Fries at the bottom of the bag
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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.…
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Continue ReadingTo 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.
Ryan McIntosh Ryan McIntosh 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Owatonna | 2026 State MN Owatonna LB 2026
McIntosh showed consistent good footwork in the pass coverage drills. He looked very natural during his pass drops.
Aiden Doughty Aiden Doughty 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Lakeville South | 2024 MN 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.
Aaron Baisley Aaron Baisley 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Rocori | 2025 State MN 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.
Jackson Primus Jackson Primus 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Rocori | 2024 State MN 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.
Elliott Viland Elliott Viland 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Bethlehem Academy | 2024 State MN 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.
Jaydn Harris Jaydn Harris 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Cretin Derham Hall | 2025 State MN 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.
Stihl Koberoski Stihl Koberoski 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Mankato West | 2026 MN 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.
Brayden Staples Brayden Staples 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB Alexandria | 2024 State MN 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.
Savion Hart Savion Hart 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Saint Thomas Academy | 2024 State MN 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.
Chase Brixius Chase Brixius 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2025 State MN 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.
Bo Bokman Bo Bokman 5'7" | 175 lbs | ATH Lakeville South | 2025 State MN 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.
Evrett Tait Evrett Tait 6'0" | 200 lbs | DB Regis | 2025 State WI 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.
Monte Gillman Monte Gillman 5'6" | 165 lbs | RB Dassel-Cokato | 2024 State MN 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.
Adam Glynn Adam Glynn 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Byron | 2024 State MN 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.
Will Steil Will Steil 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Rocori | 2024 State MN 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.
Aaron Briggs Aaron Briggs 5'8" | 160 lbs | DB Champlin Park | 2025 State MN 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.