Lindy's Film Review IV: 10 Additional Prospects Across MN

I may not have been able to make the Stockup Showcase last week, but that isn't stopping me from continuing to put out content for you guys! The previous film reviews have been doing well, and there has been no shortage of players coming forth with their tapes. Today we have a handful of 24s/25s and one 2026. We have college commits, kids searching for homes, and talent that must be added to big boards before next season. Without more delay, enjoy my fourth film review!   LB: [player_tooltip player_id='743251' first='Carter' last='Ellis'] 6' 190 lbs Waseca 2024   A conference player of the year who also tallied over 100 total tackles, Ellis has fallen under the radar for whatever reason, and I'm here to put a stop to that. Ellis opens his tape with a great show of his athleticism and football IQ. In it, we see Ellis lined up in "A" gap, clearly insinuating a blitz. He quickly pulls back and gets to his hook/curl drop. Ellis watches the TE's route, tracks the QB's eyes, and jumps the pass for a big INT with a sizeable return. Next, we see Ellis on a true "A" gap blitz, not a bluff. He sprints through the line of scrimmage with the offensive line discombobulated and lights up the QB. That isn't all, however, Ellis manages to cause and recover a fumble that he gets another decent return out of. Throughout the tape, his pursuit ability and aggressiveness stand out the most. While he can play too high at times, he's able to counteract that with a quick first step and solid football instincts.   IDL: [player_tooltip player_id='284019' first='Gavin' last='Walden'] 6'3" 245 lbs Eden Prairie 2026   Walden was a sophomore starter on what ended up being one of the best EP teams we've seen in a long time. Through 10 games, Walden recorded over 50 total tackles and 4 sacks as an NT/DT. He opens his tape with a play from the 2023 state championship game. Lined up in a "0" technique, Walden disengages with the offensive lineman early and picks up on the fact it's a screen. He sprints 10 yards down the LOS and ends up making the tackle for no gain. As the sole interior defensive lineman, that to me is extremely impressive. Not only does it show off his speed, but it also showcases what kind of effort Walden will give, even when the play isn't anywhere near him. You have to be a DUDE to play primarily a 0 technique for one of the best 6A programs in the state, and Walden is that guy. Time and time again in his tape he can be seen commanding double-teams and not giving an inch to bigger offensive linemen. By the time he's a senior, I wouldn't be surprised if he has some stars attached to him.   IOL: [player_tooltip player_id='242481' first='Roman' last='Garcia'] 6'2" 275 lbs Faribault 2024   Committed To: SMSU   Big man film is my favorite to break down and that is because of athletes like Garcia. He starts his tape off with two plays that set the tone. Two pancakes at the second level. In the power T that Faribault runs, Garcia stands out as the most physical and the best offensive lineman in space. Throughout his film, Garcia continuously gets to the second level and uses his large frame to pancake linebackers. What he excels at, however, is pulling. If you give Garcia a yard or two head start, there isn't a linebacker that he won't de-cleat. His quickness isn't talked about enough, and when he locks onto a defender, they are essentially removed from the play. In the trenches 1 on 1, Garcia gets phenomenal movement off the LOS. He has such quick feet and maintains a solid pad level throughout the play. SMSU got a dog in Garcia.   DB: [player_tooltip player_id='541228' first='Caisen' last='Thome'] 6'1" 185 lbs Kasson-Mantorville 2025   I've been on the Caisen Thome hype train for a minute now, and it's high time other people joined me. I have nothing against short DBs, but how can you not love a kid who is nearly 6'2" and can jump out of a gym? Realistically, his athleticism could probably earn him a spot at an FCS school, but his game is much more than how athletic he is. Thome tracks the ball as if he were an elite receiver, and high points interceptions like you wouldn't believe. Thome can play as a safety or a corner and are lockdown at both. Thome is a physical tackler at the point of attack, and will completely erase a receiver from the field. His talents aren't just limited to the defensive side of the ball, however. He has experience as an ATH on offense and can return kicks. Overall, I'd say Thome has P5 potential.   WR/DB: [player_tooltip player_id='743266' first='Jajuan' last='Bobmanuel'] 6' 185 lbs St. Paul Johnson 2025   [player_tooltip player_id='743266' first='Jajuan' last='Bobmanuel'] put together some impressive junior tape despite only playing 5 full games due to injury. He opens up his film with an uber-impressive 86-yard receiving touchdown. In this play, Bobmanuel does a great job of coming down with the ball, despite great coverage by the defender. Of course, he makes his money in the open field and outruns 4 defenders en route to 6. He doesn't just run routes and catch bombs though, Bobmanuel will get physical with a DB has has no issues blocking when he's needed to. Offensively, his biggest talent has to be his ability to bring down tightly contested passes. Bobmanuel can routinely bring down those tough 50/50 balls and with his great body control, he also takes down rough sideline balls. Expect a big senior year from Bobmanuel.   RB: [player_tooltip player_id='234777' first='Elijah' last='Johnson'] 5'8" 190 lbs Fairmont 2025   One of the most explosive RBs in the Minnesota class of 2025, Johnson was recently named a PrepRedzone Showcase standout. He opens his junior year tape with a monster 52-yard rushing touchdown. It's a simple power play and Johnson does a great job of following his lead blockers to the LOS. When they engage, Johnson cuts tightly off their hip, breaks several tackles, and lets loose a burst of speed that carries him to 6. Breaking loose for big runs is the norm for Johnson, however. During his junior year, he averaged over 8 ypc and brought in over 20 TDs. His vision is a drastically underappreciated piece of his game. His quick cuts at the line of scrimmage allow him to find open space where he is his most dangerous. He also has a low center of gravity which when combined with his explosiveness, allows him to break arm tackles at a higher rate than most. Be on the lookout for a big senior season from Johnson.   WR: Luke Dobbs St. Thomas Academy 6'2" 165 lbs 2024   During his senior year, Dobbs had a massive breakout with over 900 receiving yards and 13 TDs. He brought down just under 50 receptions en route to a state championship appearance. He opens up his tape as the lone receiver on the right side in the state semis game. He takes off on a deep fade and outpaces the corner manned up on him. He catches the ball several footsteps ahead of him for what ends up being a 50-yard receiving touchdown. Next, we see Dobbs as the lone receiver on the short side of the field, across from him, a corner in press-man. Dobbs throws a quick stutter step and releases to the outside. He beats the corner by two footsteps, brings down a quick 10-yard pass, and turns it into a 70-yard TD. His ability to get open and maximize YAC is what makes Dobbs special. He hasn't had a ton of recruiting attention but deserves a serious look from coaches.   FB: [player_tooltip player_id='242420' first='Cody' last='Packer'] 5'9" 200 lbs St. Thomas Academy 2024   Committed To: St. Olaf   One of if not the best fullbacks in the state, Packer recently committed to the MIAC school St. Olaf. Packer is a hitman. He punishes linebackers who fill gaps with bone-crushing hits. When you give him a running head start, there isn't a player he won't bowl over. Packer finishes his blocks and doesn't stop until his opponent is on the ground. As a former fullback, I know that it can be difficult to engage a defender in space, especially when they don't want to get hit. Packer is a fluid athlete who plays well in space, and who will gladly engage anywhere on the field of play. He's versatile as an athlete. He can play defensive line, or carry the rock when needed. He's got a thick frame and could see time right away due to that and his physicality. As someone who attends the rival, Gustavus, the thought of potentially seeing Packer on the opposite side of the field is a little unnerving.   WR: [player_tooltip player_id='752525' first='Cameron' last='Begalle'] 6'1" 180 lbs Andover 2025   It isn't crazy to think that Begalle will enter next season as the best receiver in the state. As a junior, he led the state in receiving yards and was second in receptions. Combine that with the fact that he gets a QB who started a few games last year and saw success, it's looking like 2024 will be a big year for Begalle. As you would expect, his tape is electric. Begalle opens up his film with a sort of wheel route. He brings down the ball in TRIPLE COVERAGE and then proceeds to break all three tackles before scoring a 65-yard TD. He brings a plethora of things to the table. Legit 4.5 speed, fantastic athleticism, and elite hands. Watching him frustrate DBs endlessly with his phenomenal route running is a treat. Begalle has legitimate P5 potential, and I think this offseason will reflect that for him.   OL: Aidan Winters-Boynton 6'3" 255 lbs Andover 2024   Committed To: UW-River Falls   Andover has been among the best 5A programs in the state for as long as I can remember. They consistently manage to produce top-level talent, and UW-River Falls has taken notice of this. The Huskies have developed a pipeline to River Falls, and Winters-Boynton is another dog who has taken his talents to the Falcons. While he saw most of his reps in high school at tackle, I think that guard may better suit his skillsets at the collegiate level. In the run game, Winters-Boynton is a force. His natural power can displace defensive linemen with ease. If he lowered his pad level a bit and moved his feet quicker, there isn't a defensive lineman he couldn't move. Winters-Boynton can flip a switch though, and when he does he will drive a defender clear out of frame. In pass-pro, Winters-Boynton rarely allows pressure. He stifles bigger power rushers and never lets anyone cross his face. The dude is going to be a dog at the next level.

I may not have been able to make the Stockup Showcase last week, but that isn't stopping me from continuing to put out content for you guys! The previous film reviews have been doing well, and there has been no shortage of players coming forth with their tapes. Today we have a handful of 24s/25s and one 2026. We have college commits, kids searching for homes, and talent that must be added to big boards before next season. Without more delay, enjoy my fourth film review!