PrepRedzoneMN 2026 Rankings Update: Biggest Stock-Risers
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Only a couple more 2026 Rankings Update features before we introduce the 2027 PRzMN introductory rankings next week! If you’ve been with us long enough, you’ll know that a rankings update comes with two guaranteed headlining articles: the Top Newcomers…
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Continue ReadingOnly a couple more 2026 Rankings Update features before we introduce the 2027 PRzMN introductory rankings next week! If you’ve been with us long enough, you’ll know that a rankings update comes with two guaranteed headlining articles: the Top Newcomers and the Biggest Stock-Risers. With the highest-ranked New Additions already covered and led by Jackson County Central’s Weston Rowe Weston Rowe 6'7" | 270 lbs | OL Jackson County Central | 2026 State MN , as well as the top JV players set to breakout into the varsity scene next fall, it’s time for the Biggest Stock-Risers. I mentioned this briefly on Twitter after the rankings dropped, but the sophomore update is one inherently filled with missing information and a lot of runway left in these young buck’s developments, so we still have time left to figure just exactly who these prospects are and where they project to the college level. A lot of these dudes didn’t even have film from last year, but on the other hand, it’s no surprise a lot of these 2026s have taken their place in the upper echelons of the rankings. Let’s get to know the Biggest Stock-Risers from the PRzMN 2026 Rankings Update below. Enjoy!
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Owen Linder
Owen
Linder
6’5″ | 265 lbs | OL
Chanhassen | 2026
State
MN
(Chanhassen) OL. – Saw his ranking rise from #66 to #2 in Minnesota.
Everyone in the Minnesota high school recruiting space knows about Chanhassen’s 6’5, 265 lb. OT Owen Linder by now. Already ranked as one of the top 25 OTs in the nation by 247Sports, Linder holds P4 offers from Iowa State, Cal-Berkely, Kansas, Kansas State, Purdue, and Arkansas, and schools such as Nebraska, Northwestern, Indiana, USC, Boston College, Minnesota, and Michigan State have either visited Chanhassen to see Linder or contacted him directly. He passed the eye test and played his butt off when I saw him early in September last fall, and the LG was an integral part in the Storm going 13-0 and winning the 2023 MN 5A state championship.
If I remember correctly, Linder didn’t even have any freshman film from 2022, hence the #66 ranking, and although I value seeing a freshman lineman with great size early, if you don’t have film there’s a chance he isn’t holding that weight well and has a ways to go in terms of fitting into and getting comfortable in his body. Sounds like he did was a good athlete from the jump and just needed some more experience in high school and working on his body, because he came into the first game of 2023 as the most physical and dominant presence on the field and biggest athlete in every game he played in as a sophomore. You don’t need a regional or national outlet to tell you this kid is a special kind of sophomore OL.
Great size and frame, holds his 250 pounds well and has room to fill in, shows noticeable muscle development and strength as well. Linder is powerful at the contact point and uses his strength to noticeably impact opponents, and once he get hands on you can see the impact of his punch and pads have on a defender. The 250 lber. changes direction and starts/stop very well for his size, is balanced and shows off body control when finding work and bullying LBs and DBs at the second level and in space, and is collected and quick puller who can really put a hit on a defender when he has a full head of steam. I love his understanding of leverage, he does a great job of capitalizing and taking advantage on opponents getting ff balance or out of position, and he’s experienced in pass pro but isn’t passive and brings the fight to the DL. The body control, physicality, strength, and effectiveness in space are all very advanced and developed for his age and size, and it’s safe to say he looks like he could play on Sundays one day if he keeps up the good work. The Chanhassen connection, physical development at such a young age, Arkansas offer, and potential as a nationally-touted recruit all give obvious Frank Ragnow vibes. You’ll be hearing a lot about the 2026 MN OL class the next couple cycles, and with
Andrew Trout
Andrew
Trout
6’6″ | 270 lbs | OL
Rocori | 2026
State
MN
already off the board and committed to Minnesota, Linder is going to be the most popular prospect in the class. Everything in his game screams natural blocker and offensive lineman.
Highlights
Gavin Walden
Gavin
Walden
6’3″ | 245 lbs | DL
Eden Prairie | 2026
State
MN
(Eden Prairie) DL. – Saw his ranking rise from #24 to #8 in the PRzMN 2026 Rankings Update.
16-spot climb for the exceptional 2026 defensive lineman from powerhouse Eden Prairie. I’ve softened a bit on this over the years, but last 2026 update, I was more inclined to give rankings clout to players with varsity experience, and although I still do, the non-varsity tape Walden was putting out as a freshman made it obvious he had FBS and P4 potential in his coming years as a prospect. It’s harder to come by as a freshman, but in your second year of high school, you generally see the cream of the crop find varsity reps and starting experience, no matter the high school and position they are in. Well, Walden found more than enough varsity reps for a sophomore, helping his Eagles make a 6A state semifinal appearance while working through double teams from Big School Metro OL to earn 55 tackles, 4 sacks, a FF, and a TFL. When you hear about Walden’s prowess in the weight room, the success begins to make sense, as Walden already can bench 350 pounds and clean 320 pounds, and he’s made offseason visits to Iowa State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and UNLV.
The 3T/NG owns rare and dominant power for his age, flashing it on his sophomore tape in a variety of ways, including when he gets up and under blockers to literally lift them off their feet, throw out WWE-worthy suplexes, and send opponents 5 yards through the air and onto their faces when he makes a tackle. A lot of it starts with his overwhelming initial punch and powerful hands, but Walden also displays some twitch off the snap, good balance and a low base and pad level, and good pursuit speed for his size, and a nonstop motor that you love to see when recruiting young defensive linemen. He’s a big hitter who gets the most out of every contact, is instinctive in identifying and sniffing out the ball, particularly in screens, and overall, his power and body control combination, especially for his age, are P4-worthy. What a class of sophomores the Eden Prairie program has on its hands. Right now, it’s headed by Gavin Walden.
Highlights
Henry Hauge
Henry
Hauge
6’5″ | 230 lbs | OL
Lakeville South | 2026
State
MN
(Lakeville South) OL/TE. – Saw his ranking rise from #27 to #13 in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
14 spot rankings bump for the Lakeville South 2026 current TE and projected OL
Henry Hauge
Henry
Hauge
6’5″ | 230 lbs | OL
Lakeville South | 2026
State
MN
. I should have given a little more credence to Hauge’s dominance as a freshman playing against non-varsity competition, and his size was a good indicator as well, but there were freshmen above him who played varsity, and although Hauge attending high school in arguably the most talent-rich area in the state prevented him from being higher ranked as a frosh, it’s paying dividends now as a sophomore. It also doesn’t hurt that Hauge had the #1 top performance in April’s PrepRedzoneMN Combine Series stop in Plymouth, measuring in at 6’5, 233 lbs. and popping off a 4.81 40, 4.75 short-shuttle, and 8’6″ broad jump. Those are some seriously impressive athletic numbers for a sophomore of his size, and although his sophomore tape is filled with blocking prowess, Hauge does have a bit of game as a TE, proving it at both the PRzMN Combine Series 1v1 reps and in his 7on7 game from this offseason.
However, in pads, this dude can turn on the physicality with no issues. Hauge possesses significant length in his build and owns a lean frame with as much room to fill in as you’d ever want, he runs like a deer and does have some reps of him catching the football, showing good concentration and the toughness to finish receptions through contact. However, it’s all about the blocking, and Hauge is a natural at it. The 230 lber. can easily climb and combo to the second level, and watching run-down safeties deep downfield doesn’t get old either. He shows the strength to handle DEs in 1-on-1 blocking assignments but has room to grow as a finisher and in terms of really enforcing his will in the run game. However, he shows great technique, isn’t shy about playing physically, and does a good job of using his length and effective body positioning to eliminate assignments from the play. Hauge is definitely more TE-inclined – in a good way – than a lot of TEs who project to OT in college usually are, and the athletic numbers can speak to that, but his frame, natural blocking ability, and role in the Cougars offense all speak to what could be a very fruitful future at OT. Tackles with his athletic ability usually thrive. Either way, Hauge is going to be a fun one to watch grow and develop, along with his future recruitment.
Sawyer Jezierski Sawyer Jezierski 6’4″ | 260 lbs | DL Edina | 2026 State MN (Edina) DL. – Saw his rank rise from #35 to #21 in Minnesota
14-spot jump for another Big School defensive lineman out of the former Lake Conference, Edina’s Sawyer Jezierski ballooned from a 6’4, 200 lb. DE in 2022 to a 6’4, 240 lb. DT and DE as a sophomore with the Hornets. I remember seeing some good things out of the Hornet in his first-year film, but there wasn’t a ton of it, and given the fact he was buried deep down the depth chart, I knew he needed a productive offseason to really get a sense of him as a prospect. Well, he’s blown away expectations, finishing his sophomore campaign with 41 tackles (20 solo), 6 TFLs, 4 sacks, and 2 FFs, all while manning the trenches for the Class 6A runner-up and seeing some of the best offensive lines the state had to offer.
The DT, who rocks #32, a fact that I love, usually aligns as a 3T but lined up all over the interior of the DL. He plays with a strong base, low pad level, and heavy hands that help him absorb, redistribute, and make tackles through contact along the interior of the LOS. He does a good job of shedding blocks when he drops his hips and rips and pulls blockers with his hands, and in general, is effective at not getting tied up and shocking and disengaging from blocking attempts. Jezierski also displays a good get-off, shows some twitch, and can execute stunts and twists successfully, he has a good rep that I like where he gets upfield, smells screen, retraces, and runs down the RB to negate what could have been a big gain. Plus, he used an effective bull rush, as well as an arm-over successfully, and he’s got a nonstop motor overall. If Jezierski can keep adding strength while maintaining that quickness and athleticism, I think he’s on track to earn a P4 offer next school year. It would help to get some verified data on him, so hopefully he can make a stop at a PrepRedzoneMN Showcase as well!
Thomas Mceachern
Thomas
Mceachern
6’4″ | 180 lbs | ATH
Zimmerman | 2026
State
MN
(Zimmerman) ATH – Saw his stock rise from #33 to #20 in the Minnesota 2026 rankings.
13-spot climb for Zimmerman Thunder 6’4, 175 lb. athlete Thomas Mceachern, and the Thunder are in early contention for the top 2026 class in Minnesota as well. Mceachern was a standout performer at December’s PRzMN Stock-Up Showcase, measuring in at 6’4, 163 pounds, and running a 4.63 in the 40 and jumping 9’1 on the broad, and the tape shows off a dynamic, playmaking, and naturally elusive ball carrier with some real talent in the open field. I remember Mceachern’s freshman tape had similar vibes, but he’s done a great job of transitioning to varsity ball, and now that I have some verified numbers on him, I feel a lot better about putting him in the top tier of the class.
Mceachern has a solid arm and can move his offense with his passing ability, but his future collegiate position is elsewhere, and I could see him potentially playing a few positions at the next level. This is a good thing, and to add to his dynamic ability and skillset, the 6’4 sophomore also possesses an accomplished basketball background. His long legs and strong lower body help him stay upright and balanced through contact, and he’s a twitchy and sudden ball carrier who is very fun to watch forcing missed tackles and making defenders miss. The 6’4 QB shows good burst, and good vision, will run behind his pads when needed, and shows excellent scrambling ability when he’s buying time and improvising behind the LOS. The only real improvement I can think of is generally increasing his speed, as I’d like to see Mceachern finish more of these big runs he creates, but there’s still visible speed on tape and when you play QB you do get told to save your body and be conscious about contact. I have no clue where his future lies position-wise, but he’s one of the top playmakers in the class with ball in hand and I’m excited to see what happens.
Highlights
Mason West Mason West 6’5″ | 200 lbs | QB Edina | 2026 State MN (Edina) QB – Saw his ranking rise from #15 to #5 in the Minnesota 2026 rankings.
I’m still giddy about the prospect of having two legit P4 QBs in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, much less in the Top 5 of the state, and this 2026 MN QB class is shaping up to be historic. As you can see from the previous ranking, we saw the potential in the Edina gunslinger when he was a freshman. He had the size, was making some big boy throws, and took advantage of his varsity reps in 2022, and with the help of Mother Nature, the now-6’6, 200 lber. has come into his own more than we could even imagine. West is the best multi-sport athlete we’ve seen since Jalen Suggs, a legit high-major prospect in both sports, and although it sounds like West is very interested in playing hockey in college, the football attention he’s beginning to earn have the influence to change that decision. Kent State and Marshall have already offered, and West took a big-time unofficial visit to Notre Dame recently, and if he chooses to hit the camp circuit hard this summer, I could see him becoming even more popular.
Off the bat, West has three big pluses going for him. 1) the size, which speaks for itself. 2) He’s a winner, and was the focal point in Edina’s 6A state championship run. 3) Accuracy, as he threw at a 65% clip in 2023. I’d like to see him cut down on the interceptions, but this was his first year as a varsity starter and he has a lot of time to prove he’s secure with the football. The kid has moxie though, and is tall, poised, confident, collected, and decisive in the pocket. The 6’6 signal-caller sees the field well and takes what the defense gives him, will make quick decisions, gets the ball out quickly, and shows consistent mechanics and timing. He does a great job of avoiding pressure and navigating the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield, does a good job of resetting his feet before he releases, and is tough enough to also hang in and deliver a strike through upcoming contact. West can can stretch the field and exploit defenses vertically, dropping the ball into the breadbasket with ease, and is ball placement is very impressive. He puts the rock where only his receiver can get it and sets his receivers up for success after the catch, leading them open and out of harm’s way. Tons to like and he’s only getting better. I’m stoked about this 2026 QB class for a reason!
Dalton DeBoer Dalton DeBoer 6’7″ | 280 lbs | OL Holy Angels | 2026 State MN (Holy Angels) OT. – Saw his rank rise from #16 to #7 overall in the 2026 PRzMN rankings update.
Not the biggest jump for AHA monster OT Dalton DeBoer, but the 9 spots propel him from right outside the Top 15 to well inside the Top 10. However, a #16 ranking as a freshman means we are serious believers in your talent, so I can’t say I’m surprised to see DeBoer ranked so high. It’s all credit to him as well, as he was a massive, but far less mobile, DT and OT as a freshman, and he did some serious work in the offseason to transform his body, and an additional year to grow into your body when you’re his age can do a lot for a prospect’s coordination and overall fluidity.
Off the bat, DeBoer is already 6’7 and possesses a 6’10 wingspan, and his accomplished basketball background really shows up positively and translates well on the gridiron. The massive RT has reps where he looks like a moving mountain, and his long arms can keep defenders at bay while his heavy hands and punch can send them flying when he locks out his arm. The big takeaway is that DeBoer is fantastic in space. I haven’t seen a year-to-year physical transformation and an OT with this size at his age who can move that comfortably and smoothly on the run and in the open field, and he looks very athletic and strikes a towering presence when AHA lets him find work in space. DeBoer gets off the ball well, is laterally agile and balanced, shows good bend, especially for his size and age, and demonstrates great leg drive once he’s engaged. The 6’7, 300 lb OT owns very impressive body control and COD ability in space and on the move, and he’s able to effectively pull, work to the second level, reach, pass set, and shuffle while adding a physical and intimidating signature when he puts his pads on opponents. It’s quite striking to see him dominate and move as a sophomore, and to no one’s surprise, he’s beginning to see the fruits of his labor on the recruiting trail. DeBoer has visited Michigan State, Nebraska, Minnesota multiple times, Wisconsin a couple times, Iowa State, and Iowa this spring. The momentum is only gaining steam too!
Braden Minta Braden Minta 6’5″ | 240 lbs | TE Eden Prairie | 2026 State MN (Eden Prairie) TE/OL. – Saw his ranking rise from #18 to #9 in the state of Minnesota’s 2026 class.
9 spot jump for yet another potential superstar out of Eden Prairie, who undoubtedly has the most top-end talent in the still-developing 2026 class of MN prospects. 6’5, 240 lb. TE Braden Minta is a bit like the aforementioned
Henry Hauge
Henry
Hauge
6’5″ | 230 lbs | OL
Lakeville South | 2026
State
MN
, as he does have some legit TE traits and film as a sophomore, but things are trending towards the offensive line in his future given the size, the success that TE to OL transition produces, and Minta’s prowess as a blocker. After a great sophomore season with the Eagles varsity and a big jump into the Top 10 of the 2026 rankings, Minta has created some serious hype on the recruiting trail, as coaches from KState, UPenn, San Diego State, Minnesota, North Dakota, Central Michigan, Montana, and South Dakota State all follow the talented sophomore TE on X. Whenever that first offer goes out to the EP rising junior, the floodgates are going to open.
Minta opens his tape with a big TD catch vs. Buffalo, showing good hands and some noticeable speed for his size and age, and in addition to his impressive fluidity and mobility, Minta’s strength was eye-catching and well on display in 2023. That strength, coupled with his consistent and effective technique, helped him easily handle 6A Metro DEs 1v1 as well as move bodies, eliminate assignments, and finish opponents with physicality. He gets off the ball with burst and solid pad level, keeps his elbows inside, hands on an opponents chest plate, and keeps his legs pumping after contact, and he’s built like a brick and carries his 240 pounds well. The dynamic ability at his size that allows him to play TE has me really excited for his potential, but there’s still a lot of runway in his development and we’ll be keeping a close eye on how he continues to grow and add weight. Would love some testing numbers on this kid as well, hope he can make it this winter’s Showcase. Keep your eye on Eden Prairie for the 2026 recruiting cycle.
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