PrepRedzoneMN 2024 Rankings Update: Hardest Hitters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big hit is the best thing in football. Capable of switching or creating momentum in a game, getting the crowd involved, psyching a player out or up (depending on who hit who), producing a turnover or splash play, or even simply building a lasting memory for a fan or player, every football fan loves a big hit and I think it's one of the best things in sports. A hard hitter automatically makes an imprint in my scouting memory, and throughout the 2024 rankings refurbishment process, I made sure to denote the biggest thumpers I came across while watching hundreds &amp; hundreds of prospect tapes from the rising senior class to give our lovely readers a fun and interesting feature that switches up the coverage of the ranking in a physical direction. It's a wonderful blend of positions, geographic areas, and classifications of competition represented in this 2024 crop of hard hitters, and <em>PrepRedzoneMN </em>is here to break down who these guys hit, how they hit, what else they do well on the gridiron, how their recruitment is going, and more. Don't worry, we've also linked their highlight tapes you have quick access to some big collisions and dominant contact for your viewing pleasure and to help break up this Tuesday. Get to know the 2024 classes hard hitters below! Thanks for reading. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["242494"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"My choice for the current titleholder of u0022Minnesota's Hardest Hitteru0022 goes to u003cemu003eBrainerd'su003c/emu003e 6'2, 220 lber. u003cstrongu003eDylan Grossu003c/strongu003e. Coincidentally, he's also one of the strongest prospects in Minnesota, posting a 390 lb. bench and 355 lb. power clean earlier this month and a 500 x2 squat set back in November. He also has a video of him dunking a basketball one-handed off three steps, so it's safe to say that u003cstrongu003eGrossu003c/strongu003e is athletic and physically developed, and that advanced power and explosiveness help him greatly when he lays the wood. He decks opponents, and makes it look easy, especially when he's got a full head of steam. With a ton of git-up out of his stance, u003cstrongu003eGrossu003c/strongu003e bounces players off him like they're a stalled car on the railroad tracks, and does a great job of dropping his shoulders at the perfect time right before contact. I also like how he seeks out contact in blocking scenarios, and he'll go find more work after sending his first assignment into the turf. He also excels in 1-on-1 tackling situations in the hole with RBs, preventing them from gaining any extra yardage once first contact is made. u003cstrongu003eGrossu003c/strongu003e is a noticeably powerful player, and also moonlights as a run-first QB out of the backfield, showing off solid speed and vision with those strong legs. With Missouri Valley junior day visits already on his belt and a University of Minnesota junior day on the calendar, things are still at the beginning of his recruitment and I'm excited to see who is going to pull the trigger first.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15589539/635eacc55b3d5d0c701cf5f0u0022u003eDylan Gross Junior Highlights u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["242476"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Coming out of Class AAA u003cemu003ePlainview-Elgin-Millvilleu003c/emu003e, rising senior LB u003cstrongu003eKadin Priesu003c/strongu003e more than qualified as one of the top stock risers in the latest u003cemu003ePRzMNu003c/emu003e 2024 rankings update, as he bumped up 14 spots when the publishment went live. However, with how big of a thumper the 5'11, 200 lber. was and how fun his film is to watch I wanted to save his writeup for this Hardest Hitters feature. Without excellent production in '22, u003cstrongu003ePriesu003c/strongu003e posted 185 total tackles, with 22 TFLs, 5 PBUs, 4 FFs, 4 fumble recoveries, and 2 sacks, and did it impressively, showing off the prowess at the contact point to stick, crumple, and work ball carriers backwards in dominant fashion. Doesn't matter who the RB is and how big he stands, u003cstrongu003ePriesu003c/strongu003e brings a ton of strength and aggressiveness at the point of attack, especially for 200 pounds, and also uses that strength impressively when bouncing blocking attempts off him and continuing to work forward. I also love how fast he closes, and that speed, along with how committed he is to every hit, leads to some massive collisions and some big plays behind the LOS. u003cstrongu003ePriesu003c/strongu003e also reads and reacts well to his keys and to where the ball is moving, and can blow a play up before it develops and before blockers can get in front of him. You are not getting extra yardage when he gets his pads on you, that's for sure. No reported interest or offers, but his Twitter is somewhat inactive so I'm sure things are moving behind the scenes. Love the tape, u003cstrongu003eKadinu003c/strongu003e!rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15283138/6379112aab92460b50dd09a0u0022u003eKadin Pries Junior Tape u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["242454"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"One of the smaller players to make this u003cemu003ePRzMNu003c/emu003e Hardest Hitters feature, 5'10, 185 lb. u003cemu003eConcordia Academyu003c/emu003e free safety u003cstrongu003eKellenu003c/strongu003e u003cstrongu003eQuastu003c/strongu003e has some of the biggest hits of the tape I watched to research this article. It's safe to say he's pound-for-pound for one of the hardest hitters in MN, and I'm sure his accomplishments in the weight room are a big part of the success. In early March, u003cstrongu003eQuastu003c/strongu003e maxed out at a 465 lb. squat, 285 lb. power clean, and 250 lb. bench press to make the 1,000-pound club, and before those numbers were posted he earned a Winona State junior day invite from OL coach Trevor Olson. He is a beast from the defensive secondary and opens his tape with a massive hit on a slant route in the MOF that ragdolls the TE five yards backfield, and follows it up with a feisty hit where he takes the pass catchers feet out from under him while he's in the air, flipping his horizontal and bouncing off the turf in painful fashion. You can tell he loves contact and knows how best to use his body in different tackling situations, which includes putting his hat on the ball, and he also excels as a blocker and will run his face through an opponent around the LOS and knock him into the turf off the initial pop or after only one or two more steps. u003cstrongu003eQuast'su003c/strongu003e biggest hits come when an unprepared WR comes over the middle, and the highlight reel hits he produces could easily fit into a popular compilation of big hits on Youtube. He still had huge hits come over the two-minute mark of his highlights, so I'm very comfortable stating he's one of the hardest hitters in Minnesota and a kid I would love to have on my team and hate to go against. Can't wait to see him smash people as an even stronger senior!rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15170512/635cac728cdef806602c31b7u0022u003eJunior SZN u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["105368"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cemu003eEdina Hornetu003c/emu003e 6'1, 235 lber. u003cstrongu003eJosh Quirku003c/strongu003e has been a bowling ball since his freshman season and has been one of the most consistently hard hitters since the initial 2024 rankings went live threeish years ago. Starting off his career as a TE, u003cstrongu003eQuirku003c/strongu003e is manning the offensive line more as an upperclassman and got a ton of reps at left tackle in 2022 and OG in 2021. Since his junior season ended, u003cstrongu003eQuirk u003c/strongu003ehas received junior day invites from South Dakota, Southwest MN State, Bemidji State, Winona State, and Augustana, and having his kind of physicality and pop would be a great asset for his whoever lands his talents. This past fall, u003cstrongu003eQuirk u003c/strongu003elaid big hits in a variety of situations and in a variety of different ways, and was particularly deadly when swiping back across the LOS or when he blocks in space off a full head of steam, particularly on screens. The size and aggression help him win at the contact point against strong and quality competition, and you can see his opponents freeze and lose a bit of balance when he sticks them with his punch, pads, or a combo of the two. He sends dudes flying, and as I mentioned previously I like how he brings the boom in a diverse array of settings, and his build, strength, understanding of leverage, and mentality make for a special combination that is very hard for opponents to absorb and work out of. u003cstrongu003eQuirku003c/strongu003e flips that switch on the gridiron and it has some physical results. No surprise he made the list of the MN 2024 Hardest Hitters.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/video/3/15023775/636730c7da515c0c204ae675u0022u003e2022 Highlights u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["241909"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The younger brother of North Dakota Fighting Hawks redshirt freshman QB Colton Hackel, younger brother u003cstrongu003eHudson Hackelu003c/strongu003e is a physical and well-built LB just like his brother was (Colton played both ways) and makes for a strong member of the 2024 u003cemu003ePRzMNu003c/emu003e rankings, and this list of the state's hardest hitters. At 6'1, 215 lbs., u003cstrongu003eHudson Hackelu003c/strongu003e plays all over the field, is a member of the 1,000-pound club in the weight room, and was an All-District selection in 2022 as a junior. The big hits primarily came as a LB and FB, and in his junior film, it's easy to see the obvious strength as both a tackler and blocker. As a fullback in particular, u003cstrongu003eHackelu003c/strongu003e played and looked like an F150 running over street cones when lead blocking, knocking opponents over, and continuing to work forward like they were a blade of grass in the wind. As a tackler, he's a big fan of spinning ball carriers hard and fast into the grass and bouncing them off the ground like a basketball and looks hard to get away from once he gets his hands on you. I'd be very surprised if the Fighting Hawks aren't the favorite in this recruitment. u003cemu003ePerhamu003c/emu003e with another good one!rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12488681/636580920c5da9096c2f0643u0022u003eJunior Year Highlights u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["551335"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"I have and will continue to talk up the u003cemu003eDetroit Lakesu003c/emu003e linebacker room as one of the best in the state for 2023. In addition to Minnesota Gophers commit u003cstrongu003eMason Carrieru003c/strongu003e, the u003cemu003eLaker's u003c/emu003esecond level of the defense is also manned by u003cstrongu003eWill Martinu003c/strongu003e (6'2, 220) and u003cstrongu003eCharlie Zoku003c/strongu003e (5'11, 210), both of whom showed up and showed out at our recent u003cemu003ePRzMNu003c/emu003e Stock-Up Showcase and left me very impressed with the state of the u003cemu003eDetroit Lakesu003c/emu003e linebacker group. Additionally, u003cstrongu003eCharlie Zoku003c/strongu003e made a huge impression on me when talking about the state's hardest hitters, owning some physical and explosive 2022 film filled with pop, thump, and any other adjective you can use when talking big hits. u003cstrongu003eZoku003c/strongu003e made a strong athletic impression during the aforementioned Stock-Up Showcase's testing portion of the event, posting a 4.69 40, 4.47 short-shuttle, and 8'8u0022 broad jump, and he also reports a 315 lb. bench press, 500 lb. squat, and 315 lb. power clean that are all results of a ton of hard work and personal dedication from the West Central MN product. As an ILB and occasional FB, u003cstrongu003eZoku003c/strongu003e posted 78 tackles, 9 TFLs, and 5 sacks, and made some impressive, big boy, chest-to-chest, 1-on-1 tackles that stunned and squashed ball carriers to eradicate rushes right at the LOS. The big hits come in a more grown-man fashion, as he's very successful at tackling above the waist, which allows him to halt RBs right where they stand and prevent any extra yardage after first contact. He also does a good job of lifting and slamming opponents off their feet (legally of course) and uses their momentum against them when he spins them backward and hard off the grass. u003cstrongu003eZoku003c/strongu003e gets the most out of all of his hits and leaves lasting impressions against his competition while they watch film as well as during the game itself. Someone is going to get a big-time 'backer in the rising senior. u003cstrongu003eZoku003c/strongu003e is fresh off a Winona State visit and has also heard from a boatload of NSIC, DIII, and NAIA schools, as well as NDSU.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15137754/63705a6a9a9be10798aa04e8u0022u003eJunior Campaign u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["704472"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"We're staying with the LB group right now, and surprise surprise, there's a u003cemu003eMinnetonka Skipperu003c/emu003e mentioned! When I was at u003cemu003eSouthwest Highu003c/emu003e, which was before the creation of Class 6A, we played against a physical and angry 'u003cemu003eTonkau003c/emu003e LB corps that left an impression as a young WR, and since that time I've continued to see well-built, high-motor, hard-hitting linebackers come out of the former Lake Conference competitor. Out of their 2024 class, 6'1, 215 lb. u003cstrongu003eRobby Houseu003c/strongu003e represents the LB legacy well, and he also comes in as one of the hardest hitters in Minnesota going into next season. I just wrote about u003cstrongu003eHouseu003c/strongu003e as a Top Newcomer out of the 2024 official rankings update, so I'll keep this one more focused on the hitting itself, which luckily still leaves a lot to write about. A menace in the hole or out on the edge, u003cstrongu003eHouseu003c/strongu003e goes full throttle and explodes through contact, more than strong enough to stuff opponents above the waist and sometimes with just one clean shoulder. He laid some massive hits on QBs that rolled outside of the pocket and had just released a throw, so much so that I guarantee signal-callers had #53 in the back of their heads whether they wanted him there or not. With great leg drive after initial contact, u003cstrongu003eHouseu003c/strongu003e is another defender who more than halts RBs and ball carriers from gaining extra yardage, and he also hits so hard he will pop the ball into the air when he gets a hat or arm on it. The u003cemu003eSkipperu003c/emu003e simply overwhelms opponents when he hits them. Also plays hockey and holds a 3.5 GPA!rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14720206/633114f1da523109342217d6u0022u003eHouse Highlight Reel u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["105390"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Our last defender on the list is also our first wrestler, and 5'11, 210 lb. u003cemu003eEden Prairieu003c/emu003e linebacker u003cstrongu003eDominic Heimu003c/strongu003e is a stud at both sports. He's coming off a third-place finish at the recent MSHSL state tournament in the 220AAA weight class and warmed up for the wrestling season by laying a ton of wood on the gridiron this past fall. Impressively, u003cstrongu003eHeimu003c/strongu003e just benched 400 pounds during the season and has visited North Dakota and South Dakota on unofficials since October. I'm a fan of 5'11 LBs, as the naturally low pad leverage and compact builds usually combine to create some huge hits, and that's exactly the case with the u003cemu003eEP Eagleu003c/emu003e, as he can generate a ton of power and is great at hitting ball carriers right in the sweet spot to send them flying. The strength also helps him easily bounce cut blocks and lead blockers off him, as well as stuff and drive opponents backward. Anytime you come into contact with this dude it'll hurt, and you really don't want to get in his way if he's got a full head of steam coming at you, as he wiped a few kids off the map out on the edge in his junior highlights. With how much work u003cstrongu003eHeimu003c/strongu003e put in the weight room as a junior I think the hits will be even bigger next fall.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13717662/6355b6303448b70d78c0578bu0022u003eJunior Season Highlights u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["242385"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"RBs can absolutely qualify as one of the hardest hitters in the state, and I'm pumped to move over to the offensive side of the ball to round out the state's hardest hitters in the 2024 class. I recently wrote about u003cemu003eSMB'su003c/emu003e 6', 215 lb. All-District RB u003cstrongu003eLandon Dillonu003c/strongu003e in our new Top Stock Risers article from a couple of days back, so I'll stick to his success in the contact department for this write-up. u003cstrongu003eDillonu003c/strongu003e opens his tape by nearly knocking a would-be tackler's helmet off his head and crumpled to kid so hard it honestly looked like he knocked him out. He's devastating when he lowers his shoulder, and can even send kids flying off him with his legs alone. Getting run over like that hurts, and u003cstrongu003eDillonu003c/strongu003e is more than often the hammer and not the nail in contact situations, which is rarer to find in an offensive skill player. With a mix of finesse in his game, u003cstrongu003eDillonu003c/strongu003e doesn't need to resort to the straight truck stick very often, but when he does it rocks the worlds of opponents. Easily one of the least-fun RB tackling assignments in the state.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16551271/63741687a022a80974b690e2u0022u003eRB Highlights u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["242446"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Another running back and u003cemu003ePRzMNu003c/emu003e Top Stock Riser to be selected as one of the hardest hitters in Minnesota high school football, u003cemu003eMontevideou003c/emu003e 6', 235 lber. u003cstrongu003eFrancis O'Malleyu003c/strongu003e is a physical specimen and easily takes the cake as the least fun ball carrier to try and tackle in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Absurdly powerful, u003cstrongu003eO'Malleyu003c/strongu003e obliterates opponents with his truckstick or when lead blocking, easily sending them flying backwards and onto their butts like a truck into a crash dummy. u003cstrongu003eO'Malleyu003c/strongu003e also laid some grown man hits as a linebacker, and left as many embarrassed and in-pain opponents in his wake than anyone in MN. The pure power he brings to the point of contact is something you do not want to experience, and as either a RB or LB the u003cemu003eMontevideou003c/emu003e rising senior is one of the hardest hitters in the state, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. The tape speaks for itself!rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13235707/63853a934deb6c092ca6272du0022u003eO'Malley highlights u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["242420"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"The best and truest fullback in Minnesota next season goes to u003cemu003eSt. Thomas Academyu003c/emu003e standout u003cstrongu003eCody Packeru003c/strongu003e, who coincidentally is one of the hardest hitters out of the 2024 class and in the entire state. It's a position made for big hits and prospects with a nose for contact, and u003cstrongu003ePackeru003c/strongu003e is also built well for the position with a naturally low pad level and powerful legs on his 5'9, 200+ pound frame. u003cstrongu003ePackeru003c/strongu003e also proved he's a good athlete at December's u003cemu003ePRzMNu003c/emu003e Stock-Up Showcase, posting a 4.65 40, a 4.56 short-shuttle, and an 8'11u0022 broad jump. A ton of schools have taken notice, as good fullbacks aren't easy to come by, and things get better once you flip his tape on. u003cstrongu003ePackeru003c/strongu003e bounces defenders off of him like a bowling ball knocking down pins, and impressively he usually does it so cleanly that he consistently remains upright and moving forward after sending his opponent into the ground. The combination of strength, technique, and want for contact helps him run over much larger players as well, and he also possesses a vicious truck stick he gets to pull out when he gets the ball in hand. Some guys are just made for laying the wood, and u003cstrongu003ePackeru003c/strongu003e is as natural as they come. Get out of this dude's way!rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11652829/6356cb67b53f6e0bac78c3cfu0022u003ePacker Junior Tape u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["346817"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"I just wrote about u003cemu003eRogers High Schoolu003c/emu003e 6'4, 295 lber. offensive lineman u003cstrongu003eWyatt Bellu003c/strongu003e as one of the 2024 ranking update's Top Stock Risers, so I'll make sure to focus on u003cstrongu003eBellu003c/strongu003e as a thumper and try not to repeat myself. It makes sense to have linemen represented on the list of MN's hardest hitters, but to fully utilize their ability to inflict big hits, offensive linemen need to have body control, and luckily u003cstrongu003eBellu003c/strongu003e is not lacking in that department. He's a good athlete, and his testing numbers at the Stock-Up Showcase in December proved that, but to watch him bring the boom you have to turn the tape on. Able to generate a ton of force from just one step into an opponent, u003cstrongu003eBell'su003c/strongu003e got a ton of pop and uses well-timed hits in prime body locations to create big collisions, and you bet your butt he's going to come out on the winning side of those hits. He can also run you over and into the turf with seemingly little effort and can create big hits with less effort than his counterparts on this list. Nothing designs big running holes better than big hits and pancakes, so no wonder the u003cemu003eRoyalsu003c/emu003e had one of the most prolific rushing attacks in MN last year.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15180447/638f04204ba888084c0c2cacu0022u003eJunior Year u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["242416"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"6'3, 260 lb. u003cemu003eTwo Riversu003c/emu003e defensive lineman u003cstrongu003eMax Mogelsonu003c/strongu003e is one of the most exciting prospects in the state and a must-know name when talking Minnesota Gophers recruiting. A big part of the loaded 2024 defensive line class out of the state of Minnesota, especially at the top end, u003cstrongu003eMogelson'su003c/strongu003e combination of size, athleticism, body control, and hair-on-fire playstyle makes the rising senior a cannonball out of a three-point stance that manhandles and envelops opponents when he gets his pads on them. u003cstrongu003eMogelson'su003c/strongu003e ferocity in his highlights is palpable, and he brings them boom in a variety of fashions, most notably when he comes through a gap untouched and inhibited, and when the ball is in his hand as a truck stick of a TE. The defensive hits are the biggest, as it looks like he crunches bones with how big he is and how much speed he explodes through the ball. u003cstrongu003eMogelsonu003c/strongu003e drags QBs and RBs down into the turf with force, and you can see them attempt to resist before his quicksand-like suction bounce you off the ground like a basketball. When he stays upright and uses his shoulder he can produce bigger hits than just about anyone in the state. With FBS offers continuing to roll in I guarantee we aren't the only ones taking notice of his hard-hitting ability and energy. Last on our list, but far from the least.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13910643/633cee9423480b00e84418d8u0022u003eJunior tape u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":13,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641b3061ad13f"} /-->