Minnesota’s Top-20 Small School Football Players of 2023
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It has and always will be our #1 mission to highlight overlooked and under-exposed recruits, and in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, that generally means players from the Outstate and Small School ranks of the state. A lot of these…
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Continue ReadingIt has and always will be our #1 mission to highlight overlooked and under-exposed recruits, and in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, that generally means players from the Outstate and Small School ranks of the state. A lot of these kids are a different breed of tough, manufactured from farms and physical-living bloodlines of strong, hearty, and rugged small-town living that makes up America’s Heartland this far north, dominating at multiple sports and bringing attention to their communities far outside the Twin Cities Metro. However, thanks to their prolific and distinguished prep football careers, some of which have now concluded, a lot these names may already be familiar to our experienced and always-wonderful readers. No matter what though, these guys deserve some more recognition, and in the never-ending quest for being the most comprehensive and fun-to-read source for MN prep football, PrepRedzoneMN is here to name the Top-20 Small School Football Players of 2023. The emphasis here is on football player, and in the creation of this star-studded list, which is qualified as programs from 9Man to AAA, stat-stuffers, dynamic ability, production, versatility, physical dominance, impact and influence on their team’s success, multi-sport backgrounds, the essence of small-school football, and the ability to play and produce at a hypothetical higher level of competition were all taken into account. Eye-catching stat lines, dominance on both sides of the ball, record-breaking careers, three different graduating classes, and big-time potential, PrepRedzoneMN’s Top 20 Small School Players of 2023 has it all. Dig in like it’s Valentine’s Day dinner and you’re the one footing the bill!
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1) Koi Perich Koi Perich 6'2" | 200 lbs | ATH Esko | 2024 State MN (Esko) Senior. 6’1, 200 lbs.
- #5 rated safety and #70 overall ranked senior by 247Sports
- Held offers from Minnesota, Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State, USC, Washington, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin
- 10.80 100-meter dash, 22.29 200-meter, state long jump champion, 6th place triple jump, 40″ vert, 10’6″ broad jump
- All-American Bowl game MVP
- Reached 1k points on the hardwood in January of 2023
- AP First Team All-State, All-Area, District POY
- Led Esko to a 10-1 record in 2023, 11-1 record in 2022, and 11-1 record in 2021, propelling them into 3A state championship contention
- Lined up and balled out at QB, RB, WR, safety, LB, and EDGE
- The most athletic player to ever come out of Outstate Minnesota
2) Isaac Asuma (Cherry) Senior. ATH. 6’2, 175 lbs.
- 9Man All-State Honorable Mention in 2023
- Committed to Minnesota to play basketball
- Ranked as the #10 PG and #98 overall prospect in the 2024 high school basketball class, according to 247Sports
- 3,000+ yard scorer on the hardwood who held basketball offers from UMD, Minnesota, Iowa State, Iowa, Nebraska, Xavier, Butler
- Three-year starter for Cherry’s football team, led the team in receiving and all-purpose yardage as a junior in 2022
3) Brycen Lotz Brycen Lotz 6'5" | 270 lbs | OL Braham Area | 2024 State MN (Braham) Senior. OT. 6’5, 260 lbs.
- A.P. All-State Second Team, All-District First Team, District OL MVP
- Committed to Wyoming to play FBS football
- Led Braham to a 9-3 record in 2023 and Class A stat quarterfinal appearance
- Also held offers from Army, Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State
4) Luke Dingmann (Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa) Senior. QB/ATH. 6’4, 210 lbs.
- Led BBE to an 11-1 2023 campaign and a Class A state semifinal appearance
- Completed 130 passes on 185 attempts (70.3%) for 1,844 yards and 30 TDs to 7 INTs
- Added 75 rushes for 656 yards and 9 TDs to hold the team’s leading rusher spot, also posted 18 tackles and an INT, three kick returns for 168 yards, 18 punts for 532 yards, and four receptions for 65 yards
- Standout hooper and baseball player
- Broke every passing record at BBE in his three years as the starter
- Minnesota Vikings All-State Team, All-District, District QB of the Year, District Player of the Year
- Mr. Football finalist
5) Parker Wangen Parker Wangen 6'4" | 200 lbs | ATH Stewartville | 2025 State MN (Stewartville) Junior. WR/S. 6’4, 200 lbs.
- Helped lead Stewartville to a 14-0 undefeated record in 2023 and a Class AAA state championship
- Tigers‘ leading receiver in 2023 with 42 receptions for 619 yards and 16 TDs
- Also went 3-3 through the air for 64 yards and a TD, punted 9 times for 236 yards with one punt landing inside the 20, was 24-27 on PATs, rushed 16 times for 168 yards and 2 TDs, and added 7 tackles and a PBU on defense
- All-District, All-Section First Team & Team Special Teams POY
- 16 TDs tied Wangen for third in MN for receiving touchdowns
6) Harrison Brun Harrison Brun 6'1" | 210 lbs | DB Rockford | 2024 State MN (Rockford) Senior. 6’1, 210 lbs. SS/OLB.
- Committed to Minnesota on a PWO
- Kare11 All-Metro, Minnesota All-Star Game selection
- Three-year starter, four-year letterwinner for Rockford
- Senior year posted 86 tackles, 9 TFLs, 8 PBUs, 4 INTs, and a pick-six
- Added 21 catches for 338 yards and a TD and 30 rushes for 140 yards and 3 TDs. Also returned a kickoff for six
- As a junior, posted 59 tackles, 5 INTs, 6 PBUs
7) Zach Bentler Zach Bentler 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Two Harbors | 2024 State MN (Two Harbors) Senior. DE. 6’4, 250 lbs.
- Committed to Minnesota-Duluth
- Posted 63 tackles, 23 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 2 FFs, and 3 PBUs in 2023
- Also caught 5 passes for 105 yards and a TD, punted 13 times for 391 yards and one punt inside the 20
- Minnesota All-Star Game selection
- Received an offer from FCS South Dakota
- Led Two Harbors to a 7-3 record in 2023
- Four-year starter for Two Harbors
8) Ayomide Ogundeji Ayomide Ogundeji 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Nevis | 2025 State MN (Nevis) Junior. RB/ATH. 5’10, 170 lbs.
- 9man All-State honorable Mention in 2023
- Helped lead Nevis to a 2023 9Man state championship, their first in school history
- 132 rushes for 1,277 yards and 17 TDs on a 9.7 YPC average + 39 tackles
- Impressive 10.97 100M and 22.04 200M. Also posted a 19’10” Long Jump
- Posted a 4.6 flat, 4.46 short-shuttle, and 9’1″ broad jump at last December’s PrepRedzoneMN Showcase
9) Keegan Ryan Keegan Ryan 6'5" | 200 lbs | WR Lake City | 2024 State MN (Lake City) Senior. WR/DB. 6’4, 200 lbs.
- Committed to the University of North Dakota
- Minnesota All-Star Game selection, All-Section, District OPOY, Republican Eagle/Cannon Falls Beacon All-Area Player of the Year
- Posted 75 rushes for 571 yards and 9 TDs, 45 receptions for 652 yards and 5 TDs, 84 tackles, 2 TFLs, 3 FFs, 5 INTs
- #45 ranked overall senior in the PrepHoops 2024 rankings
10) Ayden Helder Ayden Helder 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Stewartville | 2024 State MN (Stewartville) Senior. Quarterback. 6’2, 205 lbs.
- A.P. First Team All-State QB, Minnesota All-Star Game participant, First Team All-District, Mr. Football finalist
- Led Stewie to a 14-0 undefeated 2023 record and a Class AAA state championship
- Threw at a very impressive 71% completion clip while totaling 2,457 yards (9th in MN) and 42 TDs (2nd in MN) to only 2 INTs
- Broke the Stewartville single-season school record with his 42 TD senior season
- Added 81 carries for 405 yards and 4 TDs on the ground
- Committed to UW-Eau Claire
- Two-year starter at QB for Stewartville
11) Beau Wiersma Beau Wiersma 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Kingsland | 2024 State MN (Kingsland) Senior. RB. 5’10, 200 lbs.
- 9Man All-State in 2023
- Winona State commit
- #3 leading rusher in Minnesota in 2023 with 2,279 yards. Also third in TDs with 38, all on 234 carries.
- Added 15 receptions for 298 yards and 4 TDs, 110 tackles, 21 TFLs, a sack, 2 FF, 2 INTs, 6 kick returns for 188 yards and 2 TDs
- Four-year starter for Kingsland
- PrepRedzoneMN Showcase standout
- Helped turned Kingsland around from a 1-5 2020 season to a 13-1 2023 campaign with a 9man state runner-up finish
- Squats over 450 pounds, nearing 315 lbs. on the bench press
- A.P. All-State Second Team as a RB
12) The Springfield Tigers 2024 graduating class:
- Too many stat-stuffers and standouts to separate. This 2024 graduating class from Springfield was something special.
- 12-2 record in 2023 and a Class A runner-up finish, 11-3 record in 2022 and a Class A runner-up finish, 7-3 record in 2021, 6-2 record in 2020. 36-10 overall record for the Springfield class of 2024.
Jakob Nachreiner – QB: State passing leader in yards and TDs in 2023, state passing leader in completions, yards, and TDs in 2022.
2023: 217 of 337 (64.4%) for 3,431 yards and 55 TDs to 10 INTs
2022 stats: 210 of 307 (68.4%) for 3,119 yards and 40 TDs to 13 INTs
Carter Olson Carter Olson 5'10" | WR Wayzata | 2024 MN – WR/DB:
2023: 88 receptions for 1,288 yards and 20 TDs, 10 tackles and 5 INTs
2022: 99 receptions for 1,264 yards and 11 TDs, 19 tackles, 4 TFLs
2021: 90 receptions for 1,238 yards and 14 TDs, 24 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 INT
Ashton Toll Ashton Toll 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Springfield | 2024 State MN – LB/ATH:
2023: 61 rushes for 333 yards and 7 TDs, 27 receptions for 422 yards and 7 TDs, 138 tackles, 6 TFLs, 1 INT, 3 PBUs
2022: 199 tackles, 14 TFLs, 3 sacks, 4 FFs, 2 INTs, 39 receptions for 462 yards and 2 TDs, 34 rushes for 107 yards and 2 TDs
2021: 111 tackles, 8 TFLs, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, 10 receptions for 134 yards and 2 TDs
Sam Pidde Sam Pidde DB Springfield | 2024 MN – WR/DB:
2023: 77 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 sacks, 3 FFs, 7 INTs, 6 PBUs, 21 receptions for 490 yards and 4 TDs
2022: 9 receptions for 196 yards and 2 TDs, 69 tackles, 1 FF, 5 INTs
2021: 55 tackles, 6 INTs, 3 PBUs
Sam Rummel – LB:
2023: 209 rushes for 1,002 yards and 8 TDs, 70 tackles, 8 TFLs, 4 sacks, 3 FF
2022: 107 tackles, 18 TFLs, 5 sacks, 2 PBUs
2021: 74 tackles, 7 TFLs, 1.5 sacks
13) Micah Fenney Micah Fenney 6'5" | 210 lbs | DL Norwood Young America (NYA) | 2026 MN (Norwood Young America) Sophomore. EDGE. 6’5, 210 lbs.
- Helped lead Norwood Young America to an 8-1 record in 2023
- Recorded 44 tackles, 19 TFLs, 8 sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT, a blocked kick for a TD, 5 PBUs
- Also caught 3 passes for 99 yards and a TD
- Second year starting for NYA
14) Kaaleem Reiland Kaaleem Reiland 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Kingsland | 2026 State MN (Kingsland) Sophomore. ATH. 5’9, 180 lbs.
- The best athlete on a roster filled with athleticism, Reiland was moved to the ultra-important QB position before the 2023 season began, where he helped lead Kingsland to a 13-1 record and 9man state runner-up finish as just a sophomore.
- Passed for 1,910 yards and 22 TDs, which set a school record for single-season passing touchdowns
- Rushed 151 times for 1,113 yards and 15 rushing TDs to total 3,023 all-purpose yards in 2023
- Added 13 solo tackles, 2 INTs, and a sack defensively
- Has recorded a 315 front squat, 8 reps of 225 on the bench press, 5 reps of 405 on the back squat
- Multi-time PrepRedzoneMN Showcase standout
- Started as an 8th grader in 2021, when Kingsland finished at 3-6. After a 4-5 record in 2022, Reiland’s move to QB helped catapult the Knights to state championship contention
15) Ryan Meagher Ryan Meagher RB Minneota | 2025 State MN (Minneota) Junior. RB. 5’10, 200 lbs.
- Helped lead Minneota to a 14-0 undefeated 2023 and a Class A state championship
- Was also the second-leading rusher in 2022, when Minneota went 12-2 and also won the Class A state championship
- Helped contribute to Minneota’s Class A runner-up finish in 2021 as a freshman
- First Team A.P. All-State RB as a junior
- Fourth-leading rusher in Minnesota in 2023 with 2,224 yards and #1 in TDs with 40
- Also caught nine passes for 154 yards and 2 TDs, 27 tackles and a TFL
16) Jayce Kiehne Jayce Kiehne 6'3" | 175 lbs | WR Fillmore Central | 2024 State MN (Fillmore Central) Senior. WR. 6’3, 180 lbs.
- Committed to Winona State
- 2023 Academic All-State, Minnesota All-Star Game selection, Mr. Football nominee, All-District, District POY
- Career stats totaled out to 82 receptions for 1,846 yards and 29 TDs through the air
- Also totaled 40 TDs, 11 INTs, and 105 tackles
- Holds school records for career receiving yards, career receiving TDs, and is 2nd in career INTs
- Holds the school career scoring record on the hardwood
- Led Fillmore Central to an 11-1 record in 2023, went 25-3 in FC games in which he made an appearance
- As a senior, posted 44 receptions for 978 yards and 16 TDs, 60 rushes for 587 yards and 8 TDs, 6 INTs, one of which he took 100-yards for a pick-six
17) Isaiah Wright (Fertile-Beltrami) Junior. RB/ATH. 5’11, 185 lbs.
- 9Man All-State in 2023
- 2,060 all-purpose yards and 33 TDs, which included 1,655 rushing yards and 27 TDs and 20 receptions for 405 yards and 4 TDs
- Added 31 tackles, 3 INTs, one of which was a pick-six, and a fumble recovery he turned in six
- Helped Fertile-Beltrami to a 12-1 record in 2023 and 9man state semi-final appearance
- Mutli-year starter
- Ran a 4.43 at December’s PrepRedzoneMN Showcase
18) Camden Hungerholt Camden Hungerholt 6'1" | 165 lbs | QB Leroy-Ostrander | 2025 MN (LeRoy-Ostrander) Junior. ATH. 6’2, 180 lbs.
- First Team 9man All-State
- #2 leading rusher in Minnesota with 2,627 yards in 10 games. Also added 36 TDs on the ground as well
- Also passed for 1,595 yards and 15 TDs through the air and notched 84 tackles, 3 TFLs, 3 INTs on defense
- Preseason All-State, District RB of the Year, All-Area, and First Team All-District after averaging over 400 all-purpose yards and 5 TDs a game
- Helped LeRoy-Ostrander to an 8-2 record in 2023
- Passed 1,000 career points on the hardwood late this past January
- Recorded arguably the most impressive personal performance of the year after tallying 488 total yards and 8 TDs in early September against Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons
19) Noah Stommes (Eden Valley-Watkins) Senior. OT/DE. 6’7, 230 lbs.
- Committed to North Dakota State on a PWO
- Three-year starter, four-year letterwinner
- Led EVW to the 2023 Class 2A state championship and an undefeated 13-0 record
- Went 38-4 in his four-year career with EVW
- 2x All-Conference in basketball and school’s all-time leader in blocked shots
- Two brothers played at Minnesota, cousins play football and basketball at NDSU
20) Kaden Molden (Lac qui Parle Valley) Senior. TE/ATH. 6’5, 250 lbs.
- 15 rushes for 62 yards and 3 TDs, 30 receptions for 612 yards and 8 TDs, 29 tackles, 5 TFLs, 6 sacks, 2 FFs, 1 INT, 20 punts for 757 yards and 3 punts inside the 20, 6-7 on PATs
- Signed to Minnesota State University-Moorhead
- Standout hooper and baseball player
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Honorable Mentions
Micaden Clines (Mountain Iron-Buhl) Junior. QB/DB.
Gannon Bolgrean Gannon Bolgrean 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Barnesville | 2025 State MN (Barnesville) Junior. QB/RB/DB. 6′, 170 lbs.
Nolan Geislinger Nolan Geislinger 6'0" | 160 lbs | ATH Eden Valley-Watkins | 2024 State MN (Eden Valley-Watkins) Senior. ATH. Committed to Iowa Western to play football and baseball
Parker Schultz (Eden Valley-Watkins) Senior. Wide Receiver. Committed to Bemidji State
Max Rost Max Rost 6'0" | 160 lbs | DB Minneota | 2024 MN (Minneota) Senior. ATH. 6’1, 160 lbs.
Mason Delzer Mason Delzer 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB New London-Spicer | 2024 State MN (New London-Spicer) Senior. RB. 6’1, 200 lbs.
Azrie Yeager Azrie Yeager 6'2" | 280 lbs | OL MPLS North | 2024 State MN (Minneapolis North) Senior. OL. Committed to Butler CC
Zashon Rich Zashon Rich 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB MPLS North | 2024 State MN (Minneapolis North) Senior. DB. Committed to Kansas State
Cooper Crandall (International Falls) Junior. ATH.
Nick Walter Nick Walter 5'11" | 185 lbs | QB Annnadale | 2024 State MN (Annandale) Senior. QB. Committed to Concordia-Moorhead
Gavin Wang Gavin Wang 6'7" | 255 lbs | OL Annandale | 2025 State MN (Annandale) Junior. DL/OT. 6’7, 260 lbs.
Francis O’Malley Francis O’Malley 6'0" | 235 lbs | RB Montevideo | 2024 State MN (Montevideo) Senior. RB. 6′, 230 lbs. Committed to Minnesota-Duluth
Jordan Tornstrom Jordan Tornstrom 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL Caledonia | 2024 State MN (Caledonia) Senior. LB/DL. 6’2, 240 lbs. Committed to Upper Iowa
Eli Klimek Eli Klimek 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Nevis | 2025 State MN (Nevis) Junior. LB. 6’1, 205 lbs.
Trevor Smith (Tracy-Milroy-Balaton) Junior. QB.
Jeret Ankrum (Tracy-Milroy-Balaton) Senior. WR
Elliott Viland Elliott Viland 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Bethlehem Academy | 2024 State MN (Bethlehem Academy) Senior. 5’9, 175 lbs. Committed to SMSU
Oliver Linnemann Oliver Linnemann 5'9" | 160 lbs | ATH Bethlehem Academy | 2024 State MN (Bethlehem Academy) Senior. DB/WR. ATH.
Leo Nordick Leo Nordick 6'5" | 205 lbs | ATH Hillcrest Lutheran Academy | 2024 State MN (Hillcrest Lutheran Academy) Senior. DE/TE. 6’5, 205 lbs.
Chris King Chris King 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Mt. Iron-Buhl | 2025 State MN (Mt. Iron-Buhl) Junior. DL/OL/TE. 6’3, 235 lbs.