Hayden’s Hotshots: Top Prospects from Eden Prairie vs Prior Lake

Last Friday night, I drove up to watch two of the best 6A schools compete at Eden Prairie’s homecoming. Eden Prairie came in 3-1, with their only loss to undefeated Rosemount. While Prior Lake came in undefeated. Both teams had more than their fair share of offensive prospects, everyone from Power-5 commits to underrated potential D3 stars. Looking at the roster sheet that I had frantically scribbled over all game, I had no choice but to give the readers an extra-long version of Hayden’s Hotshots this week. Enjoy these offensive standouts!

Eden Prairie Standouts:

Nick Fazi Nick Fazi 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN : 2023 QB 6′ 170 lbs

Fazi didn’t get to take a lot of shots on Friday night, but he made the most of what he had. Fazi is a little undersized for the ideal pocket passer but the tradeoff for that Fazi has good mobility in the pocket. He is amazing in the play-action and has some good arm talent with no problem throwing on the run. Fazi is very accurate and makes the right reads where most high school quarterbacks would struggle. Efficiency is the name of his game, he doesn’t make a ton of mistakes in what he does. Fazi has interest from schools ranging from Power-5 to high-level D-2.

Tyler Walden Tyler Walden 6'2" | 210 lbs | RB Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN : 2023 RB 6’2″ 215 lbs

A player of this size should not be this nimble. Walden, who is just shy of 500 yards at the 5-game mark this season, balled out on Friday. This absolute tank of a running back has the skillset and agility of someone 40 pounds lighter but in the body of a college-ready ball carrier. Walden can weave through defenders and always manages to find the hole. If somehow a defender can accurately track him, Walden will run him over. Walden has interest from the University of South Dakota but would become an instant superstar at a lower-level school.

Jermell Taylor Jermell Taylor 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN : 2023 TE 6’4″ 240 lbs

Taylor was Fazi’s favorite target on Friday and offers a ton to colleges. The big body target is an elite red zone threat, as he’s racked up 5 touchdowns up to this point in the season, including one deep ball from Fazi on Friday. He high points balls and has a surprisingly good vertical. Combine this with a great wingspan, and some lethal blocks in the run game make for one great player. The standout Tight End has an offer from Mankato.

Devin Jordan Devin Jordan 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN : 2023 Ath 6’2″ 190 lbs

The Airforce commit is most known for his impact on the defensive side of the ball. But given the Laker’s heavy off-tackle run scheme, Jordan didn’t get much of an opportunity to showcase his abilities defensively. He still found ways to contribute on offense, however. He notched a rushing touchdown and even got a nice little reception for 9 yards. Jordan uses his speed and agility to contribute positively to the Eagle’s offense whenever he’s on the field. Don’t underestimate him just because he’s typically used as a defensive threat, Jordan is an athlete and a danger whenever he’s on the field.

Liam Berndt: 2024 RB 5’8″ 160 lbs

Berndt had an absolute BREAKOUT game on Friday. Only having 15 carries prior, the junior RB showed off his explosiveness and incredible athleticism when he hit the field. The Eagle’s offense was at a standstill until Berndt took the field. He broke numerous tackles on his way to average almost 11 yards per attempt on 16 carries. As soon as he hits the hole he goes from 0-100. He takes off and is incredibly hard to stop. The smaller back never stops moving his feet, a trait that allows him to constantly break tackles. Currently, with no offers or interest from colleges, add Berndt to your watch list.

Tobin Frost Tobin Frost 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN : 2023 FB 6’2″ 205 lbs

The Eagles fullback laid the wood on Friday. Although he did have only 3 carries, Frost plays a key role in the offense. He is the last of a dying breed, the hard-nosed fullback. Doesn’t matter if there’s a Gophers commit in the hole, Frost is flying at him at 100 mph and shows no fear. A 33 ACT and a man who never backs down, Frost doesn’t have any offers but could make a big impact at the next level.

Andrew Kaiser: 2023 OL 6’2″ 260 lbs

Although a little undersized for a tackle, Kaiser is a tough, gritty, hard-nosed player who doesn’t back down from a fight. Matched up against a fantastic front 7 from Prior Lake, Kaiser let up minimal pressure and consistently moved bigger opponents off the ball. He had good footwork and good speed off the ball. Kaiser currently holds no offers or interest from colleges.

Will Sather Will Sather 6'1" | 270 lbs | OL Eden Prairie | 2024 State MN : 2024 C 6′ 265 lbs

I’ve said it over and over again. Wrestling is the best sport to develop yourself as a football player. Sather, who won the AAA heavyweight state title as a sophomore, is a force on the O-line. This kid is incredibly strong, very well conditioned, and uses his leverage incredibly well. He may not be the tallest or the biggest, but this kid is one of the best center prospects in MN. He gets under pads and finishes kids in the run game, and never gives up any pass pressure. He has not dropped his top schools for wrestling yet but has plenty of high-level D1 interest in football.

Ethan Sims Ethan Sims 6'7" | 300 lbs | OL Eden Prairie | 2024 State MN : 2024 OT 6’7″ 285 lbs

Sims is a mammoth of a kid, and a great asset to any offensive line. He folds defenders in the run game, despite going against some of the best run-stoppers in MN. He has really good hand placement and stays low despite being the size of a moose. The young OT needs some more reps in the passing game to pass any final judgment, but he looks promising. He holds interest from several Power-5 colleges and will start getting offers any day now.

Prior Lake Prospects:

Hunter MacGillivray Hunter MacGillivray 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Prior Lake | 2024 State MN : 2024 RB 5’10” 175 lbs

MacGillivray has burst onto the scene this year and has emerged as a top short-yardage threat. His feet never stop moving and he welcomes contact from defenders. He runs through bigger opponents and plays like he’s 200 lbs. He got much more use in the second half and showed why he should’ve gotten used all game. This is MacGillivray’s breakout year and I’m super excited to see where he goes.

Luke Crosby Luke Crosby 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Prior Lake | 2023 MN : 2023 QB 6′ 175 lbs

Another product of the 612 QBs program, Crosby was a JV QB last year that improved vastly over the offseason. Although he didn’t get many pass attempts and didn’t have a career game. I saw flashes of brilliance from Crosby. He has solid mechanics and really good throw power. He puts the ball on a rope and has potential with more reps. No offers or interest yet, but I would definitely throw Crosby my watch list.

Trace Bowman Trace Bowman 6'5" | 230 lbs | TE Prior Lake | 2023 State MN : 2023 TE 6’5″ 235

The UMD commit is a dominant run blocker, bowling over everyone in his path. There must be something in that Prior Lake water that just produces athletic freaks. Bowman is fast, explosive, strong, basically everything you could want in a TE. I wish I got to see him more in the passing game, but I’m more than happy seeing him kick out defenders. He reaches blocks well and is even better when you give him a running head start at a defender. The bulldogs snagged a good one with Bowman.

Joey Krouse Joey Krouse 5'10" | 185 lbs | WR Prior Lake | 2023 State MN : 2023 Ath 5’10” 185 lbs

If you want to talk about explosive, we can talk about Krouse. His vision while carrying the ball is absolutely unmatched, and he showed off both of those great attributes on the first play of the game when he housed a kick return. Once he got past the 25-yard line, the jets kicked in and Krouse was gone. He is very shifty and almost has a 6th sense for where the defenders are. He caught some good balls and was able to use his athleticism to extend plays that were otherwise very broken. Krouse is an extremely underrated threat.

Levi Eiter Levi Eiter 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Prior Lake | 2025 State MN : 2025 RB 6′ 185 lbs

Eiter didn’t get a lot of reps, but I wanted to show some love to the sophomore. I remember getting a varsity shot as a sophomore, (granted mine was in garbage time and his wasn’t) and the intensity and passion I played with. That’s exactly how Eiter plays. He knows he has something to prove, and plays like every rep is his last. I love the energy he plays with and I could see Eiter develop into a really good back in a few years.

Grayson Spronk Grayson Spronk 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Prior Lake | 2023 State MN : 2023 RB 6’1″ 200 lbs

Spronk, who holds D1 offers from Army, Air Force, and St. Thomas, is an elite-level running back. With great strength and breakaway speed, Spronk can turn a simple dive play into an 8 or 10-yard gain. He has great acceleration and you can see his track speed show as soon as he gets to the second level. Over 400 yards and 8 touchdowns heading into last Friday night, Spronk consistently shows that he’s one of the best backs in the state.

Aiden Horel Aiden Horel 6'5" | 325 lbs | OL Prior Lake | 2024 State MN : 2024 OL 6’4″ 305 lbs

Greg Johnson Greg Johnson 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL Prior Lake | 2023 State MN 2.0. I was put onto Horel prior to the season and he didn’t disappoint. He’s surprisingly fast for a man of his size and drives people off the ball in the run game. Once he gets his hands on you, you are not getting away. Not enough reps in pass pro to fairly judge him, but based on his performance in the run game, I think he’s gonna be a great player for the next few years. He holds interest from several D1 schools.

Greg Johnson Greg Johnson 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL Prior Lake | 2023 State MN : 2023 OT 6’6″ 305 lbs

If Ethan Sims Ethan Sims 6'7" | 300 lbs | OL Eden Prairie | 2024 State MN is the size of a horse, Greg Johnson Greg Johnson 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL Prior Lake | 2023 State MN is a Toyota Camry. Easily the offensive MVP of the game, Johnson bullied kids all night long. Every time I saw him he was driving a kid into the dirt. The big man has a mean streak, and when he’s pulling I swear I can see the fear in the defender’s eyes. Line him up anywhere and he will erase your best defender from the game, Johnson will be a stud for the Gophers.

Evan Laughridge: 2023 OL 6’1″ 290 lbs

Another one of the Laker’s linemen, Laughridge is just another piece of the best offensive line in the state. The big man is exceptional in the run game, with good hand placement and fast feet Laughridge is severely underrecruited and underrated. Overshadowed by the units next to him, Laughridge is a force on his own. Again there was a lack of reps to judge in the passing game, but another strong-looking performance for a lineman without any offers.