PrepRedzoneMN Showcase: Nate's Offensive Skill Standouts

MINNETONKA, MINN-- We started with the Gunslingers last night from the Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase on Sunday afternoon and now we move to the offensive skill positions. With this offensive skill evaluations from our showcase we had 2 quarterbacks, two running backs, one fullback, two wide receivers and one athlete totalling eight prospects we were intirgued with offensively. This won't be our last list either, as we still have 3-4 pages of notes to uncover the best of the best from the chilly Tonka Dome. Check out who made the clipboard!   Quarterbacks   [player_tooltip player_id='362303' first='Tayvin' last='Smith'], QB, Osseo (MN) 2025   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/181-Tayvin-Smith.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557511" width="323" height="215" /></figure>   Tayvin showed off that significant growth of athleticism I caught firsthand last winter at a 7v7 warmup tournament at the University of Minnesota. At 6'2, 160 pounds, Tayvin used his long, agile lower body to accumulate a 4.43 shuttle and showed an impressive bend of explosive ability with a 9'4 broad jump. When I caught up with Tayvin during 1v1 reps, I could tell he had grown in the poise department in the pocket as this long lefty displayed a developing touch ball and is growing with his arm strength and ball placement on shorter routes from my eyesight on Sunday. We are patiently waiting to get Tayvin's sophomore tape en route! <a href="https://twitter.com/SmithTayvin">Twitter</a> & <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Fi49Z">Tape</a>   [player_tooltip player_id='551344' first='Dylan' last='Blount'], QB, St. Clair-Mankato Loyola (MN) 2024   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/63-Dylan-Blount.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557400" width="323" height="215" /></figure>   Dylan showed off a ton of consistency from his 1v1 reps on Sunday at the Tonka Dome in Minnetonka. What stood out to me? His composure and football IQ struck a chord with me on Sunday. I have watched this young man's tape since he was a freshman, and the growth he has made since then is substantial, not just physically but also with his skillsets. Dylan plays with a gritty demeanor that I love watching on my quarterbacks. His tape shows that he will work his tail off in tight windows with his throwing motion and his legs to make the best possible play for his Cyclones offense. I also like Dylan's vision when he's able to escape the pocket with his legs as he's not flashy, but that football IQ of his reads well into the angles of the outside box of the defense and can get the yards needed for a first down. Dylan also shows fluidity when evaluating his reads, as he has a quick trigger to turn to the proper angle he needs to make the best throw available, especially when he needs to fire out quickly. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JuPFK">Twitter</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/DylanBlount10">Tape</a>   Running Backs   [player_tooltip player_id='551384' first='Lukas' last='Kuehl'], RB, Litchfield (MN) 2024   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/29-Lukas-Kuehl.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557368" width="336" height="224" /></figure>   Lukas was one of the first looks with standouts I had on my notepad from Sunday as the Litchfield Dragons running back made his marks early in the testing sessions. Lukas had me locked in watching his shuttle live as he topped out with 4.4 speed in that category of testing at nearly 6'0 176 pounds. He also went just outside of the 7.0 mark, with his L-drill loading in at 7.08. This young man is very much flying under the radar going into his senior season, as I couldn't find a tape to evaluate anywhere but what I have found from local media covering the Dragons, this young man went over 100 and 200 rushing yards multiple times last season for Litchfield, so with that being said the sooner this young man gets his tape up the better as Lukas has all the potential to play on Saturdays in the future. <a href="https://twitter.com/LukasK1315">Twitter</a>   [player_tooltip player_id='551305' first='Andrew' last='Flaten'], RB, Alexandria (MN) 2024   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/193-Andrew-Flaten.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557521" width="371" height="247" /></figure>   It probably is just that outstate Minnesota lifestyle I live. It just so happened that the first two running backs on my board on Sunday hailed from the Outstate, including Alexandria Cardinals running back [player_tooltip player_id='551305' first='Andrew' last='Flaten']. Andrew popped off swiftly with his footwork in the L-Drill as he logged a 7.0 even, which had to be one of the best times we saw on Sunday coming from any position on the L-Drill. He also showed a 4.53 shuttle which showed off well for his running back position. What intrigued me with Andrew on Sunday and when you roll the tape is his vision. He's not going to be an RB that blows by you, but he WILL show off the competitive instincts to stay the course with his awareness by following his blockers at a high level to find the end zone up the field. Andrew can be described as a one-cutback that can spark up his footwork quickly with that change of direction we saw in Minnetonka to beat the defensive line and linebackers downfield with just a quick trigger. I think this young man has a faster game speed outside of testing, and if he can develop more depth when he stretches the field in the long run, he looks like a next-level prospect in my eyes. No college football interest as of yet, which to me is quite surprising for this 5'9 185 pounder from Alex. <a href="https://twitter.com/andrewflaten28">Twitter</a> & <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JamhG">Tape</a>   Fullbacks   [player_tooltip player_id='242420' first='Cody' last='Packer'], FB, St. Thomas Academy (MN) 2024   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/2-Cody-Packer.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557343" width="368" height="245" /></figure>   Golly, did I love the blasting athleticism of St. Thomas Academy fullback [player_tooltip player_id='242420' first='Cody' last='Packer'] on Sunday at the Tonka Dome. I will assume there are VERY few fullbacks in Minnesota or the Midwest that can run a 4.65 40-yard cash as [player_tooltip player_id='242420' first='Cody' last='Packer'] did on Sunday in Minnetonka. The rest of his testing numbers showed off some excellent consistency, too, as he topped off with a 4.56 shuttle, an 8'11 broad jump, and a 7.53 on the L-Drill. Ignore the measurables and enjoy this kid's tape, as Cody is a downhill freight train at fullback that doesn't have brakes and will finish what he started with his forceful punching ability to pave his way for his Cadet's running backs. Cody is so successful upfront because of that jolting start he gets in transition, and he creates very efficient angles to get the best pad level on the defender he can get. Cody also has that finish-off skillset that I love seeing out of most offensive linemen, as he jumps on his man after shoving them to the turf to provide assurance that they have no room to get upfield and make a play and their rep on that play is over due to Cody's outstanding strength. Cody doesn't get too many reps as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, but when he does, he takes advantage of that big-time strength he has and, with no fear, lowers his padded shoulder right into th sweet spot of the defender to get him more leverage to get yards after contact. Cody is certainly a next-level prospect and would be an excellent fit at the FCS or Division II levels. <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyPacker_">Twitter </a>& <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11652829/6356cb67b53f6e0bac78c3cf">Tape</a>   Wide Receivers   [player_tooltip player_id='236453' first='Craig' last='Merritt Jr'], WR, Minneapolis North (MN) 2024   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/61-Craig-Merritt-jr.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557398" width="363" height="242" /></figure>   I was impressed with Craig's fluent balance in individual drills. For his size, I thought he showed off a bigger frame than his measurables will get credit for, as I liked the length of his reach when he would stretch for the ball in the handful of reps I watched out of Craig on Sunday at the Tonka Dome in Minnetonka. Craig also showed off his athletic lower body and change of direction with a 4.5 shuttle and a 7.5 L-Drill. I couldn't track down any tape from Craig's junior season at Minneapolis North, but I hope to see this young man again in person at prospect camps this summer throughout the Midwest to track his progress since Minnetonka.   [player_tooltip player_id='368544' first='Kadyn' last='Weber'], WR, Alexandria (MN) 2024   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/90-Kadyn-Weber.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557423" width="402" height="268" /></figure>   Holy length is a great way to describe another Alexandria prospect on this offensive list in Alexandria 2024 WR prospect [player_tooltip player_id='368544' first='Kadyn' last='Weber']. Kadyn has some fluidity in his long-striding 6'4 155 pound frame and showed off some glue hands at the Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase in Minnetonka on Sunday afternoon. Kadyn showed off stretch on Sunday to pull in those passes slightly off line without all that much effort in that lengthy wingspan of his. For his size, I like on tape how Kadyn uses his brakes as he gets a massive amount of seperation when he goes gas into brake which keeps his defensive back or linebacker off balance. I also like the pep in Kadyn's step on screen routes, as you see his game speed take it up a notch. That change of direction in testing Kadyn showed off is really impressive as he logged a 4.5 shuttle, 9'6 broad jump (very impressive), and 7.4 in the L-Drill which for his size is also solid. I think with adding significant frame this offseason, Kadyn can put himself in a great position to pop off at college prospect camps this summer in my eyes. <a href="https://twitter.com/kadyn_weber">Twitter</a> & <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2K2KCr">Tape</a>   Athlete   [player_tooltip player_id='362299' first='Josh' last='Wedel'], TE/LB/ATH, Chaska (MN) 2025   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/97-Josh-Wedel.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557430" width="389" height="259" /></figure>   Likely by the time Josh's football career is done for the Chaska Hawks, we will have used almost every adjective there is to describe his game; that is just how good this young man is going to be point blank. After watching Josh's last 7v7 season and watching his hands on full display, I was impressed with his growing versatility at our Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase with them on both sides of the ball. Josh has added 15 pounds since we last connected, but he has certainly not lost a step in his 6'5 235 pound frame has his top testing numbers at that test were in the shuttle at 4.53 and using his explosive gene stretching out to a 9'2 in the broad jump. Josh's tape shows off some bulky skill sets that apply nicely when we paint him at the next level. First of all, he has that superb reach to gather in the tackle of a ball carrier that would be way out of reach for any other linebacker without Josh's frame. I also was VERY impressed with the range Josh can cover with his stamina and athleticism, as he is a lot more comfortable in pass coverage than you would expect of a high school sophomore to be at 6'5 235 pounds. He shows off fierce hands that pull off easily, and I even see some development in those pulling even faster in the coming years with work in the offseason. It might get to be repetitive over the next few years, but Division I schools should not waste anytime recruiting this young man as my collegues and I believe he has the FBS level written all over him. <a href="https://twitter.com/WedelJosh19">Twitter </a>& <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2HesQc">Tape</a>

MINNETONKA, MINN-- We started with the Gunslingers last night from the Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase on Sunday afternoon and now we move to the offensive skill positions. With this offensive skill evaluations from our showcase we had 2 quarterbacks, two running backs, one fullback, two wide receivers and one athlete totalling eight prospects we were intirgued with offensively. This won't be our last list either, as we still have 3-4 pages of notes to uncover the best of the best from the chilly Tonka Dome. Check out who made the clipboard!