Nate’s Standouts from the Prep Redzone MN Showcase: Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BROOKLYN PARK, MN</strong>-- The put is fully on the gas now for me with our Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase content. With Part II we focus on mostly running backs that certainly popped out in the first session, but this is also one intriguing linebacker that just keeps getting better and better, and finally had the eyes of the bulk of our scouts of what I have been seeing for years now in a live setting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1120549' first='Jonathan' last='Kaiser'], RB, Princeton (MN) 2025 </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/JonathanKa14050">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1128402,"width":"332px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/11-Jonathan-Kaiser-crop-4800x3152-1703739170.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1128402" style="width:332px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jonathan was a new name from the Princeton Tigers I got my eyes on the 2025 class from the Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase. He showed off a quick starting burst from what I saw in early drills and into Indy drills and also with his testing numbers, showed longevity with his change of direction recording a 7.2 in the L-Drill. He also showed off a low-center of gravity, which will allow him to I am sure in the coming year and beyond get several yards after contact and fluidity with his change of direction. Jonathan certainly is an under the radar tailback that should carry a heavier load in the Tigers backfield from his impressive performance in Brooklyn Park.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1104940' first='Carson' last='Heimer'], RB, Byron (MN) 2026</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/carson_heimer8">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1128399,"width":"309px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/153-Carson-Heimer-crop-4800x3152-1703739058.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1128399" style="width:309px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">153 - [player_tooltip player_id='1104940' first='Carson' last='Heimer']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Byron Bears have for years now come out strong to our Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase and that has truth at the running back position as well, as we look at another first look running back in Byron 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1104940' first='Carson' last='Heimer']. At just over 6'0 171 pounds Carson had some jaw-dropping testing numbers. 4.59 (twice) in the 40 yard dash, 4.46 for pro agility, 9'7 broad jump and closed it out with a 7.02 in the L-drill. Not only was Carson on our All-Testing Team, but he showed off his length of his strides and upper body as a pass-catcher in 1v1s, as this young man showed off the near total package at our Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase. He certainly is yet another running back to watch for out of Southern Minnesota that as just a sophomore will have a very bright college football future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1120565' first='Luke' last='Pearson'], RB, Duluth Denfeld (MN) 2024</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/luke_pearson84">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1128397,"width":"299px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/109-Luke-Pearson-crop-4800x3152-1703739001.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1128397" style="width:299px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 class brought some noise to the Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase as late-bloomers and one 2024 that was early on my radar was Duluth Denfeld's [player_tooltip player_id='1120565' first='Luke' last='Pearson']. The pure instinct I saw out of Luke was what allowed him to catch my eyes as this young man showed off multiple skillsets that a college program is going to be attracted to next-year. He also showed off a 4.47 pro agility and a consistent 7.26 for his top time in the L-Drill. This youngl man shows off excellent agility and well-versed vision and football IQ as when you turn on the tape, Luke shows you he doesn't need much to progress up the A-gap as a sneaky 5'9 160 pound running back that is well-worth go outside the measurables threshold for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1120544' first='Jamal' last='Smith'], RB, Spring Lake Park (MN) 2026</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/jamal2shiftyy">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1128400,"width":"317px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/26-Jamal-Smith-crop-4800x3152-1703739085.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1128400" style="width:317px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>According to my notes from last Sunday, Spring Lake Park has the lead for my team MVP from our Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase as they showed off another running back with some promise ahead in 2026 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1120544' first='Jamal' last='Smith']. I look in the testing numbers for players that are improving from rep #1 to #2 in testing, and that was Jamal's case in every category in Brooklyn Park. His bests at 6'0 177 pounds were 4.63 in the 40-yard dash, 4.56 in the shuttle, 9'8 in the broad jump and 7.5 in the L-Drill which tells me Jamal can develop more finesse when he needs to extend his change of direction from a distance. He also in the later reps showed off his instincts he has to work with and the constant agility which was noted on my notepad on multiple occasions from Jamal. In my eyes, Jamal is a 2026 RB prospect on the rise in Minnesota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244980' first='Ryder' last='Vylasek'], LB, Rogers (MN) 2025</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/Ryder_Vylasek">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1128401,"width":"325px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/40-Ryder-Vylasek-crop-4800x3152-1703739125.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1128401" style="width:325px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each chance I have gotten to watch Ryder since my first look two seasons ago versus Monticello, this young man shows the chip on his shoulder mentality and constantly develops further each time I get to watch him. One of the biggest skillsets that keeps growing for Ryder is his football IQ development, as since even watching him over the summer at the UND prospect camp, Ryder has broadened his scope with all the instincts he plays with. The testing numbers have improved too, as Ryder put up a 9'2 broad jump and an improved 4.53 pro agility time. Bright next-level future for this young man and is one that college coaches have position flexibility with to grow as </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->