Prep Redzone Spring Combine: RB Standouts P2
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Following my previous article about runningback standouts, we have the second and final part of the ball carriers that most impressed me throughout the combine. A lot of talent to love from the class of 2026 early on! Benjamin Bergan…
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Continue ReadingFollowing my previous article about runningback standouts, we have the second and final part of the ball carriers that most impressed me throughout the combine. A lot of talent to love from the class of 2026 early on!
Benjamin Bergan Benjamin Bergan 6'2" | 210 lbs | RB Anoka | 2027 MN 6’2″ 210 lbs Anoka 2027
If you want to talk about kids who look the part look no further than Anoka first-year Benjamin Bergan Benjamin Bergan 6'2" | 210 lbs | RB Anoka | 2027 MN . Looking like he’s a Captain America stunt double, Bergan was an absolute dog throughout the entire camp. He wasn’t the fastest but he was by far the biggest and most physical. There’s no doubt in my mind once he gets going that there is no way to stop him when he’s running downhill. He also showed off some impressive route running later on. He’s a name to know going forward.
Angel Velasquez-Jaimes Angel Velasquez-Jaimes 5'3" | 150 lbs | RB Mayo | 2025 MN 5’3″ 150 lbs Rochester Mayo 2025
Velasquez-Jaimes wasn’t the biggest competitor on Saturday evening, but he was arguably the grittiest and most tenacious out of all the athletes who stepped on the field. Against some of the biggest and strongest LBs I’ve ever seen, he stepped up and was more than willing to collision them, even without pads on. When he was running routes, Velasquez-Jaimes was nothing if not quick. His fast feet and fluid hips allowed him to switch directions easily which allowed him to exploit mismatches with bigger linebackers.
James Engle James Engle 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB Maple Grove | 2026 State MN 5’8″ 175 lbs Maple Grove 2026
Maple Grove’s RB room is loaded with talent, and Engle is going to be a staple of it for years to come. He looked DYNAMIC out there running a pair of 4.62 40-yard dashes and putting on a clinic when running routes against the LBs. His ability to crank up his speed with short bursts of explosiveness proved to be a problem, especially when exploding through the line of scrimmage during drills. Engle looks to be a problem, and it appears that Maple Grove is gearing up for another dominant season.
TJ Peterson 5’9″ 170 lbs Prior Lake 2025
Since I’ve been at Prep Redzone the Prior Lake Lakers have been blessed with dominant running backs year after year, and after Saturday, it looks like Peterson is the next to inherit that mantle. Speed is the name of his game, and once he hits open space he’s gone. His fast twitch muscles are off the charts and he looks incredibly explosive in all facets of his game. 3/4 of the Laker’s top ball carriers will graduate this summer, so Peterson is primed to take up a far larger role in the backfield next season.
Emmett Anderson Emmett Anderson 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Holy Angels | 2026 MN 5’10” 180 lbs Academy of Holy Angels 2026
There are very few RBs who I’m as excited to see perform in 2024 as Anderson. He’s a returning First Team All-District team member who looked incredible at the spring combine. Despite his strength and frame, he’s surprisingly nimble and can tiptoe through small holes at the line of scrimmage, but he’s also willing to use that frame to beat up on linebackers which I saw during the pass-pro one-on-ones. Holy Angels looks to be a premier team next year and I expect Anderson to be a big part of that.
Carson Turner Carson Turner 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Chaska | 2026 State MN 5’11” 190 lbs Shakopee 2026
One of the biggest impact transfers ahead of next season is Turner heading to run-dominant powerhouse Shakopee. Turner was on the shortlist for RB Camp MVP and I see him as a Day 1 impact player next year, depending on his eligibility. He passed the eye test and wasn’t afraid to get physical with bigger linebackers throughout the day. His tape backs up Turner’s performance, it’s full of him running through defenders or delivering nasty stiff arms. Keep your eyes out for Turner and Shakopee in 2024.