Amani Hooker Award Semifinalists: MN's DB of the Year in 2022

Of all the former Minnesota preps to not earn a Gopher offer in high school, I'm most disappointed that we let former Park Center standout Amani Hooker slip out of state. An absolute ballhawk with out with next-level athleticism and size, Hooker had a monster career that culminated in a senior season where he totaled 11 interceptions, 5 of which he returned of TDs. He earned First Team All-State, a Mr. Football finalist nod, and Conference MVPs honors, and although FBS and FCS programs had reached out with scholarships, the Hawkeyes were his only P5 offer, and he went to Iowa City and became the Big10's DB of the Year, an All-American, and fourth round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2019. Since then, Hooker has played in 51 games, tying for the team lead in INTs in 2020 and ranking fourth in tackles in 2021, and is a worthy, albeit recent, namesake for this inaugural DB of Year award for the Land of 10,000 Lakes. We saw some impactful and impressive DB play this fall, with interceptions, big hits, PBUs, and game-changing plays galore, and PrepRedzoneMN has narrowed down the safeties and corners from all around the state to 10 semifinalists for the Amani Hooker Award Semifinalists. Make sure you to stay posted for the upcoming feature naming the winners, as well as rankings updates, recruiting highlights, and more content from the most comprehensive source for high school football in Minnesota.   --   1) [player_tooltip player_id='237907' first='Jake' last='Borman'] (St. Thomas Academy) Senior. 6'1, 185 lbs. Uncommitted   With 12 interceptions the past two seasons, St. Thomas Academy Cadet ballhawk Borman has been one of the most productive DBs in the state in pass coverage. In 2022, he also posted 45 tackles and a fumble recovery, and his efforts from the defensive backfield aided the Cadets in holding opponents to only 51 points in eight games of the regular season. A heavyweight 5A contender while Borman was an upperclassman, STA made it to the state quarterfinal back-to-back seasons and some of the 6'1, 185 lbers. clutch performances in their biggest games played a nice role in their success in the win column. Natural when patrolling from the hash, able to capitalize on opposing misthrows, and comfortable reading the QBs eyes, Borman was always around the football and was especially productive in zone coverage. Borman is also able to tackle in space and is a balanced and always-sound safety and now an Amani Hooker Award semifinalist for MN's DB of the Year.   2) Tate McDonald (Waconia) Junior. 6'2, 175 lbs.   The junior finished second in the state in interceptions (8) with his breakout 2022 campaign as a junior and earned a semifinalist selection for the Amani Hooker Award on a list filled with experienced and talented seniors. His playmaking ability aided Waconia's 7-3 effort this fall, and the safeties quick hips, trust in his reads, timing on his breaks, and ability to make plays from both man and zone coverage made him an easy pick for one of MN's top DBs of the year. Doesn't waste steps and his long frame and ball skills helped him pick off passes all over the field as a junior. One of the top passing coverage specialists in the state this season.   3) [player_tooltip player_id='112103' first='Marques' last='Monroe'] (Bloomington Kennedy) Senior. 6'1, 195 lbs. Uncommitted   The unquestioned leader and sparkplug of Kennedy's impressive turnaround from 1-8 during the 2018 season to 7-2 in 2022, [player_tooltip player_id='112103' first='Marques' last='Monroe'] has been vital in the Eagles' turnaround and will graduate having left a lasting legacy in the halls of the Kennedy program. Experienced, poised, and physical, Monroe has been a steadfast contributor for Kennedy since his freshman year where he posted 45 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 INTs. Now having grown into a 6'1, 195 lb. beast of a safety posted 76 tackles, 5 INTs, a fumble recovery and two PBUs as senior, helping the Eagles to impressive wins over Park Center, SMB, and MPLS Patrick Henry among others.   4) Garrison Monroe (Shakopee) Senior. 6', 190 lbs. Committed to Minnesota   The alpha dog recruit and athlete of Minnesota's defensive backs this fall, Monroe moves and plays like a future P5 safety and has played an integral role in Shakopee's rise to the top ranks of contenders for the 6A crown. The future Golden Gopher is theSaber'ss highest-rated recruit out of Shakopee in the last decade+ and used that talent to successfully lead and elevate his defense to the top class of Metro competitors while also posting his own impressive personal stat line. In 2022, he recorded 41 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception, and 5 PBUs while also adding 8 rushing TDs and more than 600 yards on the ground offensively. Monroe earned his Gophers offer from an in-person workout and performance at the Gophers prospect camp in front of safeties coach Danny Collins, and his athleticism shows up on the film as well, as his range, overall speed and pace out of his breaks, and comfortability when tackling in space were all huge assets for a defense from the safety spot, and Monroe's influence and impact were massive for the Sabers. Well-earned nod for the Amani Hooker DB of the Year Award.   5) [player_tooltip player_id='295970' first='Tayvion' last='McCoy'] (Simley) Senior. 5'11, 185 lbs. Uncommitted   Ballhawk, two-way standout, and now state champion, Simley Spartan [player_tooltip player_id='295970' first='Tayvion' last='McCoy'] has been a stat monster of an upperclassman and finished his senior season with 55 tackles and 5 interceptions not to mention his 15 offensive TDs to go along with it. Additionally, he took two of the interceptions back for TDs, broke up double-digit passes, forced two fumbles, and to really cement his semifinalist nomination for the Amani Hooker DB of the Year Award, McCoy allowed no TDs in coverage during the regular season. With the help of his shutdown pass defense and playmaking ability on both sides of the ball, Simley finally got over the hump of 5A contender to state champion and his interception in the 5A final against Hutchinson on the second of the month solidified a clutch factor that can be found in ballhawking defensive backs. His change of direction ability and ball skills made him comfortable defending routes to all three levels of the miss and he will be sorely missed in Simley's secondary for years to come.   6) [player_tooltip player_id='313089' first='Ryder' last='Patterson'] (Lakeville South) Senior. 5'10, 190 lbs. Committed to Minnesota-Duluth   Earning playing time in Lakeville is not easy and Patterson has made use of his opportunities and then some, finishing his 2022 campaign with 65 tackles, 6 TFLs, a FF, and 4 PBUs playing against top competition on his Lakeville South squad. While he was aggressive and opportunistic in coverage as senior for 6A the 6A top contender Cougars, Patterson made his money and earned an Amani Hooker DB of the Year nomination mainly due to his prowess defending the run game, where the 5'10, 190 lber. was technically sound, strong at the contact point, and comfortable when adjusting to opponents angles. His closing speed, instincts, and pop limited both run and passes to minimal gains, and he was also able to play the ball in the air and stay with receivers deep, breaking up big pass attempts and stopping opponents drives in their tracks. Impactful and memorable from the DB position, Patterson's influence on the run and pass game for the 6A heavyweight Cougars, who were 2x defending champs and had a deep playoff run in 2022. He'll be taking his talents to Duluth for the next phase of football action.   7) [player_tooltip player_id='112137' first='Devin' last='Jordan'] (Eden Prairie) Senior. 6'2, 190 lbs. Committed to Air Force   Contributing and succeeding at Minnesota's historically strongest high school program means you're a big dog, and Air Force commit [player_tooltip player_id='112137' first='Devin' last='Jordan'] was a Bernese Mountain Dog for the Eagles over the course of his career and especially as a senior. Impactful against both the run and the pass, Jordan was the leader and commander of the powerful Eden Prairie defense from the secondary and not only made plays but helped clean up loose ball carriers and clean up big gains from opponents. He also was one of the best run supporting DBs in the entire state, able to blitz, tackle and work off blocks around the box, and tackle in space, and his prowess in both phases of defense made him a strong selection for the Amani Hooker DB of the Year Award semifinal list. It also helped him earn a PWO from the Gophers, but the Eden Prairie senior will instead be taking his talents to the surging Air Force Academy football team. With the experience and production he saw playing with heavyweight EP, I'd expect his success to continue in college.   8) [player_tooltip player_id='313209' first='Kaiden' last='Peters'] (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) Senior. 6'1, 170 lbs. Uncommitted   A stat monster on both sides of the ball, Peters was particularly impressive defensively this fall, posting 89 tackles, 5 INTs, a sack, a blocked kick, and an eye-popping 15 PBUs roaming the defensive secondary of the Bulldogs. Aiding PEM to a 7-4 record in 2022, Peters was one of the, if not thee, most productive and overall best DBs in the entire small school and Outstate ranks and used his supreme athleticism to create dozens of splash plays as an outstanding returner and offensive weapon. As a corner, Peters was extremely comfortable under the deep ball and used his standout speed and quickness to make plays on short, intermediate, and deep balls and generally stay around the football. Peters was also strong enough to defend around the box when playing the run. The stat line, singular importance to his squad in all three phases of the game, especially defense, and comfortability in coverage all combined to earn him a nod for the inaugural Amani Hooker DB of the Year Award semifinal list.   9) [player_tooltip player_id='112139' first='Jackson' last='Powers'] (Maple Grove) Senior. 6', 180 lbs. Committed to Minnesota   The best DB on the 6A state champion Maple Grove Crimson squad, Powers was also one of the best defensive backs in the big school ranks of Metro football and helped the Crimson go undefeated in 2022 and take down the big names and constant competitors around the 6A crown. As a testament to his athleticism and ceiling as a DB, the home state Gophers offered a PWO that he accepted this summer, and Powers is set to be a fun, talented, and easy-to-root-for future Gopher that will be grinding his butt off for a scholarship. The 6', 180 lber. can do it all in coverage, capable of playing off-man or press and making plays in man or zone coverage. He's also a natural at playing the ball at its highest point, can read and react quickly, fire out of his breaks, and play technically sound when defending the edge. His loose hips and how quickly he can squeeze space helped him record 48 tackles, 4 INTs, 4 TFLs, 7 PBUs, and a FF this fall, and one of his best performances came in the state semifinals against Lakeville South, proving he's comfortable in the spotlight and can churn out clutch performances for his team. There's simply too much going for the senior to not name him an Amani Hooker DB of the Year semifinalist for the 2022 season. Can't wait to watch you in Dinkytown, Jackson!   10) [player_tooltip player_id='245652' first='Peyton' last='Himley'] (Edina) Senior. 6'2, 190 lbs. Committed to St. Thomas   Great size, explosive when triggering on the football, and possessing great closing speed, Edina's [player_tooltip player_id='245652' first='Peyton' last='Himley'] brought the required physical edge to the safety position and showed off great range when covering ground in run support. You're going to remember Himley after you play against him, and the senior St. Thomas commit was all over the field in 2022, laying big hits, halting big plays in their tracks, and always staying around the football. Himley performed consistently against high-quality Metro opponents and elevated the play of his teammates around him. Is next-in-line to become another standout DB out of the University of St. Thomas. Hornets never die!   Honorable Mention:   Stefano Giovanelli (St. Louis Park) Senior.   Brayden Strum (Springfield) Sophomore.   [player_tooltip player_id='245765' first='Damian' last='Riewe'] (Mankato West) Senior.   Chance Swansson (Rosemount) Senior.   [player_tooltip player_id='310762' first='Jacob' last='Anderson'] (Maple Grove) Senior.

Of all the former Minnesota preps to not earn a Gopher offer in high school, I'm most disappointed that we let former Park Center standout Amani Hooker slip out of state. An absolute ballhawk with out with next-level athleticism and size, Hooker had a monster career that culminated in a senior season where he totaled 11 interceptions, 5 of which he returned of TDs. He earned First Team All-State, a Mr. Football finalist nod, and Conference MVPs honors, and although FBS and FCS programs had reached out with scholarships, the Hawkeyes were his only P5 offer, and he went to Iowa City and became the Big10's DB of the Year, an All-American, and fourth round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2019. Since then, Hooker has played in 51 games, tying for the team lead in INTs in 2020 and ranking fourth in tackles in 2021, and is a worthy, albeit recent, namesake for this inaugural DB of Year award for the Land of 10,000 Lakes. We saw some impactful and impressive DB play this fall, with interceptions, big hits, PBUs, and game-changing plays galore, and PrepRedzoneMN has narrowed down the safeties and corners from all around the state to 10 semifinalists for the Amani Hooker Award Semifinalists. Make sure you to stay posted for the upcoming feature naming the winners, as well as rankings updates, recruiting highlights, and more content from the most comprehensive source for high school football in Minnesota.