Nate's Friday Prep Bowl Standouts: Part I

MINNEAPOLIS-- After some time off, we come back with new energy recapping the Friday that was at the Prep Bowl at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. We got to watch four games, eight teams and unloaded a ton of standouts. Because of the amount of standouts, we break it up in two parts, starting with the 18 standouts I logged in the 1A and 4A championship games. There is plenty of next-level talent left in the 2025 class, and more incoming in 2026 and 2027. Let's meet the near 20 prospects that caught my eyes from last Friday.   1A State Championship:   Brayden Sturm, WR, Springfield 2025 <a href="https://x.com/Sturm0tron">Twitter</a>   Let's talk about a young man that oozed with athleticism in the 1A state championship game, which is Brayden Sturm of Springfrield. The 6'0 170 pounder showed off excellent hands on every rep I got to watch at US Bank Stadium and make a handful of hard-earned receptions that surely caught these eyes. He also appeared with a longer catch radius than the measurables will show you. Brayden also showed a good base of durability for yards after the catch. To those college coaches out there, Brayden is one to get on your radar fast at WR in the 2025 class.   [player_tooltip player_id='1602672' first='Kyson' last='Arndt'], DE/OT, Minneota 2026 <a href="https://x.com/kyson_arndt">Twitter</a>   Kyson was an immediate prospect that flashed with the eye-test alone at US Bank Stadium. The 6'5 225 pounder, I felt from game start to finish is one that shows off quick development with his skillsets. Especially with his sheds getting off blocks, that was significantly improved from half one to half two, as Kyson popped out the quick football IQ and agile hands more frequently in his second half reps in my eyes. As an offensive tackle, the footwork also was appealing, as you can sure bet this young man's athleticism peaked with great foot speed, showing good position flexibility on both sides of the trenches. Kyson is surely a 2026 to know that [player_tooltip player_id='1292679' first='Oliver' last='West'] and I both love the upside on out of SW Minnesota.   [player_tooltip player_id='1582808' first='Gavin' last='Vanderwerf'], RB, Springfield 2025   The 5'11 210 pounder showed off a tailback that showed off ample fluidity in the reps we watched during the 1A state championship game. For his size, Gavin also showed off a great base of suddenness with his burst but yet a great focus of attention to detail getting yards after contact as a tailback that ran with great authority in my eyes. Surely a tailback that thrives off contact when you flip on the tape, and with just posting tape from yesterday, it shows to me there is a next-level interet for this young man, although he is hard to find on Twitter.   Thomas DeSmet, OL, Minneota 2026   Another trench monster that popped out in the 1A State Championship, was 2026 offensive guard Thomas DeSmet for the Minneota Vikings. The 6'0 255 pounder showed off great pad-level in the all the reps I got to watch last Friday at US Bank Stadium. There also was a great balance across the board from watching his reps, from hands to feet. Put him on my list of OL prospects I wish I would have watched more reps on from last Friday, as yet another Vikings athlete coming back for more in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='1633417' first='Parker' last='Kuehn'], QB, Springfield 2027   A 2027 quarterback that showed off flashes off his brewing upside in the 1A State Championship game was Springfield's [player_tooltip player_id='1633417' first='Parker' last='Kuehn']. The 6'2 160 pounder, showed off good elusiveness for his age and size from my eyes and showed off the balance I wanted to see as far as his arm talent goes, to alert the right timing and ball speed for the bulk of the throws I got to watch. He was one that will surely get added to our upcoming 2027 class rankings in Minnesota. Unable to find him on Twitter as of yet.   [player_tooltip player_id='234929' first='Lucas' last='Rybinski'], LB, Minneota 2025 <a href="https://x.com/LucasRybinski">Twitter</a>   When you are sitting in a 68K seat stadium and sitting mid-way up from the field, you rarely ever hear the contact as hard as we heard from Minneota 2025 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='234929' first='Lucas' last='Rybinski'] last Friday in Minneapolis. Not only just on that particular play, I got the grasp of consistency that Lucas fluidly showed textbook tackling ability from what my eyes caught last Friday. I wish I could find that hit stick on tape, cause I bet this under the radar 6'1 185 pound linebacker could gauge some attention just off of that and hopefully more from this live-eval. 2025 LB to know out of Minneota.   [player_tooltip player_id='1145278' first='Ryan' last='Meagher'], RB, Minneota 2025   To put it simply, it was a record-breaking outing for Minneota 2025 running back [player_tooltip player_id='1145278' first='Ryan' last='Meagher'], who broke a game record for touchdowns in the 1A state championship game. The 5'10 210 pounder, is another monster 2025 sleeper we have uncovered this year that you won't find on Twitter, but you will have to read the live eval for more context. Ryan can be described as a bull with the football that loves eating up contact, but yet has the excellent vision and strong change of direction instincts to break out of those contact areas like he did in Minneapolis last Friday several times. All of the skillsets we mentioned were also very persistent all game long too as from a source this young man has just light NAIA interest in the GPAC conference which is baffling. Ryan is one to buy stock ASAP on this 2025 class if you are needing a bully in your backfield.   4A State Championship:   Isaac Daluge, ATH, Becker 2025 <a href="https://x.com/Isaacdaluge9">Twitter</a>   Isaac was 2025 athlete that excelled on both sides of the ball in the 4A State Championship game as a prospect that played way bigger than the measurables will show you. The 5'11 160 pounder, showed off patience in his running back reps but yet more durability than we expected fighting for those extra yards along the edges of the field. On the other side of the ball at defensive back, Isaac had a constant nose for the ball with his instinctive vision and was essential in the open field with his tackling ability. Not just a good tackler, either as he was a strong wrap-up tackler on every rep I got to watch. Isaac is one of a few Becker athletes that should be playing on Saturdays.   [player_tooltip player_id='1221973' first='Marquel' last='Keten'], RB/ATH, Totino-Grace 2025 <a href="https://x.com/MarquelKeten">Twitter</a>   Marquel showed why he was the bread and butter of this Eagles offense in the 4A State Championship game. He showed off great change of direction with the reps I watched last Friday and showed off the constant vision a running back needs to have at the next-level upfield. The 5'8 165 pounder, also shows off some position flexibility for those next-level suitors as he had some great reps as a wide receiver too that could create separation against Becker's athletic defensive secondary. He has rightfully so seen his interest pick up since the 4A State Championship game at the Division III level.   Collin Lietha, OL, Becker 2025   Although he was one of the smallest offensive linemen that caught my radar last Friday, Collin was surely worth the mention from what I saw. The 5'10 180 pounder, showed off excellent strength for his size as it was surprising how much leverage this young man was able to get off his sound first step. He also did well with his pad-level at US Bank Stadium. And the best part of all, After watching this kid throughout the game he ended up winning the Most Valuable Teammate award which is an icing on the cake to finish this eval on what is a player of great character and surely plays with the work ethic that I saw last Friday.   Calvin McIntosh, DL/FB, Totino-Grace 2025 <a href="https://x.com/Calvin_M07">Twitter</a>   I called it out after last Friday's game and it's worth repeating, as I felt Totino-Grace 2025 prospect Calvin McIntosh had the biggest motor amongst both teams in the 4A State Championship game. Calvin was able to get into the backfield a handful of times against Becker in which he used every ounce of physicality he had from his hands to his feet and always made excellent contact on the ball carriers. Calvin showed off tons of strength when he got off his blocks for 6'0 220 pounds seeming bigger than those measurables showed off. I think he has great position flexibility in the defensive trenches as I have to say I am surprised he doesn't have his first offer yet.   [player_tooltip player_id='1202010' first='Jackson' last='Duncan'], OL, Becker 2025 <a href="https://x.com/JacksonDuncan78">Twitter</a>   Make it back to back games where Becker's 6'3 250 pound 2025 offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1202010' first='Jackson' last='Duncan'] caught my eyes. I felt like his length hit a bigger presence with my live eval, especially in pass protection in the reps I got to watch. Jackson also showed off great balanced pad-level in the reps I watched. He got a double scouting report from [player_tooltip player_id='1292679' first='Oliver' last='West'] and now I, which should solidify that this kid should have more attention at the next-level.   Carter Reckelberg, ATH, Becker 2025 <a href="https://x.com/CarterReck10">Twitter</a>   Carter made what was my favorite touchdown play of the 4A State Championship game where he took it 54-yards for a Bulldogs touchdown. What did I grasp on that huge splash play? Well, we knew Carter had a 10.78 100 meter dash, so seeing that track to football speed full circle was fun to watch as Carter flipped the field and used his great vision and full-forced speed to slam the door on the Eagles defense. Right now he mostly has track and field interest, but I would be remissed to see more football interest come his way as a 2025 athlete that proved his stock upwards last Friday.   Tyler Hand, LB, Totino-Grace 2025   The little brother of St. Thomas defensive back Nick Hand, was a key part to the Eagle defense in the 4A State Championship game. He logged just under 10 tackles for the game, and showed off one of the most physical knockback tackles for a loss for Totino-Grace which opened up their momentum a bit in what was a pretty lopsided game. He showed particularly on that play that this kid plays with a good football IQ in my eyes.   Johnathon Boecker, LB, Becker 2025   Over the years of scouting the Becker Bulldogs, I have seen some good linebackers wear the #46 and Johnathon Boecker in their 2025 class is yet another one. The 5'11 200 pounder showed off what I called out in my notebook as vicious when he made contact with the ball carrier on multiple occasions this young man brought the smash-mouth mentality I love to see out of the LB position. Wish I could find tape to further evaluate this young man, but I surely liked what the live eval showed from this 2025 prospect.   Aiden Golley, DL, Becker 2026   Aiden popped out with his sound first step that was persistent on the bulk of the reps I got to watch. His strength getting off blocks trended well on one of the Eagles fourth and short where the 5'10 205 pounder was able to use his strength and elusiveness hands to eat up the ball carrier in which was a clutch defensive stop for Aiden and the Bulldogs. Penetration was the best word I could find to describe this kid on the handful of reps I watched as he was a game-wrecker that put tons of pressure on the Eagles backfield and slowed them way down all game long.   Cody Klatt, ATH, Becker 2025 <a href="https://x.com/CodyKlatt25">Twitter</a>   Cody had a last name I recall from covering Becker when I first started with PRZ years ago, and yet again made an impact for the Bulldogs. The 6'1 220 pound was a workhorse for yards as on particular rep, I am pretty sure Cody took over half of Totino-Grace's defense with him on his yards after contact as this kid was not going to go down without a fight. At linebacker, Cody found what I believe is his best fit for the next-level positionally, as I had this kid logged for a handful of tackles as he was agile in the inside box getting to the point of attack. Cody is surely another under the radar 2025 prospect out of Becker.   [player_tooltip player_id='1602739' first='Sawyer' last='Brown'], DB/ATH, Becker 2026 <a href="https://x.com/Sawyer_Brown11">Twitter</a>   Sawyer was named our Prep Redzone Minnesota MVP from the 4A State Championship game, as just like the Johnny Cash song lyrics, this kid was everywhere man and on both sides of the field. Sawyer's instincts were easily some of the best I have seen in a state championship game setting, as this young man just embraced his role as a 2026 athlete to know. His pick six showed off excellent ball-tracking skills and those instincts were pure with his comeback change of direction to the ball. The 6'1 180 pounder surely has the position flexibility in my eyes at the scholarship level in the secondary or at wide receiver.

MINNEAPOLIS-- After some time off, we come back with new energy recapping the Friday that was at the Prep Bowl at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. We got to watch four games, eight teams and unloaded a ton of standouts. Because of the amount of standouts, we break it up in two parts, starting with the 18 standouts I logged in the 1A and 4A championship games. There is plenty of next-level talent left in the 2025 class, and more incoming in 2026 and 2027. Let's meet the near 20 prospects that caught my eyes from last Friday.