25 Eye-Popping MN 2025 Highlight Tape Evals.
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I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed the Vikings win as much as I did. Also, huge win for the Gophers, and I could really get used to keeping the Axe in Dinkytown for the foreseeable future. With…
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Continue ReadingI hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed the Vikings win as much as I did. Also, huge win for the Gophers, and I could really get used to keeping the Axe in Dinkytown for the foreseeable future. With all this action going on in the college and professional ranks, I hope you don’t think I forgot about lovely MN high school football fans, and to continue our recent trend of regular season highlight tape evaluations I am pumped to present this new feature highlighting the 2025 class for PrepRedzoneMN. With a ton of football left in these boys futures, it’s important to not get ahead of ourselves in terms of their recruitment, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy their highlights, and after watching hours of tape for this feature I identified 25 eye-popping 2025s who balled out and put some great things on tape in their last season as underclassmen. Offense, defense, and special teams, these prospects did a lot of different things well this fall and upped their stock as college recruits. Get to know them and their game below! Thanks for reading.
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The frontrunner for QB1 in MN’s 2025 class has built on his historic 2021 freshman season and is putting some eye-popping reps on tape as a lefty gunslinger in talent-rich Lakeville. The ball rockets out of his hand like he’s 6’2, 220, his off-platform throws are superb, and his accuracy and touch show up on a variety of different throws all over the field. I also love his footwork when maneuvering around the pocket before he whips the ball out of his hand and he’s obviously elusive, athletic, and possessing arm talent that projects to the highest levels of college football. The 6’1, 175 lber. has been on the Gophers recruiting board for over a year now and visited on a game day experience this past weekend. Talented possible hometown hero for the Gophers QB room? We shall see. I haven’t been impressed with an underclassman QB like this possibly ever. Big name to watch for Minnesota prep football recruiting fans.
Chase Thompson
Chase Thompson
6’7, 200 lb. Alexandria QB Chase Thompson picked up a ton of steam on the recruiting trail towards the end of the season as NorthstarHoops lead contributor and PrepNetwork veteran Ryan James starting showing him a ton of love on Twitter. The sophomore earned gameday visits to Iowa State and Minnesota this fall for his efforts, and although he doesn’t have a consolidated sophomore tape just yet the game clips show off a big-armed QB who can stretch the field vertically but all possesses the accuracy to easily complete shorter and intermediate routes around the field. Mobile, athletic, and has an eye-popping frame that has a ton of room to grow. I’m looking forward to see some updated highlights and Thompson is going to be a fun and heralded new addition to the ’25 rankings update in a couple of weeks.
6’2, 195 lb. Monticello sophomore Emmerich has already earned some lofty compliments from scouts around the state but had to step in a do a few different things for Monti this season and worked to update his prep position and college projection from “QB” to “athlete.” The 6’2, 195 lber. showcases his athleticism in the third play of his midseason tape where he successfully pulls off a beautiful hurdle over an almost totally upright defender, and he opens his tape with some dazzling and light-footed runs showing off quickness, balance, vision, and a mean-stiff arm. I also like the touch and arm strength he showed on a couple of reps, but the midseason tape is mostly filled with runs, so I get the feeling Emmerich is wanting to market his versatility as a sophomore. He did earn praise from 24/7Sports Midwest analyst Allen Trieu for his arm at the Gophers summer prospect camp, so the matter of his college projection is a fine debate at this point in time. He visited South Dakota State this fall.
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Charles Langama Charles Langama 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Maple Grove | 2025 State MN
Charles Langama Charles Langama 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Maple Grove | 2025 State MN
Certainly produced some eye-popping sophomore highlights despite playing against non-varsity competition. Langama displayed standout burst, contact balance, and quickness and showed off an electric variety of ways to break tackles that makes for a great watch on tape. Can run you over, cut on a dime, or sprint untouched for six, and if he can do this against varsity competition next season or in two years and Maple Grove may have another Mr. Football contender at RB on their hands.
A promising underclassman wideout from Anoka, 6’1, 175 lb. Ibekwe pulled off an eye-popping one-handed catch against White Bear Lake this fall and opens his tape with an impressive rep against Burnsville where he “mosses” a DB, lands on his feet, then breaks another tackle en-route to his TD run that looked more like a senior than a sophomore. His ability to break off his routes is impressive and leaves DBs five+ yards downfield and whipping their heads in confusion. His athleticism, ball skills, and soft hands are all noticeable in droves on his sophomore tape and I’m pumped to continue following his career as a Metro-area wideout these upcoming seasons.
Zach Welch
Zach Welch
Another standout Anoka Tornado sophomore, 6′, 200 lb. OLB Zach Welch totaled 70 tackles and 13 TFLs in his breakout sophomore season and undoubtedly laid some eye-popping hits in 2022 off the edge. The off-ball OLB shows great burst out of his stance and closing speed, which combine for some bone-crunching hits on QBs in the pocket. Welch is violent, has the speed to run down plays from the backside, and reads & reacts to his keys quickly, showing an ability to process and trigger on the football with disruptive pace. I love the juice, physicality, and motor he brings to defending the edge of the defense and his ability to tackle in space and understand how to play with good leverage is sure to translate to the next level. Lots of good things cooking in Anoka’s 2025 class and future! Welch can ball.
Bryar Nordby
Bryar Nordby
The outstate playmaker posted 58 carries for 388 yards and 6 TDs, 36 receptions for 497 yards and 6 TDs, 47 tackles, 2 FFs, and an INT. Nordby possesses sneaky speed that dashes past pursuing defenders and wiggle in the middle of the field to shake that last defender. Also shows noteworthy concentration as a receiver, especially in the middle of the field, and is a dynamic, three-phase contributor with a nose for the endzone and a budding career in front of him for Pequot Lakes. Nordby was a big part of the Patriots strong showing in 2022.
The 6’1, 180 lb. Moorhead Spud athlete was a strong presence out on the edge of the LOS and in the flats and hook areas of Moorhead’s zone coverage in run and pass support. Whether he was undercutting routes and snagging INTs, laying big hits in space, beating blockers with speed, and blitzing off the edge, Battle was up for the challenge and productive as a sophomore. Always good to know the up-and-comers from one of Northern MN’s finest.
6’4, 260 lbs. and still going into his upperclassman era, LT and LG Babatz has an impressive base, quick and active feet, and strength at the point of attack. He looks comfortable and strong in his pass set and seems to be able to process and identify different defensive fronts and who is assignment is in zone schemes. There’s a lot to like in his general mobility, strength, and finishing ability and it’s only going to get better as he hits the offseason grind hard this winter, spring, and summer. You never know what position the Buffalo program is going to churn out its next monster at!
Robbinsdale Cooper sophomore LB is still the only 2025er to hold a college offer right now and for good reason, as his size and athleticism scream a projection to the highest levels of college football. The 6’3, 205 lber. has expanded his game and put some great reps of him showing out as a WR in 2022. I’m a big fan of his loose hips and how smoothly he changes direction and can start & stop, and in one of his WR reps, he shows off the top-end speed and dusts the second & third level defenders up the seam untouched. His short-area quickness and overall ability look great and Karmo is obviously athletic and has no problems playing physically, either. He’s going to be a steadfast presence in the top 3 of the 2025 rankings over the course of his career and has a great shot of finishing #1 when it’s all said and done.
The Esko cornerback and quarterback is dynamic and speedy and able to do everything asked of him defensively in both run and pass support. Man coverage, zone coverage, tackling, 50/50 balls, hold the edge, you ask him to do it and he can. He can cut and break on the ball quickly, undercut the rock and play it well in the air, and identify route concepts in zone coverage. I really like how fast he triggers on ball carriers in run support and he possesses some real pop for a smaller CB, and watching him jump, high point the football, and contest catches is impressive as well. His athleticism translates to offense too, where he threw it and ran it successfully when called upon. Lots of names to know in Esko this season and Jacion Owens Jacion Owens 5’10” | 175 lbs | DB Esko | 2025 State MN is one in particular out of the younger ranks!
A product of my old stomping grounds of Minneapolis Southwest High School, 5’11, 180 lb. Klemmensen did a little bit of everything in 2022 and finished the season with 71 carries for 678 yards and 16 catches for 229 yards and 7 total TDs. Also added 39 tackles, 4 TFLs, and a FF defensively. Displays solid burst, but I really like his vision, elusiveness, and quickness in the open field and how smoothly and successfully he cuts past pursuing defenders. Also shows some strength in a massive pop he laid against St. Louis Park and how he runs through solid tackle attempts with a head of steam behind him. Besides the fact that he’s a Laker, I’ll be keeping a close eye on the sophomore with how well he makes people miss. Go Lakers!
A 6’3, 175 lb. Moorhead Spud WR and FS, Thielges made some eye-popping catches in 2022 and has an impressive ability to stay upright and land on his feet through contact and big hits after reeling in balls all around his large catch radius. Also comes downhill, runs the alley, and tackles very well from his safety spot. I also spy some footwork and the capability to drop his hips and freeze defenders feet while running routes and all-in-all he’s fast, athletic, and shows off noteworthy body control for his size and age. The future is bright for Owen Thielges!
6’2, 205 lb. DE/LB. Brixius is one of many Benilde 2025ers to get excited about as he got a ton of varsity action in 2022 and laid some big hits in the process. Playing as a DE from a three or two-point stance as well as at MLB, Brixius is long and forceful, possessing the strength to work off blocks from offensive lineman around the box and the mobility to break down and make great tackles in space. Brixius is impressive at the point of contact and laid more than his fair share of powerful hits on unfortunate RBs and QBs. His sophomore tape is a good one and his future at either DE or MLB looks bright. You got a fan in me, Chase!
Highlights
Abu Tarawallie
Abu Tarawallie
Tarawallie is going to be a fun addition to the upcoming 2025 rankings updates after his sophomore season playing for Providence Academy. With great size and the ability to use it, he’s got some dominant reps in his sophomore tape and used his strength and athleticism play-to-play to impact the run and pass game. His strength is helps him easily shed 1-on-1 blocks as well as hold his ground and fight through doubles, and around 50 seconds into his sophomore defensive highlights he’s got a clip that is eye-popping to say the least, where the 6’4, 260 lber. sheds a block or two around the LOS as the opposing RB is breaking through the line a few gaps over. This is where things get good, Tarawallie then bursts downfield in pursuit like a speedy DB, covering an insane amount of ground before running down the loose ball carrier 40 yards downfield on a frankly outrageous showing of athleticism and speed at his size. He then follows it up with more reps of him running down loosing RBs far downfield, and with that kind of raw speed and physical gifts then he is going to be quite popular on the recruiting trail some day. Possible big-time under-the-radar prospect on our hands at this point in time!
The Mounds View Mustang sophomore LB is a solid 5’10, 190 lb. underclassman but hits above his weight level when he takes on blocking attempts and makes tackles. With a strong base after he sets his feet, Muhlstein brings his hips through contact powerfully and does a good job of preventing RBs from gaining extra yardage once he gets ahold of them. Also is patient when reading his keys and finding the ball and is a productive and successful run supporter. Strong kid who is only getting stronger!
Mason Gorghuber
Mason Gorghuber
Another Alexandria sophomore who showed off some big game as an underclassman, Gorghuber made some eye-popping catches in 2022 including a one-handed vs. Moorhead, a fantastic, high-pointed snag in-between two St. Cloud Tech DBs deep downfield, and a tough TD catch requiring good concentration through a near-PBU by a diving Bemidji safety. He’s also got some real juice after the catch and can dish out quick and savvy timed on defenders bearing down, and I also see some shake at the top of the route as well. However, his hands, catch radius, and overall ability to catch everything near him stands out the most in his awesome sophomore tape. Keep your eyes out for Alexandria the next couple of years!
Allan Lankfard Jr.
Allan Lankfard Jr.
St. Paul Central has put out some excellent athletes over the years and have a good history at the QB position that has been carried on by 2025 dual-threat Allan Lankfard Jr. With a ton of juice as a ball carrier who is excellent at buying time and extending plays around the pocket and possesses good elusiveness in the open field, Lankfard Jr. has a ton of ways to make would-be tacklers miss when he tucks and runs. His arm is also solid and can keep his offense churning on shorter and intermediate routes downfield, and he’s an overall talented kid who could project to a number of different positions at the next level. He’ll be one of the best players in the entirety of St. Paul as an upperclassman.
Daniel Jackson
Daniel Jackson
The Alexandria sophomore specialist made waves as a recruit going into this season when he earned a PWO offer from Minnesota at their prospect camp this summer. The Gophers saw in advance what Daniel Jackson put on the field this fall, as the underclassman K successfully booted a 53-yard FG that is either top 3 or top 4 in the state’s great history. He also set the state record in average kickoff distance per kick at nearly 60 yards (59.15), and additionally converted FGs of 35, 30, 29, and 25 and was 23-26 on PATs (three blocked). He also handled punting duties and averaged 33.6 yards a kick there. No doubt the #1 specialist in the state going into next year, Jackson has a huge leg on film, can convert kicks under pressure and in clutch situations, and can place his kicks and punts with accuracy. No wonder he has a P5 PWO already.
The heralded Red Knight sophomore racked up 664 receiving yards and 4 TDs as a sophomore and was a dangerous deep threat as well as redzone target this fall. With big play speed, good ball tracking skills, and the vertical ability to high point the football in the air, Brown was also slippery and speedy after the catch who can turn routine catches into big gains downfield. Obviously athletic, Brown needs to work his butt off this offseason in preparation for the all-important upperclassman campaign.
Highlights
Randy Kweyete
Randy Kweyete
With excellent size for the CB position and a still-growing 6’3, 175 lb. frame, Kweyete is a vicious tackler who can stick his foot in the ground and close space very quickly. Also is low, bendy, and smooth in his stance and backpedal, doesn’t waste steps when breaking and coming downhill, and always keeps his feet active. I also like how he understands holding the edge and how to play with leverage. Not a ton of coverage clips in his sophomore varsity highlights but with his athleticism and technique I’m sure the skills are there to impact the opponents passing game. In terms of run support, he’s got that down pat and laid some eye-popping hits this fall as a sophomore. Ton of up-and-coming studs in the Park Center underclassmen ranks!
Blake Schiltz
Blake Schiltz
The 6’3, 210 lb. Pine Island linebacker Blake Schiltz laid some big hits as a LB and made plays offensively as a WR, QB, and FB to show off a well-rounded skillset as only a sophomore. A tough kid not scared of making plays through contact, particularly on offense, Schiltz also has sideline-to-sideline range as a LB and can shed blocks, diagnose and close on the ball quickly, and generally enforce his will on the gridiron. Great frame to continue adding weight and strength and with his already versatile experience I think he’ll be even more confident and physical next season. Looking forward to following his career as an upperclassman. Pine Island has a good looking 2025 class right now.