Gridiron standouts – Southeast Minnesota Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keeping my journey around the state going, I find myself in the southeastern part of the state. The Rochester Post Bulletin's all-area team is littered with underclassmen. Because of the sheer number of returning athletes in the area, this is part one of two, highlighting some of the top returning talent in the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["105365"],"_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":"Holcomb's combination of speed, size, and strength make him one of the top returning receivers in the state. Already a four-year starter, as a junior, he caught 82 passes – one of the top totals of the 2022 season. He can run past defensive backs but is not just a speed guy. He will break arm tackles if defenders don't get him squared up. The junior can make people miss, but he is most effective as a one-cut-and-go guy. That trait makes him a dangerous return man too. His body control and length make him a dangerous red-zone threat.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["30940"],"_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":"Just a sophomore, Post might be the top returning placekicker/punter in the state. He was 54-55 on extra points and 4-7 for on field goals. Also a good kickoff guy – he put seven kickoffs into the endzone. As a punter, he routinely approached forty yards with solid hang time. Onside kicks have a lot of luck tied to them, but with three successful onside kicks, Post might know something other kickers don't.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["242476"],"_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":"Pries looks like the proto-typical middle linebacker. His anticipation and quickness to the hole are apparent and highlight how good of a between-the-tackles linebacker he is. Because of that combination, he is often in the backfield before the offensive lineman can engage. His quickness to the hole also translates to his work outside the tackles and in pass drops. His tackling form is evident after just a few seconds of watching his highlights. The junior collected 185 tackles in 2022.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["234909"],"_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":"Lea is a long, athletic linebacker. Only a sophomore, he has two years to put on some good weight to make him especially dangerous. He has a knack for popping the ball out of runners' arms. He shows excellent anticipation from the linebacker position, often getting into the backfield before a lineman can fully engage him. Although he often comes clean through the line, he is disciplined enough to break down and make solid, form tackles. On offense, he plays in the backfield and is a duel threat – running and being a threat in the passing game.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["362316"],"_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":"Second on the team with 81 tackles, he is listed as a linebacker but lines up as a defensive back at least as often. Sheehan is at his best when coming downhill, attacking the line of scrimmage. Especially when he is at safety, his speed allows him to close quickly and still get to the line of scrimmage to make a play in the running game. That speed allows him to track plays down on the opposite side of the field. Although he aggressively attacks the line of scrimmage, his athletic ability allows him to come out of a dead sprint, change direction and still get into the play. Those qualities make him solid in the passing game.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["348740"],"_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":"Nearly 300 pounds and only a sophomore, Krueger comes off the line of scrimmage with a low pad level. He has excellent knee bend allowing him to come out of his stance with low hips. He does a good job flipping his hips to keep between the defender and the ball. Those low hips allow him to hold up well in pass protection and in space. As a guard, he has good quickness – allowing him to get to the second level and get outside on screens and sweeps. Assuming he gets stronger as he gets older, Krueger has a chance to be a top interior lineman in the state.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64489089c7018"} /-->