Metro East Prospect Analysis Part 1

The Metro East District is undoubtedly one of the most talent-rich in the state. It boasts the state's top defensive lineman and top QB but has so many more prospects loaded with collegiate talent. I've found 13 prospects from 3 teams with top-tier athletes who played at all 3 levels of high school football last season. Keep an eye out for them in 2025!    Gophers commit Howie Johnson had an uber-productive junior season with Forest Lake, and he's primed himself as a front-runner for Mr. Minnesota Football next season. He led his team in total tackles, TFLs, and sacks last season, and put together a series of performances that you would expect from a P4 commit. Johnson has an elite quick first step off of the LOS and has uncanny speed for a defensive lineman. He'll hawk down ball carriers running away from him, and it is often far stronger than opposing offensive linemen. Johnson has been a problem for 6A OC's and I don't see that getting any easier this upcoming year.     Jurkovich is sure to be considered one of the top backs in his class after a stunning sophomore year where he rushed for 1,100 yards and 9 TDs on an eye-popping 8.4 ypc. His pop when breaking through the line of scrimmage is incredible, it's like he flips a switch and Jurkovich is able to tap into another gear of speed and athleticism. He's frequently able to break through congested running lanes and once he hits open space, defenses have a hell of a time stopping him. He's a game-changer when used correctly, and I expect his stock as a prospect to continue to skyrocket this off-season.     Broduer is a talented freshman prospect who looks to be roaming the Rangers secondary for years to come. While it might be difficult to estimate how he will fill in his frame, Broduer does have a handful of tendencies on tape that I find encouraging. He's typically very disciplined when in his zone, often successfully keeping receivers beneath him and contesting balls with a great degree of accuracy when thrown to him. He's quick and shows off some positional versatility on his tape when he marches down into the box and lays the wood. The dude is a 2028 prospect to watch early on.     In the 5 games that he started during his junior year, Christenson tallied a solid 24 total tackles, 2 TFLs, and 1 TD. On his tape, Christenson is a tenacious athlete who is tough and can grit out tough plays. When they walk him down in the box or line him up on the edge, his speed will surprise you. He'll hawk down ball carriers running down the other side of the LOS, and when he hits them Christenson makes it count. I think there are a lot of things to love on his tape and I hope we get to see him step into an extended role during his senior season.     The returning and imposing RB2 for the Forest Lake Ragners, Ndirangu rushed for 499 yards and 7 TDs while averaging 6.6 YPC during his junior year. On his tape, he's deceptively nimble for a back of his stature. Ndirangu has the capability to hit stick a linebacker into next week, but he's also got fast feet which he uses to tiptoe through narrowing holes at the line of scrimmage. If you can scheme him into open space his speed becomes a problem, but he's just as useful grinding out tough yardage between the tackles. The dude is an incredibly underrated RB competing consistently at MN's highest level of football.     Tamukong was a sophomore who made a big impact as a varsity starter last season where he saw bunches of success on a high-level team. Tamukong brought down 30 total tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INTs, and 5 PBUs in 9 games. His tape is full of impressive moments where he's able to showcase his high-level athleticism. He's got a great vert, impressive body control, and he shows no issues closing down on ball carriers and making tackles in the run game. Tamukong looks like a staple in that Rangers secondary for the next two years.     A two-way starter for a Mounds View team that made a state appearance last season, Essie is one of the most underrated big men in 6A football. I've long believed that he's among the better offensive linemen in 6A. Essie possesses a powerful frame and at times he flashes very promising quick footwork which he uses to great effect when stifling high-level defensive linemen. When he gets to the second level he can decimate LBs, and while he's a successful OT at the prep level, I feel as if he could seamlessly transition to the IOL during college. On defense, Essie is a rock. He's a big DT who can clog up run lanes and is incredibly difficult to displace one-on-one. Essie needs more attention before what I think will be a giant senior year.     Rufus-Okomhanru is the definition of an athlete. He was Mounds View's leader in receiving yards and was 3rd on the team for rushing yards during his junior year. He snagged his first D1 offer from FCS powerhouse NDSU, and I suspect more will follow. His tape is often electric and has plenty of elite moments that showcase his incredible upside. His body control is phenomenal and paired with his impressive vert he's a dangerous target, especially in the red zone. He's a legit track athlete, and that speed is clear as day on his tape. He's capable of dusting defenders when given the slightest bit of open space and is also a mean return man. Mounds View is going to be a problem next season and Rufus-Okomhanru is going to be a big part of that.     A sophomore linebacker with a promising frame, Hinkel wasn't on varsity last season, but I think his tape shows encouraging tendencies that will translate well to varsity when he gets that call-up. Hinkel does a great job of playing downhill, particularly in the run game. He scrapes over the top, patiently waiting for the ball carrier to reveal himself before striking them at the line of scrimmage. He tracks the near hip of the ball carrier like a veteran and tracks to be an impact player on varsity during his junior year.     A three-sport athlete (Football/Basketball/Track) with an encouraging upside who saw limited varsity time as a sophomore, Johnson put forth some high-level film from his 2024 season. On tape, Johnson flies around like an eagle, reminiscent of 2012 Kam Chancellor the way he closes the gap and lights up ball carriers. He forces a handful of fumbles and plays with his head on a swivel. Johnson could be a problem next season at the varsity level if he's promoted to a full-time starter.     Although a little undersized, Jerome put forth some electric tape from his sophomore season. He does an excellent job of reading the QBs eyes and provides a dangerous blanket across the top of the field as a safety. He can sniff out screens, break up passes, and bring the boom when a receiver enters his zone. Jerome doesn't let his size prevent him from being physical, he has no issues blowing up offensive players who attempt to block him. He's a tenacious son of a gun who I look forward to seeing more of in the future.     Watton is a three-sport athlete (Football/Wrestling/Track) who is a returning varsity defensive lineman. He is an athlete who I could see taking big steps in both the offseason and his senior year. Although he primarily lines up on the edge of the LOS, Watton also has a handful of film in the interior, particularly lined up over the center. No matter where he plays, however, his MO is the same. He's a tenacious pass rusher with a high motor who doesn't stop moving his feet, often creating effective pressure on the QB. When he lines up on the edge he's a difficult son of a gun to move off the LOS and he can collapse a run lane as well.

The Metro East District is undoubtedly one of the most talent-rich in the state. It boasts the state's top defensive lineman and top QB but has so many more prospects loaded with collegiate talent. I've found 13 prospects from 3 teams with top-tier athletes who played at all 3 levels of high school football last season. Keep an eye out for them in 2025!