MN Grind 7v7 Tryout: Top Performers and Standouts

Yesterday, one of Minnesota's premier 7v7 organizations - MN Grind - hosted a loaded tryout for their 14U, 15U, and 18U traveling 7v7 squads at Augsburg University at Edor Nelson Field. With around 100 players in attendance, split between multiple age groups and graduating classes, the tryout was filled to the brim with talent, especially in the younger age groups. Lucky for our subscribers, PrepRedzoneMN was on hand to give you the exclusive rundown and recap of the tryout's top performers and standouts. New names, familiar faces, and some real-deal talent. Dig in!   --   Top Performers   [player_tooltip player_id='1549956' first='Sahvar' last='Harvey'] (Columbia Heights) 2027. - The best prospect out of Columbia Heights High School since Spencer Alvarez, Harvey was in the running for the top performer I saw yesterday at Augsburg, regardless of age. Harvey, the younger brother of 2023 Hylanders grad Saveon, was an athletic, confident, and technically-savvy DB who caught my eye throughout testing, drills, and competition, and was absolutely lockdown as a cornerback in 1v1 coverage. Harvey showed smooth and quick COD and quickness that showed up in the short-shuttle, and boy did he translate it to press coverage. Owning a physical and effective punch and jam, Harvey was able to consistently get hands on WRs in their releases, and his strength helped knock them off course and off their marks easily. His body control and short-area quickness allowed him to easily maintain phase throughout a receiver's route, and showed sticky coverage ability on a variety of routes. He was also aggressive at the catch point and showed strong ball skills, as well as loose hips. His ability and confidence as a press corner was far above that of a normal sophomore, and this kid was oozing with athleticism and confidence at one of football's most important positions. Can't wait to keep following this kid this offseason and beyond.   [player_tooltip player_id='1239133' first='Lyman' last='Myers IV'] (Apple Valley) 2028. 5'10, 165 lbs. - One of the best freshmen in the state, Myers IV was a starting DB at 5A Apple Valley in 2024, and I've written about him a couple of times since seeing him in section championship action against St. Thomas Academy in early November. Myers IV, who impressed in pads that cold November night, was just as impressive in an unpadded 7v7 setting, playing with absolute dominance from the CB position as a press-corner. Myers IV had one of the best performances of any athlete in attendance, regardless of age, and it came on both sides of the ball. Myers IV was as locked in and competitive of a prospect as there was on Sunday morning, with long arms, a much more developed and physical skillset than his peers, and sudden and smooth COD ability that helped him at the LOS when halting a WR's release as well as stay in-phase throughout a route. His size/speed combo helped him completely overwhelm route runners as a DB, and he could easily stay in a receiver's hip pocket no matter the amount of cuts or breaks in a route. He was sticky all morning long, and was bullying WRs and DBs at the catch point and whenever he was able to get hands on. Played and dominated like an upperclassman going against freshman, as opposed to a freshman working against older peers. This kid a legit, ladies and gentlemen, and he'll be making quite a high debut on the upcoming PRzMN 2028 rankings drop.   [player_tooltip player_id='551376' first='Justice' last='Moody'] (St. Paul Johnson) 2026. - I was counting my lucky stars after realizing that St. Paul Johnson's superstar of a junior WR [player_tooltip player_id='551376' first='Justice' last='Moody'] was in attendance at Sunday's MN Grind 7v7 tryout. I've been itching to see this kid live since he rose into the upperclassman ranks, and boy oh boy did he live up to the hype. Easily the most sudden and twitched-up athlete in attendance, Moody could make you miss in a phone booth, and was a phenomenal route runner who could create separation at any and every point of a route. With game-changing speed that can easily win vertically, Moody also caught everything thrown his way, with strong, soft hands and great ball tracking + contested catch ability. Moody was the most athletic player in attendance, hands down, and like he told me on Sunday: he's coming for that WR1 spot in the 2026 rankings. I wouldn't doubt him if I was you.   Shaheed Suggs (Cretin-Derham Hall) 2028. - Not the biggest wide receiver in attendance, however, Suggs was certainly one of the most dangerous. The Cretin-Derham Hall freshman caught the eye and attention of both the MN Grind coaches and PrepRedzoneMN, most notably due to his route running prowess. Suggs was a fluid and extremely twitched-up route runner, especially in his releases, where he was nearly untouchable, as well as at the top of the route. Suggs was able to create a ton of separation against strong DB competition, and possessed strong hands, ball skills, and the speed to win vertically. The route running ability at such a young age caught, and will continue to keep, my attention going forward.   [player_tooltip player_id='1120523' first='Christian' last='Urbina'] (Simley) 2027. - Urbina plays QB for the Simley Spartans but was working at WR and DB on Sunday, and also impressively, was playing against the 18U competition, something a lot of other 2027s elected not to do. Urbina was an eye-catcher in every phase of the tryout, showing a dynamic skillset that showed up well on both sides of the ball. Quick, controlled, and explosive, Urbina had smooth, loose hips, noticeable top-end speed, and was competitive each and every drill. I liked the physical makeup and confidence of the young man playing against juniors and seniors.   Isaiah Wilson (Simley) 2025. - A must-know unsigned senior out of the Simley Spartans program, Wilson owns great speed (10.9 100M, 22.97 200M) and was putting it to good use on Sunday morning. A first-in-line, high-energy, high-effort competitor, Wilson was twitched up and a nuanced, technically-sound route runner with good burst out of his breaks who could stop and cut on a dime. He's going to make his future college home look very smart for picking up his talents.   [player_tooltip player_id='591730' first='Jeremiah' last='Peterson-Gordon'] (Kasson-Mantorville) 2026. 5'11, 190 lbs. - Kasson is a bit of a haul from Minneapolis, so I was pleasantly surprised to see the Komets electric junior [player_tooltip player_id='591730' first='Jeremiah' last='Peterson-Gordon'] competing at Sunday's MN Grind 18U tryout. JPG is as committed to his craft as any junior in MN, and this is yet another in-person visual data point in which the ATH has impressed, including at our own PRzMN Showcases and at this summer's Minnesota Gophers prospect camp. JPG is a powerfully-built, muscular, and thick 190 lbs. that looks good in person, with sudden, twitchy COD ability as a route runner and soft hands at the catch point. JPG also had no problems playing with physicality, at the speed to win vertically as a WR and carry faster wideouts as a coverage corner, and he was also able to line up all over the field as a WR, SB, CB, or safety. Really excited to see how JPG's all-important junior offseason goes on the recruiting trail.   [player_tooltip player_id='1338141' first='Jonah' last='Schimelpfenig'] (SMB) 2026. - An SMB Wolfpack WR/RB, Schimelpfenig was confident, relaxed, and competitive, using his short-area quickness and comfortability as a route runner to create separation and catch our eyes consistently. Schimelpfenig was also one of the most dangerous deep threats in attendance, easily able to take the top off the defense and beat speedy and experienced defensive backs deep. I also liked how Schimelpfenig was selling out to reel in catches, diving, going all-out, and putting his body on the line for highlight-reel catches all over the field. Should be a big offseason for the Wolfpack junior.   Josiah Turner (Annandale) 2028. - A freshman who got on my radar due to his 2024 season exploits, Turner was dominant on Sunday morning, making big catches and creating a ton of separation while flashing his pink gloves with noticeable effectiveness. Turner couldn't be touched when going vertical, was a strong route runner for his age that easily stood out amongst his peers, and had ridiculous ball skills and body control in the air. Carried a good frame with noticeable muscle definition for a freshman and was obviously athletic in a competitive, non-padded setting. Quite the talent these Turner brothers are out of Annandale!   Piper Larson (Eagan) 2027. QB. - Arguably the most impressive performance of the day goes to Eagan sophomore gunslinger Piper Larson. It takes some serious guts to come into an all-boy 7v7 tryout as the only girl, but Larson was locked in, and nothing seemed to phase the signal-caller, especially with the talent she possesses in her right arm. Larson throws a legitimately good ball, able to spin the rock with a tight spiral and impressive zip on throws to all three levels of the field. She was one of the more accurate QBs in attendance, displays good mechanics and a quick release, and carried herself with confidence and poise. Great showing from the young lady out of Eagan. She should have no problem competing on a 15U 7v7 squad.   [player_tooltip player_id='224416' first='Animikii' last='Skjefte'] (Minneapolis Southwest) 2028. QB. - I was lucky enough to have attended some preseason 7v7 events and practices this summer in Minnesota, which included getting some eyes on a variety of high school programs, including the SMB Wolfpack. Skjefte, a freshman, was set to attend Minnehaha Academy before transferring to Minneapolis Southwest - my alma mater - right before the 2024 season officially kicked off. Skjefte was an eye-catcher from the jump, with a strong arm, great mechanics, a tight spiral, and overall a noticeable amount of arm talent in such a young gunslinger. The kid is a natural, and I was lucky enough to really see him open things on Sunday at the MN Grind 7v7 tryout. Skjefte has impressive arm strength, great touch, and a quick release, and he threw with accuracy to all three levels of the field on Sunday. His consistency was also one of the most impressive parts of his age, and Skjefte also carries himself like a quarterback, with poise, confidence, and as a leader. He seemed to have a good relationship with his coaches and took to coaching well, had a good rapport with his wideouts and peers, and if you had to pick a QB out of a randomized lineup, you'd easily be able to pick out Skjefte. One of the most promising QBs in the still-developing 2028 class in Minnesota.   [player_tooltip player_id='1248709' first='Dane' last='Birr'] (Hudson, WI) 2026. - Representing the Great State of Wisconsin, Birr was one of the smoothest and most explosive wideouts in attendance. His curly blond hair made for a good show as he stacked DBs before torching them deep and made eye-catching snags downfield, and I also liked Birr's ball skills, top-end speed, and quickness in his releases. Birr was very technically sound and able to beat defensive backs at a variety of points throughout a route, and he was impressively athletic and hard to handle from the wideout position.   [player_tooltip player_id='1651475' first='Kevin' last='Tennin-Gray'] (Holy Family) 2028. - Easily one of the most physically eye-catching freshman in attendance, Tennin-Gray is a part of a talented and under-the-radar freshman crop of talent at Holy Family and was a tall, long, and lean prospect with a ton of room to fill in and a great frame that would project well to the next level. He was also confident, effective, and competitive, using his length, athleticism, and fluid COD and mobility to dominate at the LOS as a press corner and hold WRs at bay with ease. He could also high-point the football and win 50/50 balls impressively, and was noticeably athletic for his size and age. He could be a real game-changer and high-profile prospect in a couple of years.   Bilal Shahid (Cretin-Derham Hall) 2027. - Strong showing from yet another Cretin-Derham Hall standout underclassman. As a cornerback, Shahid was a lockdown presence on the perimeter, surrendering neither yards nor receptions when he was lining up across from a prospective wide receiver. Shahid was extremely physical at the LOS in his press, did a good job of not opening the gate and allowing WRs to get a free release, and showed good strength and timing in his punch. He was also noticeably aggressive at the catch point and contested and broke up catches on a variety of different routes throughout the morning. Athletic, good technique, competitive, and consistent. A good mix for a rising CB prospect out of the 4A ranks!   Honorable Mentions   James Welsh (Minnetonka) 2028. - One of the tallest and longest pass-catchers in the 15U group, Welsh has a great frame that can develop into a mismatch nightmare after some added weight. He also knew how to use it to his advantage, showing a big catch radius and the ability to reel in catches through contact and and tight coverage. Welsh also showed some solid COD ability to boot.   [player_tooltip player_id='743266' first='Jajuan' last='Bobmanuel'] (Minneapolis North) 2025. 6', 200 lbs. - A senior out of Minneapolis North High School, Bobmanuel was an eye-catcher in pads during the 2024 season, and he shared with me that a commitment is immanent, with the Polars senior talent possibly heading the JUCO route in college. Bobmanuel was well-built, strong, and sure-handed, and he showed some quick hips and smooth COD ability as well. Versatile as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1448213' first='Joseph' last='Reynolds'] (Blaine) 2025. - Another unsigned senior standout from Sunday's tryout, Reynolds was a long, strong, two-way contributor who was strong at the catch point and displayed good ball skills and quickness out of his breaks. No offers yet for the unsigned senior, get at him!   [player_tooltip player_id='743268' first='Jaydn' last='Harris'] (Cretin-Derham Hall) 2025. - One of the Alpha Dogs in attendance, Harris was a cut-up, well-built defensive prospect who was physical, versatile, and always looking to create splash plays for his defense. Harris is an experienced, aggressive, and influential piece of MN Grind's 18U defensive backfield, either as a LB or safety.   Gabriel Przekurat (Park of Cottage Grove) 2027. - A well-built sophomore with a good build and noticeable strength in his game, Przekurat was a physical defensive back with a strong jam who also showed the makeup speed to take risks in coverage.   Cyril LiFaka (Coon Rapids) 2027. 6', 170 lbs. - The sophomore out of Coon Rapids kept showing up and catching my eye on both sides of the ball on Sunday. LiFaka took a ton of reps compared to his peers, on both sides of the ball too, and was relentless in his wanting to get better and make the most out of the opportunity and moment. LiFaka was competitive, showed good speed, and had strong reps as both a WR and CB. Balanced skillset and was impressed by the young man's demeanor.   Some players I wasn't able to gather the names of:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>15U WR with pink, tropical-themed shorts </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>15U QB wearing #20 and wearing a black skull cap/wave cap </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>15U wide receiver with green cleats rocking jersey #3</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Well-built QB with green cleats who was chucking the ball around with the 18U receivers</li> </ul>

Yesterday, one of Minnesota's premier 7v7 organizations - MN Grind - hosted a loaded tryout for their 14U, 15U, and 18U traveling 7v7 squads at Augsburg University at Edor Nelson Field. With around 100 players in attendance, split between multiple age groups and graduating classes, the tryout was filled to the brim with talent, especially in the younger age groups. Lucky for our subscribers, PrepRedzoneMN was on hand to give you the exclusive rundown and recap of the tryout's top performers and standouts. New names, familiar faces, and some real-deal talent. Dig in!