Prep Redzone Spring Combine: Top RB Part 1
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Last Saturday was our annual PRZ Spring Combine, and I’m pleased to report that it did not disappoint! The runningback crop was one of the best that I’ve ever seen, and there were 14 dogs that I needed to showcase.…
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Continue ReadingLast Saturday was our annual PRZ Spring Combine, and I’m pleased to report that it did not disappoint! The runningback crop was one of the best that I’ve ever seen, and there were 14 dogs that I needed to showcase. Meet Part 1 of the top RB performers!
Zach Welch Zach Welch 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Anoka | 2025 State MN 5’11” 200 lbs Anoka 2025
If I could describe Welch in one word it would be “athlete”. For those who aren’t familiar with his game, Welch is a 1x All-Metro ATH, a 2x All-District ATH, a 1x Team MVP, and a 2x Team MVP. I’ve known about his explosiveness on the defensive side of the ball for quite some time, but when he got the rock in his hands on Saturday he was dominant. Welch won the camp RB MVP award as well. He immediately passes the eye test and has the physical ability to play either position on either side of the ball.
Sean Washington Sean Washington 5'7" | 210 lbs | RB Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2026 State MN 5’9″ 195 lbs Benilde-St. Margaret’s 2026
Washington’s stock has risen immensely in the past few weeks, and it’s about time that someone gives him his flowers. As a sophomore, he was a 1,400+ yard rusher for a team that made the state tournament. Physically he isn’t finished developing, but he already shows promising signs of being a complete ball carrier. Washington explodes quickly through the line of scrimmage and has shown the ability to make quick cuts in tight spaces. He’s definitely an athlete to watch heading into his junior year.
Jase Carlson Jase Carlson 5'7" | 155 lbs | RB Rogers | 2026 State MN 5’7″ 170 lbs Rogers 2026
The presumed RB2 for the run-dominant Rogers Royals, Carlson proved to be a more-than-capable competitor throughout the event on Saturday. He was surprisingly well-defined and showed off some impressive short bursts of speed right after he crossed the line of scrimmage. Carlson was able to see time in a crowded Royals backfield as a sophomore, so I expect to see his hype continue to build as his number of carries grows.
Mason Helfmann Mason Helfmann 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB St. Louis Park | 2026 State MN 5’9″ 190 lbs St. Louis Park 2026
Helfmann is under the radar no longer, the sophomore who racked up over 800 rushing yards and 10 TDs last fall looked dang impressive on Saturday. Both on tape and in person his vision shines as one of his best attributes. Helfmann is able to consistently find holes the second they appear at the line of scrimmage. His ball security was also impressive, Helfmann adheres to the mantra of “high and tight” and that’s further proven by his 0 fumbles during his sophomore year.
Jacob Tilly 5’10” 185 lbs St. Francis 2025
A state track entrant as a sophomore, Jacob Tilly passes the eye test immediately. I was always told “Fast feet eat”, and if that’s the case, Tilly’s eating well. His footwork was among the quickest there and he reliably created a ton of separation while running routes against the linebackers. His explosiveness is off the charts, and I happen to know that he’s a more than capable kick returner and DB as well. Coaches would be wise to keep an eye out for Tilly this upcoming fall.
Layne Johnson Layne Johnson 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Farmington | 2025 MN 5’11” 205 lbs Farmington 2025
The projected RB1 for the Farmington Tigers in 2024 is Johnson, a returning 300-yard rusher with 4 TDs on the ground. It’s pretty easy to describe Johnson’s play style, he’s a power back through and through. While we weren’t able to see players with pads on hitting with everything they had, we were able to see Johnson manhandle LBs in pass-pro drills, and if you look at his tape there is a litany of film of him running downhill at 100 mph before collisioning a defender. Johnson’s high-impact play style is a fun one, and he’s back to watch for during his senior season.
Carson Heimer Carson Heimer 6'1" | 175 lbs | RB Byron | 2026 State MN 6’1″ 180 lbs Byron 2026
Truthfully, Heimer is more of an athlete than a singular positional player. He made my All-Region Team as a WR AND as a DB, but he chose to list himself as an RB for this camp. If you watch his tape you’ll see that he’s legitimately capable of playing any skill position on offense. His open-field speed continues to impress me and Heimer’s sense of balance is among the best in his class. I have no idea how Byron keeps producing stud athletes year after year, but Heimer appears to be a problem for a while.