PrepRedzoneMN Film Room: Midseason Highlight Evaluations

Can't stop, won't stop. PrepRedzoneMN can't stop watching Minnesota Midseason highlight tapes on Hudl, and we're back in the film room for Round 3 of the PrepRedzoneMN Film Room. Nearly 20 tapes, all classes and all positions allowed, and a lot of good things going on film. Unoffered 2025s, D1 2025 commits, stock-rising 2026s, some of whom show D1 upside, and some fantastic 2027 and 2028 prospects. This is the last midseason highlight evaluation of the year; make sure you put out a regular season tape if you're a current high school football player in the Land of 10K Lakes, more 2024 film breakdowns are coming!   --   2025s    A member of Champlin Park's talented DB corps this 2024 season, 6', 155 lb. defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='565675' first='Connell' last='Brownell'] is going to make his future college and positional recruiter look very smart in a few years. An unoffered CB who has visited Augustana, Brownell is effective in both off-man and zone coverage and does a good job of mirroring WRs throughout their route, He displays good footwork, doesn't overextend, is patient, is flexible, and has good bend in his hips, and keeps himself in good position before breaking on the ball. I love how quick he sticks his cleat in the ground and unlocks and flips his hips, and Brownell shows good eye discipline, as he does a good job of not getting his head around until he's in the WRs pocket going deep, and has noticeable recovery speed. The 155 lber. plays front-to-back in zone coverage and stays alert, showing he can see, identify, and make a play on a WRs route, and he has a good rep of him accelerating and running down a loose returner from Blaine on kickoff coverage. I'm a big fan of his footwork, hips, and potential as a cover corner in college. Someone offer this man! @Connellb_5     Another unoffered senior athlete, Richfield Spartans 2025 WR/DB/returner Derrick Brown's senior midseason tape opens with the 160 lber. taking a punt back to the house, showing off an exciting combination of acceleration, quickness, and vision. As a wideout, he displays effective releases at the LOS, the speed to burn man coverage deep, and good ball skills. Some exciting explosive ability in the Richfield product. Hit this man up! @DerrickBrown225     Our final unoffered senior on this third edition of the PrepRedzoneMN Film Room's midseason highlight tape evaluations, we got another member of Champlin Park's senior-heavy DB corps in 5'10, 170 lber. Milton Blamo. Blamo brings some exciting speed to the cornerback position. He closes on the ball and gets hip to hip with pace, and I love his combination of technique, speed, and ball skills in deep ball coverage. The senior can stay on top of speedy X receivers easily, shows good eye discipline, can stay in phase with receivers throughout their route, and can win 50/50 balls and high-point the football well. I love how he attacks the ball and jars it loose at the catch point, can run the alley and make 1v1 tackles out on the edge, shut down from top speed, and break and compete on comebacks, hitches, and short to intermediate routes. Another athletic, high-upside cornerback prospect with his best football in front of him. Someone get my man an offer! @MiltonBlamo3_     Gotta give some of our Minnesota D1 commits some love, and there's no better place to start than with Shakopee Sabers 2025 DL and South Dakota Coyotes commit [player_tooltip player_id='1191516' first='Max' last='Coles']. I was thoroughly impressed by Coles when I saw his Sabers take on Minnetonka in a Top 5 6A showdown a couple of weeks ago. Not only was he a massive, eye-catching, and powerfully built DL and occasional offensive lineman, Coles played like his hair was on fire for four straight quarters, defeating double team after double team and causing a heckuva nuisance behind the Skippers LOS, as well as far downfield, when the giant 250+ lber. would routinely hawk down loose RBs and QBs like he was a linebacker or defensive back.   The midseason tape shows a positionally versatile lineman who can play anywhere from true NG to 5T, as well as OG on the offensive side of the ball. Coles' top-end speed can help him pursue sideline to sideline and is frankly eye-popping to see on tape for a kid of his size. I also was very impressed by his body control, which shows up especially well in pursuit, as Coles can change direction, accelerate, and mirror ball carriers in the open field more like a LB than your typical DL. He shows a great chop/rip that can carry him through contact from big-time MN Metro 6A OTs and has reps of him working through and defeating 2, sometimes 3 blocking attempts in a single rep. His explosive get-off, heavy hands, and power help him put offensive linemen on skates when he bull rushes or uses power moves, can drive OTs and OGs 4-5 yards into the backfield and sometimes into their own RBs, and he goes all-out into contact. Given the speed and burst from the big man, Coles can create some huge collisions and is a powerful thumper at the contact point. He also laid some crushing hits from his OG spot when playing offense, and is an instinctive DL who has some good reps of him sniffing out screens and quickly processing and identifying opponents on-field decisions and play calls. I think South Dakota got a fantastic defensive lineman in their 2025 class. Coles, both in person and on tape, looks and plays like an FBS kid. You'll be hearing about Coles in the college ranks sooner rather than later.     Leading the #2 ranked AA Chatfield Gophers squad is their big, experienced, athletic, and physical 2025 North Dakota Fighting Hawks commit [player_tooltip player_id='362314' first='Ethan' last='Cole']. A kid who has been on our radar for years now, and is also a PrepRedzoneMN Showcase Top Performer and standout, Cole is in the midst of a monster senior season and is looking to cap off his prep career with some hardware. Cole earned and committed to North Dakota after an awesome in-person camp performance, one of the most exciting ways a commitment can occur, and it was a long time coming given how dominant Cole has been over the course of his high school career. Cole's senior tape is no different, as he's a dominant and overwhelming combination of size, speed, and strength from his DE spot who is a complete game-wrecker and the most athletic player on the field. Whether as a standup EDGE or hand-in-the-dirt DE lining up outside of the tackle, Cole owns a good get-off and first step, closes quickly for a big guy, and comes off the edge with some noticeable and impressive play speed. He displays lead in his hands and good pop at initial contact, as well as effective hand usage, and can run the hoop and win at the top of the arc. He can shock & shed and get off blocks, attack blockers with his outside shoulder free and proper leverage, and is a wrecking ball of an iOL or OT that can send defenders backward and even off their feet at the snap. Cole's lateral agility helps him pull off harder blocks such as reaches and seals around the LOS and I love his effort, play speed, and balance at 6'3, 240 lbs. He has an awesome rep near the end of his midseason tape showing off finding work and lead blocking for his RB in space and far downfield and the body control, quickness, and physicality make him dominant against second and third-level defenders. North Dakota got a STUD! No ifs, ands, or buts about it.    2026s    Representing undefeated Hills-Beaver Creek, ranked #4 in 9Man coming into the MEA Week 8 of the 2024 regular season, 6', 170 lb. EJ Wegener reports a 4.77 40 and 31.5" vertical and hasn't reported any kind of recruiting offer, visit, or communication. Wegener brings noticeable, impressive, and effective play speed, both in pursuit, off the edge of the LOS as a blitzer, and when closing on the ball. Wegener is also a physical tackler and hammer at the contact point who visibly rocks and upends ball carriers once he puts his pads on them. He's also laterally quick, can tackle in space, can make tackles through contact, and is an asset in pass defense who can get out to the flats and compete on out-breaking routes. Should be a busy offseason for the HBC junior 'backer!     Yet another big, physical, multi-sport standout manning the offensive line for Mankato West, 2026 6'1, 265 lb. OG and occasional DT [player_tooltip player_id='1473366' first='Elijah' last='Ahmann'] is a talented lineman, wrestler, and thrower who is having a strong junior season with the Scarlets. Colleges are taking notice too, as Ahmann just reported his first collegiate communication, as the University of North Dakota sent a "good luck" recruiting graphic this week. Ahmann is a strong kid who can back down, dominate, and run defenders into the ground in run-blocking situations, but also possesses foot speed and is laterally agile. He can reach and work to multiple different gaps around the LOS, as well as combo to the second level, and is also comfortable in pass pro. I also love his great leg drive post-contact and significantly heavy hands. Ahmann is going to have a busy junior year offseason on the recruiting trail!     A three-sport athlete for the Irondale Knights, 2026 5'11, 190 lber. Aaron Saralampi is a standout wrestler, shortstop & third baseman, and inside and outside linebacker, and is in the midst of a good junior campaign with the Knights in 2024. I like Saralampi's closing speed, and when he sticks his cleat in the turf and get downhill he can cover some ground in run support. The 190 lber. takes good angles to the football and uses proper pursuit leverage, attacks blockers with physicality, and is a strong tackler. He gets his hands on the football and is turnover-minded when he gets ahold of ball carriers and can also contribute in pass defense and is able to play man coverage out of the slot if needed. Balanced skillset that is only getting better!     A junior ATH whose film I was more than excited to dig into, Annandale's [player_tooltip player_id='1257442' first='Isaiah' last='Turner'] sadly didn't get a full season of action in, as he was injured going into Week 8 of the regular season and is out for the rest of the year. In 7 games of 2024, Turner played in only 18 of 28 possible quarters due to blowouts, and posted 600+ receiving yards, 400+ rushing yards, and 300+ return yards, coming out to 1,343 all-purpose yards and 13 total TDs.   North Dakota's been hitting him up this season, and for good reason, as Turner is explosive, dynamic, strong, and physical. The 6', 185 lber. can take the top off the defense, tracks the deep ball well, and is also explosive in the return game and can finish big returns once he gets the sideline. Turner took a punt back to the house and had a couple of good kick returns in seven games as well. He displays contact balance and a strong lower body that can bounce tackle attempts off his lower body with ease, as well as impressive burst. He can get up to top speed quickly and cut and change direction at top speed as well. Turner also owns smooth COD ability and is a solid route runner who can create separation at the top of the route, as well as good hands. Wish he didn't get injured, but I like his junior tape and playmaking ability. Hit this man up!     The son of former Minnesota Golden Gopher and Minnesota Vikings DB Ukee Dozier, Maple Grove's 2026 CB [player_tooltip player_id='592132' first='Brayden' last='Dozier'] is in his second year as a starter with 6A heavyweight Maple Grove and is really coming into his own out on the gridiron. I just watched this young man compete this past Thursday at Minnetonka, where he showed he can come up, fill space, and tackle hard-charging ball carriers 1v1. The midseason tape shows a CB prospect with long arms who is an asset in man coverage. His shows off good footwork, stays square, and demonstrates good ball skills and can win in 50/50 balls and contested catch settings. Dozier does a good job of staying in a wide receiver's hip pocket throughout their route, especially when they are working vertically, and shows good speed, as shown by a good rep of him running down a loose Centennial ball carrier in impressive fashion. He'll be a popular name on the recruiting trail this offseason.     A new name to PrepRedzone's radar, East Ridge junior iOL Haydin Galvan is a multi-sport athlete and standout lacrosse player for the Raptors who also holds a 3.87 unweighted GPA. His midseason tape shows an offensive guard who gets out of his stance quickly and is laterally agile and bouncy, as well as a strong kid who can finish a variety of blocks. Galvan displays a good balance and anchor, as well as active feet, in pass pro, and changes direction well for a 270 iOL. He does a good job of using his hands to force DL off balance and can finish blocks when DL overextends or gets out of position, and I like his footwork and balance, which shows up well in his ability to pull and pass protection situations. Mobility and athleticism is always an asset in offensive linemen, and given the 6A experience, this kid should be getting hit up by college coaches this offseason.     A well-known name in the 2026 class, JPG is in his third year starting for the Komets and continues to get better and better as the years go on. Also a standout at the Minnesota Gophers prospect camp this summer, who caught my eye thanks to his quick-twitch ability and technique during DB positional drills led by Gopher coaches and players. The 5'11, 190 lber. has been a three-phase contributor in 2024, lining up at RB, WR, CB, kick returner, and punt returner, and has popped off touchdowns, interceptions, and explosive runs galore. JPG has noticeably improved his body and game since his sophomore season, especially in the speed, strength, and contact balance departments. He can now easily bounce and run through tackle attempts off his lower and upper body alike and shows smooth, powerful cuts and noticeable burst. He's patient, runs behind his blockers, displays good vision, and has the speed to take the edge on a defense as well as finish big runs once he gets to the third level of a defense. I like his smooth running style, as he glides between and through defenders and traffic, and demonstrates an effective stiff-arm, keeping that play side arm free and uses his weapon. The 190 lb. CB can also flip his hips smoothly, closes with pace, and shows good ball skills in man coverage. Really like his junior tape and gains since his sophomore season. I foresee a lot of recruiting visits in his future.     Off the bat, Gunderson's surface resume is quite the eye-catcher. Gunderson is only a junior, is already a 6'6, 205 lb. WR and TE with an excellent frame and great length, and is also a standout multi-sporter for the Lakers who pitches on the baseball team and is a center on the basketball squad. He also holds a 4.08 GPA. Gunderson's midseason tape is very intriguing, to say the least. A massive, big-bodied pass catcher with eye-catching speed, quickness, and overall juice in the pass game, Gunderson displays solid burst and speed for his size and some shake in his releases at the LOS. He can beat man coverage thanks to his speed, stacks DBs when he gets a step on them and can break his routes off smoothly and effectively to create separation at the top of the route. The ball skills and 50/50, contested catch ability is very intriguing as well. Gunderson owns real-deal ball skills and is an asset in 50/50, contested catch situations, especially as a big-time mismatch and weapon in the redzone. He shows a huge catch radius, does a good job of reeling in catches while fully extended, tracks and plays the ball well in the air, and uses his big body to box out defenders and not allow them to even make a play on the ball. The 205 lber. also uses his long, strong legs to slip through tackle attempts after the catch, and is a good blocker as well. The hard-to-find, premier size, as well as obvious pass-catching ability and skillset, makes Gunderson's ceiling enticingly high, and I can't wait to get this kid on the 2026 rankings. Scholarship programs: get on him!     Seems like Fairmont is always pumping out college-ready prospects to all levels of college ball, and the Cardinals have a good one in their 2026 class in 6'2, 230 lb. iOL and DL Tyler Bicknase. The junior reports a 265 lb. bench, 410 lb. squat, and had a good showing at this summer's Dakota State prospect camp up in Madison, South Dakota. The Week 1-5 highlights show an offensive lineman capable of playing both OG and OC who displays good pop, heavy hands, good hand placement, and a bit of a nasty streak. Quick and mobile, Bicknase is an effective puller who can lay some big collisions as a lead blocker behind a full head of steam. I am especially impressed by the pulling ability, and as a DL, he has a knack for shedding blocks, can split doubles, shows a good motor, and has solid pursuit speed for his size. Don't be surprised when this kid is playing college football in a couple of seasons.     I believe PrepRedzoneMN showcase standout [player_tooltip player_id='483649' first='Ryan' last='McIntosh'] was playing JV ball last year, hence the ranking, so make sure to not that this kid is in for a solid rankings bump come the next update. Now up to 6'2, 215 lbs., McIntosh is another big, well-built, and physical piece of Owatonna's 2024 roster and intimidating defense, who currently sits at #2 in Class 5A and has held a Top 5 ranking nearly the entire season. McIntosh's Week 1-3 highlights show a DE/EDGE who is strong, disruptive, and able to contribute in both run support and pass rushing situations. McIntosh can eat cut blocks and stay upright and onwards in pursuit of the ball, displays good speed off the edge that helps him make plays behind the LOS, a good motor, and the ability to shed blocks thanks to his hand usage. He's also a strong kid who can hold a gap, make tackles through contact, and halt ball carriers and negate extra gains one he makes contact. Owatonna is chalk full of college football prospects ready to make an impact at the next level, just like McIntosh.    2027s    Shakopee's superstar sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='212480' first='Blake' last='Betton'] is playing like his early 2027 ranking indicates and is displaying D1-worthy size, length, instincts, athleticism, and physicality. I got to see Betton ball out in a big-time, run-heavy, Top 3 6A showdown with Minnetonka a couple of weeks ago, and he lived up to the hype. Betton was a fantastic tackler who could come downhill and stonewall powerful ball carriers once he made contact with some thump, and was more than athletic enough to corral and handle ball carriers in space 1v1. Through 7 games of 2024, Betton posted 56 tackles, 2 PBUs, a forced fumble, and an interception, and brings tons of pop and a physical edge to the Shakopee defense, especially as a third-level defender and one who has to make a lot of high-pressure 1on1 tackles. He owns long arms, height, and athleticism, and creates a huge catch radius that can pick off and break up passes at a variety of angles. Especially effective in 50/50 highball situations. In run defense, Betton sifts through traffic and finds the ball with pace, takes good angles to the football, accelerates into contact, sticks ball carriers, and doesn't allow extra gains once he makes contact. Even as a sophomore, Betton is a hulking high school safety, and depending on how he continues to grow, I could see a move to linebacker in his future, especially given how physical and run-defense-heavy his tape and skillset is. Lots of football left in this young man's career, get to know the name now!     Another sophomore is doing a great job of raising his stock thanks to his 2024 play, Princeton's [player_tooltip player_id='1288296' first='Carson' last='Pruett'] is a big reason why the Tigers are 8-0 and ranked #3 in Class 4A's up-in-the-air bracket. At 6'1, 220, Pruett has moved from LB to DE for the 2024 season and is doing a heckuva good job, posting 35 tackles, 7 sacks (!), 11 TFLs, a PBU, an INT, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery through 7 games, as well as over a dozen pancake blocks as an offensive guard. The midseason tape displays a DE prospect who wins a ton of reps at the first step thanks to his impressive and very noticeable get-off, which thrusts him into the backfield before anyone is ready, where Pruett can make 1v1 tackles behind the LOS and when given the chance to make a play. Besides that great get-off that shoots into the backfield with pace, Pruett bounces off blocking attempts like a bowling ball, attacks them with proper leverage, and occasionally knocks the blocker on their own butt thanks to his strength. He displays some twitch, good speed as a pass rusher that can also go speed to power, and a great rip that helps him force his way into the backfield through contact and with an OL hanging all over him. The speed he brings to the position, as well as the production, has me bullish on the young man's future, but a lot of how high he projects depends on how big he'll get, especially at defensive line.    2028s    Won't be long until our inaugural 2028 rankings go live, and we wanted to start shouting out some outstanding freshmen before those rankings publish. Brooklyn Center is a good place to start, as the Centaurs have a play-making running back in 5'8, 150 lber. Alpha Meaway. Through five games of 2024 action, the freshman ball carrier has posted 36 carries for 444 rushing yards, as well as 5 catches for 183 yards through the air, as well as 6 TDs, and is Brooklyn Center's current rushing leader through the regular season. Showing quick feet and sudden cuts that can make defenders miss in space, Meaway also displays good burst and acceleration and is patient runner who lets things develop and does a good job of seeing the cutback. He has a crazy rep of him spinning out out of a dogpile of attempted St. Cloud Apollo tacklers for an electric gain down his sideline, where he jukes by that last pursuing DB and leaves the kids ankles looking like they're stuck in the mud, and shows game-breaking speed, especially for a freshman. Plus, Meaway owns a good stiff-arm and soft hands out of the backfield that can create explosive plays in the passing game as well. Thousands of yards and tens of TDs await this kid in his prep football future. What a freshman talent for the Centaurs!    --

Can't stop, won't stop. PrepRedzoneMN can't stop watching Minnesota Midseason highlight tapes on Hudl, and we're back in the film room for Round 3 of the PrepRedzoneMN Film Room. Nearly 20 tapes, all classes and all positions allowed, and a lot of good things going on film. Unoffered 2025s, D1 2025 commits, stock-rising 2026s, some of whom show D1 upside, and some fantastic 2027 and 2028 prospects. This is the last midseason highlight evaluation of the year; make sure you put out a regular season tape if you're a current high school football player in the Land of 10K Lakes, more 2024 film breakdowns are coming!