PRzMN 2026 Rankings Release: Watchlist Players to Know

I've been quite pleased with the initial response to the introduction of the 2026 PrepRedzoneMN class and rankings. As is the cyclical nature of the industry, there's always an end date for a prospect's time in high school, and on the other side of the spectrum, there's always new players to be excited about. We're starting to see the big flurry of commitments marking the final stages of the 2023s and their college careers and recruitment, and with it, the freshman have already firmly set their footing in the high school football landscape, getting a taste of varsity action, and honing their skills in the JV, sophomore, and freshman ranks of competition. It's a great time to introduce the intriguing 2026s to the PrepRedzoneMN rankings, and with the preliminary Top-50 and watchlist published, it's safe to say there's a lot of new players to be excited about. We've broken down the Top-10, the top Outstate players, and some of the must-know QBs, and to put a bow on our foundational coverage, PRzMN is going to dig into the Watchlist and introduce some of the top players to know. Small school, big school, 9-man, 11-man, a variety of MN competition is represented and I know these dudes are itching to get themselves on ranked sooner rather than later. Let's check out some of the standouts of the Watchlist below. Stay tuned for the 2025 update as well! It's already under construction.   --   [player_tooltip player_id='493343' first='Tristan' last='Graham'] (Owatonna) RB. 5'7, 155 lbs.   Owatonna High School is well represented on the inaugural 2026 rankings and RB [player_tooltip player_id='493343' first='Tristan' last='Graham'] is at the forefront of the pack, particularly on the watchlist, as he posted 1,163 rushing yards and 17 total TDs in his first year of high school. With the speed to take the edge on unsuspecting freshman competition, shiftiness and contact balance against tackle attempts, and an effective stiff-arm, Graham popped off some big runs in inopportune situations and was productive every game of his freshman season. I'm excited to see how he hits the weight room this offseason and if he can make the jump to varsity in 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='223512' first='Brandon' last='Finley'] (Champlin Park) DT. 5'9, 200 lbs.   Recorded 37 tackles, 7 sacks, 9 TFLs, and an INT against freshman competition and did a ton of damage from multiple spots along the DL. Laterally quick and able to beat blockers to either shoulder, Finley's get-off and motor made him dangerous at the snap as well as further in the play in pursuit. He needs to add strength to add an extra element to his game and with how the CP Rebel program gets the most out of their athletes I'm sure he's already on it. Mobile and productive already, though.   [player_tooltip player_id='206202' first='Caleb' last='Melser'] (Centennial) RB/LB. 5'8, 165 lbs.   In 6.5 games from 2022, Melser rushed 108 times for 741 yards (6.86 YPC) and 10 TDs plus 7 TFLs defensively. I really like how he uses physicality to work through blocks while manning the OLB spot, and his burst and N-S rushing attitude help run through weaker tackle attempts when he's got the ball in his hands. Also a solid tackler. Melser has no problem making a play no matter who is in front of him.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/111-Caleb-Melser.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557444" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Melser</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='207810' first='Sean' last='Washington'] (Benilde-St. Margaret's) RB/LB. 5'7, 200 lbs.   Only played one game in 2022 but showed he is a bowling ball of a RB with a ton of contact balance and very hard tackling assignment to take down 1-on-1. He uses that same low center of gravity and lower body strength to burst into the backfield and makes plays in run defense as a LB. Also has soft hands and made a sweet one-handed catch against Minneapolis North.   [player_tooltip player_id='447798' first='Beckham' last='Wheeler'] (Mounds View) 6'3, 190 lbs.   Great size and in his first year playing the position, Wheeler can really stretch the field with his big arm and shows great touch on his deep balls as well. I also like his timing on his shorter throws requiring a three-step drop. A position switch, especially to QB, is a tough transition, so I'm really excited to see how Wheeler looks as a sophomore and with a year at QB under his belt.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/82-Beckham-Wheeler.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557416" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wheeler</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='551354' first='Hayden' last='Tischler'] (Mankato East) WR/DB/ATH. 5'10, 145 lbs.   A three-phase contributor, Mankato product Tischler is dynamic and was an asset in coverage, showing a natural comfortability with the ball in the air and the speed to patrol the MOF as a safety and stay on top of receivers in man coverage. Also made some splash plays as a receiver and returner!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/10-Hayden-Tischler.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557350" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tischler </figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='591738' first='Hunter' last='Carstensen'] (Minneota) DL. 6'1, 175 lbs.   Coming from the small school, Outstate ranks, Carstensen was a part of Minneota's Class A state championship in 2022 and made his mark in the non-varsity ranks of the Vikings this fall. With a long frame capable of adding and retaining more weight and muscle, Carstensen was too big and strong for a majority of opponents he went up against in 2022. From a DL perspective, he could simply bull rush a lot of blockers, but I also love his motor and how he can pursue and strike ball carriers downfield or down the LOS. As an OL, if he got his hands on opponents they were done for, and he could move and enforce his will on smaller DL easily and consistently. He's mobile too, and if he can continue that kind of physicality and success against varsity competition he'll be ranked in no time.   [player_tooltip player_id='591739' first='Brockton' last='Graber'] (Elk River) DE. 6'2, 210 lbs.   One of the best builds of the freshmen represented on this watch list, Elk River DE Graber has a solid first step and does a good job of keeping his hands active to work off blocking attempts and counter offensive linemen's punches. He gets into the backfield quickly and does a good job of making the play when he gets the opportunity. Strong and disruptive run defender against non-varsity competition in 2022. That size will help him see varsity action for the Elks sooner rather than later.   [player_tooltip player_id='591741' first='Caleb' last='Rossi'] (Mt. Iron-Buhl) ATH. 5'10, 160 lbs.   Coming out of the 9man ranks and 2022 state champion Mountain Iron-Buhl, Rossi earned varsity reps as a QB and LB this past fall on a talented and loaded Rangers roster. A shifty and balanced ball carrier when he tucks the ball and runs, Rossi also showed physicality on defense and special teams and attacks blocks full throttle. He's comfortable working around the box as an OLB and can shed blocks and tackle against bigger and older opponents. Bright future for Rossi and another MIB prospect that'll get college coaches heading to the small-school program the next few seasons.   [player_tooltip player_id='591743' first='Deston' last='Olson'] (Rochester Lourdes) DE. 6'1, 175   Long, lean frame from the DE spot and productive against the run and pass, Olson is patient, understands out to hold the edge, and slow-plays the ball to stay in a good body position and make the play in space. Also showed how well he runs on kickoff coverage. I also like how he can flip his hips to avoid OTs punches and blocking attempts. If he can hit the weight room hard and add some good weight he'll be a successful 5T at the next level of competition.   [player_tooltip player_id='591744' first='Matthew' last='Martin'] (Fairmont) DT. 6', 260   One of the biggest players on the field in Martin's multiple game film from 2022. The 3T/NG plays with a low pad level, can slip through double team attempts with the use of a swim move, and absolutely lays the wood when given the chance. Also had a sweet INT vs. Jordan thanks to him staying around the football. Can't wait to see how the tape looks in 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='591746' first='Shep' last='Jensen'] (Marshall) DB/QB.   I could watch Jensen tackle all day. Against non-varsity competition his range as a safety was impressive, and he capable of tackling in space as well as coming downhill and laying big sticks in the hole against hard-charging RBs. He stops ball carriers right in their tracks when he gets ahold of them. Also is a big kid who can run and makes for a tough 1-on-1 tackling assignment when he totes the rock as a QB. Good athlete for his age! Jensen is already showing some of the serious metal that Marshall preps are known for.   [player_tooltip player_id='591749' first='Carter' last='Beckman'] (Braham) DL.   Also a good baseball player, Beckman did a lot on the gridiron during 2022. He was able to impact the run and pass game on defense and laid some big hits as a blocker. I like his length, his slipperiness working through blocks, and how he times out the snap and explodes into the backfield.   [player_tooltip player_id='591983' first='Andrue' last='Rose'] (Winona) WR/OLB. 6', 150 lbs   Rose showed he was a big-play WR in the non-varsity ranks of Winona's program, able to get open downfield and win contested catches if need be. Also instinctive in coverage and can slip into passing lanes around the hook/curl and flats. Also owns a mean truck stick when he drops his pads with the ball in hand. Yet another Winona young buck to keep an eye on!   [player_tooltip player_id='591989' first='Tyler' last='Cook'] (Centennial) LB. 6', 180   Solid size for a freshman LB and plays at a great 6A program that consistently develops, coaches up, and gets the most out of its players. Violent finisher when playing OG who can work and succeed at the second level and brings a lot of strength to the table for his age. Attacks blocks while keeping his outside shoulder free and brings some thump to the contact point as a tackler. Cook makes plays through contact and excels in the physicality department. I think ILB is his best fit to get varsity action and I'll be interested to see how he hits this offseason.   [player_tooltip player_id='592133' first='Oscar' last='Anaya'] (Lakeville South) DL/OL. 5'11, 250   Anaya is heavy-handed and plays lower than his opponent when manning the OG spot. Gets off the snap well, uses good hand positioning, and has solid leg drive that grinds defenders backward and eventually into the turf. He gets off the ball so low and quickly that he can knock much larger defenders backward at initial contact. Defensively, his lateral quickness left blockers lunging and face-down into the gridiron, and he also has a good base and can withstand strong single and combo blocks from his interior DL spot. I like his fight and his strength on either side of the ball and is showing a good foundation of mechanics and athletic tools for a freshman lineman. Lot of good things going for him, now we just have to see how nature and the offseason grind work its course.   [player_tooltip player_id='592236' first='Max' last='Blandin'] (Farmington) WR. 6'1, 150 lbs.   Exciting frame with length and room to add weight and muscle, and I'm a big fan of how Blandin is fearless in going over the middle and making catches through tight coverage and a potential big hit coming in fast from the safety. Also has some YAC ability when he's got space after the catch, but his ability to reel in contested catches on a variety of routes all over the field is a good quality to have for a young wideout. Also can longsnap!   [player_tooltip player_id='592231' first='Prince' last='Faulk'] (Prior Lake) 6'3, 215 OL/DL   One of many young, well-built Prior Lake freshman that dot and fill the introductory 2026 rankings and watchlist. Good strength and leg drive from the OL spot that helps him run defenders back into the second and third levels of the defense and onto their backs. Also a monster DT that can easily eat and work through double teams against non-varsity competition to hold a gap or split opponents and get into the backfield. One of the biggest players on the field in his freshman tape that can physically dominate when he turns it on. Gotta hit that weight room now!   [player_tooltip player_id='592238' first='Chris' last='Peris'] (Shakopee) RB/DB. 5'8, 150 lbs.   Yet another playmaking RB in the Shakopee program, young buck Peris shows off burst and elusiveness when the ball is in his hands. He's also a willing blocker from the RB spot and shows great hands out of the backfield. Also sticky in coverage and great at tackling in space from the safety position. Posted some good reps as a freshman in 2022 against non-varsity competition.   [player_tooltip player_id='592239' first='Sid' last='Kallam'] (Prior Lake) ATH. 5'8, 140 lbs.   The prospect with the highest upside on this list, Kallam is also arguably the best athlete on the Watchlist and is has a strong multi-sport background with a ton of explosiveness on the gridiron. He's one of those kids where you simply get the ball in his hands and let him go, especially against younger competition. Homerun speed at the top end, Kallam can also go 0-60 quickly when he sticks his cleat in the ground and blows by pursuing opponents downfield. Also doesn't mind playing physically, Kallam has no problem running through and over a tackle attempt, as well as tackle out on the perimeter as a CB. Also shows good footwork and mobility as a DB in coverage, and I'm a big fan of his natural playmaking ability and athletic skillset. I'll be keeping a close eye on the Prior Lake freshman these next three seasons.   [player_tooltip player_id='592312' first='Mikky' last='Heydt'] (Stewartville) OLB. 5'11, 185 lbs.   Too athletic at the non-varsity level to not put at quarterback, Heydt popped off some big runs when tucked the ball and took off, and also showed he could keep the offense humming and hit the more routine passes from inside and outside the pocket. Also excels in the physicality departments as a linebacker and blocker. Can do a lot of different things on the gridiron and do them well. Very instinctive and is always around the football defensively.

I've been quite pleased with the initial response to the introduction of the 2026 PrepRedzoneMN class and rankings. As is the cyclical nature of the industry, there's always an end date for a prospect's time in high school, and on the other side of the spectrum, there's always new players to be excited about. We're starting to see the big flurry of commitments marking the final stages of the 2023s and their college careers and recruitment, and with it, the freshman have already firmly set their footing in the high school football landscape, getting a taste of varsity action, and honing their skills in the JV, sophomore, and freshman ranks of competition. It's a great time to introduce the intriguing 2026s to the PrepRedzoneMN rankings, and with the preliminary Top-50 and watchlist published, it's safe to say there's a lot of new players to be excited about. We've broken down the Top-10, the top Outstate players, and some of the must-know QBs, and to put a bow on our foundational coverage, PRzMN is going to dig into the Watchlist and introduce some of the top players to know. Small school, big school, 9-man, 11-man, a variety of MN competition is represented and I know these dudes are itching to get themselves on ranked sooner rather than later. Let's check out some of the standouts of the Watchlist below. Stay tuned for the 2025 update as well! It's already under construction.