PrepRedzoneMN Showcase: Top WRs and DBs

Of all the loaded position groups at last Sunday's PrepRedzoneMN Showcase, two of the most star-studded went head-to-head all afternoon long in a loaded Session 2 at the Minnetonka Dome. The WRs, filled with twitchy slotbacks, monster TEs, and X receivers taking the top off the defense, took on a gritty group of safeties and corners comfortable in man coverage and willing and able to bring a physical edge to the 1-on-1 reps. It was a Pay Per View-esque showdown, and the matchup lived up the hype and then some. Between some fantastic catches, lockdown afternoons, and a ton of 50/50 balls and plays to be made, PrepRedzoneMN was able to uncover and recognize some exciting new names and young talents emerging on the scenes, upperclassman late to their introductory exposure, and everything in between, and I'm excited to bring to our lovely readers the best performing and Top WRs and DBs from the PRzMN Winter Showcase. Get to know some of the best pass-catchers and defensive backs Minnesota has to offer below!   PRzOliver's Top-3 WRs: [player_tooltip player_id='300064' first='Carson' last='Tait'] (Eau Claire-Regis - 2023), Trae Piel (Dakota Valley, SD - 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='551393' first='Maurice' last='Brown'] (St. Cloud Apollo - 2025)   PRzOliver's Top-3 DBs: [player_tooltip player_id='241912' first='Isaac' last='Davis'] (Park Center-2024), [player_tooltip player_id='433365' first='Aidan' last='Jahns'] (Rochester Lourdes - 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='551401' first='Oliver' last='Linnemann'] (Bethlehem Academy - 2024)   --   Wide Receivers   [player_tooltip player_id='360014' first='Elijah' last='Mitchell'] (Omaha North, NE) 2026. 5'8, 177 lbs.   Impressive freshman out of Nebraska who made the trip north to compete, and made it worth the trip. Well-built for his age, played with a physical edge more indicative of an upperclassman and showed some exciting twitch as a route-runner and with the ball in his hand. Put in a ton of good work throughout the afternoon, especially when it mattered most, during competition.   [player_tooltip player_id='312956' first='Ty' last='Kosek'] (Buffalo) 2023. 5'10, 166 lbs.   Standout route runner consistently able to shake DBs at the top of the route.   [player_tooltip player_id='234867' first='Jacari' last='Swinea'] (Worthington) 2025. 6'1, 185 lbs.   Has put on 20+ pounds of good muscle and weight since I saw him last in-person and looks long, solid, and still growing. 9'3 broad jump showcased his explosiveness, and Swinea also showed off natural elusiveness, soft hands, and the ability to burn DBs deep.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/46-Jacari-Swinea.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557385" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Swinea</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='246012' first='Eli' last='Thompson'] (Rochester Century) 2024. 6'2, 190 lbs.   I was excited to see Thompson in person thanks to his great sophomore/junior tape and Thompson lived up to the hype at the PRzMN Showcase. Legit size, excellent quickness (4.35 and 4.22 short-shuttle), could high point the football and win contested catches. Soft hands, body control, and a big catch radius as well. Rochester is loaded with talent right now.   [player_tooltip player_id='313338' first='Ethan' last='Dale'] (Wayzata) 2023. 6'3, 200 lbs.   What a showing from the committed senior! The Macalester Scots commit made me very excited to watch him in the MIAC soon and I think MAC got a heckuva signing with the Wayzata senior. Big-bodied, strong at the catch point and boxed DBs out and used his size and strength to his advantage when playing the ball, soft hands, and ran good routes as well. Posted two 9'6" broad jumps as well!   [player_tooltip player_id='348735' first='Danny' last='King'] (Bloomington Jefferson) 2024. 6'4, 219 lbs.   Of the countless studs and standouts from the PRzMN Showcase, I was maybe most excited about finally getting Bloomington Jefferson junior [player_tooltip player_id='348735' first='Danny' last='King'] on my radar. An All-Eye Test winner with a thick, powerful, 6'4, 220 lb. build and large, strong hands, King could drop his hips very impressively and was a strong route runner who moved and cut more like a WR than a TE. Also had a good showing during 1-on-1s, ran a variety of routes successfully, and was nimble, strong, and athletic. I think he's got D1 written all over him.   [player_tooltip player_id='104984' first='Langdon' last='Nordgaard'] (West De Pere, WI) 2024. 6'3, 188 lbs.   Heckuva athlete at his size for the WR position and had a strong showing during testing and 1-on-1s. Large catch radius, deep threat, and played the ball very well in the air.   [player_tooltip player_id='362299' first='Josh' last='Wedel'] (Chaska) 2025. 6'5, 235 lbs.   One of the largest and most eye-popping physical presences at the entire Showcase and moves like a Division 1 athlete, no doubt. Good change of direction skills and possesses strong hands and the ability to win contested catches. Got my eyes all over this kid.   [player_tooltip player_id='544963' first='CAMAR' last='BLADES'] (Park Center) 2026. 5'8, 130 lbs.   Phenomenal freshman from Park Center. I've seen a few kids like him before and they all turned into at least FBS-level slot receivers. Twitched up, could cut and break on a dime, and left a few DBs embarrassingly looking for their ankles after he ran a particularly vicious route. Was shifty enough to work off bigger, strong CBs pressing at the LOS and excellent at the top of the route. Natural at getting open and winning 1-on-1 settings with a route-running skillset much more developed than most freshman. We'll be hearing his name a ton going forward.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/103-CAMAR-BLADES.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557436" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Blades</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='402073' first='James' last='Engle Jr']. (Maple Grove) 2026. 5'8, 156 lbs.   The owner of some awesome freshman film at 6A power Maple Grove, Engle Jr. had a heckuva showing last Sunday and plays and looks far above his age bracket. Comfortable and confident against older competition, Engle Jr. did a ton of juniors and seniors dirty over the course of 1-on-1s and was shifty at the LOS and at the top of the route. Nuanced route running game for his age and experience as well. He'll be a force when he gets called up to varsity.   [player_tooltip player_id='343080' first='Owen' last='Egge'] (St. Michael-Albertville) 2026. 5'9, 147 lbs.   Another good-looking freshman that lived up the hype, STMA's Egge possesses a thick, strong lower body, speed at the top end, and a competitive attitude that served him well at the Showcase. Genuine deep threat still very early in his career.   [player_tooltip player_id='551393' first='Maurice' last='Brown'] (St. Cloud Apollo) 2025. 5'9, 170 lbs.   Had one of the best performances during 1-on-1s of the entire WR group. Could beat and burn all kinds of corners and safeties and was an absolute baller and unanimous coaches favorite from the DIII and DII coaches both working and scouting the event. Thick, explosive build, fun to watch, and a fantastic route runner with a ton of twitch that he utilizes at any point of the route. Very strong showing from the sophomore and a cemented himself as a name to know from the state's 2025 WR class.   [player_tooltip player_id='300064' first='Carson' last='Tait'] (Eau Claire Regis, WI) 2023. 5'11, 185 lbs.   Total package out of Eau Claire and the talented Regis program. Unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='300064' first='Carson' last='Tait'] was one of the best route-runners at the entire Showcase and had a strong and balanced skillset that included twitch out of his breaks, some strong, soft hands, speed out of breaks and at the top end, and a tough, physical attitude and playstyle. You couldn't help but notice Tait and his strong showing last Sunday.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/159-Carson-Tait.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557486" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tait</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='312946' first='Stevie' last='Mcmath'] (BOLD) 2023. 5'11, 170 lbs.   Posted a blazing fast 4.45 40 and was a deep threat of a WR during 1-on-1s. Unsigned as well!   [player_tooltip player_id='291879' first='Evrett' last='Tait'] (Eau Claire Regis) 2025.   Super athletic, see his 4.5 40 and 4.33 short-shuttle for affirmation, and had a great showing in position drills and 1-on-1s. Kid is a baller and his best football is in front of him.   [player_tooltip player_id='234786' first='Khalif' last='Brown'] (Benilde-St. Margaret's) 2025. 6', 184 lbs.   Lived up to the hype he's been receiving on PRzMN. Physically looks great, super smooth out of his breaks, can set up CBs and safeties and make them look stupid with well-timed and anticipated cuts, soft hands, and overall twitchy and sudden.   Trae Piel (Dakota Valley, SD) 2024. 6'1, 171 lbs.   What a showing from the South Dakota native! Fantastic testing phase of the Showcase (4.52 40, 9'9" broad jump), and made some of the prettiest and most impressive catches during the 1-on-1 portion of the event. Could float through the air and pluck the ball strongly out of the air, possesses a huge catch radius, and had the most body control and raw athleticism of any pass catcher at the Showcase. Left my mouth agape after some of his eye-popping reps.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/image0-4.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-560210" width="802" height="802" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Piel</figcaption></figure>   Daniel Tolson (Cretin-Derham Hall) 2026. 5'6, 125 lbs.   Exceptional showing from the freshman, who we are going to be hearing a lot more of over the course of the next three seasons. Possessing the top-end speed to toast DBs deep and the acceleration out of his breaks to leave defenders grasping at air, Tolson was a nuanced, impressive, and developed route-runner who was comfortable and confident against juniors and seniors. Alpha dog mentality who woke up and came alive during 1-on-1s. Pumped to have him on my radar now.   Defensive Backs   [player_tooltip player_id='551401' first='Oliver' last='Linnemann'] (Bethlehem Academy) 2024. 5'6, 146 lbs.   Played far above his weight class and really stood out during 1-on-1s at the end of Session 2. Natural, fluid cover corner with loose hips, patience and anticipation when reading WR routes, and quickness out of his breaks. Could hang with receivers deep and contest every route on the route tree, good ball or bad. I came away very impressed with the BA rising senior.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/7-Oliver-Linnemann.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557347" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Linnemann</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='326246' first='Elliott' last='Viland'] (Bethlehem Academy) 2024. 5'8, 162 lbs.   Great speed helped Viland compete and stay on top of vertical routes and was overall comfortable and effective playing the deep ball. Tough kid, good fight each and every rep, and was able to compete with bigger wideouts.   [player_tooltip player_id='551342' first='De'vaun' last='Simmons'] (South St. Paul) 2023. 6', 170 lbs.   Loved his length, and Simmons did a good job of using it effectively during the competitive portion of the Showcase, both when pressing at the LOS and when contesting balls in the air.   [player_tooltip player_id='551377' first='Kaine' last='Larocque'] (Apple Valley) 2025. 6'2, 144 lbs.   Lots to like in the underclassman. Great height and length that makes college DB coaches very excited, solid speed, good change of direction skills, and was a coaches favorite and had a lockdown performance during 1-on-1s that showed a competitive attitude, ball skills, and the hips to play corner. Balled out and then some.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/77-Kaine-Larocque.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557411" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Larocque</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='433365' first='Aidan' last='Jahns'] (Rochester Lourdes) 2023. 6'3, 171 lbs.   One of the best looking DBs at the PRzMN Showcase, both in his frame and his play. Legit size and length and possesses the quickness (4.37 and 4.44 short-shuttle, 7.2 L-drill) to excel in man coverage. Excellent out of his breaks and possessing soft hands, Jahns was an interception machine during 1-on-1s on all kinds of routes and balls. Very strong showing from the uncommitted senior and one of the top performances during 1-on-1s from the DB group.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/88-Aidan-Jahns.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557421" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jahns</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='348730' first='Alim' last='Kamara'] (Cretin-Derham Hall) 2023. 5'8, 150 lbs.   The senior was smooth and fluid in his mechanics, back pedal, and out of his breaks.   [player_tooltip player_id='551373' first='Jesus' last='Ruiz'] (St. Cloud Apollo) 2024. 5'9, 130 lbs.   Scrappy, tough, and played above his weight class during 1-on-1s.   [player_tooltip player_id='551356' first='Hudson' last='Fix'] (Rochester Lourdes) 2023. 5'11, 150 lbs.   Ran a flying 4.53 40 time and used that speed well, shutting down speedy wideouts during 1-on-1s and showing off a good frame that could blow up in a college weight room and program.   [player_tooltip player_id='551355' first='Henry' last='Bandah'] (Richfield) 2024. 5'10, 170 lbs.   Saved his best work for 1-on-1s, where he competed and competed well as both a WR and DB. I liked him more on the defensive side of the ball, where he he used his well-built frame to his advantage and was hard for WRs to work through and bounce off as they try to hit their marks. He was patient and effective at using his feet to adjust to WR routes and cut them off strategically, and I also like how he played the ball in the air. Strong showing from the Richfield Spartan.   [player_tooltip player_id='242454' first='Kellen' last='Quast'] (Concordia Academy) 2024. 5'10, 174 lbs.   Impressive showing from the Concordia Academy junior. Was great in positional drills, is a smooth and fluid athlete at the DB position who was comfortable in his back pedal and when changing direction, and used his hands well when pressing or breaking up a pass.   [player_tooltip player_id='241912' first='Isaac' last='Davis'] (Park Center) 2024. 5'10, 183 lbs.   With his strong, powerful build, Davis was my favorite DB to watch during 1-on-1s and was an absolute seatbelt of a lockdown corner. Super quick out of his breaks, physical and strong at the LOS or the top of the route, great anticipation and eye-discipline, and ball skills in droves. I saw him break up passes all over the field, lockdown established and talented pass catchers, and make WRs skip and switch spots to avoid repping against him. Calm, confident, and focused demeanor and a competitive attitude all helped him shut down dozens of WRs during 1-on-1s. Great job, Isaac!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/154-Isaac-Davis.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557481" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Davis</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='420569' first='Caden' last='Johnson'] (St. Michael-Albertville) 2024. 5'10, 183 lbs.   Strong, thick, and powerful build with wide shoulders. Standout speed that helped him stay on top of faster wideouts, was technically sound and could flip his hips, not waste steps out his breaks, and used the sideline to his advantage as well. Also loved his ball skills, how he competed and timed his jumps when playing the ball in the air, and was a tough, focused competitor who had some impressive reps over the course of the afternoon.

Of all the loaded position groups at last Sunday's PrepRedzoneMN Showcase, two of the most star-studded went head-to-head all afternoon long in a loaded Session 2 at the Minnetonka Dome. The WRs, filled with twitchy slotbacks, monster TEs, and X receivers taking the top off the defense, took on a gritty group of safeties and corners comfortable in man coverage and willing and able to bring a physical edge to the 1-on-1 reps. It was a Pay Per View-esque showdown, and the matchup lived up the hype and then some. Between some fantastic catches, lockdown afternoons, and a ton of 50/50 balls and plays to be made, PrepRedzoneMN was able to uncover and recognize some exciting new names and young talents emerging on the scenes, upperclassman late to their introductory exposure, and everything in between, and I'm excited to bring to our lovely readers the best performing and Top WRs and DBs from the PRzMN Winter Showcase. Get to know some of the best pass-catchers and defensive backs Minnesota has to offer below!