<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Rounding out my coverage of our Prep Redzone spring combine, we have a final batch of linebackers. We have freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, all of whom competed well. Enjoy!</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248727' first='Ben' last='Howard'] 5'8" 150 Rochester John Marshall 2027</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>It's always great to see first-years getting an early jump on their recruiting process, and <strong>Howard </strong>is no exception. He's a little undersized but that's nothing to be concerned about at this point in his career. <strong>Howard </strong>ran a pair of 5.2 40s, a 4.7 shuttle, with a 7.8 L-Drill. <strong>Howard</strong> is a kid to keep an eye out for over his high school career. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1231167' first='Anthony' last='Dykes'] 5'10" 165 lbs Roseville 2027</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Hailing from the 6A school Roseville, <strong>Dykes</strong> gained recruiting momentum last Saturday. He ran a 5.0 40 and a 5.0 shuttle while jumping a 7'7" broad jump. I'm excited to see how <strong>Dykes</strong> recruiting continues to expand over the next couple of years!</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1247706' first='Davontey' last='Parker'] 5'10" 170 lbs Hutchinson 2025</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>I was pumped to see <strong>Parker's </strong>name on the list of athletes at our combine. As a junior, he tallied 68 total tackles and I was excited to see him test and compete with other top prospects across the state. Consistency was the name of his game throughout the day. <strong>Parker</strong> ran two 5.2 40s, two 4.9 shuttles, two 8'4" broad jumps, and a 7.5 L-drill. What stood out most during one-on-ones was his pursuit and hip tracking. <strong>Parker </strong>was able to effectively erase cutback lanes when tracking down ball carriers. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1120568' first='Nolan' last='Lapointe'] 5'10" 180 lbs Andover 2026</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Andover has been a hotbed for talent over the last few years and <strong>Lapointe</strong> who is fresh off a successful sophomore season on JV looks like he could be a strong contributor as a junior for the Huskies. <strong>Lapointe</strong> ran a pair of 5.3 40s, a 4.7 shuttle, and a 7.5 L-drill. His lateral quickness was easily one of his biggest strengths throughout the combine. I like Andover a lot to make another run towards the state tournament and I can't wait to see how <strong>Lapointe</strong> contributes to that. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='936541' first='Jack' last='Carlson'] 6' 210 lbs Goodhue 2026</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>I don't know what they're putting in the water in Goodhue, but I want some of it. <strong>Carlson</strong> passes the eye test and then some. Not only did this brick house manage to run a 5-second 40, but he also ran not one but two 4.5 shuttles. <strong>Carlson's </strong>lateral movement was incredibly impressive, and he followed these performances with several dominant showings during the one-on-ones. Early on <strong>Carlson</strong> looks like a great outstate LB prospect. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1180493' first='Max' last='Jones'] 5'11" 200 lbs Rosemount 2026</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Jones</strong> is a 2026 ILB who is fresh off of a dominant sophomore season on varsity where he recorded 73 total tackles in the state's most competitive class. <strong>Jones</strong> tested fairly well but by far stood out more during the one-on-one and individual position sessions. He fills gaps hard and shows off impressive short-burst acceleration abilities. I do not doubt that <strong>Jones </strong>will once again provide a stellar defensive presence across the middle of the field in 2024.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1247978' first='Alex' last='Netzke'] 6' 215 lbs Eden Prairie 2026</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Real ones remember <strong>Netzke</strong> from my coverage of a 612QBs camp last winter. Back then he was a QB at Byron, and now we have a new and improved <strong>Netzke </strong>at a new school and new position. He retained and improved his powerful frame, and has transitioned seamlessly to LB. His testing performances were highlighted with a 4.8 shuttle and an 8'9" broad jump, but <strong>Netzke </strong>was most impressive in one-on-ones. While he's built to defend the run, he showed off more than capable pass coverage downfield. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1216090' first='Reece' last='Hunt'] 6'1" 230 lbs Lakeville North 2025</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Hunt</strong> was easily among the most physically imposing prospects at the combine. He's a confirmed 6'1" 230 and boy he does not move like that. <strong>Hunt </strong>managed to run a 4.8 40 which he then followed up with a 4.2 shuttle. To have this level of straight-line speed and agility at his size is wild, He had a solid junior season on a crowded Lakeville North defense, but with most of them graduating, I think Hunt will take over a massive role on that defense his senior year and starts to attract a lot of attention. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
Rounding out my coverage of our Prep Redzone spring combine, we have a final batch of linebackers. We have freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, all of whom competed well. Enjoy!
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in