Nate’s Outstate MN Notebook: Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MINNESOTA--</strong> It has been a minute since I have logged scouting reports for Prep Redzone Minnesota outside of events, however that changes tonight. I decided to start my Outstate Minnesota Notebook, to give exposure to Minnesota prep athletes outside of the Metro. As someone that lives my life in the Outstate, I figure it only makes sense to give back to the prospects that make this region for high school football great. So here it is, Part I of my Ou</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='945919' first='Jacob' last='Williams'], RB/DB, Aitkin (2025)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/7908jacob">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1227321,"width":"306px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/03/Jacob-Williams-crop-768x505-1711682939-crop-615x404-1711683290-crop-492x323-1711683331.jpeg?w=491" alt="" class="wp-image-1227321" style="width:306px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The durability Jacob has getting yards after contact certainly struck a chord with me on tape from my first look from his junior season with Minnesota's best HS mascot, the Gobblers. At 5'11 200 pounds you would think he would need more room to operate, but Jacob is RB prospect that if you blink you might miss him getting east-west with his fluidity and vision. On either side of the ball, Jacob checks my boxes with his instincts and is one that I think open some eyes of this Outstate prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1255900' first='Kane' last='Thompson'], LB, International Falls (2026)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/Kanethompson111">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kane is certainly a diamond in the rough linebacker that has excellent read instincts, as this kid clings to the ball with excellent physicality when he makes contact. The 6'3 185 pounder, has very long strides which is why he is such an asset slowing down the run or in pass coverage over the middle of the field as Kane is an example of a LB prospect that is always in the right spot at the right time, which is a credit to his football IQ. I'll be excited to see over the coming years which next-level program engages with this young man, as he might be a hidden gem to some, but not to us at PRZ Minnesota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Luke Bieniek, RB, Holdingford (2025)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/LukeBieniek13">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1227312,"width":"331px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/IMG_9006-rotated-crop-481x316-1711682808.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1227312" style="width:331px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of my favorite running backs from our live Prep Redzone Minnesota game coverage last year was Holdingford 2025 RB Luke Bieniek. At 5'11 180 pounds, Luke showed off more durability thru contact than you would have expected and was a tailback your eyes could lose between the tackles, as he had a big game against Osakis last season with some of the wildest weather I have witnessed in live coverage. I felt over watching his tape throughout the season, Luke developed with his change of direction as well as his vision from start to finish as a Stearns County prospect to watch this summer and into the fall season. I certainly think he has a good shot at the next level too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Carter Holman, LB/RB, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just because Carter is undersized, don't think that this young man cannot pack a punch as his first look at linebacker comes into the ball carrier like a wrecking ball. At 5'8 180 pounds, Carter intrigues me with his read steps he shows off as he persistently with his vision guides right into the tackle box of the ball carrier which makes me really like this kid's football IQ by seeing that on a consistent basis. He is another small town running back that impresses me with his durability on contact as when I watch his RB tape, his lower body certainly shows off some torque and frame. Carter also plays hockey, which tells me he loves contact. Carter would be a great small school fit at the next level for whoever recruits Outstate Minnesota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Josh Leko, DL, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley (2026)</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshLeko">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new prospect to my radar from Minnesota's Lake Country is 6'6 220 pound defensive end Josh Leko. As you would expect this young man has some outstanding reach and his strength he has with his reach shows off well on tape as he slows down the ball carrier with both skillsets in play. He also possesses physical hands off his sheds and when Josh presses the gas downhill, I believe he shows off another gear with how much burst is at his disposal at his size. It is no question that I love the upside Josh has as a XL edge rusher that should be on more radars coming soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->