In their own words – Session One MVPs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Session one of the Minnesota Prepredzone Stock Up Showcase highlighted the talents of the linebackers, running backs, and offensive and defensive linemen. In my time covering Minnesota high school football - the talent in these position groups has always been deep. That statement looks like it will hold. At the end of the session, the coaches who worked with the athletes picked their most valuable players from each position group. Here is what the MVPs thought of the morning session.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["368596"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eu003cimg class=u0022size-medium wp-image-560386 alignrightu0022 src=u0022https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Taran-Blasy.jpg?w=300u0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022200u0022 /u003eWhat were your overall impressions of the day?u003c/strongu003ernrnu0022The energy with the linebacker group was awesome. It was a great environment to be involved in. Everybody was excited about the opportunity they were given and were going as hard as they could. It was nice to be able to get the guys around me to go harder.u0022rnrnu003cstrongu003eWhat were you looking to get out of the day?u003c/strongu003ernrnu0022I just wanted to get better. I learned a lot from the coaches in the individual skill groups – the pursuit angles and stuff they were doing with us. I decreased all my times and increased my measurements on the testing.u0022rnrnu003cstrongu003eWhy do you think you were selected MVP by the coaches?u003c/strongu003ernrnu0022I am thankful for the (linebacker MVP). It was not something I expected. I think I got the award because I was being a leader and brought the energy – making everybody excited to do the drills and testing. I think I brought the juice and performed at a high level.u0022","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["479373"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eWhat were your overall impressions of the day?u003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0022I had a lot of fun being able to get back on the field and showing what I can do. It was a great competitive atmosphere.u0022u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eWhat were you looking to get out of the day?u003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0022I was hoping to learn some new things to improve my game as well as show what I can do to schools and other scouts.u0022u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eWhy do you think you were selected MVP by the coaches?u003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0022I think I won MVP because of the one-on-ones. I had a few really good moves that I also used during the season - as well as being able to play interior defensive line during the run game period.u0022","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["242492"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eWhat were your overall impressions of the day?u003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0022It was great walking in; I didn't know what to expect. This was my first Prepredzone camp. I am glad I got to take some baseline measurements. The guys pushed each other – it was great coming out here and getting to work with some of the best in the state. It was a blast.u0022u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eWhat were you looking to get out of the day?u003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0022I was looking to improve on a lot of little things. It is the little things in the offseason that make a difference on Friday night. Working with the best in the state on footwork, hands, pad level, it all helps and builds toward the fall.u0022u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eWhy do you think you were selected MVP by the coaches?u003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0022My (high school) coach challenged me this year to be better with my pad level. Being a tall guy, I thought I improved my pad level today, and I thought my footwork was great. I am honored to be the O-line MVP. I am glad the coaches were able to see that.u0022","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["242446"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":557526,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eWhat were your overall impressions of the day?u003c/strongu003ernrnu0022I loved it. I have been out of football season for a little bit now. The combine was a nice refresher – getting back on the field and lacing up the cleats a little bit. It was well run, and they kept things moving. I liked the drills. There were some drills I had never done, so I can take those drills home and use them – which I am excited for. I hope to be back.u0022rnrnu003cstrongu003eu003cimg class=u0022size-medium wp-image-560359 alignleftu0022 src=u0022https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Francis-OMalley.jpg?w=200u0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022200u0022 height=u0022300u0022 /u003eWhat were you looking to get out of the day?u003c/strongu003ernrnu0022I wanted to talk to coaches. It is nice to see them in person. I wanted to get my 40 time down because speed kills nowadays. I wanted to make sure I am staying quick and agile with my feet.u0022rnrnu003cstrongu003eWhy do you think you were selected MVP by the coaches?u003c/strongu003ernrnu0022I tried to excel – not so much in the performing aspect – but being positive and enjoying the moment. I don't hang my head when things go south. You have to enjoy it. You have to be thankful for it. Some kids can't be here, so you need to be thankful for it – just smile and be thankful for it. Play with passion.u0022","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63a633a4085cb"} /-->