Marion Barber III Semifinalists: MN’s RB of the Year in 2022
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When naming the greatest Minnesota-born RB of all time, there really wasn’t much up for discussion. Bruce Smith, who won the Heisman in 1941 with the Golden Gophers, was born in Faribault and won two national championships before World War…
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Continue ReadingWhen naming the greatest Minnesota-born RB of all time, there really wasn’t much up for discussion. Bruce Smith, who won the Heisman in 1941 with the Golden Gophers, was born in Faribault and won two national championships before World War II took precedence. People talk about Bronko Nagurski a lot, but he was actually born in Canada and that was also a long time ago, and in recent times we’ve seen the likes of John Crockett (Totino-Grace), Zach Zenner (Eagan), and CJ Ham (Duluth Denfeld) see prominent NFL success with Evan Hull (Maple Grove) finishing a productive career at Northwestern. But, despite all of these distinguished names, no one comes close in terms of home state roots & success, NFL achievements, and MN legacy like Marion Barber III. The Wayzata grad was an absolute force in high school – I’ve heard some thought he projected even higher as a DB, and one of my favorite stats of his is that he picked off Joe Mauer three times – was a monster of a RB for the Gophers, and posted nearly 5K rushing yards and 1,330 receiving yards in the NFL with 53 rushing TDs, a Pro Bowl nod, and a sweet nickname of “Marion the Barbarian.” As a Gophers fan who was just beginning my journey of infatuation with football when Barber III and Laurence Maroney were at their peak in the Maroon & Gold, my love for RBs and especially hard-running power backs really begin with him. Tragically, Marion Barber III left this Earth this past June, and I wish I could do more than offer prayers & condolences. However, RBs from MN will also be continuing his legacy, and the 10 semifinalists for the Marion Barber III RB of the Year award would hopefully make him proud in how they play the game. Congratulations to the semifinalists!
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1) Carson Hansen Carson Hansen 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Lakeville South | 2023 State MN (Lakeville South) Senior. 6’1, 200 lbs. Committed to the Iowa State Cyclones
An absolute shoe-in for a spot on the Marion Barber III RB of the Year semifinal list, Lakeville South’s Hansen is the returning MN Gatorade Player of the Year, 2x All-Metro, soon-to-be 2x All-State, and has been tearing up Class 6A since he was an underclassman stepping into the huge cleats of John Shabaz. Hansen has been a well-known talent in Lakeville since his youth football days and has easily lived up to the hype, developing into a long and explosive ball carrier with speed, production, and instincts in droves, not to mention twitch and soft hands. He’s ran for 4,455 yards in his career as well as 57 TDs, won a big-school state championship and should have won two if not for COVID, and had double-digit D1 and P5 offers. I could go on and on, but with the amount of attention, clutch moments, long TD runs, and nice things said about him the past three seasons I’m comfortable saying his career speaks for itself. Nothing new I can say here, Hansen is next-in-line to continue the state of MN’s RB legacy at the P5 level. It’s been a pleasure, Carson!
2) Caden Spence Caden Spence 6'1" | 190 lbs | RB Zimmerman | 2023 State MN (Zimmerman) Senior. 6’1, 190 lbs.
One of the best-kept secrets recruiting-wise in MN’s 2023 class, Zimmerman senior RB Spence somehow only holds one college opportunity, albeit it being a heavyweight DIII roster spot from St. John’s, despite being one of the most productive and explosive RBs in the state the past two seasons. His personal impact on the roster has helped turned the Thunder from a 2-5 squad in 2020 to a 15-7 record the past two seasons, and if you don’t think Spence can be thanked for the turnaround, check out Zimmerman’s offensive breakdown the past two years. In 2021, the Thunder averaged 308 rushing yards a game and 56 passing YPG, and in 2022 the split ramped up to 325 rushing YPG to 66 passing, and although Zimmerman saw four other rushers total more than 200 and less than 650 this season, almost 200 of those yards on the ground a game came from the powerful quads and hamstrings of the 6’1, 190 lb. Spence. In 2022, he finished #1 in MN in rushing TDs with 34, was #1 in yards with 2,474, and did it at an impressive 9.8 yards per carry. His success helped lead Zimmerman to the Class 4A state semifinal before Thanksgiving. As a triple-option RB, Spence looked like a man amongst boys and used his big frame and homerun speed to break tackles in a variety of fashions. His burst, vision, and contact balance all stand out on film, and I love how he patiently sets up his cuts and easily makes defenders miss in the open field. Everything he does look powerful and man oh man, if he became a Johnnie I think he’d set the MIAC on fire. For now, he’s done more than enough to earn a spot on the inaugural Marion Barber III RB of the Year semifinal list.
3) Tate Link Tate Link 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB Dassel Cokato | 2023 State MN (Dassel-Cokato) Senior. 5’9, 205 lbs.
If we’re being honest, I did not think defending Class AAA state champion Dassel-Cokato was going to be able to bounce back as they did after graduating a ton of talent from their 2022 class. However, the Chargers shut me up and then some, finishing 8-2 this season and nearly getting back to state before a tough Watertown-Mayer team took them down in the 2AAA section championship. A lot of this success was attributed to monster RB & LB Tate Link Tate Link 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB Dassel Cokato | 2023 State MN , who lead the way for a DC offense that threw for 2 TDs but ran in 42 this fall. Guess who ran most of those in? Link finished the year Top-5 in rushing yards and TDs and was a workhorse all season long and finished the year with 9 games in which he totaled more 25 carries out of the backfield, with a monster 48-carry showing in a section semifinal win over Litchfield 14-7. He finished the year with 300 carries for 2,190 yards and 32 TDs and averaged 219 rushing yards a game, and was a MN All-Star game and MN Vikings All-State selection. Also worth mentioning, the state-placing wrestler came into the season primarily as a LB, so his success at shaking up the offensive side of the football in his first full year of a RB is more than respectable. All of his runs involve a broken tackle, or two, or three, and he’s patient at allowing his blocks to set up, quick-footed, and has a strong lower body that runs through tackle without missing a stride. Also possesses a dangerous stiff-arm! From LB1 to Marion Barber III RB of the Year semifinalist in one season, congrats Tate!
4) Jordan Summers Jordan Summers 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton | 2023 MN (Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton) Senior. 5’9, 185 lbs.
A foundational member of DGF’s soon-to-be Class AAA state title appearing 2022 squad, RB Jordan Summers Jordan Summers 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton | 2023 MN was just named a Mr. Football finalist by the MFCA and earns more hardware here as he notches a Marion Barber III RB of the Year semifinalist nomination under his belt. Sitting at 336 carries for 2,186 yards and 22 TDs, Summers was the key cog in the DGF rushing attack, which ran at 277 YPG compared to only 42.6 yards through the air per contest. He also came through big in every game of DGF’s 2022 campaign, headlined by a 42-320-2 TD effort in a big 28-21 win over Detroit Lakes on October 19th and a 33-168-1 TD showing in the AAA state semifinal win over Fairmont that ended 16-7. Now, he’ll be competing for a state championship, and the experience Summers and his squad earned defeating big-time programs like Pequot Lakes, East Grand Forks, Hawley, Thief River Falls, and Esko, you can’t argue that the senior RB hasn’t succeeded against great competition. The 5’9, 185 lber. uses his strong and compact frame to run through solid tackle attempts and does a good job of not allowing defenders to square him up and get clean shots on him. Tough, strong, and bruising, his running-style embodies a lot of my favorite qualities of Outstate, small school rushers and Summers is a dang good one. Also without an offer right now!
5) Sawyer Seidl Sawyer Seidl 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB Hill-Murray | 2023 State MN (Hill-Murray) Senior. 5’10, 170 lbs.
The fastest RB in Minnesota, Seidl possesses verified 10.7 speed in the 100M dash and it shows up on film, exploding through seams in the defense and outrunning pursuit angles without being touched. I’ve also really enjoyed how the Hill-Murray Pioneer has added strength to his lower body and contact balance as he’s aged and hit the weight room harder, and given his experience, multi-sport athleticism and accomplishments, production, and athletic gifts, he’s a Division 1 RB no doubt about it. The 5’10, 170 lb. RB posted 203 carries for 1,525 and 22 TDs in TDs and scored them all in eye-pleasing fashion, and with the success from senior year he’s seen a late push in his recruitment, adding North Dakota and Winona State offers to a sheet that already included Southern Illinois, Army, Western Illinois, New Mexico State, and St. Thomas as possible suitors. He’s got all of the makings to be a future star at the college level and created some of the most exciting TD runs in all of MN during the fall of 2022. After recently earning a selection to the MN All-Star game, Seidl is now a Marion Barber III semifinalist for MN’s RB of the Year.
6) Max McEnelly Max McEnelly 5'10" | 205 lbs | ATH Waconia | 2023 State MN (Waconia) Senior. 5’10, 205 lbs. Committed to Minnesota (wrestling)
Minnesota has known for a while that the fall of 2022 would be the last time we’d see Max McEnelly Max McEnelly 5'10" | 205 lbs | ATH Waconia | 2023 State MN in pads playing football, as the c/o 2023’s top two-sport standout has been committed to wrestle for Minnesota since November of 2021 and hasn’t been shy about his prowess in the sport of wrestling, so it was extra sweet seeing the Waconia playmaker leave it all on the field this fall. Finishing with 225 carries for 1,846 yards and 31 TDs, McEnelly had his way with each and every defense he matched up against in 2022, scoring 6 TDs on the ground vs. Holy Angels, 4 TDs in the two contests against heavyweight Chanhassen, and 4 TDs in each game versus Cooper, Jefferson, and St. Louis Park. Lots of TDs were scored, and McEnelly’s power and ability to gain yards after first contact was arguably unparalleled in Minnesota. Don’t sleep on the speed either, as he torched the pursuit angles of some fast Metro defenders, but his balance and core strength – no doubt aided from the wrestling background – made him especially difficult for would-be tacklers to try and corral. Simply a natural and playmaking football player, I’m going to sorely miss watching McEnelly play football but will take solace in his future success wrestling in Dinkytown. Heckuva ride, Max! I’ve enjoyed every rush of it.
7) Maxwell Woods Maxwell Woods 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Chanhassen | 2024 State MN (Chanhassen) Junior. 5’11, 180 lbs.
A known talent living up to the hype showered upon him as a young freshman a couple of seasons ago, Chanhassen’s junior rusher Maxwell Woods Maxwell Woods 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Chanhassen | 2024 State MN firmly cemented himself on the Midwest Division 1 recruiting scene with his play this fall and nearly took Chan to the state tournament and one may assume a state title appearance as they nearly took down Mankato West 21-23 in the section 2AAAAA championship earlier this month. As mentioned, Woods has been a high-potential prospect since before he was a full-time varsity contributor, and has gotten the attention of Minnesota, NDSU, and SDSU this fall, visiting each of their campuses as well as garnering interest from other Midwest P5, FBS, and FCS competitors. These are all promising signs for the junior, and Woods also posted an impressive 192 rushes for 1,414 yards and 18 TDs in 2022, with a 157 YPG average and 7.4 YPC clip. The twitch and elusiveness are legit, as is the vision and burst, and with his performances against big school competition and athletic film he’s making as strong of a case for MN’s 2024 QB1 as anyone. Now, as only a junior, he’s already a Marion Barber III RB of the Year semifinalist.
8) Corey Bohmert (Mahtomedi) Senior. 5’10, 185 lbs.
Like Derrick Jameson Jr. of Maple Grove 2021 season prominence, Mahtomedi’s Corey Bohmert was the pleasant surprise when talking dominant 2022 MN rushing performances and took over the Metro scene as a rusher this fall. Posting an impressive 9.0 YPC average, Bohmert took over the Mahtomedi offense and finished his senior year with 261 carries for 2,338 yards (3rd in the state) and 28 TDs while posting nearly 200 yards a game on the ground. A big part of the Zephyrs 10-2 2022 campaign, state quarterfinal upset of St. Thomas Academy, rushing attack that finished with over 3k yards, Bohmert‘s ability to subtlety yet effectively change direction and adjust his body at high speeds made him quite a challenge for defenders to try and get ahold of, and his speed could take advantage of even small creases in a defense and burst forward for big plays. Coming into his first year as RB1 for Mahtomedi, it’s safe to say he made the most of the opportunity. Now he’s a Marion Barber III semifinal pick for MN’s RB of the Year. Somehow, he doesn’t have a reported offer from any college of any level.
9) Sam Backer Sam Backer 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Chatfield | 2023 State MN (Chatfield) Senior. 5’11, 200 lbs. Committed to Minnesota State-Mankato
Although he plays QB for the Chatfield Gophers, Backer’s versatility should not take away from the fact that he’s one of the best rushers Southern Minnesota has ever produced and one of the best RBs the state has seen during the 2000s. With one game left in his career, he’s within reach of the state’s career rushing mark of 7,503, set in 2001, and is set to lead Chatfield in their attempt to win back-to-back Class AA state titles. This season, the 5’11, 200 lber. has posted 2,450 rushing yards and 31 TDs and is sitting at a comfortable 96 rushing TDs in his career. Squatting a ridiculous 530 pounds, his speed, balance, and explosiveness is off the charts, and he also possesses vision, powerful COD skills, and the ability to turn routine runs into splash TD dashes. The state of MN, Chatfield, and especially Chatfield’s opponents won’t be forgetting the 2023 grad anytime soon.
10) Anthony Powell Anthony Powell 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Rogers | 2023 MN (Rogers) Senior. 5’10, 190 lbs.
It was agonizing trying to pick this tenth and final semifinalist for the inaugural Marion Barber III RB of the Year award. When it came down to it, Preseason All-State pick and Rogers Royals senior Anthony Powell Anthony Powell 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Rogers | 2023 MN played too much of a role in the Royals‘ success in 2022 to ignore. Rogers‘ offense averaged 275 rushing yards per game to only 70 passing, and almost 200 of those a game came from Powell. Despite missing two games, he finished his senior year with 2,340 rushing yards and 30 TDs at a 7.8 YPC average and set the school’s all-time and single-season rushing records to go along with All-Metro, All-District, and District RB of the Year honors, plus this nomination. This hard work helped Rogers battle to a 9-4 record in 2022 and an appearance in the Class 5A state semifinal. With big-time burst and the speed to pull away from pursuers and finish big runs, and his contact balance is up there with the best in the state. He can also powerfully cut out of trouble and into space and daylight, and was a nightmare for opposing defenses over the course of four quarters. Still uncommitted.
Honorable Mention:
Gavin Nelson Gavin Nelson 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Simley | 2023 MN (Simley) Senior.
Jadon Hellerud Jadon Hellerud 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Shakopee | 2023 State MN (Shakopee) Senior.
Chisum Schmiedeberg (Kittson County Central) Senior.
AJ Ladwig (Hutchinson) Senior.
Austan Orvedahl (Duluth East) Senior.