41 Minnesotan JUCO Products Balling out in 2022
Last year around this time, we witnessed Apple Valley and Iowa Central Community College’s Bilhal Kone and Eden Prairie + Iowa Western CC’s Namdi Obiazor blow up on the recruiting trail as junior college defensive backs and continue an excellent…
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Continue ReadingLast year around this time, we witnessed Apple Valley and Iowa Central Community College’s Bilhal Kone and Eden Prairie + Iowa Western CC’s Namdi Obiazor blow up on the recruiting trail as junior college defensive backs and continue an excellent line of Minnesota-born JUCO products to jumpstart their college football careers in community college programs across America. If you’ve been reading my stuff on PRzMN for a while, you may remember one of my first heavyweight features back when we were NorthstarFootballNews where I named Minnesota’s All-JUCO Team from the 2000s. A massive, almost 10k word special breaking down a first, second, and third team for every position on the gridiron based solely on JUCO products from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, I wanted to let our readers know that I am in-tune with every level of college football that involves MN athletes and think I did a good job of communicating that. Since the publishing of that feature around 2019-20, a ton of MN preps have balled out at junior college programs from Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, California, and everywhere in between, and in 2022 we’ve seen some former MN prep stars find on-field success and love on the recruiting trail at program at noteworthy levels. Today, I’ll be highlighting 10 of the best and baddest doing it from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, as well as naming a bunch more Minnesotans you need to know from the JUCO ranks. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy.
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Quientrail Jamison-Travis (Minneapolis North -> Iowa Western CC) DL. 6’5, 305 lbs.
A former All-Metro and All-State standout along the OL and DL for the Minneapolis North Polars, Jamison-Travis was almost set to head to Iowa State to play his college ball but found himself in Council Bluffs, IA at the home of a consistent lover and appreciator of MN-born talent Iowa Western CC. To no one’s surprise, the 6’5, 305 pounder has continued to play and perform at a P5 level, which has earned him offers from Marshall, Central Michigan, Austin Peay, North Carolina-Charlotte, UAB, Washington State, Western Kentucky, Arkansas State, and Nebraska, as well as contact from Tennessee and Memphis. Travis’ speed in his get-off and in pursuit of the ball is impressive and ferocious for a 6’5, 300+ DT, and he can easily hold blockers at bay and shed them when he locates the ball thanks to his noticeable strength in his chest and triceps. Watching him run down WR rocket screens and RBs on swings out of the backfield at his size let’s you know why he’s got P5 offers already…dude is an athlete! No surprise coming out of the Polars program.
Deonte Bryant (Hopkins -> Iowa Central CC) DE. 6’5, 240 lbs.
A former sack monster and state-placing wrestler at Hopkins, Bryant has gone off to become a QB nightmare at Iowa Central CC in Fort Dodge, as well as a high-profile college recruit out of the JUCO ranks. After a productive freshman year with the Tritons last season, Bryant has stepped things up a notch in 2022 and college programs have taken notice, mainly Eastern Kentucky, Northeastern State, Toledo, New Mexico, Northern Iowa, Missouri State, Jacksonville State, and Central Michigan, who have sent him scholarship offers. The Arizona Wildcats have also contacted the sophomore. A quick and twitchy DE with some noticeable bend at the top of the arch when getting around OTs, Bryant has an impressive clip a few reps into his newest tape where he hawks down a loose ball carrier 30ish yards downfield, showing off his long strides and top end speed. He’s got a versatile repertoire of pass rushing moves and is a good athlete at the position. Just what you want!
Carvon Gurley (Minnetonka -> Iowa Western CC) OG. 6’4, 290 lbs.
The Minnetonka Skippers graduate and former defensive lineman has transitioned to offensive guard for the heavyweight Reivers and has been doing a great job for Iowa Western this fall as well last season. East Central University, UVA-Wise, Morehead State, and Southwestern Oklahoma State have all joined in on his recruitment and sent him offers this fall, and on tape he gets out of stance well, with low pad level, consistent hand placement, and fantastic leg drive that helps him stay locked onto opponents once he gets engaged. I also see strength at the point of attack, some body control in space for a big guy, and a nasty streak that makes him an aggressive finisher. Someone is going to get a dog at the OG spot for the next couple of seasons.
Marselio Mendez (Cretin-Derham Hall -> North Dakota State College of Science) WR. 5’10, 170 lbs.
The PRzMN Showcase MVP showed up to Savage and absolutely tore the showcase up in January of 2021 as an uncommitted senior CDH Raider WR. He was one of those smaller wide receivers who DBs across could the board could barely get a finger on, much less guard 1-on-1 for an entire route. He was quick, explosive, and could jump out the gym, and it looks like he’s maintained that skillset into college with NDSCS in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Currently, Mendez is without an offer, but plenty of college coaches follow him on Twitter and if they get their eyes on his playmaking ability I doubt he’d remain offerless for long. Capable of turning a routine slant or screen into a huge play, Mendez’s speed shows up on tape, and he’s also elusive in the open field and can drop his hips and change direction smoothly when running routes. Also looks willing to help block out on the perimeter. Coaches: get at this dude!
Tyson Schilling (Cretin-Derham Hall -> East Los Angeles Community College) WR. 5’11, 180 lbs.
The second year JUCO playmaker held a batch of Pioneer League roster spots coming into his sophomore szn but has been upping his stock in 2022 out west in LA. The 651 product can play multiple WR spots, possesses strong hands, and is a speedy and shifty wideout who can create separation in intermediate routes and deep downfield. He’s popped off some big plays and catches for ELAC this season against quality JUCO competition in California. Midwest coaches don’t be scared to recruit this dude either he proudly reps home still.
Jamarien Wheeler (MPLS Washburn -> Iowa Central CC) WR. 6’2, 205 lbs.
The breakout star of the 2022 season when talking MN-born JUCO prospects, former Second Team All-Metro Washburn Miller wideout has hit the junior college and recruiting scene hard in 2022 at always MN-friendly Iowa Central. To go along with his 240 yards and 4 TDs receiving, Wheeler has earned offers from Central Oklahoma and McNeese State, and on film the well-built wideout with great hands and an affinity for contested catch situations. 50/50 balls are his for the taking, and with good speed that can burn man or zone coverage as well as churn out big gains after the catch, there are some good things being put on tape. I also liked watching him as a gunner on punt coverage! Can’t wait to see where he ends up.
Isaiah Green (St. Cloud Tech -> Northern Iowa -> Iowa Western CC) DT. 6’2, 300 lbs.
Another FCS bounceback who went from the fields of St. Cloud to Cedar Falls and now Council Bluffs, 6’2, 300 lb. Reiver DT Isaiah Green joined the ranks of his Iowa Western teammates holding offers as FCS Long Island University reached out on 10/5 with a scholarship offer. A former stud wrestler with Tech, Green has developed into a monster in the weight room and hit a 570 lb. squat last spring as well as a 600 pound deadlift. His midseason tape displays a quick and hard-hitting 3T who destroyed some QBs halfway through the season. Green does a good job of getting off the ball quickly and can beat opponents with lateral agility or a strong bull rush. Great to see Isaiah finding success at one of the nation’s top-tier junior college programs.
Isaac Freitag (Bloomington Jefferson -> Minnesota State Community and Technical College) WR. 6’2, 180 lbs.
The older brother of Minnesota’s premier two-sport athlete Daniel Freitag, older bro Isaac is tearing it up this season for the nation’s #1 ranked DIII JUCO M-State up in Fergus Falls. With size and athleticism packed into that 6’2, 180 lb. frame, Freitag can cut off his routes well, possesses good speed at the top end, and can run a variety of routes well. I like how he works back to the football and plucks the ball out of the air with strong hands, and his big frame helps him break tackle attempts from smaller defenders as well. Winning as many games as possible is a big deal in the JUCO ranks (not that it isn’t at all levels), but with more wins comes more games which means more tape for prospective coaches, so the more M-State keeps winning the better it is for Freitag’s visibility. Keep it up, Isaac!
Deshawn Carter (Tartan -> Minnesota State Community and Technical College) DB. 5’10, 160 lbs.
Another Spartan from Minnesota helping M-State to an 8-0 record through the 2022 regular season, Tartan grad Deshawn Carter has had a busy fall on the field and on the recruiting trail and has earned offers from Kentucky Wesleyan, Judson, Kentucky Christian, and UPike and also visited the University of Mary. This regular season, Carter has posted 27 tackles, 5 PBUs, 4 INTs, and 3 TFL for a solid stat line from the CB position, and on tape he displays speed out of his breaks, active feet and loose hips, and an ability to diagnose and trigger on routes quickly. Carter can also play out of the slot and is an asset as a tackler. He’s got a fun tape to watch and has some big games coming up as M-State looks to win a national championship in the coming weeks.
Kham Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman (Robbinsdale Armstrong -> Independence CC) WR. 6′, 190 lbs.
This one is kind of cheating due to Chiaokhiao-Bowman not playing for a junior college team this fall, but it’s always good to highlight Minnesotans playing on big stages and the Armstrong graduate is playing on one of the biggest. After playing a year of prep football, earning offers from UMass and South Florida, and getting heavily involved with several B1G programs – Illinois is the big one I remember – Chiaokhiao–Bowman followed in the steps of Jermaine Johnson and went to Kansas to play for well-respected head coach Jason Martin at Independence Community College. He wasn’t there long, and in the handful of months he was there he was offered by Illinois, Ole Miss, Nebraska, and eventually the Florida Gators, who he committed to on June 5th. Now a Gainesville resident just like myself, Chiaokhiao-Bowman has played in every game this season for the Gators on special teams and as a reserve WR, and caught his first career pass against Tennessee for 16 yards last month. If you didn’t have a reason for watching SEC football before, now you do! Go Gata.
Blake Whaley (Prior Lake -> MSU-Mankato -> Iowa Central CC) DL. 6’4, 260 lbs.
The brother of former Kent State Golden Flash DE Zach Whaley, fellow Prior Lake Laker graduate Blake Whaley has bounced back from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and is playing JUCO ball at MN-friendly Iowa Central down in Fort Dodge. A former All-District and All-Metro two-year starter at DE for Prior Lake, Whaley is adding to an already massive DL for the ICC Tritons and uses speed and quickness to beat blockers in the Jayhawk Conference. He also possesses a vicious long-arm and active hands when defeating blocks, is strong at the point of contact, and shows good pursuit speed when chasing down plays from the backside. No reported offers as of yet but I’m hoping that will change soon!
Other JUCO Minnesotans to Know
Hamza Malim (Edina -> St. Thomas -> Iowa Western CC) WR. Four years to play four. 5’11, 180 lbs.
I got to see Malim play in high school as a senior Hornet pass catcher and came away impressed with his toughness and consistency as Edina’s WR1. I thought it was a good pickup for St. Paul’s UST, and when Malim announced his transfer I was again excited to see him land at the Midwest’s JUCO hotspot Iowa Western, where he is sharpening his skills with the Reivers. Although he’s lacking in updated 2022 tape, Malim has four years to play four and is working on those already dirty releases in Council Bluffs. Coaches should get in touch soon!
Jadon Washington (Hopkins -> Iowa Central CC) RB. Freshman. – Has rushed 69 times for 276 yards and a TD in 2022.
Korey Delk (Two Rivers -> M-State) WR. Freshman. 6’1, 180 lbs.
Eustace McGowan (Robbinsdale Armstrong -> M-State) WR. Has posted 17 catches for 296 yards and 2 TDs so far this season.
Cheo Trotter (Eden Prairie -> M-State) LB. – The EP grad has tallied 56 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, a FF, and an INT in 8 games so far.
Jacob Drietz (Brainerd -> Northern State -> M-State) LB/FB. 6′, 215 lbs. – The DII bounceback is sitting at 56 tackles, 2 sacks, an INT, and a FF this season for the Spartans.
Rashad Sherwood (Robbinsdale Armstrong – Central Lakes) DB. Freshman. – 23 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2 INTs for the rookie DB.
Manny Garcia (Park Center -> NDSCS) LB. Sophomore. 6’1, 190 lbs. – 31 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 2 sacks, and 2 INTs in 7 games for the Wildcats.
Brady Borgen (Ada Borup -> NDSCS) WR. Sophomore. 6’2, 180 lbs. – The small schooler is averaging 39 yards of receiving a game and has totaled 271 yards and 5 TDs so far this season.
Chandler Ross Jr. (Shakopee -> NDSCS) RB. Freshman. 6’1, 205 lbs. – Big fan of this kid. Has totaled 60 rushes for 309 yards and 4 TDs in his freshman campaign. Got to see him live last season as a senior and he is as big and physical as advertised.
Karter Wensmann (Melrose -> NDSCS) LB. Sophomore. 6’2, 215 lbs. – 25 tackles and a TFL in his sophomore season at NDSCS.
Jacqui Fitzpatrick (Moorhead -> NDSCS) WR. Freshman. 6’3, 205 lbs. – Big, strong, and explosive, I was a big fan of Fitzpatrick’s tape coming out of Moorhead and think it should translate well to NDSCS once his time comes.
Preston Yohnke (Parkers Prairie -> NDSCS) DL. Freshman. 6’3, 255 lbs. – 15 tackles and a sack in his initial campaign. Great size and good prep experience
Cyrinus George (Spring Lake Park -> NDSCS) DB. Redshirt Freshman. 6’1, 210 lbs. – 20 tackles and 2 FFs in five games this season.
Will Dampier (Champlin Park -> NDSCS) DB. Sophomore. 5’10, 175 lbs. – 19 tackles so far in 2022
Rashaun Cage (Bloomington Jefferson -> Central Lakes) ATH. Sophomore. 5’9, 170 lbs. – Central Lakes’ leading rusher has tallied 63 carries for 223 yards and a TD and 10 returns for 235 yards as well.
Jackson Owens (Minnetonka -> Central Lakes) WR. Freshman. 6’1, 195 lbs. – The standout freshman is Central Lakes’ leading receiver and has impressively posted 33 catches for 485 yards and 5 TDs.
Devin Jones (Robbinsdale Armstrong -> Central Lakes) LB. Freshman. – Raiders leading tackler with 42 tackles, 7 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 FF, and an INT.
Yaach Chuol (Coon Rapids -> RCTC) ATH. Sophomore. 5’8, 170 lbs. – Has caught 25 passes for 377 yards and 2 TDs and rushed 8 times for 38 yards as a balanced offensive weapon.
Gavin Layton (Coon Rapids -> Augsburg University -> RCTC) OT. Freshman 6’6, 290 lbs. Stud Wrestler. – I was really excited and surprised to see this one. Layton was/is a scholarship level prep OT with a very distinguished wrestling background who went to Augsburg to do both sports. Don’t know what happened but NSIC schools should be checking this kid out off the jump.
Alonn Salman (Moorhead -> RCTC) WR. Freshman. 6’3, 190 lbs. – Another explosive Moorhead receiver entering the JUCO ranks this season, Salman posted eye-popping track numbers with 100M dash times as low as 10.69. That’s legit speed. 2 catches for 43 yards this season.
Malachi MItchell (Park Center -> RCTC) DB. Sophomore. 5’11, 190 lbs. – The sophomore has recorded 43 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 4.5 TFLs, and an interception as a Yellowjacket in 2022.
Joseph Tarnue (Robbinsdale Armstrong -> RCTC) DB. 6’1, 175 lbs. Sophomore. – The Osseo native is sitting at 39 tackles and 7 INTs in 2022! Also three fumble recoveries.
Tate Gaul (Worthington -> MN West) DB. 6’2, 240 lbs. – Awesome size for a reported DB and is the second-leading tackler at MN West with 59. Also has posted 5 PBUs, a TFL, and a FF in 8 games. Definitely worth checking out if you’re a college coach or recruiter.
Ian Stamer (Adrian -> MN West) WR/P. 6’3, 160 lbs. Sophomore. The Adrian product has totaled 28 catches for 368 yards and 6 TDs during this 2022 season.
Darrick Baartman (RTR -> MN West) DB. Freshman. 6’2, 175 lbs. – 41 tackles, 2 INTs, and 5 PBUs for #31 in 2022.
Derick Jameson (Maple Grove -> Iowa Central) RB. – Redshirting in 2022 but was one of the most prolific players in the state last season and helped lead Maple Grove to a 6A state championship appearance. Should pop off next season for the Tritons.
Chris Martin (Bloomington Kennedy -> Iowa Central) DL. 6’3, 265 lbs. – Redshirting in 2022 but held a handful of DII scholarship offers as a senior in Bloomington last season. Is getting bigger, faster, and more experienced this fall.
Mario Sanders (MPLS North -> Iowa Central) WR. – Redshirting in 2022 but quietly went the JUCO route after a prolific high school career in football and basketball for the North Polars. Held FCS football offers and was a big recruiting win for the Tritons. Sanders should ball out next season.
Micha Vayee (Maple Grove -> Iowa Central) DB. – Another redshirt this fall, Vayee caught the attention of our Midwest Scouting Director Jake Lemming as a junior and was a consistent and balanced DB over the course of his Maple Grove career. Will bring MN big school experience and playmaking ability to the Tritons defense next season.
Aghogho Eyafe (Andover -> Ellsworth CC) WR. Sophomore. – Has tallied 25 times for 360 yards and 2 TDs for the Panthers.