Prep Redzone NEXT Minnesota Combine: Nate’s Standouts, Part V

BROOKLYN PARK, MINN-- We show off one last list of standouts prospects for the inaugural Prep Redzone NEXT Minnesota Combine, as Part V is next here at Prep Redzone NEXT. No question the backfield dominated this list, but you will also learn about a defensive linemen that caught my eye even from another position group, and a NW Metro wide receiver that has great upside to grow his football IQ over the coming years.   [player_tooltip player_id='232204' first='Eldrick' last='Tyus-Vang'], DL, Osseo, Minn (2028) <a href="https://twitter.com/EldrickTyusVang">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/IMG_0454-rotated-crop-480x316-1712892833.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1244470" style="width:315px;height:auto" /></figure>   I was not as deep in the trenches at our Prep Redzone NEXT Combine so I did not get a ton of kids on my radar, but the one that popped out was another one that hailed from the NW Metro in Osseo's [player_tooltip player_id='232204' first='Eldrick' last='Tyus-Vang']. Eldrick impressed most with his hands, from his pad-level and the hand speed he possessed as I thought from first look to my last look of him last Sunday, he showed off a defensive linemen with quick developmental skills. Eldrick is one that I would bet has a growth spurt coming based on watching his bend on the line too as I guess we will find out when that comes his way. Headed to Park Center High School next fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1236446' first='Owen' last='Darsow'], RB, St. Francis, Minn (2028)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/25-Owen-Darsow-crop-4800x3152-1712892626.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1244468" style="width:300px;height:auto" /></figure>   Owen was a running back prospect that was impressive across the board and his testing numbers certainly show it. He lead the pack of running backs in the 40 yard dash (4.84) and when showing off his explosion he was within our top three tailbacks jumping a 9'2. Outside of the testing numbers, Owen showed off his craft to these eyes most as a pass-catcher in 1v1s. I was very impressed with his dexterity with his reach for the ball and on the consistent reps I watched he showed off zoned-in hands that you can tell will he a RB prospect that will get to the open field with his instincts he is developing. This young man will add a nice touch to that Fighting Saints program in the coming years.   [player_tooltip player_id='1654646' first='Colton' last='Cotter'], WR, Otsego, Minn (2028)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/20-Colton-Cotter-crop-4800x3152-1712892593.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1244467" style="width:311px;height:auto" /></figure>   You can say that the NW Metro won our MVP of regions of the Twin Cities that made noise at the Prep Redzone NEXT Minnesota Showcase as another skill player that impressed in the 2028 class was Otsego's [player_tooltip player_id='1654646' first='Colton' last='Cotter']. Colton intrigued me with the upside that is likely coming with his football IQ as the 1v1 reps I got to watch, he played with well-versed balance and awareness with his route-running to go along with his length and I felt was one of those athletes that possessed better game-rep speed than his testing numbers will show you. As a resident of near this neck of the woods, Colton is one I will be curious to find out his high school choice, as Otsego falls in three districts all with solid football with Rogers, Elk River and STMA all around that constant produce good athletes year after year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1241087' first='Carter' last='Wilkinson'], RB, Lakeville, Minn (2028)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/30-Carter-Wilkinson-crop-4800x3152-1712892562.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1244466" style="width:341px;height:auto" /></figure>   If I were giving out an eye test MVP from the running back group, my vote would have been for Lakeville South's [player_tooltip player_id='1241087' first='Carter' last='Wilkinson'] who showed off a frame you usually don't see from junior high athletes at 5'8 just over 170 pounds. Carter ran with a bulk of fluidity from all the reps I caught from him on Sunday in Brooklyn Park. The second-team All-Camp team selection also possessed sound change of direction which was shown in his L-Drill which showed off a time of 7.63 which for the biggest back in the group I thought from what I call my SES (size, explosion, speed) analysis that checks out well for Carter's age. He also showed off a RB prospect that showed upside with his instincts as I liked how his body reacted quickly when the ball came his way in 1v1s with his quick twitch.

BROOKLYN PARK, MINN-- We show off one last list of standouts prospects for the inaugural Prep Redzone NEXT Minnesota Combine, as Part V is next here at Prep Redzone NEXT. No question the backfield dominated this list, but you will also learn about a defensive linemen that caught my eye even from another position group, and a NW Metro wide receiver that has great upside to grow his football IQ over the coming years.