Fries at the bottom of the bag

To close out my coverage of the Minnesota Spring Showcase, I put together my random observations after watching the one-on-ones and the drills from both sessions. These observations are like the fries at the bottom of that fast food bag. They don't fit in anywhere, but they are still tasty.   I focused on linebackers, defensive backs, and running backs. The hardest part of covering an event like this – with so much going on - it is impossible to see as much as you want. I know I missed plenty of great reps – looking right when I should have been looking left or vice versa. But here are my Showcase fries at the bottom of the bag.   [player_tooltip player_id='483649' first='Ryan' last='Mcintosh'] Owatonna LB 2026   McIntosh showed consistent good footwork in the pass coverage drills. He looked very natural during his pass drops.   [player_tooltip player_id='743238' first='Aiden' last='Doughty'] Lakeville South LB 2024   Another linebacker who stood out against the pass was Doughty. He showed good footwork on his pass drops, good hips, and speed down the field in coverage.   [player_tooltip player_id='743236' first='Aaron' last='Baisley'] Rocori LB 2025   I lost count of how many times I wanted to give Baisley a round of applause for his footwork. The junior looked smooth out in space, tracking pass catchers.   [player_tooltip player_id='706022' first='Jackson' last='Primus'] Rocori LB 2024   Primus was another athletic linebacker who worked well in space. Like the other linebackers on this list, the junior showed good footwork, which is always the basis for a solid coverage linebacker.   [player_tooltip player_id='326246' first='Elliott' last='Viland'] Bethlehem Academy DB 2024   Viland showed the full range of skills needed in a good defensive back in three plays. He showed solid footwork on a cutback drill. His pass drops were solid when I looked in his direction, and when in space, he demonstrated his quick feet staying with receivers.   [player_tooltip player_id='743268' first='Jaydn' last='Harris'] Cretin Derham Hall LB 2025   Harris showed himself as a complete linebacker. He looked comfortable in all the footwork drills. He had good hips on his pass drops, allowing him to close quickly when tracking running backs out of the backfield.   [player_tooltip player_id='743294' first='Stihl' last='Koberoski'] Mankato West RB 2026   Koberoski was one of the most consistent running backs of the day. He has excellent feet in small spaces. His quick separation ability got him clear on crossing routes. He ran many crisp routes, looking like a receiver, not just a running back trying to run routes.   [player_tooltip player_id='551313' first='Brayden' last='Staples'] Alexandra Area LB 2024   Staples was another linebacker who looked natural, covering receivers out of the backfield. He read a route perfectly and undercut the route. He showed great speed covering a deep route and wasn't fooled later in the day – sticking with his man defending and out and up route.   [player_tooltip player_id='105372' first='Savion' last='Hart'] St Thomas Academy RB 2024   Hart was another guy who I lost track of how many times I was impressed by his route running. His footwork, quickness out of his breaks sharp cuts made him tough to cover in the one-on-ones.   [player_tooltip player_id='436161' first='Chase' last='Brixius'] Benilde-St. Margaret's LB 2025   Brizius showed great instincts when he closed quickly on a crossing route. Later, he undercut a route and got his hands on a pass – forcing an incompletion.   [player_tooltip player_id='429419' first='Bo' last='Bokman'] Bethlehem Academy RB 2025   Bokman showed great hands when he made a tough catch on a poorly thrown ball. Later, he showed great footwork and crisp cuts with some receiver-worthy pass routes.   [player_tooltip player_id='291879' first='Evrett' last='Tait'] Eau Claire Regis LB 2025   Tait showed good hips and feet in coverage. Then, he added great reactions and route recognition undercutting a crossing route.   [player_tooltip player_id='105371' first='Monte' last='Gillman'] Dassel-Cokato RB 2024   It was not tough to see why Gillman was selected as the top running back of the day. His quickness in small spaces set him apart, but that footwork also translates into sharp cuts and separation when running routes.    [player_tooltip player_id='139178' first='Adam' last='Glynn'] Byron RB 2024   Glynn showed good feet with some nice routes. Later, he showed great hands, making a nice catch on an off-target throw.   [player_tooltip player_id='242378' first='Will' last='Steil'] Rocori DB 2024   At 6'2, Steil's size jumps up right away. I expected him to have more trouble covering smaller receivers – especially on short routes – but he stuck to his receivers. His size made him tough to get off the line of scrimmage on, and his length allowed him to make plays  – especially during the drill period of the day.   [player_tooltip player_id='551299' first='Aaron' last='Briggs'] Brooklyn Center DB 2025   Briggs was the most consistent defensive back I saw all day. His quickness coming out of breaks and his closing quickness kept him glued to most of the receivers he matched up against. He was just as effective against short routes – his quickness on display and his speed to close the gap on deep routes. He was right in the receiver's hip pocket even when he gave up a catch.

To close out my coverage of the Minnesota Spring Showcase, I put together my random observations after watching the one-on-ones and the drills from both sessions. These observations are like the fries at the bottom of that fast food bag. They don't fit in anywhere, but they are still tasty.