PRZ Spring Combine Top Performers: LBs Part 3
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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! Ben Howard Ben Howard 5'8" John Marshall | 2027 MN 5’8″…
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Continue ReadingRounding 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!
Ben Howard Ben Howard 5'8" John Marshall | 2027 MN 5’8″ 150 Rochester John Marshall 2027
It’s always great to see first-years getting an early jump on their recruiting process, and Howard is no exception. He’s a little undersized but that’s nothing to be concerned about at this point in his career. Howard ran a pair of 5.2 40s, a 4.7 shuttle, with a 7.8 L-Drill. Howard is a kid to keep an eye out for over his high school career.
Anthony Dykes Anthony Dykes 5'9" | 165 lbs | LB Roseville Area | 2027 MN 5’10” 165 lbs Roseville 2027
Hailing from the 6A school Roseville, Dykes 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 Dykes recruiting continues to expand over the next couple of years!
Davontey Parker Davontey Parker 5'10" MN 5’10” 170 lbs Hutchinson 2025
I was pumped to see Parker’s 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. Parker 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. Parker was able to effectively erase cutback lanes when tracking down ball carriers.
Nolan Lapointe Nolan Lapointe 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Andover | 2026 MN 5’10” 180 lbs Andover 2026
Andover has been a hotbed for talent over the last few years and Lapointe who is fresh off a successful sophomore season on JV looks like he could be a strong contributor as a junior for the Huskies. Lapointe 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 Lapointe contributes to that.
Jack Carlson Jack Carlson 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Goodhue | 2026 MN 6′ 210 lbs Goodhue 2026
I don’t know what they’re putting in the water in Goodhue, but I want some of it. Carlson 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. Carlson’s lateral movement was incredibly impressive, and he followed these performances with several dominant showings during the one-on-ones. Early on Carlson looks like a great outstate LB prospect.
Max Jones Max Jones 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Rosemount | 2026 MN 5’11” 200 lbs Rosemount 2026
Jones 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. Jones 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 Jones will once again provide a stellar defensive presence across the middle of the field in 2024.
Alex Netzke Alex Netzke 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Eden Prairie | 2026 MN 6′ 215 lbs Eden Prairie 2026
Real ones remember Netzke 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 Netzke 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 Netzke was most impressive in one-on-ones. While he’s built to defend the run, he showed off more than capable pass coverage downfield.
Reece Hunt Reece Hunt 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Lakeville North | 2025 MN 6’1″ 230 lbs Lakeville North 2025
Hunt 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. Hunt 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.