40 Minnesota 2022 Season Highlight Tape Evals.
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Unsurprisingly, it was another fun and exciting weekend of MN playoff football with the remainder of the quarterfinal matchups finishing today. I’ll save any kind of recap for tomorrow when I publish a full reflection for PrepRedzoneMN, but there were…
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Continue ReadingUnsurprisingly, it was another fun and exciting weekend of MN playoff football with the remainder of the quarterfinal matchups finishing today. I’ll save any kind of recap for tomorrow when I publish a full reflection for PrepRedzoneMN, but there were definitely some nail-biters and tough battles with undefeateds going down and semifinal matchups setting up. Obviously, with playoffs continuing to progress that means more and more teams are seeing their 2022 seasons conclude, which means more season highlight tapes are being updated, finished, and posted. It’s excellent news for MN prep football fanatics such as myself, and with three days of playoff action this weekend I thought a good way to fill in and contribute to the MN high school football recruiting scene and our PRzMN site would be another straightforward, straight up evaluation piece where I dig in and breakdown 40 regular season highlight tapes from seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshman all across the state. If I didn’t get you this round don’t worry, I’m returning with Part II tomorrow to go along with that recap piece. Thanks for reading and find out what 50 MN prep football players do well on the gridiron below!
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The well-built 2025 out of Stewartville comes in at 6’3, 220 lbs. and posted 28.5 tackles, 8 sacks, a FF, and a defensive TD in his sophomore campaign to help Stewie reach the state quarters, where they met a tough Hutchinson team last night and saw their season come to an end. Schneider looks like a legit 6’3, 220ish pound EDGE prospect with good lateral agility, some comfortability tackling in space, and no issues playing physically, as demonstrated by his blocking highlights as a TE. He’s also fast enough to run down plays from the backside and out to edge and is a good athlete for his size and age. Very excited to see how he continues to develop.
Schneider ^
Cole Anderson
Cole Anderson
The 6’3, 190 lb. pass-catcher has been having a record-breaking season in 2022 and has posted 44 catches for 889 yards and 17 TDs in 2022 and finished his career with 78 catches for 1,663 yards and 28 TD. Anderson was second in the entire state of MN in TD receptions this fall and is uncommitted and open to college programs still looking for Minnesotans. On tape, he’s long, smooth, and shows off great ball tracking and body awareness that helped him pull off some impressive deep balls diving, tip-toeing, and high pointing the rock. I also like his releases at the LOS, and his speed and lower body strength are solid for his size, and I also think he’s competitive and confident when the ball is in the air and is going to fight to bring a reception in no matter the situation. Smooth athlete who is going to make for a great pickup for whatever college program lands him.
A sophomore starter for Farmington who got reps at WR, KR, RB, and LS en route to All-District HM honors, Wyandt’s older brother was also a stud and the gene seems to have been happily passed along as Brock looks like a slick, strong, and tough offensive weapon with varsity starting experience as a sophomore against MN big-school opponents. He opens his tape with a beautiful, one-handed snag down the seam against Eden Prairie and makes another gorgeous one-catch on a throw behind him later in the tape, so it’s safe to say he’s got some good hand(s), and I also like what I see from Wyandt as a route runner. He can drop his hips and keep DBs uncertain about where he’s breaking to, and for a smaller wideout he’s also got a strong lower body that helps him break good tackle attempts as well as win as a strong and pesky blocker on the perimeter and even on kickoff returns. Another great product of the Farmington S&C program.
Wyandt ^
Highlights
Sadly, McCalla suffered an injury during his senior season and only played six games, but he still posted 115 rushes for 502 yards and 9 total TDs on the ground and through the air. I’m a big fan of his vision, and he’s also shifty and will put his head down to run over defenders. Plays with a low pad level and also has good hands out of the backfield. Still uncommitted but has a DII offer from MSU-Moorhead.
Highlights
Luke Guggenberger
Luke Guggenberger
Yet another must-know, up-and-coming young WR for the Red Knights, 6’4, 180 lb. Guggenberger saw varsity and JV action in 2022 and showed good hands and fearlessness at going over the middle to snag the ball in between traffic. Also can high point the football, but I am very impressed with his ability and willingness to make catches through contact and potential big hits. Good varsity reps in his last year as an underclassman.
Charlie Rusnacko
Charlie Rusnacko
A 6’5, 220 lb. senior TE out of the 612 and Minneapolis Edison, Charlie Rusnacko is the younger brother of Jackson, a former standout prep football and basketball player for Edison who went to play for Hamline. Big #45 for the Tommies opened some big holes in the running game this season and has long arms, solid technique, and a ton of room to grow on his frame. Also got reps as a DE and made some tough catches in the passing game as a TE as well. Has visited GAC and UW-Eau Claire this fall!
Robby House
Robby House
A 6’1, 215 lb. brickhouse of a junior Skipper LB, Robby House opens his 2022 film with a crushing hit on a Farmington QB that caught my attention. The ILB does a great job of quickly but patiently taking his read steps and then firing downhill or back into coverage, but when he’s coming downhill is when he shines. A big hitter, House is strong and explosive at the point of contact and shows closing speed and a quick trigger as well. I also like what he does as an OLB coming off the edge of the LOS and I have a feeling he’ll be featured in my post-season hardest hitters series with PrepRedzoneMN. Good job this year, Robby.
Roman Janes
Roman Janes
The 6’3, 280 lb. Mounds View senior was named All-District HM and was the Mustangs OL of the Year in 2022 and hasn’t reported any interest or offers at this point. The OC shows some natural pop that sent a couple of opponents flying helplessly on the turf this fall, and he also shows good leg drive and the balance to break down and block in space against second & third-level defenders. Solid strength too with a good frame that could blow up in a college S&C program.
A 6’4, 170 lb. two-way contributor for Winona this year, Aiden Kronebusch Aiden Kronebusch 6’3″ | 170 lbs | DB Winona | 2023 State MN posted 12 catches for 247 yards and 3 TDs as well as 30 tackles, 4 INTs, 5 PBUs, 2 TFLs, a FF, and he returned one of those interceptions for a TD. Long and lanky, Kronebusch has good speed for his size that is capable of eating up large cushions from CBs and I also like how tracks the football and the variety of WR spots he can line up at. Also can play CB or safety and does a good job of reading the QBs eyes, route combos, and breaking on the football. His long legs also help him slip through tackle attempts when the ball is in his hands. Lots of good things happening in an intriguing frame. Has visited Sioux Falls, SMSU, and UW-La Crosse this fall. College coaches: get at him!
Kronebusch ^
Highlights
The 2024 Princeton 6′, 185 lb. QB/LB/DB posted 34 tackles, 3 TFLs, a FF, and an INT in 2022 and despite being undersized he does well in the box and is strong enough to absorb blocks from bigger opponents and make tackles through contact. It also looks like he reads his keys quickly and is sneaky and efficient at flowing to the football near the LOS. Good, fundamentally-sound tackler too.
Schultz III ^
Highlights
Peter Hiebert
Peter Hiebert
A 6’2, 240 lb. OC/OT from 5A powerhouse Chanhassen, Hiebert played non-varsity ball in 2022 and showed some solid strength and finishing ability with strong hands and an understanding of leverage that takes advantage when opponents get a little off balance. Showed some good pop in pass pro and a solid base. Will be interesting to see how he keeps growing into that OC spot.
Gannon Rydberg
Gannon Rydberg
A 6’2, 175 lb. senior WR in Shako’s triple-option offense was deadly running corner routes but also has a great rep making a TD catch on a slant through a big hit. Also capable of high-pointing footballs over helpless DBs, Rydberg also possess some long strides that did huge damage on nifty end-arounds when the ball was in his hand and he had a full head of steam going. Made some splash plays for the Sabers offense this fall and looked good doing it.
The 6’2, 195 lb. 2025 linebacker was a varsity starter for the Red Knights in 2022 and did some good things in both run and pass defense. Seymour picked off a nice pass covering an out-breaking SB man-to-man that he undercut and snagged, and I also see some solid reps of him tackling in space, reading and flowing to the football at the LOS, and making strong tackles. Hit the weight room and he’s going to be a force for the BSM defense next fall.
Highlights
Aidan Winters-Boynton
Aidan Winters-Boynton
The Andover Huskies have been pumping out well-built prospects all around the gridiron the past few years and have another large up-and-comer in 6’3, 250 lb. offensive lineman Aidan Winters-Boynton. The RT has a good motor and can finish blocks with his second effort and active hands and I also like how he can seal the play-side DE consistently and is comfortable finding work in the second and third levels of the defense and out in space. Will be a key cog in Andover’s 2023 success.
Chan Storm 6’1, 175 lb. senior QB posted 1,204 passing yards and 13 total TDs in the fall of 2022 and shows off touch on his deep passes, some arm strength on tougher throws breaking to the sideline, and the ability to improvise and get the ball out at different angles, as shown best by his efficient little jump pass against Mankato West that channeled some Tim Tebow vibes from my couch in Gainesville. The lefty is also mobile and can throw while on the run and tuck the rock and hurt defenses. Has an offer from St. Olaf from the summer and earned a couple St. Thomas gameday invites this fall. Still uncommitted!
Highlights
The thumper of a Lakeville North SS/OLB, Young weighs in at 6’1, 205 lbs. and looks like a heat-seeking missile on the first play of his highlights, coming across the field and across my screen to smash a Stillwater TE and sending him flying like he stepped on a landmine. A crushing tackler, Young also has a brilliant interception in the opening handful of clips in his senior where he beautifully reads a hitch from the SB and comes from his safety spot full throttle and through the ball for a clean pick that he returns to the house. Another great example of what the Panther’s defensive coaching can produce: technically-sound, well-coached, dynamic defenders who fly around like their hair is on fire and hit like buckshot. Young is one of the hardest-hitting seniors in the state and a no-brainer scholarship defender. Great tape.
Liam Holmberg
Liam Holmberg
The 5’11, 165 lb. sophomore Hornets wideout missed four games in 2022 due to injury but in non-varsity action, he had a monster game against Prior Lake with sprawling catches and big vertical gains. He’s dangerous after the catch and capable of breaking tackles and will sacrifice his body to complete a reception. Some promising things happening for the upcoming Hornets WR.
The junior Mounds View LB had a breakout junior campaign that resulted in the 6’1, 210 lber. He won District Co-Defensive Player of the Year, All-Conference, and Team DMVP awards and led the district in sacks and TFLs. Hatton comes off the edge like he’s shot out of a cannon and blows through blocking attempts, QBs, and RBs like a cannonball. He’s a strong kid with good pop but I also like how he gets upfield at the snap but still is reading and processing, and if the play is still developing he can work laterally down the LOS or out closer to the sideline to trigger on the play with a good pursuit angle. One of the harder hitters in the 2024 class, my favorite traits of Hatton are probably his closing speed, physicality when taking on blocks and tackling prowess.
Highlights
The junior Minnetonka specialist hit FGs of 37, 38, 25, and 37 again and shows some solid hangtime, leg, and ball placement on his kickoffs. The 6’1, 180 lber. also shows a good boot as a punter and can handle and hold onto low snaps and get the ball off in high-pressure situations. For the season he was 4/6 on FGs, 19/21 on PATs, and 18/19 on planned touchbacks. Can’t wait to see what he’s got as a senior!
Highlights
The 6’1, 240 lb. St. Paul Central junior was a key figurehead in the Minutemen’s best season in a decade, finishing as section runner-up in 2022. As an OG, Dreher plays with high energy and a nasty streak that I love in OL products, and his strong base + initial punch combined with his second effort brought a lot of opponents forcefully into the turf throughout the fall. Dreher can pull, combo, work to the second level, and physically dominate the man in front of him and let him know about it. This is a dude I would love to have on my team and OL but hate to go against. He’ll be able to find a college home with no problem when the time comes.
Highlights
Eli Thompson
Eli Thompson
The 6’2, 190 lb. WR and DB out of Rochester Century totaled 30 catches for 494 yards and 6 TDs and added 30 tackles and an interception defensively as a junior. I love the body control and balance he shows when he plays the ball in the air, lands, and stays upright, keeping his balance and working forward for more yardage. He’s a big, strong wideout with a mean start & stop and good hops when going up and getting the football. I like Thompson’s confidence and concentration when the ball is in the air as well. The junior made some great catches through tight coverage in 2022 and should be poised for an even bigger senior season next fall.
Of the more interesting defensive and overall prospects in MN, 6’5, 210 lb. Minnetonka EDGE Aidan Boehle Aidan Boehle 6’6″ | 210 lbs | DL Minnetonka | 2023 State MN recorded 43 tackles, 10 TFLs, and 4 sacks in his senior campaign and has added to his already-present and noticeable twitch and pass-rushing potency but did a good job of working on his strength this offseason and looks better at physically taking on and working through blocks from XL Metr0 offensive lineman. He uses his hands well to get off blocks, shows a little bit of bend, and generally can beat blocking attempts in multiple different ways. I also like Boehle’s closing speed when he gets some space pursuing QBs. Smooth, shifty athlete at the DE spot. Has received three DII offers this fall as well as a game day invite to Iowa State. We’ll keep you posted on his recruitment at PRzMN!
Highlights
Deshawn Ricks
Deshawn Ricks
Yet another massive Osseo Oriole on their 2022 roster, 6’3, 235 lb. EDGE Deshawn Ricks has visited Winona State and earned a roster spot from Augsburg so far this fall. Ricks uses his size to his advantage and has a good first step to go along with productive power rushes that he can also counter off of to beat blockers initially or upon secondd effort. He shows a ton of strength at the initial contact point and could physicallyominatet smaller and bigger OL with no discrepancy in outcomes. Dude plays and hits like a bull in a rodeo ring. What a DL the Orioles had in 2022. More college programs should get in touch.
Tanner Rueckert
Tanner Rueckert
One of many massive Prior Lake Lakers in their 2022 quest, 6’3, 295 lb. DT Tanner Rueckert is a bowling ball in the middle of the Laker’s defense. The big boy can run though, and has good reps of him pursuing and chasing down WR screens and loose QBs/RBs and laying a wallop when he gets there. With brick hands and the aforementioned size and strength, Rueckert can freeze one-on-one blocking attempts and easily shed single linemen to get in the backfield and make a play. Definitely a strong and coordinated athlete at his size and with the premium placed on DT/NG recruiting I was surprised to see only UMD has reached out this season, with a lone game day invite.
The 6’2, 205 lb. Hornets senior gunslinger has a big arm and knows how to use it. With timing and touch, McElroy has a great deep ball on fades and posts and slings the ball out of his hand and downfield with seeming ease. I also am a big fan of his footwork, as he can smoothly navigate in and right outside of the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield and letting the routes develop and also is consistent in setting his feet and following through in his vertical throws. Even when he throws it off his backfoot the ball flies downfield, and I also like McElroy’s ability to throw into smaller windows in the middle of the field. Consistent, productive, and experienced pocket passer who is going to make a college QB room a lot stronger with the addition of his arm. No recruiting news this fall!
Highlights
The 6’1, 165 lb. junior Edina free safety is looking to continue a recent trend of stud Hornets DBs to graduate from the former Lake Conference heavyweight. He’s off to a good start with his basketball background, and in the fall of 2022 he posted 51 tackles and 2 FFs in five games of action. The highlights from those games show off a great open field tackler who can come downhill and run a tight j-path depending on where the ball carrier cuts and put his hat on the ball to knock it loose. His closing speed also helps prevent RBs from making a move due to him getting into their hips so quickly. Kemper has a fun tape to watch if you’re a fan of strong, open field tackling. Will be a nice addition to the upcoming 2024 rankings update.
Cole Heilbrun
Cole Heilbrun
The 6’2, 205 lb. junior Trojans QB opens his tape with a beautiful rep against Rosemount where he steps into a huge oncoming hit and delivers a beautiful ball 40ish yards downfield and right over the CBs head who was sprinting in tight coverage. Whether inside or outside of the pocket, Heilbrun puts the ball where only his WR can get it and is a tough, pass-first quarterback who can get rid of the ball quickly and accurately. Good lookin’ 2024 crop of QBs in MN coming up and Heilbrun has solidified himself as a part of it.
Most likely my alma mater’s best player last season, Batz-Rogers finished his senior season with 21 tackles, 7 PBUs, and 3 INTs plus a TFL, a FF, and a defensive TD despite offenses staying away from his side of the field in the passing game. He’s got smooth footwork, is comfortable when the ball is in the air, and made some pretty interceptions this fall reading route combinations and generally being a ballhawk when the ball is in the air. He’s also consistent at coming down with the ball as a WR, but I think CB is where he future lies best thanks to his COD and ball skills. Batz-Rogers has visited Augsburg and UW-Stout this fall and also was offered a roster spot by St. John’s. Go Lakers, forever!
Highlights
The Mankato East LB and RB missed three games of the season due to injury but still made a ton of impact and finished his senior season with 26 tackles, an interception, 70 rushes for 279 yards, and 2 TDs. His best asset is his speed, and he shows a lot of it on either side of the ball. As a RB, it shows up as burst once he gets that ball in his hands, and as a LB his closing speed and get-off from the edge of the defense look fast and disruptive. For 170ish pounds I’m also a fan of Glogowski’s tackling strength and ability to do it in the open field. Even laid some big blocks and caught the ball out of the backfield offensively. Solid year for the senior despite the injuries and UW-Eau Claire reached out with a game day invite for his efforts.
Highlights
Hudson Poole
Hudson Poole
Another Skipper to make this feature, 5’10, 155 lb. Hudson Poole is a good-lookin’ CB who made some great breaks on the ball and generally has strong COD skills and plentiful burst when he sticks his foot in the ground and plays the ball. On both deep and intermediate routes he’s got the speed to stay with wideouts, the wherewithal to undercut and play the ball, and the patience to try and break it up/pick it off. Sticky perimeter player for Minnetonka in 2022 and is looking to lock down the Metro next fall.
The Pequot Lakes senior played both RB and LB in 2022 and is fun to watch and slippery at breaking tackles, avoiding blocks, and sliding into passing lanes to pick off passes. Wolf flies out of his stance like a bat out of hell and looks like a madman chasing down the ball while he easily bounces off blocking attempts and covers ground before finding and eliminating the RB. This kid thrives off physicality and can beat opponents simply off his will to use it, much less his athleticism. Pequot Lakes had a fantastic season and had an ill-timed meeting with Esko that unfortunately ended their 2022 campaign.
Highlights
Allen Walker
Allen Walker
Posted 49 tackles, 2 sacks, a FF as a senior and displays a thick, strong, compact build with a good motor and sideline-to-sideline speed and determination. Will chase a loose RB into the turf way downfield and throw everything he has into every play for his defense. The 2023er hasn’t reported any interest or offers and brings a basketball background from powerhouse Hopkins to the table as a football recruit as well. DIIIs should get on this kid soon.
The prolific Norwood Young America QB finished his senior year as the state’s leader in completions and top-5 in passing yards and TDs as NYA made it all the way to the section finals before seeing a tough loss to a talented Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted on November 4th. The MN All-Star Game selection displays a nice-sized, dual-threat QB with a snappy arm and a ton of juice as a ball carrier when he tucks and runs. I love the visible velocity on his more intermediate throws and he shows off consistent accuracy on passes all over the field. Strickfaden looks like a man amongst boys when he takes off and runs, too. The 6’2, 185 lb. four-year starter earned a scholarship offer from Upper Iowa this season and was offered by Winona State back in June. Great career, Noah. It’s been very fun to watch.
Highlights
Johnny Frank
Johnny Frank
Great first highlight where the Faribault Falcon senior tracks down a deep ball over his left shoulder, stays upright through the CB swiping at his ankle, and then throws a dirty cut on the safety to leave him grasping at air and allowing Frank to finish the big TD catch. The 6′, 175 lber. made some splash plays as a deep threat in 2022 and used that same speed to make some solid plays on the ball as a CB. Quick and shifty with the ball is in his hands in when I see him shining the brightest.
Quinlan Mcmenomy
Quinlan Mcmenomy
The 5’9, 145 lb. Benilde-St. Margaret’s QB/DB was a JV contributor in 2022 and in 5 games of film Mcmenomy did his best work when he took off and ran from the QB position. Speedy, quick, and and possessing contact balance and a mean stiff-arm, the sophomore is mobile and athletic and one of a number of talented Red Knight underclassmen ready to bring BSM back to glory.
Lars Anderson
Lars Anderson
The Farmington Tigers OG is strong to defeat opponents at the initial punch, by washing them down and out of the play, or by sealing them off strategically. He had a particularly bruising game against Shakopee and brings good size to the table an iOL prospect in the 2024 class.
Jake Bock
Jake Bock
A 6’3.5, 205 lb. sophomore TE out of Edina, Bock was dangerous as a pass catcher and run blocker in non-varsity action this season and is a strong possession receiver who can reel in catches through contact and is unafraid to go over the middle and down the seam on vulnerable routes for the TE. Good hands and good size too.
Ethan Beckman
Ethan Beckman
Prior Lake is quickly becoming a hotbed for OL talent and have themselves a must-know 2026 OT in 6’4, 265 lb. Ethan Beckman. The giant freshman is the biggest kid on the field in his first-year tape and looks like a man amongst boys with the strength to back it up in the run game. His most eye-popping reps come when he pulls to the playside field and is sprinting and lead-blocking out in space in front of the RB. He looks like a runaway train and is nimble and able to break down and square up smaller and quicker opponents in a ton of open space, allowing his RB to gain as must extra yardage as can be had. Body control and coordination for that size and that age is rare and I think we have another extremely promising OL prospect out of Prior Lake coming up through the ranks right now.
The 6’2, 260 lb. Kasson-Mantorville two-way senior lineman was a captain in 2022 and is nasty and effective at the point of attack and especially when he has a full head of steam on him. As a defensive lineman, Nelson is strategic and and impressive with his hand usage to disengage from blocks and sometimes not even allow the OL to get a hand on him, and offensively he’s got pop, good pad level, and works aggressively to finish and physically dominant the man in front of him at that play. He’s particularly strong as a puller and laid some big hits over the course of 2022 and his career. Morningside offered the senior this fall.
Highlights
Eli Kuempel
Eli Kuempel
The younger brother of Armstrong thumper Drew, 2026 QB and LB Eli Kuempel was a dangerous runner as a read-option QB who can really scoot and often outran defenders for TD runs without being touched. Fast and athletic, Eli threw a helluva mean truckstick a few times and overall looked like he was on another level on an athletic sense than his non-varsity competition this year. I would expect him to be seeing varsity action sooner rather than later in his blossoming career.