35 Stud MN 2024s I Missed on the Rankings
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I hope our readers have been enjoying our recent rankings and Showcase coverage from our dedicated group of scouts here at PRzMN. As always, it’s a fun time to be subscribed to the site, and we have even more quality…
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Continue ReadingI hope our readers have been enjoying our recent rankings and Showcase coverage from our dedicated group of scouts here at PRzMN. As always, it’s a fun time to be subscribed to the site, and we have even more quality coverage and exciting articles queued up and ready to go for the rest of the offseason and leading up to the best time of the year: Friday Night Lights. If you missed my feature yesterday highlighting 18 Minnesota 2025s I dropped the ball on and missed ranking in the latest update, make sure you check it out! As I mentioned in the introduction of that feature and will reiterate now, it is not a fun feeling when you realize you miss a good player on a newly updated ranking class, and I work my butt off trying to make sure that doesn’t happen year to year, class after class. However, with thousands of Minnesotans playing high school football every fall, a mistake will inevitably be made, and I’m not too prideful to admit when I’m wrong, hence the 2025 and now 2024 feature highlighting some of the studs I missed on the latest ranking updates. Additionally, the rankings are going to become more fluid, so after this is posted I’ll be working back and adding the names in a smaller micro-update that I’ll make sure to keep our subscribers informed about both on Twitter and the PRzMN site. With the ever-important junior offseason still well underway for the class of 2024, now is as good of a time as any to spotlight some rising seniors who are more than deserving of the attention and have some serious juice as potential prospects on the recruiting trail. Let’s get to know the 35 Stud MN 2024s I Missed on the Rankings below, they won’t be unranked for long!
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Will Brands (Totino-Grace) FS/QB. 6’3, 200 lbs. @brands_will
TG is in a great spot to improve on their 1-8 record in 2022 and have a rising senior class filled with size, experience, and talent, not to mention a promising 2025 class backing them up. Rising senior Will Brands is a great example of their 2024 class, as the 6’3, 200 lber. has great size for the safety position and was athletic enough to step in at QB for the Eagles last fall and help their offense as a passer and runner. He’s a strong kid who does a good job of coming downhill and shutting down ball carriers in 1-on-1 tackling situations. He uses a good J-path to take solid angles to the football, and also can read and sneakily step into passing lanes to make plays on the football. FCS, DIIs, and DIIIs have been all over him this spring and he also holds a 3.99 GPA. Brands will captain the Eagles football squad in 2023 as well.
Brendan Gerber (St. Thomas Academy) OT/TE/DE. 6’4, 250. @BrendanGerber11
St. Thomas Academy returns a ton of talent going into the fall, including the entirety of their offensive line, and I somehow missed a well-built member of the 2024 class in 6’4, 250 lb. tackle Brendan Gerber. The rising senior has been busy in April, visiting Lehigh, Dayton, and Drake, and Gerber also checked out Winona State in February for a solid junior day visit szn that is still ongoing. With a great frame that holds his 250 lightly and shows off a ton more room to grow, Gerber is also light on his feet and mobile with some solid change of direction skills for a lineman of his size. He flies out of his stance and gets upfield and to the second level of the defense in a blink of an eye, and is also an effective down blocker who does a good job of running his feet once he’s engaged. Can also gain a ton of depth in pass set when needed and does a good job of handling and handing off stunts and twists from opposing DL. Gerber’s got a lot going for him, especially in the mobility and athletic departments, and with that exciting frame that could blow up in a collegiate S&C program, I’d say his best days of football are still in front of him! Gerber is still waiting on that first offer so get at him!
Carson Jewett (Hill-Murray) DL. 6’2, 250 lbs. @CarsonJewett_
Hill-Murray has quietly been putting out a heckuva run of big, strong, and talented linemen that are playing college ball from P5 to DIII. Continuing the run in 2023-24 is All-District lineman Carson Jewett, who mans both the OL and DL for the Pioneers and is fresh off his first college football visit to the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. His tape looks good on both sides of the ball too, as Jewett is a strong kid at the point of attack with noticeably effective hand usage that can easily shock and shed an opponent as soon as he gets even a little off-balance. Jewett also has a good base and leg drive as an offensive lineman, but I really enjoy the defensive highlights, where Jewett can easily work through double teams as a NG thanks to the aforementioned strength and hand usage, as well as tackle in space and use quickness to beat slower blockers as well. With Hill-Murray’s historical tradition of standouts heading to SJU and UST, I’ll be keeping an eye on the Johnnies and Tommies as he moves further into his recruitment.
Leo Nordick Leo Nordick 6'5" | 205 lbs | ATH Hillcrest Lutheran Academy | 2024 State MN (Hillcrest Lutheran) TE/LB/DE. 6’5, 205 lbs. @leo_nordick
Hillcrest Lutheran – located in Fergus Falls – and Bethlehem Academy – located in Faribault – are two smaller, Christian, private schools on separate sides of the state that have some surprising ballers on their rosters that should not be overlooked. The Comets have an exciting WR/TE & LB/DE hybrid in 6’5, 205 lber. Leo Nordick Leo Nordick 6'5" | 205 lbs | ATH Hillcrest Lutheran Academy | 2024 State MN , who reports a 10’3″ broad jump and a 4.8 pro-agility and will captain Hillcrest Lutheran this upcoming fall. The big, lean, two-way contributor has visited Augustana, Valley City State, and North Dakota this offseason, and the future 4-year starter is coming off a junior campaign that saw him post 58 tackles, 2 sacks, and an INT as well as 21 receptions for 388 yards and 4 TDs. This dude is dynamic, as he can burn DBs deep, snag the rock in traffic and turn simple slants into big TD runs after the catch, rush the passer, and even line up as the deep safety and break up passes in 1-on-1 settings. Nordick has great length, shows toughness and concentration when reeling in passes through potential contact, and is a strong blocker as well as tackler. The versatility is exciting for potential suitors and he’s going to be a beast as a senior.
Bryce Gapinski Bryce Gapinski 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Foley | 2024 State MN (Foley) WR. 5’11, 175. 3.67 GPA. @Bryce_Gapinski
The accomplished big-play WR out of Foley earned District WR Co-MVP honors after his strong junior campaign that saw him tally 42 catches for 790 yards and 8 TDs with two rushes for 82 yards and another TD. Also a good baseball player, Gapinski has visited SMSU and SDSU this offseason and has heard from a variety of FCS and DIIs along the way as well. The 5’11, 175 lber. opens his tape with a fantastic one-handed catch for a TD that saw him leap up in the air and snag the rock beautifully with his backside hand, and shows the skill off again a few plays later on a one-handed INT. Soft hands, speedy both as a route runner and after the catch, and shows ball skills and ball tracking ability as well. Gapinski is a quality athlete at the position and a big play waiting to happen. He’ll be double-teamed all of 2023!
Karson LaCanne Karson LaCanne 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR Windom | 2024 MN (Windom) WR/DB. 6′, 165 lbs. @karson_lacanne
Coming out of the SW corner of the state, 6′, 165 lb. WR and DB Karson LaCanne Karson LaCanne 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR Windom | 2024 MN is a recent standout at the PRzMN Prospect Tour Showcase but hasn’t reported any recruiting interest or offers, leaving room for that first college suitor to come in and leave a big impression. Ball skills as both a WR and DB, soft hands, and defensively, I like how he understands how to beat blocks and tackle out on the edge of the defense and in space. LaCanne’s a productive two-way contributor out of Windom who needs to be on some college radars soon.
Fiyinfoluwa Taiwo (Park) ATH. 6’3, 185 lbs. @iamfiyintaiwo
Also a stud wrestler, Taiwo is a long and wiry part of the Park Wolfpack 2024 defensive class who visited SMSU and North Dakota in March and is on the radar of a ton of DIIIs and NSIC programs. Sadly, no film right now, but I’m excited to see that change this fall!
Chase Baumgarten (Duluth East) DE. 6’3, 210 @ChaseBaumgarten
Another Greyhound football standout to know, defensive end Chase Baumgarten is tall, lean, and carries a 4.0 GPA in addition to his 78″ wingspan, all of which helped him earn a ton of DII attention, as well as from some FCS schools. Augustana and Winona State have gotten visits from the rising senior, and Baumgarten will captain the Duluth East squad in 2023, which allows his pass-rushing skills to be put on an even bigger display as a senior. A solid first step, the quickness to beat blockers to their inside shoulder, and bend at the top of the arch made him a terror last fall, and he’s poised for a very productive senior season if he can finish some of the plays he created as a junior. I also like that he can take on contact and hold his gap through stronger opponents, and with his noticeable and standout length, it’s no wonder there are so many scholarship programs hitting him up. Big year for Baumgarten and the Greyhounds.
Zach Vanderpool Zach Vanderpool 6'5" | 230 lbs | DL Byron | 2024 State MN (Byron) OT/DE. 6’5, 215 lbs. @ZachVanderpool1
There’s a ton of height and length in the 2024 crop of DE/EDGE prospects, and the Byron Bears have a good one in 6’5, 215-pounder Zach Vanderpool Zach Vanderpool 6'5" | 230 lbs | DL Byron | 2024 State MN , a standout left tackle, defensive end, and power forward on the hardcourt, not to mention his 3.96 GPA. Vanderpool is fresh off his first college football offer a few days ago in Bemidji State’s initial wave of scholarships, and the 6’5 DE has also visited Winona State, South Dakota State, and St. Thomas so far this offseason. With absurd length and a frame that would really fire up a college S&C coordinator, Vanderpool can bend, get skinny through a gap and through contact, and lay some massive hits when he gets to the QB, and as an offensive tackle, he’s got a good motor and can break down in space and wipe out smaller defenders at the second & third level of the defense. I really like his physical edge and mentality and would love to have that, as well as the potential frame to grow into a beast, on my future college team. Great move by BSU, this guy can ball!
Luke Wolfe (Andover) OL. 6’4, 290 lbs. @Luke_Wolfe79
Yet again, Andover is stacked with prospects across the positional board, with size, experience, and aggression all over the place. Yet another quality lineman to come out of the program the past few years, 6’4, 290 lber. Luke Wolfe mans the LT spot for the Huskies and is also a good baseball player who holds a 3.3 GPA. DIIIs and DIIs have been all over the rising senior, and the Winona State Warriors were fortunate enough to get his lone visit from this current offseason, as Wolfe made the 2 1/2 hour visit SE back in February for an NSIC junior day. Wolfe is strong, heavy-handed, and laid some big hits in the open field on WR screens and other plays that allow him to work out in space and dominate smaller opponents. The LT shows off a wide base, good leg drive once he gets engaged with a defender, and loves being the big man that opens up a game-changing hole for his offense. I’m looking forward to seeing Andover once again compete for a 5A state title in 2023.
Jacob Hangsleben (Monticello) OT/DT. 6’4, 255 lbs. @JacobSleben
A three-sport standout for Monticello, well-built 2024 offensive lineman Jacob Hangsleben is also a solid Center on the basketball court and defensive presence for their lacrosse team, and as a football recruit he’s earned recruiting love from Jamestown, Concordia-Moorhead, and MSU-Moorhead this offseason. One of a few outright exciting Monti prospects, the OT displays a good base, active hands, and the strength to wash massive defensive linemen out of the play and far away from their gap. Hangsleben also is efficient at working to the second level and can move laterally to cut off defenders as well. If he’s been working on adding strength and muscle this offseason he’ll be a nightmare to deal with for opponents this fall. Keep your eyes out for the Magic this upcoming season!
Mathias Sengsouvanna (Woodbury) DL. 6’1, 295 lbs. @MathiasSengsou
I have a couple of Woodbury standouts to retroactively add to the 2024 rankings, and I’m excited to see the Royals once again in possession of a massive and talented defensive lineman in 6’1, 295 lber. Mathias Sengsouvanna. Fresh off his first college offer from MSU-Mankato, Sengsouvanna gave Metro interior DL fits last fall, and moves in frightening fashion for a kid of his size, flying off the ball and into the backfield like it’s a track meet. The burst out of his stance and closing speed are impressive and then some, and he also wins a ton of his reps at his first step, where he can get OL on their heels to make it easier for him to bull rush and run them into the backfield with power. Sengsouvanna does a good job of keeping his feet active, making tackles through contact, and can also run down ball carriers at the edge of the LOS. Love to see a DT move like this, Sengsouvanna is going to be highly ranked when I work back and add him after this. Well deserved.
Jack Hansen (Eagan) DE. 6’4, 245 lbs. @JackHansen83
No idea how I missed Eagan’s 6’4, 245 lb. DE the first time around, and he’s making me pay for it, as Jack Hansen is a beast in the trenches and has seen his hard work and production pay off this offseason with a major first offer from NSIC heavyweight MSU-Mankato. North Dakota and Northern Iowa have also gotten visits from the rising senior this spring. A three-phase contributor who made plays as a DE, TE, and kicker, Hansen is a hammer at the point of attack and a good tackler in space who can make plays in the backfield when given the opportunity. I like how he gets skinny and works through contact when beating blockers to their inside shoulder, and he’s also a physical blocker who opened some big holes for his RBs last fall. Also opens his tape with a nice contested catch for a TD, and made a game-winning FG for the Wildcats as their kicker. Next fall is going to be even better!
Hunter Gruba (Forest Lake) DE. 6′, 225 lbs. 3.7 GPA. @HunterGruba
Yet another Forest Lake prospect to know, Gruba measures in at 6′, 225 lbs. and is another strong member of the Rangers wrestling team to boot. A strong kid who reports a 265 lb. bench and 405 lb. squat, Gruba has a good get-off, especially out of a two-point stance, and is athletic enough to bounce out to the flats and cover WRs and TEs in 1-on-1 coverage. Also a solid tackler who can pursue out to the edge of his defense. Big year coming up for the DE.
Anthony McCall Anthony McCall 6'1" | 235 lbs | OL Shakopee | 2024 State MN (Shakopee) OL/DL. 6’2, 245 lbs. @Anthony_1871
Another lineman to know out of the 2024 class, Shako’s Anthony McCall Anthony McCall 6'1" | 235 lbs | OL Shakopee | 2024 State MN stepped into a starting role in 2022 and stepped into things well, resulting in recruiting graphics and attention from the likes of MSU-Moorhead, Augsburg, Concordia-Moorhead, Dakota State, Carroll University, UW-Eau Claire, Carthage, SMSU, Minot State, and Bemidji State. The RT is a strong kid and a good finisher who uses his low pad level and powerful leg drive to work opponents backwards and into the turf. He also fires up to the second level like he’s shot out of a cannon, can quickly work laterally to cut up and seal opponents, and it looks like he’s tough to disengage from when he gets hands on you. McCall’s game works perfectly for the Sabers offense and he’s poised for a big senior year with Shako.
Mitchell Wind Mitchell Wind 6'7" | 260 lbs | OL Brainerd | 2024 State MN (Brainerd) DE/OT. 6’7, 250 lbs. @MitchellWind56
One of the tallest and biggest preps in the MN high school football scene going into the fall, Brainerd’s Mitchell Wind Mitchell Wind 6'7" | 260 lbs | OL Brainerd | 2024 State MN measures in at a cool 6’7, 250+ and has caught the attention of some high-profile college coaches/recruiters, namely Wyoming’s DPP Kirby O’Meara, the Gopher’s Director of Recruiting John Schaekel, NDSU’s AHC and QB coach Randy Hedberg, and a plethora of fellow scholarship coaches at the FCS, DII, DIII, and NAIA levels. Despite not having a consolidated junior tape, it’s easy to see from the game film that Wind has great length, which he uses effectively to reach into passing lanes from his DE spot, as well as keep opponents far out of the QBs reach as a blocking TE offensively. Wind also runs well for his size and age, showing the ability to run plays down from the backside, and he’s got a INT return where he burns some pursuit angles and makes a guy miss en-route to a TD against Stillwater. He also plays the hands of opponents well on either side of the ball, and it’s obvious that the athletic traits and movement skills are rare and potentially dominant in the Brainerd 2024. He’s got some authoritative reps as a junior and could be the biggest darkhorse of a recruit in the 2024 class if he’s sharpened his game and added strength this offseason. Keep your eyes and ears out for this dude going forward!
Grant Lower (Owatonna) OL/DL. 6’4, 255 lbs. @GrantLower06
Southern MN powerhouse Owatonna has some serious size and experience returning this fall, notably led by 6’4, 255 lb. OT and NG Grant Lower. Also the heavyweight wrestler on the Huskies distinguished wrestling squad, as well as a thrower on the track & field team, Lower was a beast on both sides of the ball for OHS and shows off the strength to easily and impressively eat up single and double-team attempts, run down loose ball carriers, and greatly impact the run game from his NG/DT spot. Offensively, he dominates 1-on-1 blocks, and can easily wash defenders out of the play in the run and stonewall rushers in pass pro. Lower is a strong kid whose wrestling background and multi-sport prowess shows up in his football game. No reported recruiting interest or offers yet!
Luke Grigson Luke Grigson 6'5" | 215 lbs | ATH Hill-Murray | 2024 State MN (Hill-Murray) TE/OLB. 6’4, 215 lbs. @LukeGrigson
Another Hill-Murray rising senior, three-phase contributor Luke Grigson Luke Grigson 6'5" | 215 lbs | ATH Hill-Murray | 2024 State MN brings good size to the table at 6’4, 215 pounds and still growing, and he’s taken some high-profile offseason visits to the likes of North Dakota State and Minnesota. With big hands and a long wingspan, Grigson is an effective TE, OLB/EDGE, and long snapper, and shows off good strength, hand placement, and fight as a blocker in particular. He’s comfortable and proficient as a zone blocker, has the strength to handle bigger DEs 1-on-1, and is a huge asset on the edge of the LOS for the Pioneer’s run game. With so much room to grow into his body and continue adding strength/mass, you have to be excited about his developing skillset as a run blocker at the next level, a skill that is always in hot demand. Get at him now, before it’s too late!
Trenton Radloff Trenton Radloff 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Wayzata | 2024 State MN (Buffalo) LB. 6′, 215 lbs. @RadloffTrenton
I need to check if there’s some kind of glitch with Radloff at the backend of the site, because I swear I added this kid last year to the rankings, and he’s more than deserving of a spot on the big board after the work he’s put in the last two seasons. A physically big part of a loaded crop of ’24 Buffalo linebackers, 6′, 215 lb. Trenton Radloff Trenton Radloff 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Wayzata | 2024 State MN posted 96 tackles, 10 TFLs, 2 PBUs, a sack, a FF, and an INT in 2022, and in his busy junior year offseason has visited Harvard, Southern Methodist, Drake, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Georgetown, all for unofficals. As a junior, he showed off a strong affinity for shutting down RBs 1-on-1 in the hole, the ability to read his keys and beat blocking attempts to get into the backfield quickly, and lay the wood at the point of attack. Production, experience, and size, Radloff is another great piece to the loaded 2024 class of LBs.
Corey Picha (Simley) DL/OL. 6’3, 280 lbs. 3.3 GPA. @corey_picha
A meaty part of Simley’s 2022 state championship run, 6’3, 280 lber. Corey Picha is a three-sport athlete for the Spartans and took a visit to Valley City State in late March, which prompted Gustavus Adolphus and Western Illinois to send out junior day invites themselves. A nose guard and left tackle, Picha is a massive interior lineman and knows how to use, as he’s easily able to shuck opponents off him and bounce off smaller blocking attempts. Heavy hands, can stuff the middle of the LOS and make tackles through contact, and is a force in the run game who can withstand single and double teams alike. Picha is pumped to try and make his mark on another state title run this fall!
Cullen Gregory (Willmar) QB/LB/DE. 6’2, 225 lbs. 3.96 GPA. @CullenGregory05
Willmar is poised for a powerful and physical offensive attack in 2023, and the defense is looking intimidating as well, especially as both will be led by 6’2, 225 lber. Cullen Gregory. Also a standout hockey and baseball player for the Cardinals, Gregory has received football recruiting graphics from Sioux Falls and Augustana and is also a member of Willmar’s National Honor Society for his hard work in the classroom as well. A smart, read-option QB with a quick release and good velocity & touch on his passes, Gregory is also a physical, North-South ball carrier with a mean truckstick and quick feet who keep defenders on their heels when he takes off and runs. Great size, clean mechanics, and is effective with his arm and legs, it’s going to be a big year for the Cardinals offense and I am excited to check it out in person this fall.
Nolan Geislinger Nolan Geislinger 6'0" | 160 lbs | ATH Eden Valley-Watkins | 2024 State MN (Eden Valley-Watkins) QB. 6′, 150 lbs. @GeislingerNolan
The Eagles‘ electric QB and offensive weapon Nolan Geislinger Nolan Geislinger 6'0" | 160 lbs | ATH Eden Valley-Watkins | 2024 State MN posted 2,015 passing yards and 29 TDs along with 889 rushing yards and an additional 14 TDs on the ground for Eden Valley-Watkins in their accomplished 2022 season that saw them make it to U.S. Bank Stadium and the Class AA semifinals. There, they met the buzzsaw that was Sam Backer Sam Backer 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Chatfield | 2023 State MN and the Chatfield Gophers, but with the amount of talent and experience the Eagles have returned in 2023 I wouldn’t hesitate to put some money on them returning deep into the state playoff tourney, led of course, by Geislinger. With a big arm and quick decision-making as a passer, Geislinger also has a TON of juice as a runner, where he can get to top speed quickly, sees the field well while running the option effectively, and show off his powerful lower body that can run through tackle attempts and carry a dogpile for extra yardage. I love watching him tote the rock, and he’s a tough kid with a dynamic offensive skillset that has only gotten better after the Eagles 2022 run of success. 2023 is a big year for Geislinger and the rest of the EV-W squad. They have hardware on their minds, no doubt.
Anthony Fink (Eden Valley-Watkins) DL/OL. @fink14_fink
Another Eden Valley-Watkins 2024 returning to the gridiron with motivation and hunger for the bright lights of U.S. Bank Stadium, Anthony Fink made some big plays from his DL spot, including an almost 100-yard INT return for a TD and a ton of tackles and sacks behind the LOS. On either side of the ball, Fink fires off the ball well and gets off the line quickly, and he’s also a hammer at the point of attack who uses his hands well to disengage from blocking attempts. I like how he keeps his feet active when breaking down and tackling in space, and for a bigger guy, Fink has good pursuit seed and can chase down ball carriers at the edge of the defense and further downfield. Fink was very productive in 2022 and is poised for even more TFLs, sacks, and INTs this fall. Keep your eyes out for the Eagles in the upcoming Class AA championship race.
Ben Peterson Ben Peterson 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Andover | 2024 State MN (Andover) OLB. 6’2, 210 lbs. 3.86 GPA. @Ben_Peterson10
Andover has produced some impressive prep LBs as of late and look set for their 2024 crop of ‘backers with 6’2, 210 lber. Ben Peterson Ben Peterson 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Andover | 2024 State MN . NAIAs, DIIs, and DIIIs have been all over Peterson leading up to the always-eventful senior season, and the 2023 captain has also been putting in work in the weight room this offseason, throwing up a 275 lb. bench press and a 375 lb. squat going into the summer. The OLB is comfortable tackling in space and 1-on-1 situations and pulled off some beautiful tackles on kickoff coverage, and he also does a good job of attacking blocks with his hands. He goes all in when coming into contact, and given the fact that Peterson did split some time on JV & varsity last fall, 2023 is his for the taking as a full-time Huskies varsity ‘backer.
Sam Shepersky (Cannon Falls) LB. 5’11, 210 lbs. @SamShepersky
Compact and powerful Cannon Falls linebacker Sam Shepersky had a strong junior campaign on the gridiron and has continued the momentum into the offseason, where he’s recorded a 300 lb. bench press and 475 lb. squat that has resulted in recruiting interest from Minot State, Southwest MN State, Augustana, Upper Iowa, and MSU-Mankato. The Mustangs and Vikings were fortunate enough to get visits from Shepersky, and they’d be pumped to grab his commitment, as Shepersky is a hammer from the LB position, where he shoots gaps and closes with noticeable speed, can step into passing lanes to pick off opposing QBs, and bring a ton of force as a tackler and when defeating blocks. Shepersky sees the field well and can beat blockers to the ball with quick reactions and reads, and I also like his sideline-to-sideline pursuit speed. This dude was in the offense’s backfield so much and got there so easily in his junior highlights that you’d think he had a key to their apartment! The Bombers are looking to improve upon their 10-2 record last fall and are a team to watch in the Class AA state title race.
Landon Weinmann Landon Weinmann OL Cambridge-Isanti | 2024 MN (Cambridge-Isanti) DL/LB. 6’5, 270 lbs. @Big_Country67
“Big Country” has had a big offseason, posting a 500 lb. squat and visiting Marshall for his first college visit, where he checked out Southwest Minnesota State and what the Mustangs have to offer. Despite his limited film from 2022, it’s still obvious that Weinmann is strong, can dominate 1-on-1 blocks, and is a crushing finisher who excels in the physicality department. Big year coming up for “Big Country.”
Kadyn Weber Kadyn Weber 6'4" | 170 lbs | WR Alexandria | 2024 State MN (Alexandria) WR. 6’4, 155 lbs. @kadyn_weber
Alexandria High School has a ton of height and length on their 2023 football roster, and current watchlist member Kadyn Weber Kadyn Weber 6'4" | 170 lbs | WR Alexandria | 2024 State MN is a good one, so good in fact, that he should have seen that WL status bump up into the rankings big board. The 6’4 WR has been busy this offseason and has checked out the likes of SMSU, Bemidji State, Drake, Augustana, and Winona State since the end of February. Weber can take the top off the defense but also shows a good ability to breakdown in space and holes in zone defenses for his QB, and I like some of the catches he pulled off last year as a junior that required concentration, ball skills, and toughness through contact. The Cardinals passing attack is going to be dangerous this fall!
Harrison Brun Harrison Brun 6'1" | 210 lbs | DB Rockford | 2024 State MN (Rockford) SS/OLB. 6’1, 200 lbs. 3.6 GPA. @BrunHarrison
Strong and explosive, Rockford’s 6’1, 200 lb. SS/OLB hybrid Harrison Brun Harrison Brun 6'1" | 210 lbs | DB Rockford | 2024 State MN can bench 315 pounds, clean 295, and pop off a 10′ broad that has helped him score unofficial visits to North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota State this spring. Ultra productive in 2022, Brun posted 60 tackles, 6 PBUs, 5 INTs, and 2 pick-sixes in an excellent junior campaign on the gridiron. He did a great job of reading the QBs eyes and WR route combinations, and was a natural at undercutting and playing the ball in the air for some beautiful INTs last fall. He does a good job of gaining depth in his backpedal and covering ground out of his breaks when he sticks his cleat in the turf, and possesses some loose hips that helps him change direction and easily cover ground in the MOF. Brun also laid some massive hits in run support and is rangy in pursuit and in pass defense. He plays fast and aggressively, and will be a welcome addition to the Top-50/60 once I retroactively add him. This dude is a stud!
Mason Delzer Mason Delzer 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB New London-Spicer | 2024 State MN (New London-Spicer) RB. 6’1, 185 lbs. @masondelzer7
The Wildcats – whose magical finish to the 2022 state tournament and season is still fresh in my memory – are returning some major pieces to that state title run, and 6’1, 185 lb. RB Mason Delzer Mason Delzer 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB New London-Spicer | 2024 State MN is one of the best of the bunch. The team’s leading rusher in that remarkable 2022 season, Delzer posted 295 carries for 1,902 yards and 26 total TDs, using great vision, balance through contact, effective cuts in 1-on-1 situations, and burst through the first two levels of the defense to pop off exciting runs and make defenders miss. His long legs are a useful asset to step and slip through tackle attempts, and he makes things even deadlier with a useful stiff-arm that can create even more space between him and the tackler. Delzer also has a couple reps showing off some decent speed, including a great one on a kick return, and is tool bag for making people miss is deeper than most of his counterparts at the RB position across the state. Delzer is going to make for a great addition to an already electric 2024 crop of RBs in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Elijah Hagen Elijah Hagen 6'6" | 230 lbs | DL Jordan | 2024 State MN (Jordan) DE/TE. 6’6, 225 lbs. @ehagen88
Just from looking at Jordan High School’s Elijah Hagen Elijah Hagen 6'6" | 230 lbs | DL Jordan | 2024 State MN ‘s bio on Twitter, I can’t help but get excited. Great size at 6’6, 225 lbs., three-sport athlete who triples as a power forward and center on the basketball squad, as well as a thrower on the track squad, and despite his youth and length, Hagen posts some great weight room numbers including a 315 lb. bench and 465 lb. squat. He also has a 3.75 GPA! Talk about some good things going for you. Augustana, North Dakota, and Bemidji State have all gotten junior day visits the past month, and Hagen is already having a strong showing this track season as he set the new Jordan school record in the discus with a throw of 157 feet and 9 inches. He followed that up with a 42′ shot put as well. In his 2022 junior football highlights, Hagen’s length allows him to effectively get his arms up into passing lanes, as well as disallow opponents to square him up and get a clean block on his huge frame and easily work off blocks once he extends his arms and/or gets skinny through the hole. I also like watching him run, as he can chase down loose ball carriers on the edge of the defense once he gets those long strides going. The athleticism and strength that is hinted at in his bio show up on tape, and with some more hard work and development and Hagen has the chance to be one of the toughest blocking assignments in the state.
Kyan Rauk Kyan Rauk 6'7" | 270 lbs | OL Northfield | 2024 State MN (Northfield) OT/DT. 6’7, 270 lbs. @kyan_rauk
Northfield has some excellent size on their 2023-24 roster, and heading the pack of big boys is the eye-poppingly built Kyan Rauk Kyan Rauk 6'7" | 270 lbs | OL Northfield | 2024 State MN , who tips the scales at a whopping 6’7, 270 pounds. One of the largest preps in the state going into the fall, Rauk is also a three-sport athlete for the Raiders who excels on the hardcourt and baseball diamond and has also been putting in good work in the weight room, recently placing #1 on the Northfield football team in the “truck stick” categorization, which is a mass x velocity measurement all of the returning Raiders were put through. With great length and a frame that makes his 270 lbs. look lean, Rauk is strong at the point of attack and is hard for opponents to disengage from once he’s got his hands inside and can extend those long arms. He’s also mobile and can pull, work laterally to cut off, seal, and even reach opposing DL, and is comfortable in space, as he’s able to lead block and work to the second level to take out quicker defenders. Rauk is still under the radar somewhat but is easily a scholarship OT with FCS and possibly even FBS upside. 2023 is going to be a big one for the Raiders Tall Boy.
Tyler Hanson (Champlin Park) LB/TE. 6’4, 220 @TylerHanson267
Champlin Park is well represented on the 2024 PRzMN big board, and they have another rising senior to watch in 6’4, 220 lber. Tyler Hanson. With his noticeable standout size, Hanson split time between varsity and JV in 2022 and is positioned for a breakout season this fall with the Rebels defense. A strong tackler with blitzing capability as an OLB, Hanson also has some impressive reps as the JV quarterback for Champlin Park where he broke a ton of tackles both inside and outside the pocket, as well as rocket the ball downfield with a big arm. I’m very excited to see him in a full-time varsity role and hope Hanson has been working hard this offseason to capitalize on the opportunity. Go Rebels!
Reid Olson Reid Olson 6'3" | 185 lbs | ATH Forest Lake | 2024 State MN (Forest Lake) WR/CB. 6’3, 185 lbs. @ReidOlson_
My gosh, I continue to become more and more infatuated with the Forest Lake 2023-24 roster as we claw nearer to the fall. The Rangers, who, along with St. Paul Harding/Humboldt, were my two favorite teams to follow this past season, and although I took a deep dive into their roster for the recent 2024 rankings update, I am disappointed that I missed 6’3, 185 lber. Reid Olson Reid Olson 6'3" | 185 lbs | ATH Forest Lake | 2024 State MN once things went live. A two-way contributor with good size and a great frame, Olson is a 2x All-Conference pick on the gridiron, 2x state track participant, and a three-sport captain who will lead the football, basketball, and track teams as a senior. He also holds a 3.53 GPA and carries a balanced and exciting resume as a student-athlete going into the summer. North Dakota is his lone visit from the offseason, but the likes of Sioux Falls, UNI, UMD, MSU-Mankato, Augustana, Winona State, Bemidji State, and Southwest Minnesota State have reached out with junior day invites, setting the tone for what will eventually be a hot and popular recruitment of Mr. Olson. He’s got great reps on either side of the ball, with big-play speed and an understanding of route combinations and how to create separate against DBs, but I am more infatuated with his CB highlights, where he sports excellent size for the position and the movement skills to back it up. Olson can start/stop and change directions well in coverage, is a competent presser at the LOS, and has ball skills when the breaking up and/or intercepting passes in 1-on-1 coverage. He’s also a physical supporter of the run game and has the speed to pursue and run down loose ball carriers from the backside CB spot. Big-time miss by yours truly on the rankings update, Olson has the chance to be a Top-50 addition once I add these names after this article goes live. Forest Lake is stacked!
Charles Renner (Hutchinson) TE/WR/DB. 6’3, 200 lbs. @charlesrenner14
I can’t help but be a big fan of Hutchinson skill players with size similar to Charles Renner, and the Tigers put them out in droves, leaving me to fanboy each and every year over the Hutch roster. Fresh off his first college visit, which saw him visit Fargo and NDSU for their junior day, Renner is going to be a big piece to Hutch’s upcoming 2023 campaign whose roster is hungry and motivated to avenge their state championship loss back in December. A long, lean pass catcher with soft hands and a knack for getting open, Renner created some splash plays in the pass game at key times for the Tigers and is a good route runner with juice after the catch and solid speed. He can also line up at multiple WR spots or as a traditional in-line TE and track the ball well in the air, with the ability to reel in catches through contact. The recent line of Hutchinson tight ends has been more than fruitful for college suitors, and Renner will happily and effectively carry on the tradition in 2023-24.
Jaden Harris (St. Cloud Tech) CB/WR. 6’3, 160 lbs. @hjaden517
Another standout 2024 on this list with exciting size, St. Cloud Tech’s Jaden Harris is also a good basketball player for the Tigers, and despite his limited football film from 2022, the size, length, and athleticism he brings to the CB and WR spots is tough to replicate. He’s got soft hands and can make things happen after the catch when on offense. I’m looking forward to getting more film from Harris this upcoming season.