Minnesota Gophers Prospect Camp 2026/2027 Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Camp season is in full swing, and yesterday, Minnesota's flagship university held their first official prospect camp of the summer. Stacked with talent from 15 states, 2025-2028s, Gopher offerees and commits, and players hot on Minnesota's radar and looking to get that big-time offer, let's take a look at the Top Performers from the rising juniors and sophomores below. Row the Boat!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">MVPs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='591732' first='Andrew' last='Trout']</strong> (<em>Rocori</em>) 2026. OT. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mentioned him as an overall MVP in the 2025 feature as well, but the massive <em>Rocori </em>rising junior OT was the best overall lineman prospect in attendance and, with <em>Edina </em>native and Gophers OT/OG Quinn Carroll coaching him up and cheering him on every step of the way, was fun to watch during 1v1s. Massive frame already but flexible and quick, with great pad level for his size. He was laterally explosive, balanced, and had the brute strength to dominate at the contact point against XL defensive linemen bull rushing him. <strong>Trout</strong>, not even a junior yet, was more than holding his own against rising seniors in the big dog OL/DL group, and is a heckuva OT prospect that Gopher fans should know and love. Can't wait to see what OL coach Brian Callahan can do with the young man from <em>Rocori</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gavin Mueller </strong>(<em>St. Francis</em>, IL) 2026. TE. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the prospects I was most excited to see coming into the camp. <em>Wheaton St. Francis'</em> TE is a raw ball of clay, having not played any high school football yet, but he's a top-tier athlete at his size, something he showed during testing, and showed why he came into the camp with a Gophers offer. Also flashed bend, and the strength and ability to dominate physically in the padded, 1v1 department, and has a great frame that screams P4. Saw him win with an assertive pancake on a high-quality opponent. Gopher fans should be stoked if we land this kid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/gavin_mueller3/status/1798787327571218682","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/gavin_mueller3/status/1798787327571218682 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">Top Performers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='592125' first='Mason' last='West'] </strong>(<em>Edina</em>) 2026. QB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Didn't get to watch the potential <em>Edina </em>superstar 2026 gunslinger <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='592125' first='Mason' last='West']</strong> as much as I'd like to, but his size is legit and now-verified, as well as his athleticism. Now there's numbers to back up the fact that <strong>West </strong>is a top-tier football and hockey prospect, and there seems to be some steam churning behind his budding football recruitment. Has all of the tools and one of the highest upsides the state of MN has ever seen from the QB position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1102620' first='Micah' last='Fenney']</strong> (<em>Central/Norwood Young America</em>) 2026. DE.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tall, long arms, ropey muscular definition, and was smooth changing direction. The frame and skillset combined for some impressive reps and wins during 1v1s and shows a high-quality foundation for a pass rusher. Caught the eye and impressed coaches and scouts in attendance yesterday in Dinkytown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='592119' first='Deron' last='Russell'] </strong>(<em>Waseca</em>) 2026. DB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally got to see the younger <strong>Russell</strong> live and in person, and he did not disappoint. Fluid defensive back who was sticky all night during 1v1s. The body control, short-area quickness and ability to mirror and adjust in space, and played aggressive in coverage. Was an energetic and fired up competitor, something I love to see from CBs, and won the majority of his reps during 1v1s. Earned his first Division 1 offers after the camp due to his performance, from South Dakota State and Northern Iowa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DeronRussell21/status/1798539329075323028","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DeronRussell21/status/1798539329075323028 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1220652' first='Ryan' last='Westrich']</strong> (<em>Bonduel</em>, WI) 2026. TE. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Passed the eye-test and is a now-verified impressive athlete for his size. Didn't get to see him as much as I'd have liked to but he's a kid P4s are going to want to get a look at in-person this summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256220' first='Semaj' last='Young']</strong> (<em>Robbinsdale Cooper</em>) 2026. WR. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not the biggest WR, but he showed why he was one of the most productive underclassman WRs in the state last fall as a sophomore. Caught my eye during both indy and 1v1s, the latter of which where he was really putting on a show. Super, twitchy route runner who DBs couldn't keep their eyes on, much less their hands. Competitive, and one of the better WRs during the 1v1 portion of the event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551400' first='Noah' last='Dietel']</strong> (<em>Litchfield</em>) 2026. OT.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Massive sophomore OT prospect who has gotten better each time I've seen him live. Pretty smooth movement skills for his size, and a ton of strength and power at the point of attack. Saw him get some good Ws throughout the night of 1v1s, against both 2026 and 205 competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gene Riordan</strong> (<em>Hinsdale Central, IL)</em> 2026. OL. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Massive 2026 OL prospect coming out of one of the top producers of OL talent in the Midwest in <em>Hinsdale Central</em>. Balanced, good technique, and strong at the point of attack, he more than held his own and won some impressive reps against 2025 high-quality DL competition during 1v1s. Obvious P4 talent and is going to be one of the best OL prospects in the 2026 Midwest class of talent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402072' first='Dalton' last='DeBoer']</strong> (<em>Holy Angels</em>) 2026. OL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Massive sophomore offensive tackle prospect and one of the biggest prospects in attendance, especially for a sophomore. Giant feet too, so I don't think he's done growing yet. Really liked the power and pop he brought into a couple of collisions during 1v1s. Had some good wins and flashed some good reps throughout the day of competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dylan Jaeger</strong> (<em>Round Rock</em>, Texas) 2027. WR. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lone 2027 to catch my eye and make this vaunted list of standouts, <strong>Jaeger </strong>came all the way up from the Lonestar State and put on a show against upperclassmen DBs during 1v1s. Twitchy and explosive, he proved himself to be a bit of a burner during 1v1s, beating DBs vertically. I saw him get wins against some of the best DBs in attendance last night in Dinkytown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Landen Von Seggern</strong> (<em>Millard South</em>, NE) 2026. OL. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bowling ball of a iOL prospect who was very quick for his size, one of the quicknest of the entire OL group in fact. Battled hard during 1v1s and took some lumps, but held his own in the strength and physicality departments against rising senior competition. Had one of the most violent reps of the night, sending a helpless Minnesotan DL flying onto his butt and drawing a reaction from the crowd near the end of the night. Strong, aggressive kid who earned his first P4 offer from Iowa today. Could get popular in a hurry. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Broderic Woods </strong>(<em>Rocori</em>) 2026. TE. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New name to add to my board out of talent-rich <em>Rocori High School</em>. Initially caught my eye due to his well-built frame, but he's also a good athlete who can do some things as a route runner. Could be a potential breakout candidate in 2024 with the <em>Spartans</em>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='924222' first='Henry' last='Hauge']</strong> (<em>Lakeville South</em>) 2026. TE. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The recent overall MVP from April's <em>PrepRedzoneMN </em>Combine Series Showcase, <strong>Hauge </strong>was an eye-catcher in Dinkytown for a variety of reasons. Ran routes with the TEs but also strapped on the pads and went toe-to-toe in the trenches with the DL, <strong>Hauge </strong>is still growing and took some lumps during 1v1s, but he also flashed aggression, competitiveness, and strength. Got bumped up into the top group of linemen to go against rising senior DEs and DTs. He's a long kid who knows how to use it, has no problems playing physically, and is a great athlete at the position. Lots to work with, I think he's got a chance to be a P4 kid one day, hopefully soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daniel Branch</strong> (<em>Minneapolis North)</em> 2026. DB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speedy and explosive, <strong>Branch </strong>was great during testing and carried the momentum into 1v1s. Good athlete coming out of a program known for producing good athletes. Not the biggest kid right now, though, but the speed/quickness/playmaking ability is there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>J'Marion Sanders</strong> (<em>Minneapolis North</em>) 2026. WR. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the quickest players in attendance, he has some shake as a route runner and flashed some solid reps and wins during 1v1s. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saye Monibah</strong> <em>(Minneapolis North</em>) 2026. WR. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another big-time speedster out of North High School, Monibah is a high-quality athlete who I wish I got to watch more during 1v1s. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->