PRzMN Class of 2025 Rankings Update: DL, WR, TE Breakdown
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The time has finally come. After months of gathering names, seven days of refurbishment, and a couple weeks of coverage from the PRzMN 2025 rankings update, it is now time to wrap up the 2025s. We’ve featured the top newcomers…
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Continue ReadingThe time has finally come. After months of gathering names, seven days of refurbishment, and a couple weeks of coverage from the PRzMN 2025 rankings update, it is now time to wrap up the 2025s. We’ve featured the top newcomers and stock risers, as well as broke down the ranking lists from each position on the gridiron, and with only three positions left to highlight it’s time to dig in to the defensive lineman, tight ends, and wide receivers that PrepRedzoneMN hasn’t evaluated for our lovely subscribers just yet. After this, make sure you stay tuned for the 2024 update, as well as exciting articles covering the recruiting scene and more notable prospects in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. As always, thanks for reading!
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Tight End
Of all the stud Maple Grove Crimson sophomores littering the current 2025 rankings I am most excited about TE1 Nathan Hromadka, who I think is a P5 talent at a position the state historically produces well at. Already at an exciting 6’6, 210 lbs., Hromadka was a big-time varsity contributor in 2022 and helped his MG squad win the 2022 MN 6A state championship. He’s already got a balanced and effective skillset for a young buck, with the speed to hurt defenses in the pass game, soft hands and toughness to make catches through contact, and a polished and strong blocking game at the LOS against legit DL competition. Hromadka was quite successful in 1-on-1 down blocks against good-sized DEs and was also comfortable and capable of blocking in space and at the second level of the defense to help open some big holes in the running game for the Crimson. That blocking game really gets me fired up and shows P5 potential, especially at 6’6, 210 pounds and still growing. MG is coming off Gopher TE commit Sam Peters Sam Peters 6’6″ | 225 lbs | TE Maple Grove | 2023 State MN in 2023 and may have another Big10 recruit on their hands coming out of that TE room going forward. I can’t wait to see how this plays out the next couple falls and offseasons.
Highlights
6’2, 225 lb. Princeton sophomore Caden Johnson comes in as our current TE2 and is another TE prospect with a balanced skillset for his age. Strong, good leg drive, and able to successfully block around the LOS or out in space. Also shows solid hands as a pass catcher and a ton of pursuit speed as a defensive lineman. Versatile, strong, and mobile at 6’2, 225 lbs. and still growing. I could possibly see a positional switch to DL in the future so stay posted there. Johnson does a lot of good things on the gridiron and has a great chance of moving up in the rankings come next update time. Go Tigers!
Highlights
Wide Receiver
WR2 and the #17 overall ranked prospect since the latest PRzMN rankings update is another big piece of Benilde’s exciting underclassmen classes who showed off good speed, quickness, and explosiveness during December’s PRzMN Stock-Up Showcase. Khalif Brown also passes the eye test, and had a strong sophomore campaign that finished with 46 catches for 664 yards and 4 TDs with some big games against quality 4A and 5A competition. On tape, Brown is quick-footed, a playmaking deep threat, and strong and balanced after the catch, qualities he showed at the PRzMN Showcase besides the tackle-breaking ability, and I like watching him WR rocket/tunnel screens as well as take the top off the defense in posts, curls, and seam routes. Also does a good job of finding holes in zone coverage and settling well in space for his QB. Brown has, and will continue to be, a steadfast member at or near the top of the WR and overall ranking boards for the c/o 2025.
Highlights
The Minnetonka two-sport standout, who moonlights as a stud hooper for the Skippers varsity, does not have an updated, condensed highlight tape from this fall, but there are enough clips of him playing football to get a bit of a sense of the sophomore. Plus, there’s the basketball tape, which show off a good athlete with a smooth shot and a quick crossover when driving to the hoop, and in his limited football tape that COD skill when he breaks off his routes. Also burned an Edina DB for a 30-yard score in a big matchup last fall. I really hope Richardson makes a football tape soon.
Anoka possesses one of the best 2025 classes of anyone in the Metro right now, with talent in the trenches and at the skill spots with impressive athleticism, physicality, and varsity experience already on display. Coming in at #50 in the overall rankings is our WR7 in 6’2, 170 lber. Trey Borchers, who already makes for an impressive pairing with 2025 Anoka gunslinger Peyton Podany Peyton Podany 6’3″ | 190 lbs | QB Anoka | 2025 State MN , who threw him 21 receptions that went for 441 yards and an impressive 7 TDs last fall. A deep threat who could dust DBs on double moves or straight up go routes, Borchers does a good job of breaking off his routes cleanly and without wasting any steps, and I also like how he works back and attacks the ball out of the air. Good speed, tough after the catch, and more than able to create splash plays for his offense. You do not want to give this dude a free release, and even if you do get some hands on him he’ll make you pay. Stay on the lookout for Anoka these next two seasons!
Highlights
A standout performer who was in contention for WR MVP after the day’s work at December’s PRzMN Showcase in Minnetonka, St. Cloud Apollo wideout Maurice Brown was deadly during 1-on-1s with a ton of juice as a route runner and after the catch. Speed, quickness, and balance were all on display as Brown ate up DBs going deep, at the LOS, or at the top of the route, and his sophomore film also shows off that dangerous quickness after the catch with the ball in his hands. His ball skills and fearlessness when going up and getting the football is also super impressive from his sophomore tape, and his start/stop skills are some of the best in the state. Don’t be surprised if you see his name move up the next time rankings updates roll around.
Highlights
The younger brother of former All-NSIC First Team and AFCA All-American Second Team DB Ty’Shonan Brooks, also a Park Center grad, 2025er TyJohn is going into his upperclassman era with the Pirates and is rocking on the offensive side of the ball as of right now. Explosive with the ball in his hands as either a wideout or kick returner, Brooks is good at creating separation at any point throughout the route and is especially dangerous when a play breaks down and he can improvise. Can cut on a dime, plays the ball well in the air, and uses his quickness to make defenders miss. The athleticism brought to the forefront by Ty’Shonan’s success seems to be present and thriving in his younger brother.
Another standout multi-sporter with a good hoops background, 5’11, 150 lb. Eli Ladu is a three-phase contributor on the gridiron and runs with the decorated D1 Minnesota AAU club when not playing football. As a sophomore varsity contributor in 2022, Ladu displayed good body control when playing the ball in the air, showing great timing when high pointing the ball, a solid vertical that allows him to float through the air and over DBs reach, and even an ability to snag the ball one-handed. Also shows some slipperiness in the open field and the pace to outrun defenders when there’s space. Ladu is another good athlete at the position with a high chance of moving significantly up the rankings. The RJM baller has a strong skillset going into his junior year.
Highlights
The 6’1, 180 lber. was a non-varsity contributor in 2022 but was a playmaker in all three phases of the game for the Trojans JV/sophomore teams. Made some great catches to his back shoulder or right over the CB’s head, possessed speed, vision, and contact balance as a returner, strength as a tackler, and can even punt! Now, he just has to translate it to the varsity scene. I can’t wait to see how Stokes performs next fall!
The East Ridge Raptor SB was a non-varsity performer in 2022 but put some good things on tape as a JV pass catcher last fall. Soft hands, quickness after the catch, deep play speed, and for a smaller wideout, toughness at the catch point who can complete a reception through a big hit. Let’s see if he can perform under the bright lights of varsity action in 2023!
Defensive Line
Coming in at #21 overall in the state and as the current DL3 is a steadfast and already long-time member of the upper echelons of the MN 2025 rankings. Fairmont’s Hank Artz continues to add good weight and put out good film filled with big hits and dominance at the point of attack. Now sitting at a sturdy 6′, 230 lbs. and really investing in the fullback position on offense, Artz laid some big hits in 2022 on either side of the ball thanks to his natural pop, the strength in his punch, and his build and naturally low pad level. Especially dangerous as a standup OLB, Artz gets off the ball and closes quickly, can move laterally well when avoiding blocks as a blitzer or when setting edge, and even shows a little bit of bend as a pass rusher. He also brings everything he has into each hit, shows off a good motor, and showed some toughness/athleticism as a ball carrier when running routes as a HB. Of all the things he does well in his sophomore tape, I really like how he uses angles and quickness and/or power to beat blockers and get to the backfield. Also one of the hardest hitters in the state. I’m excited to see how he performs in this upcoming outdoor track & field season as well. The Artz’s are athletes!
DL8 and #34 overall in the recently updated 2025 PRzMN rankings comes out of Park Center High School and their stud sophomore DL Xavier Fleming. The 6’2, 205 lb. DE only played in four games this past season but tallied 20 tackles, 3 TFLs, and 3 sacks, and on tape the first thing that stands out is how Fleming runs. Watching him run down plays from the backside and burst out of a dead stop through contact to make a play is impressive, and I also like how he can change direction and use some quickness to beat blockers to their inside shoulder. The 205 lber. also has some solid reps of him backing down bigger OL in pass pro. His frame looks like it’ll be able to hold more weight well so I hope the Park Center product is working on packing on the pounds and adding mass and strength this offseason. 2023 is going to be big for him.
Another standout member of Farmington’s 2025 class who is already physically ahead of schedule thanks to the Tiger’s excellent strength & conditioning program is our #52 ranked prospect and the current DL9 Ethan Giesler. The 6’2, 220+ lb. defensive end was a varsity contributor last fall and big #98 and was a stout run defender with the capability to impact the pass rush game with his noticeable closing speed. Giesler does a good job of using his hands to work off blocks, has a good motor and has no problem pursuing the ball downfield, and is just beginning to tap into his ability to disrupt opponents in both phases of the offense. I’m very excited to see how he attacks the offseason and I can definitely see him moving up the rankings in the near future.
Highlights
A currently unheralded part of Esko’s upcoming crop of prospects and their 2025 class goes to 6’2, 300 lb. DT Brock Montminy. In addition to his film, size, and help in Esko’s excellent 2022 campaign, Montminy came into this past’s December PRzMN Stock-Up Showcase and absolutely tore it up at the Minnetonka Dome. No one could handle his bullrush, and he was a monster in 1-on-1s thanks to his hand usage and combination of size and strength. On tape, he also plays OG, and manhandles opponents when he gets ahold of them, but I really like his DL reps more than anything. Gets off the ball and into the backfield well for a prospect of his size, uses his hands well, just like at the Showcase, and is an athletic and physical two-way contributor for his size and age. Lots of good things going for him on film and in person and as a true DT/NG should be popular on the recruiting trail. Honestly, he’s under-ranked right now and that’s on me. Expect that name to rise up come the next update.
Waseca High School has a heckuva 2025 class coming up with both linemen and skill players represented equally in the Southern MN program. At 6’2, 265, Jascha plays both OL and DL and is a strong kid who was capable of holding his own and then some against varsity competition. Able to break down in space to cut off and block smaller LBs and DBs as well as move around DL in the trenches with solid strength and hand placement, Jascha can also combo and pull successfully at the first and second level of the field. The Bluejays are set to make some serious noise in Class AAA these next two seasons and will be led in the trenches by the rising junior Jascha.
Highlights
Athletic, well-built, two-sport standouts at Eden Prairie High School have worked out well for the Eagles football team and the MN recruiting scene in the past, with Chiddi Obiazor Chiddi Obiazor 6’6″ | 220 lbs | DL Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN , Anthony Anderson, and Grant Shaeffer all coming to mind as recent examples of football/basketball ballers from the Metro powerhouse. 6’4, 205 lb. sophomore Camren Riggins is looking to add his name to the list of star-studded alums sharing his sporting background, and is length and overall mobility helped him in 2022 as a non-varsity DE. Laterally agile, good top speed, and excellent length also aided him as a WR and gunner on punt. The athletic tools seem to be there, now he just needs to refine some technique and produce at the varsity level. The potential is obvious, however. Keep your ears open for the name Camren Riggins!
A potentially big piece of CDH’s hopeful resurgence going forward rounds out our 2025 DL rankings in 6’5, 250 lb. Geno Bieter. Also a hockey player, Bieter is a big, strong kid vs. non-varsity competition. Good leg drive once he’s engaged, uses leverage to get his opponents in poor body positions, and is always looking to finish. Needs to keep adding strength and working on his footwork, especially in pass pro, to up his ranking come next update. Don’t sleep on the Raiders!