PrepRedzoneMN 2025 Rankings Update: OL Breakdown
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By my count, there’s only been three years since 2000 that the Great State of Minnesota has not produced a P5 offensive lineman. Most years, we see several and up to an entire OL’s worth of P5 recruits, and this…
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Continue ReadingBy my count, there’s only been three years since 2000 that the Great State of Minnesota has not produced a P5 offensive lineman. Most years, we see several and up to an entire OL’s worth of P5 recruits, and this doesn’t include the G5 and FBS commits to come out of the Land of 10,000 Lakes those years. Since 2000, MN’s offensive lineman have yielded the nation’s #1 overall recruit, SEC, Big10, PAC12, ACC, and Big12 commits, national champions, All-Americans, first round draft picks, NFL all-pro selections, and most importantly, a lot of standup young men and quality human beings. Top-tier offensive lineman are simply not constructed everywhere in the United States, and they’re definitely not built everywhere like they are here in MN, where a majority of the prospects go on to find at least legitimate starting and All-Conference success. It’s historically one of – if not thee – strongest position group when it comes to high school football recruiting, and for that reason alone it’s always important to closely track and examine the upcoming maulers and trench warfare specialists rising through the ranks of Minnesota prep football. Now that the PRzMN 2025 rankings are firmly updated and published, and the likes of the LBs, RBs, DBs, ATHs, and QBs have been broken down and highlighted, our state’s premier positions are on the clock. Get to know the 13 ranked 2025 offensive lineman below, and thanks for reading! Have a great week, everybody.
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The early favorite for OL1 and an easy choice for a Top-10 overall recruit, St. Francis’ sophomore is coming off his first season on varsity and shot his stock up into the recruiting stratosphere in December at the PRzMN Stock-Up Showcase, measuring in at 6’4, 282 lbs. and running a 5.1 40, 4.69 short-shuttle, and 8’2″ broad jump for some outstanding testing numbers for his size, not to mention his age. His athleticism shows up on tape, where he can smoothly pull across the LOS and far downfield in a fashion more akin to a LB than a OL of his size, and although raw, his pass set and ability to handle speed rushers looks easy and natural at 6’4, 280+. The big word that comes to mind with him is body control, as he can move, run, block, stop/start, change direction, and stay upright in rare fashion for a big guy of his size. His playstrength is also great, as he doesn’t have to work hard to finish defenders into the ground and has good pop when he lowers his shoulder or uses his punch as well. It’s a very promising and exciting tape and I’m psyched I got to get an early look at the sophomore back in December. Big things are coming, Sam.
Highlights
There are tons of good things going on in powerhouse Mankato West sophomore OL Axel Lorenz, in addition to his sweet name. A mad dog of a blocker who plays, hits, and finishes like his hair is on fire, Lorenz is the most physical and aggressive lineman in MN’s 2025 class right now and enforces his will upon all ages and all sizes of opponents on the gridiron. The word I used in the 2025 class Biggest Stock Risers feature was “manhandle” when describing his blocking style, as the RG crumples and crushes defenders in any kind of situation, whether pass-pro, pulling, or even a simple down block. His strong, heavy hands noticeably affect defenders at first impact, and he’s also super quick and speedy for his size and able to cover ground and do a lot of different things around the LOS as a blocker. Athletic, agile, strong, and physical, he’s uber-effective as a puller and right now I think he’s got one of the highest ceilings, as well as floors, in the 2025 crop of lineman. I love watching this dude block and destroy dudes. Kid’s a stud!
Spearheading Anoka’s standout 2025 class of prospects is OL3 and #22 ranked Tucker Olson, a 6’2, 285 lb. iOL and wrestler who made big waves along the Tornadoes varsity OL in 2022. Olson shows off a powerful base that absorbs and dishes contact very well, shows good footwork in his pass set and when pulling/folding/cross blocking/moving laterally around the LOS, and is strong enough to handle power rushes and DL and agile enough to adjust to faster/quicker opponents. He handled his own against 6A competition in 2022 and is going to be even more of a beast with another offseason under his belt. All around balanced skillset that looks and plays above his age.
Highlights
The Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossom sophomore has one particular rep on his sophomore film that I can’t get out of my head and that I mentioned in a previous writeup for PRzMN naming the 2025s Biggest Stock Risers from the newest update. In it, Krueger tosses a DL aside and takes off down the sideline as a lead blocker, looking much more like a fullback or tight end rather than a 6’4, 285 lb. lineman, sprinting downfield before he has to break down and take care of a DB in the open field. It’s a strong representation of his mobility and balance at his size, and additionally he’s one of the best finishers in the 2025 class of lineman right now, using his crushing punch, nonstop leg drive, and use of leverage to get opponents into the ground. Also looks great zone blocking in run and pass support and is a good athlete at the OL position that BP uses in a ton of different ways. Definite name to keep an eye on in the ’25 OL ranks and definitely shows D1 potential and upside as an OG.
Highlights
OL5 and #25 on the 2025 overall rankings, Alexandria’s Joseph Martinson is a massive 6’4, 290 lb. OC and DT and can overwhelm opponents with his size, strength, and initial punch in both run and pass blocking settings. Comfortable and effective at working to the second level and able to drop his hips and set his feet to take out smaller defenders, Martinson also packs a punch as a down blocker and can finish and crumple defenders off only a couple steps once he’s engaged. Also has a solid pass set from the interior of the OL and stays square before setting his feet & base and absorbing contact or running the DL out of the play. His strength at the initial point of contact is noticeable and impressive and I like how he moves at the second level and in pass pro for a big guy.
The current OL6 and #38 overall prospect has some of the highest upside and room to fly up these rankings as anyone in the current 2025 OL class. Maple Grove’s Michael Wagner is a literally big part of the Crimson’s standout and exciting 2025 crop of prospects and measured in at a legit 6’6, 235+ this past December at the PRzMN Stock-Up Showcase while having a solid day of positional drills and 1-on-1 competition. Unlike some of his MG sophomore peers, Wagner was not a varsity contributor in 2022, something I’m sure he’s using as motivation during the offseason’s sweat and strain. Also ranked on our sister site PrepHoops for his exploits as a Center on the hardwood, Wagner shows off a long, lean frame capable of adding a ton more mass and good weight, as well as the capability to effectively move and block across the LOS and at the second level of the defense. The offensive tackle can also drive smaller defenders far out of the play once he gets engaged, shows some solid footwork, and can play on either side of the LOS. This offseason is going to be a vital one for the rising junior and next year is his for the taking. Can’t find success without hard work though, and Wagner needs to hit that weight room hard this spring/summer and add to that frame, plus add some strength and flexibility. I’m looking forward to seeing how the results pay off.
Highlights
It’s a heckuva accomplishment to start along the OL as an underclassman in Class 6A, and Farmington’s 6’2, 265 lb. RT Jayden Gournaris had a good season on the edge of the Tiger’s varsity LOS in 2022. Another sturdy representation of Farmington’s strength and conditioning program, Gournaris had a strong performance during the 1-on-1s of December’s PRzMN Stock-Up Showcase in addition to his gridiron exploits during the fall of ’22. Robust in both run support and pass pro, Gournaris looks bendy, can handle speed as well as power rushes when pass setting, and is a proficient finisher who can use his strength or his opponent’s momentum against them. Already shows more pass pro reps in his sophomore tape than most seniors. Looks mobile and strong for his size and age overall. He’s almost guaranteed to see his name climb up the rankings come next update. Great work last fall, Jayden!
Highlights
A compact 6′, 230 lb. blocker coming from the always well-coached and competitive Orono Spartans in Long Lake, Van Patten primarily played OC and was a tank once he got his hands on an opponent. Very hard to disengage from, Van Patten plays with a low pad level, great hand placement, and strong leg drive, not to mention a great motor that doesn’t quit between the whistles. Also has some solid reps of him pulling, cross-blocking, and cutting off defensive lineman. Strong run blocker at this point in time and a lineman I would not want to let get hands on me. Keep up the great work, Blake!
An experienced and effective 5A lineman from the 612 and Minneapolis Washburn High School, Yusuf measures in at 6’2.5 and 250 lbs. and showed off some good COD skills at December’s PRzMN Showcase, clocking a 4.75 short-shuttle and having a solid showing during 1-on-1s at the end of the session. Already named a captain for the Millers‘ 2023 campaign, Yusuf plays both OL and DL, but on the offensive side of the ball I like his strong base, active feet, persistent leg drive, and heavy hands in both run and pass support. He’s an effective zone blocker thanks to his lateral quickness and awareness and also has a knack for finishing defenders into the turf thanks to his nonstop leg drive and strength for his size. Yusuf put a hurtin’ on more than his fair share of opponents last fall and was a brickwall on the interior OL of the Millers. Big things coming next season!
Highlights
Hanson, who has been contributing to the Lake City varsity OL since he a freshman but unfortunately suffered a sprained MCL in week two of the 2022 season and only competed in three games during the season, hampering his current ranking among the OL and overall in the 2025 class. However, the rankings are far from solidified, and he has a plethora of time and game reps to improve on his current ranking right at OL10. At 6’2, 255 lbs., the two games of film from 2022 shows off an OT and DL that gets off the ball quickly, has good pop and can win reps at the initial contact point, and is mobile and able to effectively block at the second level against smaller, faster defenders. Next season will be a major one for Hanson and his recruiting stock on the gridiron.
Another Outstate lineman with a bright future and already-present size at 6’2, 255 lbs., Leo Duske was in his second year of starting on varsity for the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted line and is also an accomplished wrestler and baseball player going into his junior year of high school. In his 2022 film, you can see Duske maul opponents once he gets ahold of them, using his strength to force them yards downfield or hard into the grass. He’s got a square, solid base, heavy hands, and balanced once he engages with an opponent. I also am a big fan of his defensive highlights as well.
Cambridge-Isanti’s Brady Andersen already puts up solid numbers in the weight room as a 6’2, 275 lb. sophomore lineman, currently putting up a 295 lb. bench press, 405 lb. squat, and 205 lb. clean. Played sophomore, JV, and varsity in 2022, and on tape his first step (whether at OL or DL) surprises opponents and helps him win a ton of blocks before the play develops. He’s also got a great rep of him pulling as the playside tackle, lead blocking downfield, and staying balanced while toppling over a helpless DB. Also has some intriguing DL highlights that really show off his mobility for his size. Now, he’s just gotta do it all on varsity!
Highlights
Another member of the talented Anoka 2025 OL and overall graduating class, Burns was the Tornadoes varsity OC in 2022 and for a 5’11, 210 lber. is a strong and able finisher who can take down much larger DTs and NGs. Strong off the snap, solid base, and technically sound, all of which helps him hold his own and then some against bigger and more experienced opponents.