Top-20 Minnesota Underclassmen Performers of 2023
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Where to begin, where to begin. With Thanksgiving acting as my unofficial start to the Holiday Season, it also sadly marks the end of the high school football season here in Minnesota. Despite the Prep Bowl being one of the…
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Continue ReadingWhere to begin, where to begin. With Thanksgiving acting as my unofficial start to the Holiday Season, it also sadly marks the end of the high school football season here in Minnesota. Despite the Prep Bowl being one of the best parts of the year, it’s always bittersweet saying goodbye to the best time of the year in what always feels like a blink-of-an-eye regular and postseason in the prep ranks. Maybe it’s because it’s so hyped up and there is much action surrounding the film and performance from the season, maybe it’s the old saying “time flies when you’re having fun”, but either way I am always shocked at how fast the season goes by and how much I miss it during the winter and spring. Now that there are only 14 teams left standing in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we’re barreling towards Award Season here at PrepRedzoneMN, and we’re kicking things off in eye-catching fashion as we name our Top-20 MN Underclassmen Performers of 2023, ranked #1-#20. The future of MN high school football is here; get a glimpse at who is set to take over the scene the next couple of years below. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
*stats reported from either the player or MNFootballHub
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1) Howie Johnson Howie Johnson 6'4" | 250 lbs | DL Forest Lake | 2026 State MN (Forest Lake) 2026. DE. 6’4, 240 lbs.
The #1 player in Minnesota’s 2026 class going into the season has absolutely lived up the hype this fall and comes in as our #1 Underclassmen Performer from the 2023 season of action. Forest Lake 6’4, 240 lb. DE Howie Johnson Howie Johnson 6'4" | 250 lbs | DL Forest Lake | 2026 State MN has been tremendous this fall, leading the state in TFLs (28) while finishing his sophomore campaign with an impressive 80 total tackles (64 solo), 7 sacks, a blocked kick, and a forced fumble. The penetration and disruption has been consistent all year long and nightmarish for opponents to gameplan against, and he’s posted these stats while going up against top-tier, 6A Metro competition. A verified weight room monster and standout athlete who catches eyes while pumping iron or competing in combine-esque athletic tests, Johnson has earned some high-powered recruiting attention and most recently took a visit to Nebraska. He’s the closest 2026 to a P5 offer there is in the state, and after his undoubtedly strong performance in last summer’s camp circuit, I’d expect his recruitment and offer sheet to blow up this offseason. I really like the variety of ways he’s beaten blocking attempts in 2023, as he’s twitchy enough to keep blockers guessing and beat them to either shoulder with speed, quickness, power, or a combination of the three. He’s strong enough to not give up a step when engaged with large, experienced offensive lineman, but fast enough to run down loose ball carriers from the backside of a play. Johnson has one of the best get-offs of a 240+ lber. I’ve seen while scouting for PRzMN and gets off the ball in the blink of an eye, and the closing and pursuit speed is very impressive as well. I also like his strong and active hands, ability to rush speed to power, bend, pad level, motor, and pass rushing repertoire. It’s still obvious – just like it was in his freshman film – that he’s bound for P5 ball, and the impact he made as a sophomore playing 6A ball in the trenches cannot be understated. The Rangers have a baller on their hands!
2) Jett Feeney (Moorhead) 2027. QB. 6’1, 175 lbs.
We’ve already covered Moorhead’s freshman phenom Jett Feeney extensively throughout the regular season and section playoffs during the fall of 2023, but I think our lovely PRzMN readers have to get used to hearing about him, as he is coming fresh off the best season of any freshman in the state. Quarterback is the most important position in all of sports, and for a 14-year-old who has no prior varsity experience to come in and post a 67% completion percentage, 2,385 passing yards, and 29 TDs to 10 INTs through the air in their inaugural high school football campaign is a big big deal, regardless of what state they did it in. Feeney also comes from talented stock, as his dad (who is also Moorhead’s head coach), is a former NDSU quarterback, and his older brother Trey is a sophomore QB at North Dakota, so it’s safe to say the QB position is in his blood. We’ve had some exciting freshman QB prospects come through the state as of late, most recently Lakeville North’s 2025er Riley Grossman Riley Grossman 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Lakeville North | 2025 State MN , but it’s hard not to be excited about Feeney and his potential recruiting ceiling right now, as the production, legacy, size, and film paint a promising ceiling as a Minnesota-bred gunslinger. The young buck led the Spuds to a 5-5 record in 2023 while averaging 29 points a game as well. The accuracy and ball placement skills jump off the tape and are considerably impressive, as Feeney can generate noticeable velocity on first and second-level throws around the gridiron, and is accurate, shows anticipation, the ability to lead receivers open and put touch when necessary, and he can fit the ball into tight windows with timing and zip. Deep back shoulder and comeback routes can go over the top of LBs and in between safeties over the middle of the field, and can throw on the run and from unorthodox arm angles. A good athlete as well, Feeney is shifty and comfortable moving around the pocket and can take off and run when necessary, and he’s consistent with his mechanics and does a good job of keeping his arm and feet in sync. Accuracy is a hard-to-improve and sometimes almost innate trait that means a lot to me in prep QB recruiting, and with the tape and the numbers both backing that quality, PRzMN is incredibly excited about Feeney’s future. Get to know the name!
3) Mason West Mason West 6'5" | 200 lbs | QB Edina | 2026 State MN (Edina) 2026. QB. 6’5, 200 Lbs.
It’s hard not to romanticize and rouse the post-season run that the Edina Hornets are currently on. When talking high school football, an idealized, traditional, and steadfast symbol of the glory of America and youth, an unexpected, upset-filled, and dramatic state championship run is as good as it gets. With many teams hoping to accomplish that same feat, what generally sets the contenders apart from the pretenders is a superstar infusion of youth and a stud quarterback, and in the case of the 2023 Edina Hornets ongoing playoff run, 2026 6’5 gunslinger Mason West Mason West 6'5" | 200 lbs | QB Edina | 2026 State MN meets both of these qualifications. After some promising varsity reps and experience as a freshman last fall, West took the starting QB job by the horns in 2023, leading the Hornets to the 6A final and putting up some gaudy numbers to back it up, leading him to our #3 Underclassmen Performer of the 2023 season. The only reason he’s sitting at #3 instead of #2 is that Feeney is a freshman, and although the young Moorhead stud is an exceptional QB prospect in his own right, West may be even better. With picturesque size for a collegiate pocket passer, West posted a 67% completion percentage (171-256) for 2,380 yards (sixth in the state) and 27 TDs to only 9 INTs in his first year as a starter and full-time varsity contributor playing big-school MN Metro football, with a 198 YPG and 9.3 YPA average to boot. Plus, the Hornets are 9-3 and on an eight game win streak, with the mighty Eden Prairie Eagles the most recent to fall to the West-led Edina squad in the 6A semifinal game. Being a winner is one of the most important factors when talking QB recruit profiles and intangibles, and West seems to be a natural in the W department, as he already holds wins over 6A heavies EP, Maple Grove, Stillwater, Prior Lake, and Shakopee. His receivers must love him, as his ball placement skills set them up for success and out of harms way, as he uses consistent anticipation and timing to his advantage, can put the ball where only his wideouts can get it and away from a big hit, and can get the ball out quickly and/or buy time and improvise when scrambling while keeping his eyes downfield and allowing his wideouts to get open and make things happen. West demonstrates a big arm that can stretch the field and fit the ball into tight windows, complete any throw on the route tree, and throws a beautiful deep ball that displays touch and very tight ball placement ability, and he slings an excellent deep comeback and puts some impressive zip on three-step shorter routes, particularly slants and deeper in-breaking routes. The 200 lber. possesses a smooth throwing motion and shows off a quick release for a big-armed signal-caller that gets the ball out very quickly, and he’s accurate to all three levels of the gridiron as well. West is effective at moving the chains, reads the field very well, is a natural leader and game manager, and the total package for a high school QB prospect, inside and out. I haven’t been this excited about a MN-bred quarterback prospect in a while. West may be the truth.
4) Carsyn Kleffman (Elk River) 2027. RB/DB/LB. 5’11, 170 lbs.
What a debut season for Elk River’s fantastic first-year athlete Carsyn Kleffman, who took top-tier MN 5A competition by storm on both sides of the field in his first year of high school football. On a roster stacked to the brim with talent, the freshman still found a way to stand out, as his production and versatility was unmatched in the state’s 2027 class, leading him to our #4 overall spot in the PrepRedzoneMN Top-20 Underclassmen Performers of 2023. Kleffman finished the fall with 94 tackles and 41 solo tackles, both of which led Elk River, and he also recorded 4 TFLs, a FF, a safety, 285 rushing yards (9.2 YPC), 2 TDs, and 370 kickoff return yards on a 24.7 return average. Playing and producing like that as a freshman is never easy, but it’s especially hard playing around the box, which is exactly where found most of his success this past fall, although he was quite effective in space as well. There’s a lot going for the young man, that’s to be certain. As an offensive weapon, Kleffman is laterally explosive, full of burst, vision, balance through contact and tackle attempts, and top end speed to finish runs once he finds daylight as a ball carrier. The 170 lber. laid some massive blocks and defeated blocks in eye-popping, crunching, and physical fashion on special teams as an up-back or on kickoff coverage, and overall he thrives in the physicality department and through contact. As a DB/LB hybrid, the playmaking and dynamic ability only gets better, as he can be effective and destructive around the box and near the LOS as well as fluid and quick in coverage and in space. Kleffman reads QB eyes well, can change direction and trigger on the ball smoothly, and can act as a physical enforcer as the high safety, and also displays a fluid backpedal and hips in man coverage, where he can be used as an asset from the slot. When getting dirty around the box, the 5’11 athlete can bounce off and defeat block attempts well for his size and is instinctive in the turnover department and when locating and destroying the football. Similar to some famous names of lore, the Elk River standout is one of those natural playmakers who makes things happen in all three phases of the game and from wherever he lines up. Just has a knack for making the play and making it look easy while he’s at it. With how in-synch the Elk River youth to prep football funnel is and how much success the Elks have been achieving as of late, we shouldn’t be too surprised that a freshman phenom has came out of the gridirons of the NW suburb. We’ll have to see how he continues to grow and develop, but the collegiate projection of do-it-all athletes with speed and athleticism a tier above his peers is always a sure thing. Great season, Carsyn! More coming.
5) Nick Kinsey Nick Kinsey 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Stillwater | 2026 State MN (Stillwater) 2026. QB. 6’3, 200 lbs.
We’re heading back to the 2026 class and the QB position for our #5 overall Underclassmen Performer of 2023, and it’s a name who our wonderful PRzMN readers are already quite familiar with. It shouldn’t come to anyone’s surprise that the 6’3, 200+ lb. gunslinger formerly of Benilde-St. Margaret’s turned Stillwater Pony Nick Kinsey Nick Kinsey 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Stillwater | 2026 State MN was a Top-5 performer in any passing or ranking category from the 2023 season, as he’s the most popular recruit in both the 2027 and 2026 classes and already holds offers from Georgia Tech, UConn, Ole Miss, and Miami (FL). It’s a hefty list in both number and pedigree for a sophomore quarterback from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, one of the best I can remember in the history of MN’s QB recruiting, especially for a sophomore, but those offers are legit and so is Kinsey’s talent. I heard some rave reviews from opposing DCs of Stillwater this past fall, and it sounds like Kinsey could create some magic and complete passes that they hadn’t seen other MN quarterbacks pull off in most of their lifetimes. With a heckuva WR corps to work with in 2023, Kinsey finished his year with 2,268 passing yards, good for eighth in the state, and also passed at a 58% completion clip and 24 TDs to a slight 4 INTs while helping Stilly to an 8-3 record in 2023 against 6A MN competition. The ball slings off his hand impressively and with noticeable zip, smoothness, and ease, and the 200 lber. also sports a quick release, the arm strength to fit the ball into tight windows and inbetween zone defenders, and great touch downfield. Kinsey is safe with the football and doesn’t force the rock into compromising situations, and though he needs to be a little more consistent, Kinsey flashes some skilled ball placement ability and touch, especially on his deeper throws. He can get through his reads effectively and will look off DBs and hide his intended target until the last second, is impressive and accurate on the run and outside of the pocket, powerful and sudden when navigating the pocket and working away from pressure, and is a tough kid who will stand tall and stand in the pocket and finish throws through big hits. bearing down on him. Kinsey can push the ball downfield and get the rock out of his hand with the velocity, strength, and effortlessness you see from high-level and talented quarterback prospects in the top tier echelons of the recruiting world, and lucky for us, he’s right in our Great State of Minnesota. Lots of attention is going to be paid to our upcoming QB classes, sit tight!
6) Ethan Beckman Ethan Beckman 6'5" | 330 lbs | OL Prior Lake | 2026 State MN (Prior Lake) 2026. OT. 6’5, 330 lbs.
The Prior Lake Lakers were one of the beefiest teams in the entire state of Minnesota this fall, and tipping the scales was the Laker’s gigantic sophomore OT Ethan Beckman Ethan Beckman 6'5" | 330 lbs | OL Prior Lake | 2026 State MN , who measures in at a hearty 6’5, 330+ and started every game for Prior Lake in 2023. With the tradition MN has of putting offensive linemen into the college and NFL ranks with success, added onto the fact that it is extremely difficult to start at a 6A school as a sophomore, much less in the trenches, Beckman was an easy choice for the PrepRedzoneMN Top-20 Underclassmen Performers of 2023 list, coming in at #6 overall in this star-studded underclassman feature. We saw this one coming, as Beckman was the owner of some dominant freshman film in the non-varsity ranks of the Lakers last year and was a monster in the weight room as well, posting a gigantic 515 lb. squat this past July while preparing for his sophomore campaign, which combined to help him authoritatively assert himself as an underclassman starter in the Metro this fall. The weight room prowess translated to the gridiron – just in case you were wondering – and if I had to pick one phrase to describe the young behemoth I can’t help but pick “road grader.” The LT is a thumper at the contact point and lays the boom especially effectively when he’s got a full head of steam behind him, and is an impressive bulldozer when getting out in space, lead blocking, and using his feet and mobility for a 330 lb. underclassman. Beckman manhandles large and experienced Metro DL in the run game, displays tons of strength in his initial pop and when he locks out and extends, and good footwork and gets out of his stance well when pulling or working laterally. A coordinated, obviously athletic mauler for a 6’5, 330 lber. with a lot of room to grow and develop, Beckman has to improve on his flexibility, pad level, and weight, but he can combo and does show some proficiency and comfortability in pass pro, not to mention the dominance in the run game. In a budding 2026 OL class of prospects in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Beckman has already asserted himself as a front-runner.
7) Jay Sanders Jay Sanders 5'8" | 155 lbs | WR Minneapolis North | 2026 MN (Minneapolis North) 2026. WR. 5’9, 155 lbs.
We’re used to standout running backs and trench warfare specialists coming out of the Land of 10,000 Lakes in droves, but when an athletic, productive, and notable pass catcher comes around like Jmarion “Jay” Sanders, it’s hard not to take notice. This is especially true when they come out of a program that churns out talent like the Minneapolis North Polars, who have an FBS committed 2024 on the roster, a boatload of large and effective pass rushers and lineman, and of course, their game-changing wideout Jay Sanders Jay Sanders 5'8" | 155 lbs | WR Minneapolis North | 2026 MN . Speaking of North churning out talent, I’m sure most of you know about Iowa Central’s superstar pass-catcher Mario Sanders, a former North Polar splash-play machine who recently committed to the University of Illinois, and it’s very pertinent to mention that Mario is the older brother of our now-mentioned sophomore Polar. Mario is a fantastic athlete, and it stays in the family with Jay, who shows the same basketball background and skillset, suddenness as a route runner and after the catch, and play-to-play dependability as older bro. Primarily working out of the slot, Sanders posted 61 catches for 701 yards and 10 TDs, and did so well demonstrating ball tracking ability, a big catch radius and soft hands, and burst out of his breaks. He’s also an effective blocker in space and the open field, cuts off his routes well and finds soft spots in zone coverage, and is shifty, balanced, and quick after the catch, where he can turn routine catches and jet sweeps into exciting, tackle-breaking offensive gains. The breakout season, bloodlines, athleticism, production, and role in helping North go deep in the playoffs after moving up a classification of competition lands Sanders as the #7 Underclassmen Performer of the 2023 season.
8) Aiden Moriarty (Springfield) 2027. TE/DE/QB. 6’3, 220 lbs.
If there wasn’t enough to be excited about about the Springfield Tigers roster in their 2023 Class A state championship appearing season, meet freshman eye-catcher and our #8 Underclassmen Performer of the 2023 season Aiden Moriarty. Measuring in at a notable 6’3, 220 pounds as a 14-year-old, Moriarty started every game at DE for the Class A perennial contender and state title competitor Tigers, against a roster filled with experience, size, and competition, and he posted 24 tackles, a TFL, a FF, and six catches for 69 yards and 3 TDs as a TE. Yes, I know it’s easier to get playing time at a smaller school, but on a state title contender that has seen as much success the past few years as the Tigers have, it isn’t as easy as you think, and with D1-worthy size as a freshman that is only going to increase, he’s a must-know in the early 2027 class of Minnesota prospects bound for big potential at the college level. First off though, Moriarty and his teammates are laser-focused on this state championship run. One thing at a time, but the size, starting experience, production, recruiting potential, contributions to a state championship-worthy team, and age all combined to make Moriarty our #8 Underclassmen Performer of the 2023 season. No film yet, but you’ll be hearing from us when it does get published.
9) Kaaleem Reiland Kaaleem Reiland 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Kingsland | 2026 State MN (Kingsland) 2026. ATH. 5’9, 180 lbs.
Coming into the season, PRzMN was well aware of Kingsland’s 2026 standout Kaaleem Reiland Kaaleem Reiland 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Kingsland | 2026 State MN , his athleticism, potential as a varsity contributor, and his proficiency as a ball carrier, but I don’t think we realized just how dynamic he could be. Reiland stepped into the starting QB role on the undefeated 9man Knights and popped off, posting 101 completions on 180 attempts (56%) for 1,793 yards and 21 TDs to only 7 INTs, as well as 130 rushes for 1,045 yards and 13 TDs plus 10 2pt conversions, and 17 tackles, a TFL, a sack, and 2 INTs defensively. That’s a lot of big plays, momentum shifts, game-breaking performances, and victory-worthy showings and outputs from the young sophomore, and it’s hard to argue that Kingsland would have found this much success in 2023 if Reiland wasn’t on the team and/or manning the QB spot. The midseason and game tape highlights display an athlete who slings the rock as a lefty and is at his best when he can improvise and take advantage of broken or extended plays. Reiland can put touch on the rock and stretch the field with his arm, and as a RB, displays burst, the ability to get up to top speed quickly, and the aurora, build, and running style to visibly worry defenders when he’s coming at them with a full head of steam in the open field. No matter if he’s running, throwing, or defending, Reiland has a nose for the endzone and the big play, and as a RB he’s a shifty and powerful runner who can make tacklers miss when he sticks his cleat in the ground and works laterally. Hard to manage, hard to gameplan against, hard to corral, and hard to stop, Reiland is the key cog in the Kingsland state title run of 2023 and comes in as the #9 Underclassmen Performer of the 2023 season. Finish it out right, sir!
10) Gavin Walden Gavin Walden 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Eden Prairie | 2026 State MN (Eden Prairie) 2026. DL. 6’2, 250.
Throughout this article, you’ve heard us mention a few times that playing varsity football as an underclassman isn’t an easy feat to accomplish – a prerequisite to being mentioned in an article like this I may add – but I don’t think it needs to be emphasized that starting at Eden Prairie as an underclassman is in another tier of success entirely. The state’s biggest, baddest, and most consistent, Eden Prairie‘s 2026 class was well-known and well scouted coming into this season and was filled with names that we could see taking a large share of the future recruiting attention in the state, and of the standouts, sophomore defensive lineman Gavin Walden Gavin Walden 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Eden Prairie | 2026 State MN found the most success as a sophomore. The 6’2, 250 lb. defensive lineman finished his first year on varsity with 55 tackles, 4 sacks, a FF, and a fumble recovery from an interior DL position and has earned some notable Twitter followers from college coaches and recruiters along the way. Generally lining up head up on the center as a true NG, Walden plays far and away from what his age would suggest, as he’s physical, athletic, instinctive, and controlled, and is a big hitter who can knock the ball loose, send an opponent flying onto their rear ends, and toss out WWE-worthy suplexes when he gets a full head of steam or a good chance to get his hands/pads on a ball carrier. The game awareness is a big plus as a DT as well, as he’s able to do some of the harder asks for the position such as retrace, read, react, and run down screens, anticipate and eat cut block attempts, and slip through double teams and keep that motor running through motivated obstacles. Walden also displays twitch, lateral explosiveness off the snap, dominance at the contact/tackle point, and a good motor and good get off. In rare form for a sophomore, the 250 lb. young buck attacks blockers off the snap and is purposeful and aggressive with his power moves, so much so that he has reps of running OL into their own QBs as well as winning early off the snap. He’ll be a beast when it’s all said and done and I could potentially see some big-time football in his future.
11) Kaden Harney Kaden Harney 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Maple Grove | 2026 State MN (Maple Grove) 2026. QB. 6’3, 180 lbs.
A lot of young Maple Grove players had to step into big contributing roles and step up into leadership positions this past fall, which actually worked out very well for the Crimson, as they went 7-3 in their 2023 season defending the 6A state championship despite losing well over a dozen starters from their 2022 campaign. Replacing the Crimson’s 2022 QB was no easy task in its own right, as Jacob Kilzer was a heckuva dual-threat weapon who fielded a ton of different offers and opportunities from scholarship programs before graduating, but holy moly did 2026 Kaden Harney Kaden Harney 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Maple Grove | 2026 State MN do a good job of stepping in. Playing against 6A competition, Harney threw at a 63% clip (69-110) and 1,091 yards and 14 TDs to only 4 INTs (plus 5 rushing TDs), and helped shepherd his Crimson to wins over the likes of Minnetonka, Centennial, Anoka, Blaine, and more. I got to see him sling it live as well, and he flashed some pretty impressive ability throughout the afternoon of action, although like many young QBs working into a new level of competition, he had to dig himself out of some holes consistency-wise as well. Nothing time and reps can’t change though, especially with the help of the top-tier Maple Grove coaching staff, and Harney gives them a lot to work with, as he’s a good athlete with poise, confidence, a big arm, and a good frame that is going to be able to develop and improve while he finishes his career at MG. Harney does well on the move and when throwing off-platform, displays touch, smooth mechanics, and accuracy to all three levels of the field. Additionally, he’s a tough customer who will hang in the pocket and complete throws through contact and big hits bearing down on him, and possesses the arm strength to stretch the field and hurt defenses vertically. I’m excited to see what a Kaden Harney Kaden Harney 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Maple Grove | 2026 State MN -led Maple Grove looks like these next two seasons, and he did a great job of cementing himself in the 6A scene and holding down our #11 spot in the 2023 Top-20 Underclassmen Performers feature.
12) Micah Fenney Micah Fenney 6'5" | 210 lbs | DL Norwood Young America (NYA) | 2026 MN (Norwood Young America) 2026. EDGE. 6’5, 210 lbs.
With the hiring of former SMB Wolfpack head coach Chris Goodwin to the same position at Norwood Young America, the Raiders had a resurgent 2023 season, in large part due to the sheer amount of beef and talent on the roster. Loaded with experience, size, and production, the Raiders went 8-1 before meeting the buzzsaw that is the Cannon Falls Bombers in the section 4AA semifinal in a tough draw for Central, but there’s still a lot to be excited about from the 2023 campaign. Between all of the size and experience, sophomore Micah Fenney Micah Fenney 6'5" | 210 lbs | DL Norwood Young America (NYA) | 2026 MN carved out a very impressive niche in the defense as a LOS defender and standup EDGE/OLB. Finishing the season fourth on the team in tackles with 44 and also tallying an impressive 19 TFLs, 8 sacks, a blocked kick for a TD, an INT returned for a TD, and 5 PBUs, Fenney was notably productive and a playmaking force around the LOS. With an intriguing frame, Fenney’s overall play strength shows up on tape, both when defeating blocks and corralling ball carries casually in space and 1-on-1 settings, and is a natural edge defender who is physical when attacking blockers. He closes well and shows some burst from a dead start that helps him get into QBs grills in passing situations and when coming off the edge unblocked in run support, and overall demonstrates some obvious athleticism and fluidity that makes a 6’5 frame very enticing for prospective college coaches. New name to know from the 2023 season!
13) Justice Moody Justice Moody 5'8" | 160 lbs | WR St. Paul Johnson | 2026 State MN (St. Paul Johnson) 2026. WR. 5’9, 160 lbs.
Good to see some St. Paul public school representation on this vaunted list of underclassmen, and if you read any of our recaps from last year’s PRzMN Showcase stops, you’d already be aware that Justice Moody Justice Moody 5'8" | 160 lbs | WR St. Paul Johnson | 2026 State MN had a chance to breakout as a sophomore. I’m sure this kid had a chance to play at some other programs around the area, but to stay at the neighborhood school and contribute at a high level is something that is getting harder to find nowadays, so I want to tip my cap to Moody first and foremost. This fall, for the 6-5 Governors, Moody recorded 29 catches for 620 yards at an impressive 21 YPC average and an eye-catching 10 TDs in 11 games as a sophomore. With some worth-watching testing numbers as a very green freshman last year, Moody was on a different level of athleticism and elusiveness as his 651-area competition this fall, showing off tons of burst, good quickness with the ball in-hand and as a route runner, and balance through and after contact. I like his speed to take the top off the defense and burn man or zone coverage deep, the ability to win contested catches and finish receptions through contact, and his highlight reel elusiveness after the catch. The 160 lber. really showcases his athleticism as a returner, where his speed and and explosiveness makes him dangerous if he beats that first tackle attempt, which he usually does. History has proven that standout athletes from the St. Paul public schools do well post-high school, so make sure you don’t overlook the playmaker from Johnson. Get this kid in space!
14) Roman Voss Roman Voss 6'4" | 215 lbs | ATH Jackson County Central (MN) | 2026 State MN (Jackson County Central) 2026. ATH. 6’4, 210
Buckle-up Huskies fans, we got some serious JCC representation in this Top Underclassmen Feature, and to little surprise we open with the sophomore QB/ATH with heavy MN high school football accomplished bloodlines in Roman Voss Roman Voss 6'4" | 215 lbs | ATH Jackson County Central (MN) | 2026 State MN . The kid is still getting bigger and better, and clocked in this season at a hefty 6’4, 210 lbs. while once again playing all over the field and showing a rare and impressive dynamic ability at his size. In a headline worthy only of our Great State of Minnesota, Voss missed significant action in 2023 due to an accident while bow hunting ( you don’t make them tough like this far north), but he more than made up for the few missed games in JCC’s eventual 12-1 campaign. And, speaking of bigger and better, Voss was looking dominant against his 2023 competition on film, especially as a sophomore. His combination of size and speed was a lot for opponents to handle this fall, as he can take the ball 70+ yards while burning pursuit angles or run right over multiple would-be tacklers for tough yardage that keeps the chains moving consistently and in big chunks. Voss can break that first tackle attempt consistently and is more than strong enough to power through weaker tackle attempts at the contact point, and shows a big arm that can make things happen through the air for his offense. In true dynamic fashion, he’s also a contested catch machine and playmaker when lined up as a WR on the perimeter, and is rangy and was all around the defensive side of the football both before and after the snap. Lots to like, especially in the change of direction and physicality departments, and with good experience and comfortably in coverage, I could see him adding a ton of value to a collegiate position room, wherever it is. Voss can do anything asked of him on either side of the ball and has some next-level athleticism and size that can dominate MN prep football and find a ton of success in the college football ranks, and at the very least he would be a sure bet to be a lock for a South Dakota State Jackrabbits opportunity of some kind given what his brother Rudy did at the FCS heavyweight, so fans who like watching MN boys at the next level keep an eye on this one.
15) Weston Rowe Weston Rowe 6'6" | 260 lbs | OL Jackson County Central | 2026 MN (Jackson County Central) 2026. OT. 6’6, 260
12-1 in 2023 combined with the success the Jackson County Central football program has seen the past few years really helps make a prospect easier to find, and I have to say make sure to say that I got a tip about this next Huskie from a helpful friend and JCC supporter over Twitter, and our next Top-20 ranked Underclassmen Performer is a more-than-worthy find. Just like a few other names on this highly-touted list, this is the MN recruiting spaces first mention of this standout freshman or sophomore, so get to know 6’6, 280 lb. OT Weston Rowe Weston Rowe 6'6" | 260 lbs | OL Jackson County Central | 2026 MN . With a basketball background as a low post defender and scorer that so often helps in MN-born prospects, Rowe has some limited but eye-catching sophomore tape as a balanced, flexible, and crushing finisher that can work to the second level and shut opponents down in both the run and pass game. An athletic offensive tackle with a high ceiling as a prospect, the 260 lber. is aggressive off the snap and brings a lot of force to the contact point, especially in the run game, and he does a good job of breaking down and handling quicker opponents in space and looks coordinated when working to the second and third levels of the field. With a powerful first step, I also like his lateral agility and adjustment skills in pass pro, as well as a strong anchor and noteworthy experience in pass protection at the small school level of MN. As mentioned with the basketball background, there’s some historical precedent and present film/evidence that the sophomore OT may be a big-time college tackle one day. Easy choice for a Top-20 Underclassmen Performer in our Great State of Minnesota for 2023.
16) Owen Egge Owen Egge 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR St. Michael - Albertville | 2026 State MN (St. Michael-Albertville) 2026. WR. 5’10, 160 lbs.
St. Michael-Albertville came onto the 6A scene as one of the grittiest and toughest contenders in the class with tight finishes and wins against some solid competition, and a lot of their offensive firepower was due to our #16 ranked MN Underclassmen Performer from the 2023 season: Owen Egge Owen Egge 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR St. Michael - Albertville | 2026 State MN . A familiar name to PRzMN readers looking for early insight into the future top playmakers in the state, Egge came onto the JV scene very hot last fall and also posted some impressive testing numbers at a PRzMN Showcase as a freshman last year. Dominant against non-varsity competition, it was an easy bet that he was bound for varsity action as a sophomore, and he made an impact and then some as the explosive element to the Knights offense in 2023. A dedicated, motivated, and promising pass catcher that posted 30 catches for 423 yards and 5 TDs against 6A competition, Egge is a deep threat with concentration, potency at the LOS in his releases, soft hands, and quick footwork at the top of the route. The 5’10 standout sophomore can win contested catches and reel in receptions through contact, displays a strong lower body that handles contact well for his size, and is dynamic enough to be used as a ball carrier in various tricky run plays utilizing WRs. Still some time for things to get settled in the 2026-27 skill position classes, but Egge is putting himself in a prime position at the forefront of the WR group after his performance this fall.
17) Carson Lyons (Cleveland) 2027. ATH. 5’9, 155 lbs.
Another small schooler who has earned some big recognition in his introduction to high school football, Cleveland’s standout freshman Carson Lyons is a multi-sport standout who came up big-time for his Clippers squad this fall while posting 33 receptions, six of whom went for TDs, Lyons also got significant tick as a cornerback, where he locked down his side of the field and defending both the run and pass games well. By the looks of things, he got varsity reps as an eighth grader as well, so experience will be far from lacking by the time he’s done with his high school career. No film from this season as of right now, but you can’t knock the impact he made and is poised to continue to make going forward.
18) Devan Rude (Cook County) 2027. FB/LB. 5’8, 160 lbs.
First time introductions to varsity football are always noteworthy, and Cook County’s standout 2027 Devan Rude made some noise in the 9man ranks this fall as he contributed 83 tackles and 13 TFLs on a seasoned Vikings defense playing against some of the best competition 9man has to offer. No film available right now, but you can bet your butt that with this kind of first-year statement defensively Rude will be competing for tackle records both all-time and in a season. One of the best seasons of a freshman in the state is worthy of Top Underclassmen status by my estimation.
19) Ryder Skanson Ryder Skanson 6'1" | 210 lbs | TE Maple Grove | 2026 State MN (Maple Grove) 2026. LB/TE/DE. 6’1, 205 lbs.
Maple Grove’s utility contributor and 6’1, 205 lber. Ryder Skanson Ryder Skanson 6'1" | 210 lbs | TE Maple Grove | 2026 State MN falls into a lot of the important categories of impressive accomplishments for underclassmen that we’ve been mentioning in this article, including significant big school, Metro varsity reps, a dynamic skillset, good size, and the willingness to do whatever the team asks of him. Physical and willing to do the dirty work for a gritty Maple Grove offense as a TE/HB and as a LB/DE on defense, not to mention his special teams impact as well. I got to see him hurt the Minnetonka Skippers in a variety of ways at the regular season finale over MEA break, and he’s a strong kid who is comfortable both in space and around traffic in the box. Additionally, his older brother Sawyer was a good-sized multi-sport athlete who was a heckuva ILB for the Crimson up to 2022, so I think he’s got more room to grow and fill out as well. Skanson played all over the field this season, but the majority of his reps came as a fullback/HB, where he was hard to bring down as a ball carrier thanks to his strong lower body, physical at the contact point as a blocker and is equally effective at the LOS as he is at the second level or out in space, and can catch the rock out of the backfield or get you tough yards between the tackles as a traditional I-formation fullback. Defensively, the 205 lber. can beat blocking attempts with speed and/or power as an off-ball LB or when he puts his hand in the dirt, and he closes well, takes good angles to the football, and reacts quickly as plays develop in front of him. Given the experience the 2026 Crimson graduating class gained this fall I’d be very optimistic about their future as a team and as individual prospects.
20) Beckham Van Voorst (Minneapolis South) 2027. QB/FS. 5’11, 180 lbs.
I’m personally stoked to have some Minneapolis Public School representation on this star-studded 2023 Top-20 Underclassmen Performer list, and Minneapolis South Tiger Beckham Van Voorst deserves the recognition. As only a young freshman, Van Voorst took over the QB1 role for the 4A Tigers and also started in the defensive backfield as a free safety, posting solid first-year numbers of 536 passing yards, 8 TDs to 7 INTs thrown, 235 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 2 tackles, a FF, and an INT defensively. I’m quite familiar with the Tigers having grown up as a product of Minneapolis City Conference rivalries, and they’ve had some up-and-down seasons over the years, so to have an injection of youth and production is a big deal for that program. Solid size to build on as a freshman, and you have to like the two-way impact he made in his first year of high school ball as well, as well as the confidence it takes to come into a program where you know you’re going to have a large workload on your shoulders early. Van Voorst can put good zip and touch on his throws, is agile and athletic enough to step up through pressure and extend plays with his legs, and is quick and elusive as a ball carrier when he tucks and takes off. The 180 lber. possesses noticeable arm talent and is a good athlete with a knack for making plays no matter where he’s lined up at or what he’s up against. Great way to round out the high-profile list of MN’s Top Underclassmen Performers of 2023.