Beau Allen Award Semifinalists: MN's DL of the Year in 2022

The Land of 10,00 Lakes is also the Land of Lineman, and over the decades Minnesota has consistently put linemen on both sides of the ball into the P5 and NFL ranks with countless smaller-school studs earning major distinctions across the FCS, DII, and DIII levels of college ball. Now headlined by the likes of Boye Mafe (Hopkins) and Elerson Smith (MPLS South), one of the defensive linemen preceding those two earned the namesake for this inaugural DL of the Year Award. Beau Allen, a Minnetonka, Wisconsin Badger, and Philadelphia Eagle standout memorable for both his tough play and impressive mustache/long hair combination, was the only player under the now-retired, 42-year legendary Minnetonka Head Coach Dave Nelson to start all four years for the Skippers. Also a 2x All-State recipient and Mr. Football Finalist, Allen went on to become a four-year contributor at Wisconsin, was drafted in the 7th round of the NFL Draft, and helped win a Super Bowl with the Eagles before playing with the Bucs and Patriots and eventually retiring after a 7-year NFL career. The 10 semifinalists of MN's DL of the Year in 2022 embody a ton of the qualities that made Allen great, including toughness, run-stuffing dominance, pass-rushing prowess, P5 and NFL athleticism, long, lengthy, and distinguished prep careers, and two-sport backgrounds, and PrepRedzoneMN is grateful to introduce the inaugural Beau Allen Award Semifinalists for MN's Defensive Lineman of the Year. Congrats to the selections and stay tuned for the winners coming next week!   --   1) [player_tooltip player_id='19001' first='Jaxon' last='Howard'] (Robbinsdale Cooper) Senior. 6'4, 245 lbs. Committed to LSU   The undisputed big dog of the 2023 class and in the entire state this season, Howard is taking his talents to Baton Rouge or the next 4-5 years after one of the most prolific recruitments we've seen since Seantrell Henderson. Earning over 50 scholarship offers, Howard's ability to project to either TE or DE, the size and frame to play sooner rather than later in college, and next-level athleticism saw blue-chip helmet schools venture up North we aren't used to seeing, with Alabama, Miami, Clemson, Georgia, and Florida making up just a few of the offers Howard earned prior to his senior year. He also saved his best for last, recording a monster senior season with 118 tackles, 4 TFLs, an INT, and a blocked kick as he finished his renowned prep career. I nearly put Howard on the LB of the Year semifinal list thanks to how many reps he took at MLB this year, but he still played off the edge and out his hand in the dirt and will surely play DL in college so I believe it's still applicable to categorize him here. Great get-off, twitchy, bendy, and has the hips and COD skills to play at the second level of the defense, Howard was also one of the hardest hitters in the state and a man amongst boys at the point of contact. We don't see kids this big move this well from MN often and I hope fans enjoyed his presence while he was here. Heckuva run, Jaxon. Onto the SEC!   2) [player_tooltip player_id='105366' first='Auvon' last='Sager'] (MPLS North) Senior. 6'5, 220 lbs. Uncommitted   Totaling 22 sacks over the past two seasons, 612 product [player_tooltip player_id='105366' first='Auvon' last='Sager'] has been one of the most productive pass-rushers in the state and brings a ton of length and versatility to the position and as a recruit. With perennial 2A contender MPLS North, who has ramped up their schedule the past few seasons and now regularly play 4A and 5A squads around the Metro, Sager is yet another Polar football player with a great basketball background and loads of varsity experience. He posted 9.5 sacks, 15 TFLs, and 51 tackles this fall thanks to his great get-off and arsenal of pass-rushing moves, not to mention the quickness and coordination reinforced by his basketball prowess. Sager was a nightmare for OTs and double-teams all of 2022 no matter who was in front of him. The amount of attention he received from opponents throughout his career and how productive Sager continued to play is a testament to his skillset, and college coaches finally started taking notice this season. Concordia-St. Paul, Bemidji State, and St. Thomas all offered the recent MN All-Star Game selection, who now also can say he was a Beau Allen Award Semifinalist for MN's DL of the Year.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/AuVon-rotated.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-458352"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='105366' first='Auvon' last='Sager']</figcaption></figure>   3) [player_tooltip player_id='112052' first='Martin' last='Owusu'] (Prior Lake) Senior. 6'3, 290 lbs. Committed to Minnesota   Power-5 athleticism from the interior DL was too hard to ignore when selecting Beau Allen Award semifinalists, and Prior Lake Laker long-time varsity contributor and future Minnesota Golden Gopher [player_tooltip player_id='112052' first='Martin' last='Owusu'] fits the bill. Able to read, react, and find the ball quickly, Owusu is so strong he runs and works through blocking attempts like they were nothing but a gust of wind, bring down ball carriers with one arm like they were his baby brother, and can make plays in space like a LB. Physically talented, mechanically sound, and his wrestling background all helped him shine on one of the most talented rosters in the Metro and was a must to gameplan against for opposing OCs and OL coaches. Minnesota's preeminent interior DL prospect in 2022, I can't wait to watch him in Dinkytown.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/22-Martin-Owusu.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-247374"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='112052' first='Martin' last='Owusu']</figcaption></figure>   4) Kaden Vig (Kittson County Central) Senor. 6'6, 235 lbs. Committed to North Dakota   One of the most productive players in the state regardless of class or position, Vig was a monster in the 9-man ranks and finished 1st in MN in sacks and TFLs with 18 and 34, respectively. Dominant and destructive, Vig was the best defensive player in 9-man in 2022 and worked hard to build on a junior campaign that saw him post 10.5 sacks, and he leaves KCC with the single-season and all-time sack marks. Living in the backfield of opponents all 2022, Vig helped the Bearcats to an 11-1 record before the now-9man champs Mountain Iron-Buhl knocked them out of the state quarterfinals. No film, but he'll be playing in front of our eyes on the big stage of the Missouri Valley representing the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Teammate Isaac Folland will be joining him as well. Great finish to a very productive prep career and an easy nomination for the Beau Allen Award semifinalists.   5) [player_tooltip player_id='313231' first='Rudy' last='Lozoya'] (Rochester Mayo) Senior. 5'10, 225 lbs. Uncommitted   Maybe my favorite player on the list, Rochester product Lozoya is the hardest hitter in the state and set the tone for a fantastic Mayo squad and season in 2022 that resulted in a state championship-caliber campaign and a 9-2 finish with both losses coming to defending champ Mankato West. A wrecking ball of a DL and FB, Lozoya's ultra-powerful lower body, excellent base and pad level, heavy hands, balance, and closing speed helped him easily work through double teams and dominate single blocks as well as the overall point of contact. He posted 8 sacks in 2022, good for tied for sixth in MN, as well as 38 tackles, 8 TFLs, and as a crushing tackler, pass-rushing threat from the interior, and a big man able to pursue and finish in space, the 5'10, 225 lber. left his mark on every tackle, hit, block, and carry in 2022 and you couldn't watch a Mayo game without loving and appreciating #44. I guarantee he left more than his fair share of opponents sore and hurting the next day as well. The MN All-Star Game selection and Beau Allen Award semifinalist is still uncommitted.   6) [player_tooltip player_id='188150' first='Hayden' last='Bills'] (Rosemount) Senior. 6'4, 250 lbs. Committed to Arizona State (T&F)   The muscle and spearhead behind Rosemount's stingy, tough, and physical 6A defense in 2022, Bills will throw for the Arizona State Sun Devils track & field team after nearly winning a big-school state championship yesterday. A varsity contributor since an underclassman, Bills worked his butt off every offseason and finished his prep career at 6'4, 250 lbs. and was simply one of the strongest players in the Metro, and if you don't believe me, watch the first play of his highlights. Able to send OTs backward and onto their butts off of only a couple of steps, Bills could physically dominate 1-on-1s or doubles against the biggest and baddest OTs Class 6A had to offer. Also made big defensive plays in clutch and key moments for his defense en-route to the Irish's 12-1 season and 6A runner-up finish. I wish he was playing football in college, but at least earning a Beau Allen Award semifinal nod is a good way to close things out.   7) [player_tooltip player_id='287254' first='Keenan' last='Wilson'] (Eagan) Senior. 6'2, 290 lbs. Committed to North Dakota State   The Eagan Wildcat DT burst onto the varsity scene and Division 1 recruiting sphere as a junior and turned into a premier interior defensive lineman the Metro had to offer. At a powerful 6'2, 290 lbs., Wilson's get-off, quickness, body control, and overall mobility is great for his size, and he plays fast, precise, and aggressively, combining to make a nightmare for opponents to try and handle and allowing Wilson to beat blocks in a number of ways. Moves laterally and closes like a kid 50 pounds lighter, and most importantly, Wilson's play help elevate his teammates around him and he was a key cog in Eagan's resurgence in the 6A scene. Is going to be a superstar at North Dakota State and now brings in a Beau Allen Award semifinalist nod to his already lengthy list of accomplishments.   8) [player_tooltip player_id='112086' first='Chiddi' last='Obiazor'] (Eden Prairie) Senior. 6'6, 245 lbs. Committed to Kansas State   Coming out of powerhouse Eden Prairie, who once against made it deep into the big school playoffs, Obiazor's size and athleticism, plus the coaching and competition he's received at EP over the years, made him a top choice for StarTribune All-Metro First Team honors in addition to this Beau Allen Award semifinal nod. Heading to Manhattan, Kansas to play P5 football for the Wildcats in college, Obiazor can get into the backfield quicker than anyone on this list and did a great job of bulking up and playing physically in 2022. His great length and quickness made slippery for opponents to get a hand on, and he could run down and make tackles & sacks all over the gridiron. With studs all over the field, Obiazor's athleticism and ability to impact the run and pass game helped free up his LBs and fellow defensive lineman to play fast and uninhibited. High ceiling to say the least, him and [player_tooltip player_id='19001' first='Jaxon' last='Howard'] would make for a terrifying DE combo in MN's Defensive Dream Team. Good luck in the Big12, Chiddi!   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/20220916_205912-scaled-crop-1552x1019-1663388936.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-448084"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='112086' first='Chiddi' last='Obiazor']</figcaption></figure>   9) [player_tooltip player_id='295960' first='Charlie' last='Gleason'] (Stillwater) Senior. 6'5, 240 lbs. Committed to Air Force   The lynchpin of Stillwater's gritty defense that was one of the best in the state in 2022, Gleason was a beast as a DE for the Ponies and earned a Beau Allen Award semifinal nod for his efforts this fall. Strong handed with a balanced base, Gleason can absorb and work off contact as good as anyone in the state and was a productive influence in all of Stillwater's big games and big moments of the 2022 season. Will be taking his talents to the Air Force Academy to play his college football and get a great degree.   10) Jack Lachmiller (Elk River) Senior. 6'3, 230 lbs.   Now a 5A state champion, Lachmiller worked his butt off in 2022 and was quite productive with 69 tackles, 15 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, and 5 FFs to make himself a one-man drive-killer for opposing offenses. That production, plus how it influenced Elk River's success and defense dominance in 2022, made him a strong selection for the Beau Allen Award semifinal list. Quick first step, closing speed, and strategic hand usage make for a fun watch of his senior tape, where Lachmiller runs around and makes plays like his hair is on fire. In a season filled with production, splash defensive plays, and success in the big moments, the Elk River senior was an exciting, darkhorse pick for this MN Defensive Lineman of the Year Award in 2022.   Honorable Mention:   [player_tooltip player_id='441518' first='Dane' last='Borene'] (SMB) Junior.   [player_tooltip player_id='112057' first='Braden' last='Mohr'] (Farmington) Senior. Committed to North Dakota   [player_tooltip player_id='301007' first='Victor' last='Sosa'] (Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton) Senior.   [player_tooltip player_id='242410' first='Langden' last='College'] (Robbinsdale Armstrong) Junior.

The Land of 10,00 Lakes is also the Land of Lineman, and over the decades Minnesota has consistently put linemen on both sides of the ball into the P5 and NFL ranks with countless smaller-school studs earning major distinctions across the FCS, DII, and DIII levels of college ball. Now headlined by the likes of Boye Mafe (Hopkins) and Elerson Smith (MPLS South), one of the defensive linemen preceding those two earned the namesake for this inaugural DL of the Year Award. Beau Allen, a Minnetonka, Wisconsin Badger, and Philadelphia Eagle standout memorable for both his tough play and impressive mustache/long hair combination, was the only player under the now-retired, 42-year legendary Minnetonka Head Coach Dave Nelson to start all four years for the Skippers. Also a 2x All-State recipient and Mr. Football Finalist, Allen went on to become a four-year contributor at Wisconsin, was drafted in the 7th round of the NFL Draft, and helped win a Super Bowl with the Eagles before playing with the Bucs and Patriots and eventually retiring after a 7-year NFL career. The 10 semifinalists of MN's DL of the Year in 2022 embody a ton of the qualities that made Allen great, including toughness, run-stuffing dominance, pass-rushing prowess, P5 and NFL athleticism, long, lengthy, and distinguished prep careers, and two-sport backgrounds, and PrepRedzoneMN is grateful to introduce the inaugural Beau Allen Award Semifinalists for MN's Defensive Lineman of the Year. Congrats to the selections and stay tuned for the winners coming next week!