James Laurinaitis Award Semifinalists: MN’s LB of the Year 2022
Born from legendary roots, Wayzata product James Laurinaitis was always meant for something exciting. The son of WWF and WCW superstar Road Warrior Animal, Laurinaitis, once he was zeroed in on football, was always bound for gridiron greatness and a…
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Continue ReadingBorn from legendary roots, Wayzata product James Laurinaitis was always meant for something exciting. The son of WWF and WCW superstar Road Warrior Animal, Laurinaitis, once he was zeroed in on football, was always bound for gridiron greatness and a future LB of the Year award named in his honor from his home state of Minnesota. Finally, the latter has come to fruition, and all of Laurinaitis’ exploits and success on football fields across the nation made him an easy choice for the namesake of the inaugural James Laurinaitis Award: MN’s LB of the Year. As a 6’2, 230 lb. senior, Laurinaitis committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he ended up earning three All-American nods, and became a second-round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams in the 2009 NFL Draft. In a classic Minnesota twist, Laurinaitis was also an NHL Draft prospect coming out of high school, but his football dreams and potential shone too bright, and the 6’2, 250 lber. went on to have a helluva NFL career with the Rams and Saints. His pro career lasted long enough that I got to thoroughly watch and enjoy his play at the highest level of football, and I was grateful and appreciative of every snap I got to watch of his. Even early in the 2010s I knew this dude was the GOAT of Minnesota born and bred LBs, and the 10 semifinalists for this inaugural LB of the Year award all succeeded on a path forged by the former Wayzata Trojans thumper. Let’s get to know the 10 semifinalist picks, their game, their recruitment, and why they deserve the selection below. Thanks for reading, and make sure you stay tuned for the upcoming special feature naming the players of the year at every position on the gridiron. Only with PrepRedzoneMN!
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1) Reese Littlefield Reese Littlefield 6'3" | 235 lbs | LB Centennial | 2023 State MN (Centennial) Senior. 6’3, 230 lbs. Uncommitted
Embodying the namesake of this award for his notable and impressive size, Centennial Cougar senior Reese Littlefield Reese Littlefield 6'3" | 235 lbs | LB Centennial | 2023 State MN was one of the biggest and baddest of the 2022-23 crop of linebackers in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. He finished second in the state in tackles with 144 and added 5 TFLs and two sacks to top it off, and finished with double-digit tackles in nine of Centennial’s 2022 contests, spearheaded by a monster 20-tackle performance in a tight, 14-7 victory in the Class 6A Second Round matchup with Edina. In fact, Centennial had seven one-score finishes in 2022, and came out on top of five of the razor-thin games. These were all against some of the top programs in the Metro, and a lot of these tight finishes, especially the victories, would not have been possible without the dominant and steadfast presence of the 6’3, 230+ lber. Littlefield’s old-school, downhill style of play and physicality at the point of attack, plus the aforementioned size, makes him a ‘backer reminiscent of throwback LB standouts of old. It also makes him impossible to not remember when playing against him, and the aggressiveness he showed when attacking blockers and ball carriers left an impression in all those he competed against this fall. Now, Littlefield can add a James Laurinaitis Award semifinal nod to his list of 2022 accolades that includes All-State, All-Metro, All-District, and MN All-Star selections.
2) Gavin Nelson Gavin Nelson 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Simley | 2023 MN (Simley) Senior. 6’1, 225 lbs. Committed to Minnesota (wrestling)
One of my favorite players to watch this past season, Simley Spartan senior Gavin Nelson Gavin Nelson 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Simley | 2023 MN is one of the most accomplished two-sport athletes in the state and had a phenomenal season as a RB and LB while helping Simley to a Class 4A state title. Sadly, it was his last year playing football, but Nelson made the most of it, posting 64 tackles, 10 TFLs, a sack, and five FFs, one of which he returned for a TD. He also added over 2k rushing yards and 23 TDs offensively, and saved his best defensive performances for the playoffs, balling out in the Class 4A quarterfinals and state championship game. His influence in the Spartans‘ state championship run was a big reason he was named to the James Laurinaitis Award semifinalist list, and the numbers do help, but Nelson’s play-to-play impact and physicality were the biggest reasons he was selected. Quick to read his keys and identify the play, Nelson laid some huge hits in 2022, could tackle around the box or in space, and flowed to the ball efficiently. You would not want to meet this guy in the hole. Can’t wait to watch him wrestle in Dinkytown!
3) Kade Gilbertson Kade Gilbertson 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Rosemount | 2023 State MN (Rosemount) Senior. 6’1, 210 lbs. Committed to Iowa State (PWO)
The glue that held Rosemount’s defense together during their 6A state champion runner-up campaign this past fall, Gilbertson has long been one of the hardest hitters in the state but stepped his game up as a senior and became an easy choice for a James Laurinaitis Award semifinal nod for MN’s LB of the Year. Gilbertson’s play and impact were going so well in fact that the senior earned an in-season P5 opportunity, as the Iowa State Cyclones reached out with a PWO that he eventually accepted. That’s a big deal, and once again the Cyclones proved their faith in MN-born & bred talent. With great angles when flowing to the ball, a compact and powerful build, and explosiveness at the point of contact, Gilbertson laid some absolutely crushing hits during the season which no doubt crept into the minds of opponents while watching film in preparation for facing the Irish defense. The preparation was all for naught as well, as Rosemount was the giant killer in 2022 and beat the likes of three former Lake Conference teams (Edina, Eden Prairie x2, Wayzata), as well as both Lakeville schools, and Prior Lake, to name a few.
4) Alex Elliott Alex Elliott 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Hutchinson | 2023 State MN (Hutchinson) Senior. 6’2, 200 lbs. Committed to Minnesota
The only P5 scholarship LB in the state, Hutchinson star linebacker Alex Elliott Alex Elliott 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Hutchinson | 2023 State MN ‘s frame, COD skills, and speed earned him an in-person B1G offer from the Gophers this summer that he committed to shortly after. It was no surprise to us at PRzMN, as Elliott came to our showcase as a young buck and competed at safety, showing off hips, speed, and ball skills in impressive fashion. Now, he’s headed for hometown glory at the second level of the Gopher’s defense and was a beast of a LB the past two years for the Hutch Tigers. Despite dealing with some injuries this fall, Elliott still showed up and showed out in every game he competed in, and his range, 1-on-1 tackling ability, and instincts really stepped an already talented Hutchinson defense & team up another notch. In 13 games this fall, Elliott recorded 104 tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 sacks, 3 FFs, 3 INTs, and one INT returned for a TD show he was all over the field and contributing in a variety of impactful ways. He also stepped up and played well in the many big-game situations Hutchinson found themselves in as one of the top programs in the sate, and possesses the next-level athleticism that simply made him too hard to ignore for this list. In the future, Elliott will see himself compete against James Laurinaitis’ alma mater: the Ohio State Buckeyes. Can’t wait to see it!
5) Ty Neils Ty Neils 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Mankato West | 2023 State MN (Mankato West) Senior. 6’3, 205 lbs. Committed to Minnesota-Duluth
I was having a hard time thinking that Mankato West was going to be able to replace the contributions of now-NDSU WR Mekhi Collins and now-Brown LB Ryan Haley, but the latter was filled into quite nicely by now-James Laurinaitis Award semifinalist selection Ty Neils Ty Neils 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Mankato West | 2023 State MN . The senior, who committed to the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs two days ago, was a key player in the Scarlets‘ appearance in the 5A state title game this fall and their dominance throughout the year against some of 5A’s best. As a testament to his disruption, Neils was tied for third in the state of MN for TFLs in 2022 (22) and was top-10 in sacks (8.5), and crossed the century mark in tackles with 108. That is some legit defensive impact, and with his sideline-to-sideline range, slipperiness at avoiding blocks, and strength at the contact point it’s easy to see why and how he was all over the field in 2022. For his efforts, the MN All-Star Game participant, 2nd Team All-State, and Preseason First Team All-State thumper earned a heavyweight UMD offer and committed to the Bulldogs as his future home. He’ll be tearing up the NSIC before we know it.
6) Cullen Kratochvil Cullen Kratochvil 6'3" | 215 lbs | TE Pequot Lakes | 2023 MN (Pequot Lakes) Senior. 6’3, 215 lbs. Uncommitted
The well-built Pequot Lakes LB had a monster season and finished 2022 with 116 tackles, 12 TFLs, a sack, 3 FFs, a blocked kick, a PBU, and 5 fumble recoveries to show off just how much he was around the football defensively. Kratochvil‘s play helped elevate the Patriots to a legit Class AAA title contender all season long before they, unfortunately, met Esko in the section 7AAA finals. He also had his best defensive performances in Pequot Lakes‘ biggest games against their best competition, and with his imposing size and tenacity when meeting ball carriers in the hole, I’m positive he left an impression on every team he lined up against during the fall. For his efforts, he was also named an MN All-Star Game participant in addition to this James Laurinaitis Award semifinal nod and is going to be a steal if someone can land his talents at the next level. The size and athleticism made him able to play in any class in the state and Kratochvil was one of the top LBs in the Outstate and overall in MN this past season.
7) Caleb Vancura (Jackson County Central) Senior. 6’2, 230 lbs. Uncommitted
I love this James Laurinaitis semifinalist selection for a number of reasons. First, the size. Jackson County Central’s Caleb Vancura is the same size as this award’s namesake coming out of college, and 6’2, 230 lbs. is a massive and intimidating high school LB to say the least. Second, the wrestling background. Coming from heavyweight Class A powerhouse JCC, Vancura is ranked 2nd at 220A going into this wrestling season, and with wrestling/football crossover athletes this state produces I shouldn’t have to go into much detail about the toughness and physicality it produces. Vancura has all of those traits and then some, and those same qualities helped him lead his Huskies to a Class AA state semifinal appearance this past football season. To counter the run-heavy offensive attacks of MN small school competition, teams need an enforcer in the box, and that’s exactly what Vancura was. Strong enough to play at the LOS but nimble enough to shed blocks and flow to the ball in space, he was a beast all through 2022 and was the physical tone-setter you want from the LB position. I hope he thinks about playing some football at the next level!
8) Tanner Albeck Tanner Albeck 6'0" | 205 lbs | ATH Maple Grove | 2023 MN (Maple Grove) Senior. 6′, 205 lbs. Uncommitted
The ringleader of the 6A state champion Maple Grove Crimson defense, Tanner Albeck Tanner Albeck 6'0" | 205 lbs | ATH Maple Grove | 2023 MN took over the spotlight, leadership duties, and title of one of the most underrated LBs in the state from 2022 standout graduate Sawyer Skanson. As the commander and captain of the Crimson’s defense, Albeck was a versatile playmaker and posted 110 tackles, 18 TFLs, and 3 sacks, all while competing against some of the best programs MN has to offer. The All-District, All-Section, and MN All-Star Game selection also played two of his best games in the state semifinal and final, and his ability to fly into the backfield, close, and make the play in space is the best of anyone on this list. His productivity and disruption around the LOS, not to mention how he pulled together a Crimson defense that had graduated some big-time players, and the competition he succeeded against were all big reasons Tanner Albeck Tanner Albeck 6'0" | 205 lbs | ATH Maple Grove | 2023 MN earned a nomination for the inaugural James Laurinaitis Award for MN’s LB of the Year in 2022. What a final ride, Tanner!
9) Owen McCloud Owen McCloud 6'1" | 224 lbs | RB Lakeville South | 2023 MN (Lakeville South) Senior. 6′, 225 lbs. Committed to North Dakota
There are some big thumpers, well-built ‘backers, and physical specimens on this list, but of all of them I still would be the most hesitant to meet Lakeville South’s Owen McCloud Owen McCloud 6'1" | 224 lbs | RB Lakeville South | 2023 MN in the hole. A compact, bowling ball-esque deliverer of pain, McCloud’s size, play style, and personal performance helped him level up from DII to FCS athlete this fall, grabbing a Missouri Valley scholarship offer from North Dakota that he happily accepted in mid-November. McCloud was a key cog in South’s 6A state championship two seasons ago and stepped into the LB1 role and spotlight happily and successfully as a senior this fall. Sideline-to-sideline speed in pursuit, explosive hits, strength when taking on blocks, and an asset in pass coverage were some of his top qualities as a LB, as to succeed for as long and at as high of a level as McCloud has in the talent-loaded Lakeville area means you are a stud, to say the least. UND got a good one in the James Laurinaitis Award semifinalist.
10) Tanner Scheevel Tanner Scheevel 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB Lester Prairie | 2023 MN (Lester Prairie) Senior. Uncommitted
The Mr. Football finalist’s two-way play in 2022 was too hard to ignore. The 11-1 Class A darkhorse Lester Prairie was fantastic all season long in Minnesota, and led by Scheevel, made it all the way to the Class A quarterfinal. Scheevel was a constant playmaker and a strong tackler who could shut down opponents plays in their infancy or clean it up after a bigger gain. Fast, strong, and instinctual, he was all over the field in 2022 and left a major impression on opposing players and coaches. Could have been named to the Marion Barber III RB of the Year Award semifinalists but earned his spot here with the LBs from his 2022 play. Now, he can add a James Laurinaitis Award LB of the Year semifinal selection to his growing list of accolades.
Honorable Mentions:
Kayode Amusan Kayode Amusan 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Woodbury | 2023 State MN (Woodbury) Senior. Committed to Illinois State
Daniel Tschida Daniel Tschida 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB Roseville Area | 2023 State MN (Roseville) Senior. Committed to St. Thomas
Anthony Sykora Anthony Sykora 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH West Central Area | 2023 State MN (West Central Area) Senior.
Isaac Rudningen (Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg) Senior. Committed to Sioux Falls
Caleb Sandstrom Caleb Sandstrom 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Elk River | 2023 State MN (Elk River) Senior. Committed to St. Thomas