2024 Preseason Preview: Shakopee Sabers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Shakopee Sabers have been the cornerstone of a consistent 6A football team. Often boasting one of the most potent run offenses in the state, the Sabers have managed to repeatedly send athletes to D1 and D2 schools over the last couple of years. This year's squad returns a ton of talent and looks to make a big splash this season. This Shakopee team could easily make a deep-state run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='1120583' first='Trey' last='Boyd'] 6'4" 270 lbs 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's impossible to discuss Shakopee football and not talk about 3-star Northwestern commit [player_tooltip player_id='1120583' first='Trey' last='Boyd']. He's consistently ranked as one of the best offensive linemen in the state and often finds himself ranked in the top 5 Minnesota 2025 prospects. Boyd is a certified people mover and you'll often find him at the second level flinging around linebackers on his tape. He's ultra-physical and punishes defensive linemen for trying to cross his face. He'll no doubt provide an elite anchor for the Sabers in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='1214197' first='Abdi' last='Nur'] 6' 250 lbs 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nur</strong> remains one of the most underrated IOLs in 6A. He's got quick feet for his size, and Shakopee loves to use him in all sorts of pulling situations. He needs to play with his head up more often but his low pad size gives him fantastic leverage to drive bigger defenders off of the line of scrimmage. Nur has shown the ability to throw around second-level defenders and has the potential to have an impactful senior season on the Sabers offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='1207411' first='Michael' last='Naber'] 6' 205 lbs 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you can return your team's leader in sacks AND tackles, you will be doing fairly well, and Shakopee will get that privilege in 2024. With an astounding average of over 10 tackles per game, <strong>Naber</strong> exemplifies everything you'd want from a middle linebacker. He's a monster when he's between the hashes, constantly fighting through offensive linemen to make tough tackles, and willing to fly through gaps at 100 mph. <strong>Naber</strong> is incredibly gap-disciplined, he's constantly filling and scraping over the top systematically erasing cutback lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR: Brayden Kleine 6'2" 200 lbs 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His team's leader in every receiving category, Kleine has put together a list of impressive accomplishments including being the state leader in YPC and being #9 on MaxPrep's most impressive plays of the 2023 season. He's the Minnesota king of stretching the field and truly made the most of every opportunity he got. <strong>Kleine</strong> can often be seen coming down with incredibly contested catches. With rumors swirling about Shakopee's potential to throw the rock more next season, we could see <strong>Kleine</strong> break out as one of the top wideouts in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB: [player_tooltip player_id='1083208' first='Brody' last='Miller'] 6' 170 lbs 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Miller</strong> was Shakopee's leader in INTs and PBUs and put together an overall incredible body of tape of his junior year. Throughout his tape, Miller showcases his talented abilities in man coverage, particularly his ability to close the gap between him and a receiver when the ball leaves the QBs hands. His use of hands when contesting receivers is a thing of beauty. Miller is also an incredibly accomplished track athlete, and you can see that speed translates seamlessly onto the gridiron.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB: [player_tooltip player_id='284020' first='Mike' last='Doering'] 5'11" 190 lbs 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He racked up over 65 tackles during his sophomore debut for the Shakopee Sabers, and I expect that <strong>Doering</strong> will be a staple of their secondary for the next several years. The first thing that pops out to you when looking at his tape, is how versatile <strong>Doering</strong> is. Shakopee will line him up anywhere on the field. Whether it be in the box on the line of scrimmage, manned up on the outside, or sitting 12 yards back over the top, <strong>Doering</strong> will have success in any positions he's put in. The Sabers' secondary should give a lot of teams headaches this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL: [player_tooltip player_id='1191516' first='Max' last='Coles'] 6'4" 265 lbs Shakopee 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A two-star who boasts three D1 offers currently, <strong>Coles</strong> returns for his senior season after leading Shakopee in TFLs and fumble recoveries. His tape just reinforces what the numbers and offers represent, a talented defensive lineman who can wreak havoc across any of the front four positions. <strong>Coles</strong> is relentless in his pursuit of the ball carrier, often diligently working his way down the line of scrimmage before hit sticking whoever is unfortunate enough to find themselves in his way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL/DL: Nicholas Lauc 6' 260 lbs 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another powerful trench dog, <strong>Lauc</strong> continues the trend of top returning Shakopee offensive linemen. With typically low pad level, <strong>Lauc </strong>rarely struggles to heave large defensive linemen off the line of scrimmage. His first few steps are usually fairly quick, and he's shown that he can make tough down blocks when needed. His presence on the interior offensive line should be welcome come fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='1582837' first='TJ' last='Clark'] 5'8" 160 lbs 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning for his senior year after rushing for 677 yards and 7 touchdowns, Tellise "TJ" <strong>Clark</strong> remains extraordinarily underrated when discussing the top RBs in the state. He averaged a crazy 5.6 YPC and was his team's leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Speed is the name of <strong>Clark's</strong> game, and he's exceptionally good at it. He's very explosive and always seems to find a cutback lane, regardless of the congestion in front of him. Some of <strong>Clark's</strong> best running is between the tackles, where he doesn't struggle to get north and south. <strong>Clark</strong> is definitely on breakout watch next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB: Zach Docteur 5'11" 180 lbs 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another standout returning runningback, <strong>Docteur </strong>racked up over 550 yards with 5 TDs during his junior season, all while averaging a wild 10.1 YPC. A shifty slotback who should have no issues taking over as the head of the backfield if needed, <strong>Docteur </strong>does some of his best work outside of the tackles where he's able to beat defenders to the edge using his speed and quickness. Despite this, he doesn't hesitate to cut upfield and doesn't extend the play horizontally unnecessarily. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB: Jacob Lee 5'9" 170 lbs 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another returning starter for the Sabers, <strong>Lee</strong> racked up 46 tackles and 4 PBUs during his junior campaign. Primarily a safety, <strong>Lee</strong> has an excellent first step that allows him to fly like a bat out of hell toward whatever ball carrier is unfortunate enough to find themselves in his path. His speed is impressive and he doesn't hesitate to light up runningbacks in the open field. <strong>Lee</strong> does an excellent job of tracking the near hip of a ball carrier and should be a key part of a dangerous Sabers secondary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB: [player_tooltip player_id='1181590' first='Judah' last='Forsberg'] 6' 175 lbs 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The projected QB1 for the Sabers this upcoming fall, <strong>Forsberg </strong>saw significant varsity time last year where he ran for 420 yards with 7 touchdowns averaging a great 6.2 YPC. He's a dynamic runner with the ball in his hands. He's exceptionally quick with great acceleration, but perhaps the most underrated facet of his game is his vision as a ball carrier. He's not limited in his position either, as while I expect him to predominantly play QB next year, his tape is littered with plays at runningback and slotback, further showcasing his positional versatility and value to the Sabers offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='923832' first='Carson' last='Turner'] 5'11" 190 lbs 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Turner </strong>is a transfer to Shakopee for this upcoming season, and boy did the Sabers get a good one. Not only is <strong>Turner </strong>an All-State wrestler, but he's a dynamic athlete who should make an immediate impact on Shakopee's offense. PRZ has him ranked as the #2 RB in his class, and his sophomore varsity tape shows why. <strong>Turner </strong>is a violent runner, handing out stiff arms and truck sticks at will. He never stops running his feet and is capable of dragging defenders with him down the field. Shakopee looks to have a mean backfield next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->