Hayden’s Hotshots: My Top 100 DBs Before the 2024 Season (76-100)
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Last year I started making extravagant lists detailing the Top 100 or Top 50 players at any given position in Minnesota. I managed to get a good portion of skill players done but was unfortunately unable to include any defensive…
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Continue ReadingLast year I started making extravagant lists detailing the Top 100 or Top 50 players at any given position in Minnesota. I managed to get a good portion of skill players done but was unfortunately unable to include any defensive players. To counteract this heading forward, I have begun to examine prospects across the state. While putting out a list this early may not leave much time for kids to develop on the camp circuit, it does allow me to cover more kids and shed more light on a bunch of prospects, which is the goal of PRZ. The list will include 25 prospects, what talents land them on this list, and what separates them from other athletes. If available, stats and links to Twitter/X will also be posted. To assemble this list, I scoured the internet. Players on here typically have a Twitter/X account, always have tape, and usually have their stats posted on MNFoootballHub. I compiled this list by finding returning DBs who started and recorded at least 15 tackles. Then I asked my Twitter and Instagram to send in tapes for people who they thought deserved to be in the top 100. I started with 445 DBs and whittled it down piece by piece to the Top 100. I evaluated the film, while also taking into account, stats, offers, level of competition, and camp performances. Without much more delay, I’m pleased to introduce the first part of my Top 100 DBs! (75-100)
#100: Alec Newby 5’9″ 170 lbs Bemidji 2025
Starting us off, we have Alec Newby from Bemidji. He’s a physical strong safety who is effective as both a pass-rusher and a run-stopper. Newby plays with great intensity which is part of the reason he lands on this list. He forces fumbles as a brutish tackler and takes great angles when pursuing runners. He needs more tape in pass coverage, but he can go to work in the box as a talented run defender. I expect him to be a veteran presence in the Lumberjacks secondary next season.
#99: Cullen O’Rourke 6′ 180 lbs Park Center 2025
O’Rourke returns after a fairly successful junior year with the Park Center Pirates. He’s got a good frame on him and moves well. He’s primarily a free safety who is proficient in pass coverage. He doesn’t struggle to keep up with smaller potentially quicker receivers and has shown off fine in-game instincts on his tape. When he needs to stop the run, he shows no issues. O’Rourke has demonstrated the ability to line up in the box and blitz, as well as flow freely from alley to alley to prevent big gains.
#98: Fischer Wait Caledonia 2025
2023 Stats: 8 GP, 17 TTck, 1 Int
Wait is a two-sport athlete (Football/Track), who saw success as a CB on a 10-1 team that made the state tournament last year. Being a corner at a small school means you have to know how to stop the run, and Wait has grown comfortable making contact with ball carriers at the line of scrimmage. When asked to drop back and cover, Wait doesn’t get beat deep and matches strides with receivers. He does a great job of using his hands at the catch point. I expect Wait to be a valuable two-way starter during his senior year.
#97: Aijhon Douglas Aijhon Douglas 5'8" | 150 lbs | ATH St. Paul Harding/Humboldt | 2025 State MN 5’9″ 150 lbs Harding/Humbolt 2025
One of the highest-ranked ATHs in the class of 2025, Douglas is one of two Harding/Humbolt DBs ranked on this list. Although he’s primarily been known as an offensive standout, Douglas is also a stud on defense. He’s an exciting cornerback who hits as if he’s 30 pounds bigger. His athleticism is on clear display throughout his tape. He can close in on receivers quickly, and his own experience as a QB gives him a better sense of timing between the receiver and his QB. Overall, Douglas is a great athlete whose upside as a DB is tremendous, it’s just not nearly as high as his upside as a WR.
#96: Allan (Jay) Lankford 6’1″ 190 lbs St. Paul Central 2025
Lankford may not have a ton of DB tape, but what he does have is fantastic. He is a thumper at 6’1″ 190 lbs and you can see it in his play. Lankford is long and athletic, which contributes to his ability to contest balls, but he also can and will lay someone out. He’s got the frame to play at a high level of football, but his talents on the defensive side of the ball are often overshadowed by his accomplishments on offense. Nevertheless, Lankford is a stud safety who makes offenses pay.
#95: Seveyon Gibbs 5’7″ 145 lbs Brooklyn Center 2025
2023 Stats: 19 TTck, 2 Ints
The second of the pair of Brooklyn Center prospects, Gibbs is a shorter corner who does a great job of using his stature to up-end bigger opponents when tackling them. He’s tough to shake in the open field and will make ballcarriers regret running straight at him. There are very few times if any that Gibbs isn’t the lower man when he attempts a tackle. People may be quick to write him off because of his size, but they shouldn’t. Gibbs will prove during his senior year that he’s worthy of serious college looks.
#94: Colin Welch 5’9″ 135 lbs Spring Lake Park 2026
2023 Stats: 6 GP, 32 TTck, 2 FF, 1 Int, 2 PBUs
A three-sport athlete (Football/Basketball/Track) who plays Free Safety for Spring Lake Park, Welch impressively put up over 30 tackles in only 6 games as a sophomore on a 5A team. I’ll concede that he needs to hit the weight room, but his tape is impressive. Welch has shown that he can hang with some of the top athletes in 5A. Despite being only 135 lbs, he can lay the wood, and he’s proven adept in pass coverage. When he attempts a tackle, Welch often does a great job of using his hands to force turnovers. We could very easily see a junior breakout year here.
#93: Tate Nelson Tate Nelson 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Two Harbors | 2025 State MN 5’11” 155 lbs Two Harbors 2025
2023 Stats: 8 GP, 31 TTck, 1 Int, 2 PBUs
Another three-sport athlete (Football/Basketball/Track), Nelson is the reigning state champion in both the 100M Dash and the Long Jump. So it should come as no surprise, that Nelson is a great athlete. He’s a fluid runner with great speed. Defensively, he shows no issues keeping up with WRs. Nelson is from a smaller school, so he is used to far more run-heavy looks. This means he’s more than comfortable getting in the box and making tackles. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a ton of DB film which holds him back from being higher, but make no mistake, Nelson is a legit talent.
#92: Naod Tewelde 5’7″ 150 lbs Park 2025
2023 Stats: 7 GP, 20 TTck, 1 Fum
Another DB who is more than capable of playing corner or safety, Tewelde’s tape is full of tackles in clutch situations. When he wraps ahold of someone’s leg, they don’t get free. He doesn’t have a lot of man tape, but he’s proven himself a reliable zone defender against some of the best athletes in the state. Tewelde has also shown that when he’s needed in the run game, he can step up and make plays. With a 120-tackle safety leaving Parks secondary, I think Tewelde can step up and have a big senior season.
#91: Deontae Thomas 5’11” 160 lbs Brooklyn Center 2025
One of two Brooklyn Center prospects on the Top 100 list, Thomas is an athletic safety who lays the wood once he steps into the box. His tape is riddled with big hits across the middle. Not only does he crash hard down on run plays, but Thomas will go up and make receivers pay on jump balls. Thomas isn’t afraid to light up wideouts after they come down with the ball, or jump at and use his hands at the catch point. He fills alleys and gaps well too. I think we see a big senior year from the Centars product.
#90: Tenyee Thao 5’5″ 150 lbs South St. Paul 2025
A short but capable DB, Thao did it all for South St. Paul last season. Primarily a safety, Thao breaks quickly out of his zone and reads the QB very well. When he engages ball-carriers Thao wraps up and performs beautiful gator roll tackles. He can hand with receivers when in man coverage, and even if he loses a step, Thao can recover nicely. He flows well from alley to alley and appears to work best from depth. I think we could see a big senior season out of Thao.
#89: Ayden Forsgren Ayden Forsgren RB Lakeville North | 2025 MN 6′ 170 lbs Lakeville North 2025
2023 Stats: 10 GP, 23 TTck, 3 PBUs
A lanky DB with a 4.0 GPA, Forsgren contributes to programs both on and off the field. Forsgren is a two-way player for what ended up being one of the best teams in 6A. As a DB, Forsgren is diciplined. He stays true to his zone and doesn’t bite on routes underneath him. When the ball is run at him, he doesn’t panic and either force the ball carrier to the sideline, or back towards his middle linebackers. Forsgren tackles low and can make plays at the line of scrimmage when lined up either in the box or blitzing.
#88: Krayton Bergstrom Krayton Bergstrom 5'6" | 150 lbs | DB Winona | 2025 MN 5’7″ 155 lbs Winona 2025
2023 Stats: 9 GP, 30 TTck, 1 TFL, 5 PBUs
An aggressive tackler who can be a demon in coverage, Bergstrom is a three-sport athlete (Football/Basketball/Track) who comes in at #84. Bergstrom is no stranger to facing run-heavy offenses, and he’s more than comfortable moving into the box or switching to safety when required. He can provide tight coverage on a variety of routes against bigger receivers. He looks comfortable and confident when manned up on an island, and his 5 PBUs speak for how well he uses his hands in coverage. Bergstrom also pursues ball carriers very well. He takes great angles that result in play-saving tackles.
#87: Anthony Carlson Anthony Carlson 6'1" | 180 lbs | LB Duluth East | 2026 MN 6’1″ 175 lbs Duluth East 2026
As a sophomore, Carlson made ridiculously athletic plays up and down the field as a safety. Even if we ignore the fact that he already stands at an impressive 6’1″ 175 lbs, there’s a lot to like about him. He’s a little hesitant at times in the run game, but otherwise a solid tackler. If he lowers his shoulder, rest assured that the ball carrier is going to feel it. In the passing game, Carlson adjusts well to the ball in the air. There are a lot of athletes to like from Northern Minnesota, and Carlson is one of them.
#86: Gideon Breker Gideon Breker 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Robbinsdale Armstrong | 2025 MN 6’1″ 190 lbs Robbinsdale Armstrong 2025
2023 Stats: 10 GP, 22 TTck, 2 Ints, 1 PBU
A two-way starter for a team that made the state tournament, Breker had a breakout junior year and looks to continue his success in 2024. He boasts a great frame and unsurprisingly has great ball skills. When Breker encounters a ball carrier, he hits low and hard. Breker is one of the more fluid athletes on this list, and it’s evident on tape. He’s fast enough to chase down far-side receivers, and big enough to stun tight ends with big hits. Breker brings the best of both worlds and should get his flowers during his senior year.
#85: Nicholas Burggraff 6′ 150 lbs Monticello 2025
2023 Stats: 10 GP, 37 TTck, 1 FF
Burggraff is a quick corner for the Monticello Magic who is also a prolific punt returner. During his junior campaign, he recorded an impressive 37 TTck. Most of this is due to his talents as a run-stopper. Despite typically lining up on the edge, Burggraff can make tackles in the box. This is because he fights through the receiver’s blocks so well. When he does line up as a safety, he has shown that he can be more physical and fits there well. All in all, Burggraff is a versatile DB who I think is bound for a big senior year.
#84: Anthony Briseno Anthony Briseno 5'8" | ATH Dassel Cokato | 2025 MN 5’8″ 155 lbs Dassel-Cokato 2025
2023 Stats: 43 TTck, 2.5 TFLs, 3 FF, 6 PBU, 1 Int
A self-described CB/OLB, Briseno ended his junior season with All-District Honorable Mention honors. Don’t let his shorter stature fool you, Briseno is a dang good athlete. He’s got an impressive vert, on top of what are some impressive lifting maxes. On film, he’s a dog. There is no use throwing a screen to his side. Briseno always cruises right through whatever receiver approaches and takes the other receiver down instantly. He does a great job of using his hands to disrupt passes and has shown to quite literally dive to swat a ball. He’s an exciting prospect who I’m curious to watch next season.
#83: Nate Chea 5’10” 150 lbs Harding/Humbolt 2025
Another do-it-all athlete for the Harding/Humbolt combination team, Chea is one of the Twin Cities’ best-kept secrets. The first thing that popped out to me on his tape, was his nasty vert. Chea can get up and rip balls out of the air. This effectively makes Chea a ball magnet. His ability to return INTs for big yardage is also a must-note. Chea isn’t just great in coverage, however. He’s an extremely physical tackler. He’s either hitting you in your chest and the ball’s going flying, or he’s wrapping up low and not letting go.
#82: Faith Fozao 5’11” 165 lbs Irondale 2025
Fozao is a versatile defensive back who comes from an Irondale program that has produced a ton of collegiate talent over the last couple of years. He’ll play either safety or corner and has shown success at both positions. When playing corner, Fozao can easily go step for step with talented wideouts and does a great job of contesting catches. He doesn’t get beat deep on fades and doesn’t shy away from contact in the run game. Fozao is physical when engaged by offensive linemen, and has shown that he can blow up screens underneath him. Don’t sleep on Fozao in 2024.
#81: Zach Wickenhauser Zach Wickenhauser 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Norwood Young America | 2025 MN 6’1″ 185 lbs NYA 2025
2023 Stats: 9 GP, 35 TTck, 6 TFLs, 1.0 Sack, 1 Fum, 1 Int, 2 PBUs
An All-District two-way starter on a District Championship team, Wickenhauser is finally starting to get some of the respect he deserves. The well-built strong safety has started to attract college attention and it’s about time. When you watch his film, you quickly realize that he’s a sparkplug. Wickenhauser plays with great intensity and is just as comfortable in coverage as he is lining up off of the edge. He knocks fullbacks and lead blockers over, and will blow run plays up at the point of attack. Wickenhauser is fast, physical, and athletic, and I’m pumped to watch him in his senior year.
#80: Davion Jackson 6’2″ 160 lbs Apollo 2025
A standout athlete in general, Jackson has been a lanky two-way starter for St. Cloud Apollo since his sophomore year. As a junior, he saw incredible success at DB. Leave Jackson on an island and let him go to work. One-on-one, with his speed and wingspan, it’s a challenge to hold a step over him, let alone catch a ball when guarded by him. He adjusts to the WR’s routes well and fights hard through screens. With a successful run at the camp circuit this offseason, we could see his stock rise tremendously.
#79: Mickale Smith 6’3″ 175 lbs Mankato East 2025
2023 Stats: 9 GP, 25 TTck, 1 Int
A long two-sport athlete (Football/Track), Smith is going to provide a dangerous presence to the Cougars secondary next season. The Mankato prospect is usually seen matched up against some of the best WRs in Southern Minnesota and holds his own more often than not. Smith’s speed is an underappreciated part of his game. He breaks towards a receiver or ball carrier quickly and carries the force in his 6’3″ frame to deliver hard knocks. As you may expect, Smith is also great at using his long arms to disrupt passes. Don’t be surprised if you see him make plays next season.
#78: Alex Hinrichs Alex Hinrichs 6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH Plainview-Elgin-Millville | 2025 MN 6’3″ 180 lbs PEM 2025
2023 Stats: 33 TTck, 1 Sack, 1 TFL, 2 Ints, 14 PBUs
It is so hard to look at an athlete like Hinrichs and see his build and not immediately throw him high on a Big Board. The two-way starter and captain also plays QB for the Bulldogs. As a DB, Hinrichs has the potential to deliver bone-crushing tackles. When lined up as a corner, Hinrichs clamps wideouts. He hand fights aggressively within the first 5 yards and rightly uses his giant wingspan to disrupt passes, to the tune of 14 PBUs. At times, he looks like Lebron delivering a chase-down block when he swats the ball out of the air. Want an outstate prospect with a high upside? Hit up Hinrichs.
#77: Emerson Droubie Emerson Droubie 6'5" | 200 lbs | ATH Cambridge-Isanti | 2025 State MN 6’5″ 200 lbs Cambridge-Isanti 2025
2023 Stats: 32 TTck, 2.5 TFLs, 2 Int, 2 PBUs, 1 Blocked Kick,
Off the bat, Droubie has a D1 potential. He’s a true 6’5″ and moves well. He’s the definition of a small-town athlete, WR/DB/K/P, and plays basketball. While his DB tape is unfortunately limited, it doesn’t take a genius to see how high his ceiling is. On his tape, you can see how his size causes problems for smaller receivers. QBs can’t throw 50/50 balls his way, because Droubie often holds a several-inch height advantage over opposing receivers. If Droubie hits the camp circuit hard, I think his stock would rise through the roof.
#76: Draven Wannigman 5’10” 155 lbs Jefferson 2025
Draven was a key part of what ended up being one of the better secondaries in 5A. His tape may be shorter, but it’s the quality that I was impressed with. Draven is a disciplined DB, staying true to his zone even when receivers will undercut him or try to drag him deep. When in man coverage, Draven remains tight on his man’s hip, never giving up more than a foot or two of space. He contests each pass on his tape very well, and I’m excited to watch him ball out next season.