lightning defense look like their cleats were encased with weights. Get the ball in this man’s hands; speed is always at a premium.

The junior gunslinger stands at a solid 6’2-6’3 and shows off a smooth throwing motion with a high release point and some good touch. He can get the ball out of his hand quickly and accuracy on a variety of throws all over the field. Mattick can also roll out and does a good job of setting his feet and delivering pinpoint passes with pressure bearing down. There are some need-to-know Cardinal prospects who are new to this scene after this season.

A 6’1, 245 lb. offensive lineman is getting varsity and JV reps in 2022 at OC, OG and OT and looks tough for opponents to disengage from once he gets ahold of them. I also like how he utilizes body positioning to make his blocks easier.

Is sitting at 22 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 2 PBUs, and 9 carries for 50 yards and a TD. The well-built safety is a thunderous hitter from the defensive backfield and is athletic and mobile for 220 pounds. Bono has been a playmaker as a tackler, blitzer, and in coverage, where he can high point the football. Bono is strong and dynamic and I’d love to add him to my defensive room if I was a college coach.

There’s a good amount of St. Louis Park seniors I am bullish on in this 2023 class, one of which is LB Helfmann. The 6’2, 210 pounder has posted an impressive 46 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 FR and can play between the tackles or out on the edge, depending on what you ask of him. He’s also able to execute twists, and I like how he reads his keys, get to the hole quickly, and slips under blocking attempts from bigger OL to get a crack at the RB. I also love his frame and how he could potentially develop in a college program. DIIs and DIIIs get on this kid!

A 5’9, 155 lb. sophomore who has been playing QB and WR in the non-varsity ranks of Farmington’s offense, Rezny has been electric with his legs and is balanced and elusive at evading pressure around the pocket. He can also take off and really hurt defenses with his speed, and I also saw him throw a violent truck stick while returning a kickoff on his midseason film. He can be a game changer with the ball in his hands. You’ll be seeing him on a JV players to know feature in the future.

The 240 lber. noticeably throws himself full-force into opponents as a blocker and is a violent finisher and blocker who gets excited and takes advantage when opponents get out of position. I like his pop and nastiness and he does not look like a fun one to go against for four quarters.

The 215 lber. has played as a standup linebacker and has put his hand in the dirt as a DE. For his size he can pursue out to the edge well and is solid at the point of contact. I like his pursuit angles too.

The sophomore has played two games in 2022 and is 26-52 for 365 yards and 5 TDs as a QB in varsity action. He’ll stand in the pocket and deliver accurate strikes with solid velocity with a huge hit bearing down on him and has thrown some impressive passes in tight windows and tight coverage over the middle of the field. His accuracy, throwing motion, and arm strength all look natural and strong for his age.

A 5’10, 175 lb. RB has popped onto the varsity scene in 2022 with a couple of TDs and has won and taken advantage of man short-yardage situations, including on the goal line. His ability to gain extra yards after contact and break tackle attempts for his age and size is impressive. That Prior Lake strength and conditioning program is no joke!

Has been a crushing down blocker and can overpower and move opponents at will with the help of his 6’3, 270 pound frame., and I like his initial punch and second effort leg drive after contact is made. Gallus has been a stalwart and road grader in the Holy Family run game this fall.

The freshman lefty gunslinger likes slinging the rock downfield and can buy time while keeping his eyes downfield. I like the touch he puts on his vertical balls and he gets the ball out of his quickly when needed as well. Future Irish QB1? It looks like he’s got the stuff.

Siekmann has a slippery running style that makes it hard to predict and track where he’s going to cut to. His cuts are strategic and again unpredictable, and I like how he absorbs contact and somewhat shifts his body to not take on a defenders full effort, and if you don’t hit him straight on it’s tough to wrangle him down. He’s a fun RB to watch and a welcome addition to the 2024 class.

Sykora recently decommitted from Minnesota State-Moorhead and is putting together a strong senior campaign that is sure to net more interest and offers. Offensively, he’s rushed for 624 yards and 8 TDs at the midseason point and has definitely gotten faster after another offseason in the weight room this spring/summer. He’s been bursting around the edge of opposing defenses and also torching DBs deep as a wideout. Defensively, he’s been great in space and has been closing and finishing through ball carriers like a missile.

A figurehead of the resurging Forest Lake football team, junior RB Patzer is sitting at 75 carries for 557 yards and 7 TDs at the midseason point of 2022. He’s brought a ton of juice to the offense and has showcased the ability to bounce runs outside, cut by outstretched tacklers, use his stiff-arm advantageously, and get tough yards when needed. I am a big fan of RBs built like Patzer, and he absorbs contact like a bowling ball to pins. Shows some hands out of the backfield as well!

The 5’10, 170 lb. DB has made our weekly MN Top Performers list as a 2022 stat monster and has tallied 49 tackles, 3 picks, and a PBU so far this year. The free safety had a ballhawking game against Hopkins and made a beautiful pick on the second play of his midseason tape where he adjusts his coverage path to the QB’s eyes and runs a beautiful line to undercut a deep ball to an open WR. He’s also got some solid reps running the alley.

A bowling ball of a 6′ 225 lb. linebacker, defending 6A state champion Cougar McCloud laid a heckuva hit to open his midseason film and can really mess up a RB’s Friday night if he gets a full head of steam and gets ahold of them. He’s been one of the hardest hitters in the Metro so far this season and excellent in pursuit. It looks like he diagnoses plays quickly and takes good pursuit angles as well, which will definitely help at the college level.

The 6’2, 200 lb. DE bolts off the LOS like a bat out of hell and has blocked a punt, recorded huge yardage sacks, and evaporated PAT opportunities thanks to that get off. He’s also a willing and strong tackler who plays harder than his 200 pounds would suggest.

The underrated Edina signal-caller has thrown some beautiful deep balls and dropped the ball into the breadbasket for streaking Hornets downfield. I also like how he puts it on their back shoulder where the DBs can’t make a play, and he’s also completed some beautiful deep slants in-between defenders and tight windows. Overall though it looks like he can make every throw on the route tree at the prep level and really help an offense continue to churn forward.

The Cadets QB has been efficient on the run and threw a pretty deep comeback route that I know from experience is not an easy completion. He’s mobile and long for the QB position as well.

A RB/LB combo with some solid juice in his 5’7, 170+ frame, Brown plays with solid speed and shows off some burst as a RB and pull-away speed when he sees daylight. He also closes quickly and has some solid thump for his size as well. He’s a big reason Concordia Academy is 4-0 right now.

Another Forest Lake Ranger aiding in the resurgence of their football program, Hoyt took a huge kickoff back to the house against St. Michael-Albertville and has an impressive and extra gear of burst when the ball is in his hands. Hoyt absolutely smokes defenders pursuit angles and has real deal speed that breaks games open. That same speed helps him close on ball carriers before they can even react, as well as turn something into nothing offensively, and the senior undoubtedly had one of the most fun highlight tapes I watched for this feature and in 2022.

The small school baller has been especially dangerous as a WR, where his body control and ball tracking ability looks great. He’s also been a tough QB when called upon, laid a heckuva block on a punt return that rocked a defenders world, and has made more than his fair share of opponents miss so far in 2022.

The Trojans defender has been violent and productive from his LB spot and has triggered and flown football like he was shot out of a cannon. Ullom has also smacked some ball carriers with authority and explodes through contact like a bomb. Definitely a fun midseason tape to check out.

12 tackles and 3 PBUs have highlighted the senior’s campaign in 2022, as well as his kick return for a TD. Balisidya has looked sticky as a CB, especially on in breaking routes, and I like how he flies to the football in both the run and pass game.

Good cut-tackler, has done a lot different things on the gridiron in 2022 and is shifty and physical as a ball carrier and blocker. Concordia Academy is not lacking in dynamic athletes and Quast is one of a few standouts on their 2022 roster.

9 rush TDs through the midseason point is nothing to scoff at and the Preseason 4A All-State FB has been a balanced and formidable truck-stick of a RB through 4 games of 2022. His physical edge and contact balance are tough for defenses to handle at the prep level and he’s got the ability to wear down a defense over four quarters. I love truck sticks and Dillon has some good one in his tape.