PrepRedzoneMN Stock-Up Showcase: All-Eye Test Team
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Verified size and athletic testing numbers and in-person evaluations are two of the most valuable currencies in college football recruiting, and the PrepRedzoneMN Showcase has used both to put Minnesota prep athletes on the map going on a decade. One…
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Continue ReadingVerified size and athletic testing numbers and in-person evaluations are two of the most valuable currencies in college football recruiting, and the PrepRedzoneMN Showcase has used both to put Minnesota prep athletes on the map going on a decade. One of my favorite facets of the recruiting process is the all-important Eye Test, which is an awesome tool to differentiate the biggest and baddest apart from each other, as it’s no secret the biggest, tallest, strongest, and longest make up the P5 ranks we routinely watch on Saturdays. It’s also refreshing to be able to see what the weights we are used to seeing on digital screens look like right in front of you, see which kids are potentially exaggerating their measurables, and examine and gauge how a prospect’s frame projects to a college strength and conditioning program. Of the nearly 230 participants in Sunday’s PrepRedzoneMN Showcase, some kid’s builds, frames, and work in the weight room stand out from the crowd and catch the eye when evaluating and scouting at a big event like Sunday’s Brooklyn Park-located event. The winners of our 2023 version of the Stock-Up Showcase All-Eye Test Team are some big boys, forged from Minnesota beef and cold winters gritting through heavy squat reps in towns all around our great state, and strapped with muscles that help him dominate the high school level. Who do you want coming off the bus first? Find out below!
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QB:
First Team:
Bib #64: Reece Dawson Reece Dawson 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB Rogers | 2024 State MN (Rogers) 2024. 6’3.25″, 217 lbs.
A legit 6’3″+, almost 220 lbs., Dawson is built like a refrigerator and possesses broad shoulders, huge hands, and a thick lower body that all-in-all could hold 30-40 pounds with excellent results. MSU-Mankato offered back in the summer, but his recruitment is 100% open and he could give a college QB room a huge lift. We’ll get to him in a more detailed fashion in our Session II standouts article later today.
Bib #67: Nick Kinsey Nick Kinsey 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Stillwater | 2026 State MN (Stillwater) 2026. 6’3, 200+
Kinsey elected not to get measured, this is more speculative than some of the other members of the PrepRedzoneMN 2023 Stock-Up Showcase All-Eye Test Team, but talking to him 1-on-1 he’s hovering around the 6’2-6’3 range and has a bigger frame that fits well into his dropback, pocket-passer skillset that flicks the rock around with talent we haven’t seen in a long time in Minnesota. Had long sleeves on at the freezing cold Showcase, so I didn’t get to check out any muscle definition, but he’s a big kid with more room to grow, especially for a sophomore.
Second Team:
#51: Landen Mickelson Landen Mickelson 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB St. Agnes | 2024 State MN (St. Agnes) 2024. 6’1.75″, 204 lbs.
Thick, nearly 6’2, and holding a big-bodied build that can pack a punch when he takes off and runs, St. Agnes‘ unsigned senior signal-caller is built more like a LB and brings an imposing presence to the high school QB position.
44: Myles Greenwood Myles Greenwood 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Prior Lake | 2025 MN (Prior Lake) 2025. 6′, 214 lbs.
Stood out amongst his QB peers at a noticeable nearly 215 lbs. and was explosive (9’1″ broad jump) out of his stance or from a dead stop.
Honorable Mention:
Bib #144: Beckham Van Voorst (MPLS South) 2027. 5’11.75″, 181 lbs.
You don’t get pleasantly surprised by a freshman’s physique very often, but 612 product Beckham Van Voorst caught my eye thanks to some noticeable muscle structure in his shoulders and triceps at over 180 lbs. as a 14 maybe 15-year-old. Nearly 6′ as well, he’s going to be physically striking if he has a growth spurt as an underclassman and continues some hard work in the weight room. QB, safety, and athlete, the foundation is looking good for the Minneapolis South Tiger.
Bib #59: Brady Kittelson Brady Kittelson 6'2" | 170 lbs | QB Blooming Prairie | 2025 State MN (Blooming Prairie) 6’1.75″, 178.4 lbs.
Possesses a tall, long, lean, wiry, and athletic build and frame that justifies his impressive testing numbers (4,78 40, 4.5 short-shuttle, 9’3″ broad, 7.07 L-drill), three-sport success and functional athleticism, and overall fluid movement skills in a prep football camp setting. A college strength & conditioning coordinator is going to love getting his hands on this Awesome Blossom.
RB:
First Team:
Bib #49: Gavin Schmidt Gavin Schmidt 6'1" | 205 lbs | ATH Elk River | 2025 State MN (Elk River) 2025. 6’1.5″, 202 lbs.
Elk River’s Schmidt passed the eye test in pads when I saw the Elks take on Chanhassen this fall, as he struck an intimidating presence from the second level of the Elks defense and ran the ball hard as hard as possible each and every carry, and he backed up the impression on Sunday in Brooklyn Park. Schmidt puts in the work in the weight room, has some solid muscle definition as a junior, and is a big kid who could really turn monstrous in a collegiate S&C program and dining hall.
Bib #48: Jacari Swinea Jacari Swinea 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH Worthington | 2025 State MN (Worthington) 2025. 6’1, 190 lbs.
I couldn’t help but notice Swinea from across the Brooklyn Park Sports Dome, as his legit 190 lb. is strapped with muscles and shows long arms and dangerous 6’1 height that really helps power his premium athleticism that included a 4.67 40, 4.7 short-shuttle, 7.22 L-drill, and back-to-back 9’6″ broad jumps. He looks, and plays, like an athlete worth paying for his college. We don’t have an updated picture in the database from Sunday’s event so I don’t know what happened there, but the work he put in the weight room since last year’s Showcase left a memorable impression and surely passed my personal eye test with flying colors.
Second Team:
Bib #9: Madden Ison Madden Ison 5'9" | 200 lbs | RB Eagan | 2025 State MN (Eagan) 2025. 5’9.25″, 192 lbs.
Hard not to like RBs built like Eagan Wildcat junior Maden Ison, who has put out some good tape thus far in his career and backed up the positive perceptions in both play and the eye test on Sunday. Bowling ball of a ball carrier with a thick upper body and explosiveness in his game, plus the functional and visible muscles to help him test impressively with a 4.65 40, 4.31 short-shuttle, 9’6″ broad, and 7.12 L-drill.
Bib #5: Elijah Johnson Elijah Johnson 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Fairmont | 2025 State MN (Fairmont) 2025. 5’7.5″, 195 lbs.
Naturally thick and low to the ground, Johnson is another bowling ball of a RB who is seasoned both on the gridiron (1,313 yards, 19 TDs, 0 fumbles), and seasoned with PRzMN Showcases, and he once again had an excellent day of testing to go along with his bulldozer build. 4.56 40 (!), 4.53 short-shuttle, 8’10 broad, I wouldn’t want to get in the way of this John Deere of a ball carrier.
Honorable Mention:
Bib #153: Carson Heimer Carson Heimer 6'1" | 175 lbs | RB Byron | 2026 MN (Byron) 2026. 6′.25″, 171 lbs.
Good showing from the young buck from Byron, both in the testing department and with the eye test. Ropey and defined 170+, has set a good base of muscle going into his upperclassman campaign and hopefully more weight gain. 4.59 x2 in the 40, 4.46, and 4.53 in the short-shuttle, 9’7 broad, 7.02 L-drill.
Bib #114: Carsyn Kleffman Carsyn Kleffman 5'10" Elk River | 2027 MN (Elk River) 2027. 5’9, 168 lbs.
Of all the freshmen in attendance on Sunday, Kleffman set himself apart, just like he has all fall long in the ultra-competitive 5A ranks. You can tell he’s still a young buck, but he’s a thicker 170-ish pound and visibly shows the strength to make dominant 1-on-1 tackles against much more seasoned competition. Played RB on Sunday but I really like him on the defensive side of the ball too. If he invests himself in that Elk River weight room and gets some help from Mother Nature he’s going to continue to be a physically admirable prospect.
Bib #105: Lamari Brown Lamari Brown 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Spring Lake Park | 2026 MN (Spring Lake Park) 2026. 5’8, 168 lbs.
Not the biggest running back, but the fast-twitch muscles were evident in both Lamari Brown Lamari Brown 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Spring Lake Park | 2026 MN ‘s game and eye test, and he put them to good use on Sunday. One of those springy, quick, and sudden ball-carriers with the body to match.
WR:
First Team:
Bib #149: Juriad Hughes Jr. (Irondale) 2024. 6’1.25″, 179 lbs.
One of the top unsigned skill players in the Midwest, not just Minnesota, Irondale’s nationally-renowned track & field competitor, and WR lit up the Showcase and has the frame and built to match. Built like a piston ready to fire, Hughes is sleeky, explosive, and athletically built. If we’re talking sports cars, I’d call Hughes Jr. the Porsche of the field. He looked and played the part of an FBS-offeree.
Bib #77: Carter Pontius Carter Pontius 6'5" | 200 lbs | WR West Salem | 2025 State WI (West Salem, WI) 2025. 6’5″, 189.4 lbs.
Wingspan, length, catch radius, and reach, Wisconsinite Carter Pontius Carter Pontius 6'5" | 200 lbs | WR West Salem | 2025 State WI is the classic big-bodied, 1-on-1 perimeter & red zone matchup nightmare with upside in the blocking game both around the LOS or in space. An always-needed and always-welcomed addition to any WR room and Pontius knew how to use that God-given size to his advantage during 1-on-1s as well. Also posted 4.75 40 and 9’3″ broad.
Second Team:
Bib #54: Dylan Vokal Dylan Vokal 6'2" | 200 lbs | ATH Maple Grove | 2025 State MN (Maple Grove) 2025. 6’1.5″, 198 lbs.
One of “my guys” in the 2025 MN class of D1 hopefuls, Maple Grove’s Vokal also checks boxes in the size and eye test departments, showing off some wear and tear and notable definition in his upper body and calves while just scratching the 6’2, 200 lb. surface as a dynamic offensive, defensive, and special teams ace who excels with the ball in his hand. Additionally, I believe his frame and height would allow him to hold and maintain significant more weight and muscle, yet another fact that should excite potential college suitors.
Bib #16: Garrett Bauer (Monticello) 2026. 6′, 190 lbs.
6′, 190 is nothing to scoff at, especially for a sophomore, and Monticello’s Garrett Bauer stands out amongst his peers in the size department. Side by side with the other 2026s in attendance, you’re likin what you’re seeing from our now Second Team All-Eye Test squad from the 2023 PRzMN Stock-Up Showcase.
TE:
First Team:
Bib #61: Kaleb Ngwendson Kaleb Ngwendson 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL Eastview | 2025 State MN (Apple Valley) 2025. 6’2, 217 lbs.
The well-deserved thumbnail/cover photo/featured image of this All-Eye Test Team, Apple Valley’s rising senior TE Kaleb Ngwendson Kaleb Ngwendson 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL Eastview | 2025 State MN was certainly an eye-catcher, with a statue-esque physique and a rocked-up, cut up upper body and thigh/hamstring areas in particular, Ngwendson looks like a scholarship athlete already, and his already-obvious genetic gifts and weight room rewards are hard not to notice.
Bib #181: Caden Johnson Caden Johnson 6'2" | 240 lbs | TE Princeton | 2025 State MN (Princeton) 2025. 6’1.5, 247 lbs.
Johnson has gained over 20 pounds since I saw him last winter at the PRzMN Showcase, and boy is he looking daunting. An F150 of a TE/HB combination with a frame that is built for big hits, absorbing contact, and bull defenders, Johnson is going to be able to contribute earlier rather than later at the college level and strikes a menacing figure as a rising senior. If he’s got the rock, get out of his way!
Second Team:
Bib #79: Sawyer Josewski Sawyer Josewski 6'5" | 235 lbs | TE Rogers | 2026 MN (Rogers) 2026. 6’5″, 219.2 lbs.
Very long arms and overall plus-length, Rogers sophomore Josewski owns one of those frames that you develop into top-notch physical specimens with a bit of buy-in, and bump up in caloric intake, and a collegiate strength program. It was hard not to notice him despite a thick and populous crowd of prospects at the PRzMN Showcase last Sunday.
OL:
First Team:
Bib #212: Andrew Trout Andrew Trout 6'6" | 270 lbs | OL Rocori | 2026 State MN (Rocori) 2026. 6’6.5″, 270 lbs.
Overwhelmingly large with a scary amount of room to fill in and add mass. Massive wingspan and huge hits with noticeably large feet as well. Built from the tough and hard-nosed Cold Spring area that has produced some genetic wonders before.
Bib #211: Noah Dietel Noah Dietel 6'6" | 295 lbs | OL Litchfield | 2026 State MN (Litchfield) 2026. 6’7, 290 lbs.
When the emphasized and overarching recruiting trope of the massive, Midwest, farm-strong, corn-country, small town giants that is always present in national and regional recruiting cycles year after year is discussed by recruiting analysts and aficionados, they are talking about kids like Noah Dietel Noah Dietel 6'6" | 295 lbs | OL Litchfield | 2026 State MN out of Litchfield. A now-verified 6’7, 290 lbs., Dietel is an NCAA Create-A-Player offensive tackle with rare and highly sought after physical gifts that can propel into the upper echelons of success and projectability in the high school/college football landscape. Absolutely breathtaking mullet as well.
Bib #214: Cooper Mansfield Cooper Mansfield 6'10" | 300 lbs | OL Elk River | 2025 State MN (Elk River) 2025. 6’9.5″, 275 lbs.
You read that size right, and it speaks for itself. The tallest prospect we’ve ever had on record (Peyton Lange was 6’9, 350+), Mansfield has stunning size that makes it hard not to doubletake when he walks by. That kind of rare frame and already present height will entice big-time P5 programs to throw out at least a PWO offer, sometimes late in a recruiting process, so he’s simply a must-know and a literally massive addition to an already-stacked 2025 class of OL in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Second Team:
Bib #194: Ryan Babatz Ryan Babatz 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL Buffalo | 2025 State MN (Buffalo) 2025. 6’4.75″, 279 lbs.
Just like his play and recruiting status, Babatz is built like a P5 OL. Sturdy, strong, naturally brawny, and beefy like many-a high-powered, highly-touted, highly-physical OL Midwest-born-and-bred offensive lineman. Would hate to be a burger around this kid.
Bib #210: Jacob Stevens Jacob Stevens 6'4" | OL Chatfield | 2025 MN (Chatfield) 2025. 6’4.5″, 260 lbs.
Bred from Southern MN stock down in the 507, Stevens has the size that no prep OL coach is ever is going to pass up and no college OL coach will ever scoff at. Stevens has more room to fill in as well, something that a smart collegiate staff will take advantage of soon.
Bib #195: Nathan Dobbs Nathan Dobbs 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL Hopkins | 2025 State MN (Hopkins) 2025. 6’3.75″, 283 lbs.
Built to excel and put in work in the interior trenches of a high school and collegiate battleground, Dobbs‘ flow also adds an added layer of swag and style to the a frame that stands out in a Showcase setting.
Bib #218: Isaiah Campbell Isaiah Campbell 6'5" | 315 lbs | OL Elk River | 2025 State MN (Elk River) 2025. 6’5.5″, 310 lbs.
A towering Elk River junior, Campbell was dwarfing competition in pads this fall and continued the gigantic comparisons in person on Sunday.
DL:
First Team:
Bib #213: Gavin Wang Gavin Wang 6'7" | 255 lbs | OL Annandale | 2025 State MN (Annandale) 6’7, 256 lbs.
Enormous, long, and still lean, Annandale’s Gavin Wang Gavin Wang 6'7" | 255 lbs | OL Annandale | 2025 State MN has the chance to make big-time as a P5 OT or DE, and the top-tier prototypical size will initially grab you attention, where his play and athleticism will keep it. As mentioned in the intro, you’re going to want this kid to come off the bus first.
Bib #80: Colin Hansen Colin Hansen 6'7" | 220 lbs | DL Byron | 2025 State MN (Byron) 2025. 6’7, 218 lbs.
A sky-scraping junior from the talent-rich Byron Bears program, Hansen has one of those raw, moldable, game-changing frames that can pay back in legendary fashion under the right combination of tutelage, talent, and dedication. It’s hard not to think about what could be when looking at a prospect like Colin Hansen Colin Hansen 6'7" | 220 lbs | DL Byron | 2025 State MN , and that sky-high height is also symbolic of his potential as a collegiate prospect as well.
Bib #196: Howie Johnson Howie Johnson 6'4" | 250 lbs | DL Forest Lake | 2026 State MN (Forest Lake) 2026. 6’3, 238 lbs.
Built like a brick and strong as an ox, Forest Lake’s Howie Johnson Howie Johnson 6'4" | 250 lbs | DL Forest Lake | 2026 State MN is one of the more sure things Minnesota high school football recruiting has seen recently, and his physical build and passableness of the eye test is one of the many checked boxes in Johnson’s game, skillset, and recruiting pedigree. See him live, shake his hand, watch him work, he’s what a P5 DL looks like, especially for a sophomore.
Second Team:
Bib #66: Graysen Schneider Graysen Schneider 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL Stewartville | 2025 State MN (Stewartville) 2025. 6’2.5″, 240 lbs.
Wide, thick, burly, bulky, and brawny, those are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind when describing Stewie’s Graysen Schneider Graysen Schneider 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL Stewartville | 2025 State MN , one of the state’s most physically developed and mature football players and a heckuva striking figure in person. Massive hands that are more like bear paws, wide, powerful arms, broad shoulders, and a thick lower body, Schneider ate up competition like his second breakfast and probably ate lunch after the showcase to celebrate. P5 sleeper with the build to match.
#189: Spencer Lewis Spencer Lewis 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Richfield | 2025 State MN (Richfield) 2025. 6’2.25″, 231 lbs.
Built to take contact play after play in the trenches of physical Metro football, Richfield Spartan Spencer Lewis Spencer Lewis 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Richfield | 2025 State MN is all of his 231 lbs. and shows more room to grow as well.
#193: Storm Tiry Storm Tiry 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Stanley-Boyd | 2025 State WI (Stanley-Boyd, WI) 2025. 6’3.5″, 229 lbs.
Look at this kid! Built like a Captain America figurine, shredded like a Mr. Olympia contestant, and noticeably defined from his hours of efforts in weight rooms and gyms of North Central Wisconsin, Tiry struck one of the most physically impressive figures of the 225+ participants at the PRzMN Showcase last Sunday, period.
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LB:
First Team:
Bib #72: Jacob Wrbanek Jacob Wrbanek 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Maple Grove | 2025 State MN (Maple Grove) 2025. 6’3.5″, 213 lbs.
Can’t be a fun sight for opposing lineman, RBs, and QBs to spy Maple Grove’s Wrbanek in the heart of the Crimson defense play after play, especially that first snap. Tall and broad-shouldered, Wrbanek has ideal size for high school LB prospects and can get himself on collegiate recruiting boards off the Eye Test alone.
#60: Bo Draheim Bo Draheim 6'2" | 215 lbs | TE Maple Grove Senior | 2025 State MN (Maple Grove) 2025. 6’1.5″, 211 lbs.
Compact, strong, and resembling a LB you would assume would love run support (he does), Crimson junior Draheim looks the part of an upperclassman molded in competition and success against big-school, Metro-area opponents.
Second Team:
Bib #121: Logan Rudningen Logan Rudningen 5'10" | ATH KMS | 2025 MN (Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg) 2025. 5’9.5″, 186 lbs.
Noticeably defined triceps and a welded upper body that fits the profile of an undersized, tough, hard-nosed box defenders who plays and punches about his weight class. KMS has been pumping out talent lately, keep up!
Bib #69: Aidan Boche Aidan Boche 6'4" | 200 lbs | LB Park | 2026 State MN (Park of Cottage Grove) 2026. 6’3.5″, 190 lbs.
Don’t get me wrong, Boche already strikes a long, promising, and potentially ultra-disruptive frame for a prep LB, but it’s more about what could be still. Tons and tons of room to fill in and grow, with the chance to turn hulking and overwhelmingly big.
DB:
First Team:
Bib #139: Owin Gerber Owin Gerber 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Century | 2026 MN (Rochester Century) 2026. 5’11, 178 lbs.
Rochester is really churning out the athletes lately, and sophomore DB Gerber came away from Sunday’s PRzMN Showcase as one of the my biggest winners and top newcomers. Shows some strength and muscle definition for a sophomore with a sturdy nearly 180 lbs. to back it up.
Second Team:
Bib #45: Anthony Carlson Anthony Carlson 6'1" | 180 lbs | LB Duluth East | 2026 MN (Duluth East) 2026. 6’1, 186 lbs.
Length is always at a premium with defensive back recruiting, and Carlson stood out from his peers from my roving eye test of the DBs last Sunday. Already has some muscles built on those arms from effort in the Greyhounds weight room, and the best part? He’s only a sophomore. Good way to round out the PRzMN 2023 Stock-Up Showcase All-Eye Test Team.