10 Minnesotans Seeing their Recruiting Stock Soar

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things change quickly in high school football recruiting, and although we have an established crop of talented and exciting P5/FBS/MVFC 2024s in the state, recruiting is far from finished at this point and we're still seeing rising seniors and juniors from the Great State of Minnesota see their recruitments take off in big-time ways. Since our last <em>PRzMN </em>recruiting-focused feature, 10 Land of 10,000 Lakes standouts have seen their recruiting stock soar to new heights, or in some cases take off from the runway, and we couldn't be more excited about the athlete's new recruitment love and attention. Way to represent the state, fellas. Let's dig in! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["438724"],"_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":"One of the best and most versatile players in Outstate Minnesota, u003cemu003eKerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg'su003c/emu003e u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='438724' first='Hunter' last='Kallstrom']u003c/strongu003e has been on the D1 radar for a while and is finally seeing the attention turn to scholarship dollars in the all-important junior year offseason. After hours of hard work, uncountable calories consumed, and a visit out to Laramie, Wyoming, the 6'4, 220 lber. received his first college football offer from the Wyoming Cowboys. Wyoming recruits the state of MN very well and is particularly invested in the 2024s, so the FBS Mountain West Conference offer is an excellent start to u003cstrongu003eKallstrom'su003c/strongu003e recruitment and well-deserved for the dynamic TE and DE. To reinforce his athleticism, u003cstrongu003eKallstromu003c/strongu003e just recently posted some eye-popping track u0026amp; field numbers at the recent Montevideo outdoor track meet to the tune of a 10.76 100, 23.19 200, 18'5u0022 long jump, and 46'9u0022 shot put, which should get more potential college suitors excited. At our recent PRzMN Prospect Tour this spring, he had a good showing, recording a near sub 4.7 40, a 4.5 short-shuttle, and a 9'7u0022 broad jump. The speed also shows up on tape, and u003cstrongu003eKallstromu003c/strongu003e is dynamic, always around the football, and a playmaker who can be counted on when his team needs a big play, offensively or defensively. It's no surprise his stock is starting to soar!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["368532"],"_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":"I've written about u003cemu003eMankato West'su003c/emu003e fantastic rising senior WR u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='368532' first='Jalen' last='Smith']u003c/strongu003e a couple of times recently, so I'll keep this one shorter to not repeat myself. However, that's easier said than done, as u003cstrongu003eSmithu003c/strongu003e is the most recent Minnesota addition to the P5 scene and has seen his stock soar like a 747 this offseason. A large part of it is due to the noteworthy and impressive 10.87 100M time he clocked in the middle of April, which verifies the speed and playmaking ability he showed from his junior campaign that saw him finish with 49 catches for 729 yards and 8 TDs. Less than a week after he posted that standout 100M time, Kent State offered an FBS scholarship, which preceded Iowa State and North Dakota State throwing their names in the mix with official offers. Those are three great first offers, and I hope u003cstrongu003eSmithu003c/strongu003e, as well as the Mankato West program, are excited about his current standing as well as his future as a college prospect. It's not like the wideout came out of nowhere, as he had previously visited Minnesota and Iowa State for unofficial visits, and the Bison have been in contact since the 2022 season ended as well. However, recruiting interest u0026amp; graphics are far from an actual offer, and u003cstrongu003eSmithu003c/strongu003e now falls into the hard-to-earn latter category. In addition to the speed, Smith is a natural at creating separation as a route runner, both in his releases and at the top of the route, and has ball skills, shake after the catch, and an overall advanced, balanced, and refined skillset for a prep wideout going into his senior year. I'm eagerly following this recruitment and he'll continue to raise his stock going forward. I guarantee it!","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["368599"],"_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":"u003cemu003eIrondaleu003c/emu003e is stacked with talent going into the 2023 season and has a couple of athletes mentioned in this u003cemu003ePRzMNu003c/emu003e recruiting feature, albeit for different reasons. One of the newest 2024s to see their stock soar this offseason, u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='368599' first='Juriad' last='Hughes']u003c/strongu003e had a great showing at the recent UC Kansas City regional in April, where he u0022flashedu0022 in his WR reps at the event, according to 24/7Sports Midwest Analyst Allen Trieu. u003cstrongu003eHughes u003c/strongu003ehas always been a standout in track u0026amp; field as well, but he's putting together a historic spring and is one of the best high school jumpers in the entire nation. In March, he broke a 41-year-old long-standing Minnesota state record in the long jump with a 24'11u0022 national championship jump at the Nike Indoor Nationals this spring and was named the 2023 USATF Minnesota Athlete of the Year for his efforts. He's also clocked a blazing 6.8 60M dash and 10.82 100M time, and after Northern Iowa offered an FCS scholarship in February, Colorado State became his first FBS offer six days ago. As a junior WR for the u003cemu003eKnightsu003c/emu003e, he finished 2022 with 25 receptions for 429 yards and 4 TDs and is almost guaranteed to best those numbers as a senior this fall. u003cstrongu003eHughes' u003c/strongu003espeed can easily take the top off the defense and embarrass opponents after the catch, and he bursts out of his breaks impressively, shows off a solid ability to track and play the ball in the air, and is quick and shifty as a route runner and after the catch. The kid's a stud, and Colorado State is not going to be his last FBS offer. If you're a fan of trying to track and identify the next Minnesotan to earn a P5 offer, I'd keep [player_tooltip player_id='368599' first='Juriad' last='Hughes'] near the top of the list.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["242397"],"_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":"u003cemu003ePRzMNu003c/emu003e has had u003cemu003eBemidji'su003c/emu003e standout 2024 u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='242397' first='Lucas' last='Caron']u003c/strongu003e on our radars since he was a freshman, and the 6'6, 245 lber. is finally seeing his hard work and determination pay off on the recruiting trail this spring. By my count, he's become the first Division 1 u003cemu003eLumberjack u003c/emu003erecruit in more than a decade after South Dakota offered a FCS scholarship in mid-April, which followed an MSU-Mankato and Bemidji State offer and preceded another MVFC offer from the Illinois State Redbirds. It's a good start for the long, strong, and playing defensive lineman, who posted six sacks, two punt blocks, and two forced fumbles last fall as a junior. u003cstrongu003eCaron u003c/strongu003eis particularly effective with his hand usage, and has a good chop/rip and push/pull, plus his natural length, that he uses to shed blocks from opposing OGs and OTs with ease. For a bigger guy, the 6'6, 245 lber. does a good job of getting off the ball and can get skinny through a gap, and he's got the strength to back down, disengage, and shed blocks as well. I also like his closing and pursuit speed, as well as the capability to tackle in 1-on-1 settings in the backfield when given the opportunity. u003cstrongu003eCaronu003c/strongu003e plays with a high energy playstyle that would be fun to man a defense with and is a good athlete at his size who no doubt belongs at the Division 1 level. More offers should be coming!","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Tyler Smith ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Chanhassen ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cemu003eChanhassenu003c/emu003e has a loaded 2024 class and is seeing a later stock riser soar in the recruiting world in 6'1, 180 lb. three-sport athleteu003cstrongu003e Tyler Smithu003c/strongu003e. Things have really picked up since the spring rolled around, as u003cstrongu003eSmithu003c/strongu003e already has his first two offers under his belt from Sioux Falls and MSU-Mankato, and has also seen an influx of visitors come his way in April with Kansas, North Dakota, Central Michigan, Illinois State, Minnesota, Brown, South Dakota, Iowa State, and Harvard visit Chan and stop in to see some of the Storms standouts, including stud DB u003cstrongu003eSmithu003c/strongu003e. He's also visited St. Thomas, South Dakota State, and North Dakota State for junior day visits this spring, and has firmly supplanted himself as a name to watch when talking potential D1 Minnesota athletes. Last fall, he posted 64 tackles, 18 PBUs (!), 5 INTs, and a FF for some outstanding production, and showed off impressive range, physicality, and playmaking skills from his deep safety spot. With the ability to cover wideouts from the slot, I love u003cstrongu003eSmith'su003c/strongu003e ball skills and patience in coverage, and this dude flies downhill to support the run sideline-to-sideline with great speed and angles, not to mention pop at the point of attack. He laid a massive hit on a deep slant as the second play of his highlights, and I also like his ability to read the QBs eyes and WRs routes, flip his hips, and defend both hashes and sidelines as a MOF defender. He's everything you'd want from a high school safety, and if we can get some verified testing numbers on the 185 lber. I would be far from surprised if he joined the growing ranks of D1 recruits in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. u003cstrongu003eSmithu003c/strongu003e is right on the precipice, and PRzMN will gladly keep you posted as his recruitment continues to develop. Keep up the great work, young buck!","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["105408"],"_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":"As I previously mentioned, the Wyoming Cowboys are one of the better recruiters of the Great State of Minnesota, and they made a bold and exciting decision in becoming the first offer for u003cemu003eRogers High Schoolu003c/emu003e 6'2, 200 lb. EDGE u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='105408' first='Adrian' last='Onyiego']u003c/strongu003e on April 22nd. An FBS offer from the Pokes is a heckuva way to kick off your recruitment, and u003cstrongu003eOnyiegou003c/strongu003e is well deserving of the scholarship, as the combination of his explosiveness (9'10u0022 broad jump) and junior tape makes for a thrilling combination that Wyoming, and more suitors to come, couldn't ignore any longer. Possessing a great get-off and a ton of speed off the edge, u003cstrongu003eOnyiegou003c/strongu003e gets into the backfield like he's shot out of a cannon and closes so quickly that QBs and even punters barely have time to react. The 6'2, 200 lber. is also strong enough to successfully execute power rushes - impressively I may add, as he can back down OTs like they're on ice skates - and hold a gap against bigger blockers and even double teams, and as a testament to his power the u003cemu003eRogersu003c/emu003e junior lined up all over the DL in 2022, including as a NG head-up on the center and as a 5T or wide-9 from a two or three-point stance. It's an eye-popping and lethal combination of speed and power off the edge, one of the best in the state I may add, and boy oh boy I would not want to be an OT dealing with the u003cemu003eRoyalsu003c/emu003e' defensive line next fall. Another bonafide FBS prospect out of the MN 2024 class. Well deserved, u003cstrongu003eAdrianu003c/strongu003e. Keep up the great work!","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["368592"],"_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":"In a lighter recruiting cycle for Minnesota-born offensive line prospects, u003cemu003eIrondale'su003c/emu003e u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='368592' first='Emerson' last='Mandell']u003c/strongu003e reigns supreme, and brings a different flavor to this article due to him being a solidified P5 prospect since the Minnesota Gophers became his first offer back in October. During this offseason, and especially during the spring, he's seen his stock soar from a Midwest footprint to a nationally recruited iOL, and has seen the likes of Penn State, Oklahoma, Purdue, Texas Au0026amp;M, and Wisconsin offer big-time scholarships since the end of March. You rarely see the Aggies venture this far north in particular, and u003cstrongu003eMandellu003c/strongu003e is absolutely worth it, as he's done nothing but develop, raise his stock, and improve since that first offer from the Gophers during his junior season. He's putting in work in the weight room this offseason, and with the help of Su0026amp;C coach Mac Kukowski, can now put up a 295 lb. front squat u0026amp; 438 lb. back squat, 350  lb. bench, and 315 lb. clean, all of which helped him join the 1,000 pound club and all of which are continuing to rise and improve. u003cstrongu003eMandell'su003c/strongu003e strength, power, and pop at the point of attack is fun to watch, and he plays with a balanced base, can close at the second level impressively fast for his size, and has a heckuva motor + finishing ability that is a nightmare for opposing defenders to deal with. He's a beast and a natural mauler in the trenches. u003cemu003eIrondaleu003c/emu003e is a must-stop on the recruiting trail this cycle!","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["105374"],"_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":"One of the top dual-sporters in the state of Minnesota going into the fall, u003cemu003eChanhassenu003c/emu003e RB u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='105374' first='Maxwell' last='Woods']u003c/strongu003e has been a popular name to know since he was a young freshman and is seeing the fruits of his labor pay off this spring once the month of March rolled around. After MSU-Mankato offered a DII scholarship, the likes of Air Force, Army, North Dakota State, Navy, and the defending FCS national champs South Dakota State have all offered, as well as basketball offers from MSU-Moorhead and Concordia-St. Paul. There's a ton more college suitors involved and waiting in the wings, and the stud RB is far from done on the recruiting trail. u003cstrongu003eWoodsu003c/strongu003e is one arguably the twitchiest and most elusive ball carrier in the entire state of Minnesota, with a large variety of moves to make would-be tacklers miss, and his vision and balance allow him to produce some incredibly exciting runs that leave opponents grasping at air and clutching their ankles as they try to figure out how they missed the u003cemu003eChanhassenu003c/emu003e RB. It was only a matter of time before u003cstrongu003eWoodsu003c/strongu003e saw his recruitment soar, and u003cemu003ePRzMNu003c/emu003e is enjoying every second of it. u003cemu003eChanhassenu003c/emu003e, led by rising senior u003cstrongu003eWoodsu003c/strongu003e, is going to be a force in Class 5A and are extremely motivated to avenge their 23-21 loss to u003cemu003eMankato Wesu003c/emu003et in the 2022 Section 2AAAAA championship last November.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"DJ Smith ","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Moorhead ","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"u003cemu003eMoorhead High Schoolu003c/emu003e continues their accomplished trend of standout WRs in their 2024 class with 6'3, 200 lber. u003cstrongu003eDJ Smithu003c/strongu003e, who is a three-sport standout for the u003cemu003eSpudsu003c/emu003e and will make for an exciting u0026amp; athletic addition to the 2024 rankings in the upcoming micro-update. I'm disappointed I missed him the last time around, but these things happen with thousands of high school players in the state, and luckily, college programs are still taking notice, as Sioux Falls and MSU-Mankato became his first two college football offers later this spring. NDSU, as well as a variety of other NSIC institutions, are also firmly involved in his recruitment, and it's safe to say he's far from done on the recruiting trail. For a taller wideout, I like how u003cstrongu003eSmithu003c/strongu003e can drop his hips and create clean and shifty breaks at the top of the route, and his length is also an asset after the catch and helps him stay upright through tackle attempts. u003cstrongu003eSmith'su003c/strongu003e COD skills and route running ability are going to help him continue to raise his stock as a prospect the rest of the offseason and he'll be a beast of a WR1 for the u003cemu003eSpudsu003c/emu003e next fall. You'll continue to hear this dude's name the rest of the 2024 cycle.","_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":"I am absolutely smitten with u003cemu003eMontevideo'su003c/emu003e 6', 235 lb. RB u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='242446' first='Francis' last='O'Malley']u003c/strongu003e, and am now unsurprised with seeing his stock begin to rise this spring. To begin with, u003cstrongu003eO'Malleyu003c/strongu003e recently benched 225 lbs. 33 (!!) times, an eye-popping and straight-up fantastic amount of reps for a collegiate RB, much less a rising senior in high school. He also can power clean 315 pounds and repped 500 lbs. on the squat three times in early April. The truck stick and runaway freight trail of a ball carrier is fresh off MSU-Mankato and Sioux Falls DII scholarship offers, and in what I think would be a match made in heaven, NDSU's Dan Larson came to watch u003cstrongu003eO'Malleyu003c/strongu003e work out in person in late April. The 235 lber. would be a fantastic fullback in the Bison's offensive attack, and on top of it the rising senior is a great kid with a good head on his shoulders who is going to make whatever future college program very happy in the soon-to-be future. He's easily the least-fun ball carrier to tackle in the state of Minnesota, with great contact balance, athleticism (see his hurdle a few plays into his junior tape) and a devastating blocking ability in pass pro and as a lead blocker, u003cstrongu003eO'Malleyu003c/strongu003e is a three-down back and as impressive of a prep power back as I've seen in my time scouting MN prep football. I cannot wait to see who lands the Monster out of Montevideo, especially as he shows off his eye-catching frame in-person this summer camp circuit. Keep grinding, u003cstrongu003eFrancisu003c/strongu003e!","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-645546b481f47"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->