PrepRedzoneNEXT Minnesota Combine 2028 All-Camp First Team

It felt great to have some football to look forward to on a Sunday. Yesterday, the PrepRedzoneNEXT's Combine series kicked off with the inaugural PRzNEXT Minnesota Showcase, our first middle school football event in the Land of 10,000 Lakes! I didn't know what to expect, but as the day began to wind down I found myself impressed by the amount of talent and athleticism displayed at the Brooklyn Park Sports Dome and feeling good about the MN middle school football scene as a whole. There was a range of impressive prospects spanning both sides of the ball, strong testing performances across the board, 8th graders built and ready-made for their high school careers to get going, and even an Iowa native who I'm confident in saying already has P5 potential. Let's dig into the 2028s All-MN Combine First Team selections below!   --   PRzOliver's MVPs   1) Evan Mitchell (Dowling Catholic, Iowa) OL.   2) [player_tooltip player_id='1075477' first='Edwin' last='Ekah'] (Roosevelt Middle School) RB/ATH.   3) [player_tooltip player_id='1236446' first='Owen' last='Darsow'] (St. Francis) RB.   Quarterback   #24: [player_tooltip player_id='1074478' first='Wehso' last='Cooper'] (Irondale)   Without saying a word to him, it was already obvious Cooper played QB. The future Irondale Knight dressed and carried himself like a QB, with a cool, calm, and collected demeanor that was well above his years. He also displayed clean mechanics and a tight spiral, and the ball looked good coming out of his hand throughout the day. He was one of the more consistent passers in attendance, could stretch the field and threw a beautiful deep ball and back-shoulder fade, and is a good athlete who posted a 4.81 short-shuttle and 8'6" broad jump. Definitely more physically and mechanically developed than most 8th grade QBs. Cooper had a good day slinging the rock.   #10 Madden Brown (Hopkins)   Hopkins has more exciting talent coming into their already impressive QB room this summer! Quarterback MVP of the PRzNEXT MN Combine, Madden Brown is already 6', 165 lbs. and had quite a day through the air on Sunday. Good mechanics, could put the most velocity on the ball of any QB in attendance, and was consistently accurate to the first and second levels of the field while showing off timing and anticipation. He could really put some impressive zip on the rock and put his receivers in very strong positions to succeed throughout the day while throwing with so much heat a lot of his WRs couldn't handle it. The natural arm strength is ready to make a splash for the Royals this summer.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Madden-Brown.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1239865" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Madden Brown, Hopkins 2028 </figcaption></figure>   #13: [player_tooltip player_id='205850' first='Iggy' last='Amorrortu'] (Holy Family)   Already a veteran of the camp circuit, this was far from our first time getting eyes on the much-heralded 2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='205850' first='Iggy' last='Amorrortu'], and he once again impressed as one of the top QBs in attendance. Big arm, could generate a ton of zip on his throws, mechanically sound, and consistently accurate, he could stretch the field and was comfortable with throws all over the route tree. This dude is coming in hot to the Holy Family program!   Running Back   #25: [player_tooltip player_id='1236446' first='Owen' last='Darsow'] (St. Francis Middle School)   One of the most physically impressive attendees yesterday at the PRzNEXT MN Combine, St. Francis was well-represented by [player_tooltip player_id='1236446' first='Owen' last='Darsow'], who passed the eye test at his 5'6, 160 lbs. His athleticism matched his build, as Darsow went 4.84 in the 40, 4.56 in the short-shuttle, and 9'2" in the broad jump twice for a very good showing during the testing portion of the event. He balled out during 1-on-1s as well, as Darsow is a fluid athlete who can cut on a dime and was dangerous in space. One of the best performances at the event.   #29: [player_tooltip player_id='1075477' first='Edwin' last='Ekah'] (Roosevelt Middle School)   One of my Top 3 performers/prospects in attendance yesterday in Brooklyn Park, [player_tooltip player_id='1075477' first='Edwin' last='Ekah'] was also one of the more high school-ready 2028s thanks to his combination of size, athleticism, competitiveness, and coachability. Ekah is already 5'11, 173.3 with good length and ran a 5 second 40, a 4.93 short-shuttle, and 9'3" broad jump for a solid showing during testing as well. Ekah had that dog in him and really locked in balled out when competition rolled around. Long, nasty, elusive, and natural in space, #29 was quick, played with speed, and was a playmaker with the ball in-hand during 1-on-1s. He made a ton of defenders miss, utilized every inch of the field to his advantage, and showed off soft hands as well. He'll be making some waves as a freshman.   #15: Fredrick Johnson (Northview Junior)   Johnson absolutely came alive and tore it up during competition and 1-on-1s. Played with hair-on-fire speed and pace, Johnson was a burner in 1-on-1s and impressively comfortable with the ball in his hands. He made more than a few LBs look silly and his play-speed made it look like he was shot out of a cannon. He was quick when making LBs miss and utilized space very well. Very fun to watch compete and brings a ton of speed to the table as well. Walked away with RB MP honors for his trouble.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Fredrick-Johnson.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1239864" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fredrick Johnson</figcaption></figure>   Wide Receiver   #6: [player_tooltip player_id='1653235' first='Danny' last='Brown'] (Tartan)   One of my best performers and best players at the event, future Tartan Titan [player_tooltip player_id='1653235' first='Danny' last='Brown'] almost made my jaw hit the floor when he popped off a 9'9 and then 9'11 broad jump in the opening portion of the PRzNEXT MN Combine. He looked spring-loaded and like he was shot out of a cannon while doing it, and in case you guys aren't aware, that is some seriously impressive explosive ability for a high schooler, much less an 8th grader. Brown continued his good day through 1-on-1s, where his speed helped him win reps going vertical, quickness helped him easily create separation at the LOS and/or top of the route, hops helped him high-point the football over defenders, and he showed off a big catch radius and made some highlight reel snags during 1-on-1s. The athleticism was a notch above the competition and fully on display yesterday morning.   #21: [player_tooltip player_id='1239133' first='Lyman' last='Myers'] (Apple Valley)   Had a great showing during 1-on-1s and really came alive during competition, where he was very successful as a wide receiver. A future Apple Valley Eagle, Myers had long legs and a noticeable wingspan that can fill in well during high school, and he is already a good athlete who posted a 4.87 40, 4.59 and 4.5 short-shuttle, 8'10 broad, and 7.15 L-drill. The quickness was perhaps the best at the entire Showcase, and he used it with lethal effectiveness during 1-on-1s. Twitchy as a route runner, Myers could break his routes off well and create separation all over the field, and after the catch DBs struggled to get a hand on him as well. He played with a ton of pace, possessed quick feet, and also won more than a few contested catches. I really like the skillset he's bringing into the Apple Valley program early.   #17: [player_tooltip player_id='1238166' first='David' last='Downs'] (St. Francis Middle School)   Another good showing for St. Francis, 2028 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1238166' first='David' last='Downs'] walked away with PRzNEXT MN Combine WR MVP honors and was nearly unguardable during 1-on-1s to end the event. Went 4.97 in the 40, 4.62 and 4.78 in the short-shuttle, and 8'9" broad jump, and boy was that quickness on display during 1-on-1s. Downs was deadly at the LOS as well as the top of the route, and made some DBs look silly trying to anticipate where he was breaking to. Plus, he could take the top off the defense, displayed soft hands, and could beat the press. He possessed a nuanced and polished route running skillset for his age and used it very effectively at the PRzNEXT MN Combine.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/David-Downs.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1239860" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1238166' first='David' last='Downs']</figcaption></figure>   Offensive Line   #55: Evan Mitchell (Dowling Catholic, Iowa)   The top prospect in attendance no doubt went to the Iowa product Evan Mitchell. Already 6'3, 230 lbs. with long arms and a ton of room to add mass, Mitchell is heading to Iowa prep heavyweight Dowling Catholic and has a bright future ahead of him on the gridiron. For his size, which happened to be the largest in attendance, Mitchell is already impressively athletic and posted a 5.24 40, 4.84 short-shuttle, and 8'7 broad jump for some eye-catching athletic numbers at his size and age. Plus, the kid was very fluid, didn't waste steps and could drop his hips when changing direction, and looked smooth, comfortable, and far from stiff in his mobility. Good showing during 1-on-1s as well and was very coachable and competitive. Great head on his shoulders as well. Still very early, but contingent on some more growth, Mitchell has the makings to be a P5 prospect one day. The size, athleticism, upside, and competition/coaching he'll receive at the private school power all combine for a must-follow recruiting resume going into high school.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Evan-Mitchell-crop-2870x1885-1712613352.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1239834" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Evan Mitchell, Dowling Catholic 2028</figcaption></figure>   Defensive Line   #8: Leo Oss (Olson Middle School)   Defensive Line MVP Oss was a terror during 1-on-1s, used consistent technique to his advantage, and could win with strength or quickness. 5'10 frame with a lot more room to grow and fill in.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Leo-Oss-crop-2870x1885-1712613513.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1239850" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Leo Oss</figcaption></figure>   Linebacker   #5: [player_tooltip player_id='1651488' first='Amir' last='Dockery'] (Simley)   Looked and played like a LB, both in a good way. Thick, powerful build for his age, popped off a solid 8'1" broad jump during the opening portion of the event but really came alive during competition. Took good angles to the football, closed well, and could mirror and change direction well, especially laterally. Played like he'd excel when the pads came on. Competitive, focused mindset during the event. Able to compete well when tracking and tagging shifty RBs in space as well as in 1-on-1 pass coverage.   #16: Micah Arueya (Blaine)   A brick of 190 lbs., Arueya was named the LB MVP from the event, but a few coaches at the event were under the impression that the future Blaine Bengal could have won DL MVP honors if he did 1-on-1s in the trenches as well. I saw him work primarily with the DL, where I saw his muscular lower body help him generate both twitch and power when getting after the QB, and he was picking up the coaching technique quickly and effectively to boot. When I saw him in coverage as a LB, he was forcing PBUs and hanging with RBs all over the field. Already a versatile and developed game for an incoming freshman.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Micah-Arueya.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1239838" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Micah Arueya</figcaption></figure>   Defensive Back   #19 Zion Davis (Lakeville North)   DB MVP Zion Davis is a kid the Lakeville North staff should be excited about getting their hands on when he joins the high school program this summer. Built like a LB, Davis was the best DB during 1-on-1s and was breaking up and picking off passes all throughout the competitive portion of the PRzNEXT Minnesota Combine. I liked his ball skills, how he effectively flipped his hips to stay with WRs, quick feet and balance, and ability to get low in his backpedal. Davis was also quite the competitor and never turned down reps, especially against high-quality competition. Good showing from the 2028 future Panther.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Zion-Davis.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1239842" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Zion Davis, Lakeville North 2028</figcaption></figure>

It felt great to have some football to look forward to on a Sunday. Yesterday, the PrepRedzoneNEXT's Combine series kicked off with the inaugural PRzNEXT Minnesota Showcase, our first middle school football event in the Land of 10,000 Lakes! I didn't know what to expect, but as the day began to wind down I found myself impressed by the amount of talent and athleticism displayed at the Brooklyn Park Sports Dome and feeling good about the MN middle school football scene as a whole. There was a range of impressive prospects spanning both sides of the ball, strong testing performances across the board, 8th graders built and ready-made for their high school careers to get going, and even an Iowa native who I'm confident in saying already has P5 potential. Let's dig into the 2028s All-MN Combine First Team selections below!