Nate’s Friday Prep Bowl Standouts: Part II

MINNEAPOLIS- We unleash one last hoorah from last Friday's Prep Bowl from US Bank Stadium. In Part I we found 18 standouts that caught the attention of our notebook and in Part II, that number almost doubles, as we logged 31standouts totally nearly 50 prospects from last Friday that caught our eyes at PRZ Minnesota. We close the book on the 2024 season with the best of best from Jackson County Central, Staples-Motley, Maple Grove and Minnetonka.   2A State Championship:   [player_tooltip player_id='1583294' first='Steven' last='Petrich'], OL/DL, Staples-Motley 2025 <a href="https://x.com/StevenPetrich64">Twitter</a>   The consistent reps I have gotten out of [player_tooltip player_id='1583294' first='Steven' last='Petrich'] of Staples-Motley over the last few weeks has been impressive, as the live evals have surely rose his stock. The 6'1 285 pounder showed off the trenches position flexibility this time on the defensive end, as his bend and low pad-level were able to get under the pads and get off his defenders quick in which I was impressed with his hip flexibility in the 2A state championship game for his size. He also penetrated well with his hands and leverage when given angle blocks, which is yet another skillsets that should appeal to college coaches. I surely think his recruiting attention he had this summer should pick up further now that the season is wrapped up.   [player_tooltip player_id='1255125' first='Weston' last='Rowe'], OL, Jackson County Central 2026 <a href="https://x.com/WestonRowe7">Twitter</a>   The 6'7 275 pounder looked like every ounce of that frame we saw in that state championship game, and I still am surprised that Division I offer hasn't come yet based on the live eval that [player_tooltip player_id='1292679' first='Oliver' last='West'] and I got last Friday. I was impressed by the overall balance Weston showed off with his footwork as his footwork was quite fluid for his size and couldn't see any missteps in our evals. There is no doubt this young man can pack a punch, but the leverage into the second level to manage the run game for JCC was great to see. Being that the Huskies are more pass-friendly, the pass protection reps of Weston also graded highly again the balanced hands and footwork gave his QB plenty of time to operate in and out of the pocket. Weston to me is another 2026 that the Division I level needs to get their eval on ASAP this winter.   [player_tooltip player_id='1602705' first='Adrian' last='Gomez'], DL, Staples-Motley 2026   A junior defensive linemen that caught my eyes yet again in the 2A Prep Bowl final was Staples-Motley's [player_tooltip player_id='1602705' first='Adrian' last='Gomez'], who I would have loved to get a log at how many tackles this kid had cause it surely seemed to be a lot for a defensive linemen. The 6'3 250 pounder, wasn't just persistent either in the inside box I could gauge the competitive motor this young man plays with on every rep which we first saw during the state quarterfinals against Barnesville in St. Cloud as this kid was clearly disruptive in that game, however just kept the pedal to the floor on every rep. He is another Cardinals prospect in the 2026 class that has rose his stock since those state quarterfinals.   [player_tooltip player_id='1160949' first='Ben' last='Dahlin'], WR/DB, Jackson County Central 2025 <a href="https://x.com/DahlinBen">Twitter</a>   If you are still looking for a deep threat wide receiver in this Minnesota 2025 class, you will want to hear about the performance JCC wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1160949' first='Ben' last='Dahlin'] had in the 2A state championship game. His hands were excellent in high traffic areas, which was something this young man dealt with all day in the reps I watched. The 5'11 165 pounder also showed off a longer catch radius than some might expect as you could tell he used every ounce of athleticism he had to make pure receptions over the top of the Cardinals secondary. Ben also has a great track background and ran inside an 11.2 in the 100-meter dash and you can see that suddenness last week on the start of his routes. It is still crazy to me the lack of attention this young man has at he next-level as another 2025 prospect to know quickly.   [player_tooltip player_id='1582843' first='Alex' last='Schultz'], ATH, Staples-Motley 2025   I got to watch Alex's athleticism in the state quarterfinal, so when he got in at quarterback after an [player_tooltip player_id='1602681' first='Eli' last='Rutten'] injury, I knew what to expect based on my viewing a couple weeks ago. The 6'3 175 pounder showed off the poise to use his elusiveness to create yards with his legs, as that vision I saw in the open field in the quarterfinals came to fruitation creating splash plays for the Cardinals in a tough spot. He also showed off good balance with some of his touch throws despite not being the Cardinals everyday quarterback. I said it before and and I will say it again, this young man is a 2025 small school sleeper that could be a great MIAC or WIAC fit.   Evan Bartholomaus, DB, Jackson County Central 2026 <a href="https://x.com/EvanBart150">Twitter</a>   One of the x factors for Jackson County Central in their secondary in my eyes was the cornerback play of 2026 prospect Evan Bartholomaus. The 6'0 170 pounder, showed off a cornerback that looked constantly glued to his wide receivers, which is why the Cardinals had a tough time advancing the ball downfield due to this young man's persistent presence. He also appeared to have more wingspan than his measurables might show you, which made it even tougher for the Cardinals not having a sizable weapon downfield with [player_tooltip player_id='1582843' first='Alex' last='Schultz'] having to take over at quarterback. Evan might not have blown off the stat sheet, but his on-ball presenced threatened the Cardinals offense to not target him later in the game.   Dustin Converse, OL/DL, Staples-Motley 2025 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16459931/6744000a6536928fd4b0565c">Tape</a>   An offensive linemen I didn't catch reps on in the state quarterfinal that popped out in the 2A Prep Bowl final was 2025 prospect Dustin Converse. Despite being on the smaller side, the 5'11 200 pounder impressed me with his agile footwork that he displayed off his first step and carried to the point of attack. With the footwork well-intact, I felt it was easier for Dustin to get more driving leverage into the second level from the reps I watched. The defensive tape that I watched too from the JCC game also shows off good small area vision and swift hands off his sheds, as Dustin was key in pressure to the pick six the Cardinals had to start the game. Should see this young man as a small town sleeper in the 2025 that translates to a good upsided five-tech defensive end at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1567968' first='Grant' last='Freking'], QB/DB, Jackson County Central 2025 <a href="https://x.com/grant_freking">Twitter</a>   You have to give a ton of credit to 2025 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1567968' first='Grant' last='Freking'] of Jackson County Central, as he came in relief at state for top 2026 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='212362' first='Roman' last='Voss'] and did himself a heck of a job in the 2A Prep Bowl, where his poise was surely noticed. The 6'5 170 pounder surely showed off one of the best quarterback performances we saw last Friday as his arm strength and precision were seen frequently especially with his WR connection [player_tooltip player_id='1160949' first='Ben' last='Dahlin']. He also appeared more elusive for his size and showed off some great throw especially on intermediate and deep routes. He was no sloutch defensively, especially as a tackler in open space and impressed me with his physicality when he was 1v1 against some of the Cardinals athletes. I'll second what [player_tooltip player_id='1292679' first='Oliver' last='West'] said, his performances in these state games sealed the deal for the Huskies to win their first state title since 2001.   [player_tooltip player_id='1552404' first='Colbe' last='Tappe'], RB/DB, Staples-Motley 2026 <a href="https://x.com/colbe_tappe2">Twitter</a>   You have to give a ton of credit to the Jackson County Central defense, as you could tell they schemed for [player_tooltip player_id='1552404' first='Colbe' last='Tappe'] very efficiently throughout the game, however he was still able to put some splash plays together on multiple sides of the ball. His biggest plays in this one came in the return game, as he was able to use that great vision and growing change of direction to give the Cardinals sound field position to start their drives. Watching him in the state quarterfinals, I didn't get much Intel on watching his hands, but Colbe did impress me with his hands in high traffic areas in the 2A Prep Bowl which is just another skillset to add to this kid's resume. He will surely be one I will be tracking over the next several months.   Isaac Hesebeck, LB/RB, Jackson County Central 2026   Isaac was a 2026 athlete for the Huskies that in my eyes, popped out on both sides of the ball with his skillsets. Offensively, when Isaac had the ball in his hands, he showed off as an athlete that authoritative as a ball carrier which you usually don't see in a tailback with his measurables. The 6'0 180 pounder, also was key to the Huskies defensive on 3rd down, as he recorded a crucial pass break up and later in the game a key interception for Jackson County Central. This linebacker impressed me with his great instincts he showed off in pass coverage but yet, no tape yet from the 2024 season nor Twitter.   Luke Bjerga, ATH, Staples-Motley 2026 <a href="https://x.com/BjergaLuke">Twitter</a>   Luke was a monster defensively in the state quartefinal game I watched in St. Cloud, and but man was this kid impressive on both sides of the ball in the 2A Prep Bowl final as I felt he was one of the Cardinals MVP in this one. Started off his outing last Friday with a pick six showing off great vision instincts to jump the route and take it the distance. The 5'9 210 pound at bullback showed off impressive change of direction and fluidity in the rushing reps I got to watch at US Bank Stadium last Friday. And of course, the yards after contact showed off Luke's durability as well. He will be another Cardinals 2026 that I will continue to track from the Outstate over the next several months as I believe there is a future playing on Saturdays for Luke.   Kyler Hall, DT, Jackson County Central 2025   Kyler was an interesting 2025 defensive tackle that got onto my radar during the 2A Prep Bowl final in Minneapolis. The 6'0 215 pound might not have fit the prototype with his measurables, but you could tell this kid has a sound football IQ to make up for it. He showed off good pad-level on the reps I watched and was able to quickly get off his blocks as a run stopper. Overall, he showed the balance across the board to compete in the trenches and also showed off more range as you would expect getting out of the inside box smoother than some DTs I have watched. He recorded a key tackle for a loss and a sack that surely changed the momentum multiple times in 2A Prep Bowl final. Surely an under the radar 2025 that graded high for the Huskies in this one.   [player_tooltip player_id='1582495' first='Clay' last='Malchow'], ATH, Jackson County Central 2025 <a href="https://x.com/ClayMalchow07">Twitter</a>   Last but not least, we meet our Prep Redzone Minnesota 2A Prep Bowl MVP in 2025 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1582495' first='Clay' last='Malchow']. Clay was a game changer just about everywhere last Friday in Minneapolis on both sides of the ball. He logged three rushing touchdowns in which showed off a great amount of balance with his speed, vision, and excellent athleticism. He was proficient on all three levels of the field and defensively was a ball-hawk in pass coverage with an interception of his own, a PBU knocking into his JCC teammate's hands. This kid's football IQ is excellent and college coaches should fall in love with the position flexibility this young man has brewing at the next-level   6A State Championship:   [player_tooltip player_id='1162022' first='Chase' last='Conrad'], RB, Minnetonka 2025 <a href="https://x.com/chaseconrad_4">Twitter</a>   During the last two live evals I have gotten on Chase, he surely rose his stock even further in my eyes during the 6A Prep Bowl final. The 6'0 200 pounder I felt got better from watching in game one vs. game two in Minneapolis with his vision, as he appeared more patient in game two I watched. He also showed off more instintive athletic movement in Minnetonka's rushing attack against a better Maple Grove defense than he faced in game one against Anoka. He surely looks like he could be a good fit in the MIAC or WIAC next year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1206996' first='Kevin' last='Toe'], DT, Maple Grove 2025 <a href="https://x.com/KevinToe6">Twitter</a>   If there was a 2025 prospect in the trenches that I thought rose his stock in my eyes, the most it was Maple Grove defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1206996' first='Kevin' last='Toe']. The 6'1 205 pounder (yes, you read that right) was a menace in the tackle box for the Crimson and his smaller stature was able to quickly get off sheds with his low pad level and get downhill to the ball carrier very persistently all game long. There is a reason [player_tooltip player_id='1292679' first='Oliver' last='West'] and I couldn't agree more than this young man was bound for First Team on his All-Prep Bowl defensive team, as we were both impressed with how a defensive tackle at that size could be so efficient in the defensive trenches in 6A. From my eyes, Kevin's football IQ has a lot to do with it, as a 2025 prospect still waiting on that first offer and knowingly has quite a bit of defensive position flexibility at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1570002' first='Kirion' last='Vogel'], DB, Minnetonka 2027   Kirion was one of the lone 2027 prospects I had on my radar in the 6A Prep Bowl final, but one that intrigued me with his upside to grow in the coming years. He surely played bigger on the live-eval than the measurables will show you, as the 5'8 140 pounder played with a buttery presence in pass coverage despite going up against wide receivers that were much bigger. One to watch in the 2027 class for the Skippers in the coming years.   [player_tooltip player_id='586119' first='Dylan' last='Vokal'], ATH, Maple Grove 2025 <a href="https://x.com/DylanVokal">Twitter</a>   The North Dakota State defensive back commit is one I caught wind of during his sophomore year, with a live game eval, the same year the Crimson won their last state title. Looking ahead at the 6A Prep Bowl final, Dylan left an even further impact on both sides of the ball with his excellent football IQ. He showed off as a great route-runner and had the excellent hands to work thru high contact areas with ease. Defensively, the Bison fanbase are going to love watching how rangy Dylan will be in their secondary, as he was essential in stopping the run at the second level and when the Skippers did seldomly throw, Dylan was always in wheelhouse in pass coverage. You can also quickly gauge the excellent character this young man as a now 2-time state championship and bound to be a stud in Fargo.   [player_tooltip player_id='1202015' first='Malachi' last='Boadi'], LB, Minnetonka 2025 <a href="https://x.com/Malachiboadi1">Twitter</a>   The St. Thomas linebacker commit is one of a few linebackers that popped out in the 6A Prep Bowl final. Malachi impressed me with his constant read steps and length of those steps to get downhill quickly to slow down the Crimson rushing attack. The persistence was clearly seen in our live-eval which shows off why Malachi is headed to the Division I level and what else was persistent was his physicality that erupted at the point of attack when he made his tackles. The 6'2 210 pounder, signed with the Tommies yesterday as they add another Metro linebacker that plays with presence within the inside box and the tape shows off great versatility in pass coverage as Malachi logged five interceptions too for the Skippers this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='363115' first='Jacob' last='Wrbanek'], LB, Maple Grove 2025 <a href="https://x.com/jacobwrbanek">Twitter</a>   There is no question that North Dakota State linebacker commit [player_tooltip player_id='363115' first='Jacob' last='Wrbanek'] takes home our Prep Redzone Minnesota defensive MVP from this 6A Prep Bowl battle and he surely was in close contention to taking the overall MVP as well. I have loved watching Jacob's instincts progress even deeper in his senior season as it was shown right away with his forced fumble taken back for a touchdown to start the game with Crimson momentum. He also has grown from junior to senior year with his strength and hands getting off blocks as Jacob consistently was one of the quickest linebackers to the ball on either roster. It'll sound repetitive, but in football repeatitiveness is great skillset. Jacob is another Crimson 2025 athlete that will take his talents to Fargo next to run with the Bison. We said it a few years ago already, that this 2025 class from Maple Grove takes the cake for one of the best in the Prep Redzone Minnesota era.   Griffin Moore, OL, Minnetonka 2026   The 2026 offensive linemen that has made the biggest spark across our staff of PRZ Minnesota scouts, has been Minnetonka's Griffin Moore. The 6'4 280 pounder, shows off such an athletic base with his movement of his footwork as a pull-blocker and showed off the pad-level we wanted to see on a persistent basis. Griffin also caught my eyes with his angle-blocking against Maple Grove opening the run with great timing of his blocks. He also excelled in pass protection reps I got to watch showing off great balance in his back-pedal. This kid was a sleeper before the state semifinals, but man I sure hope he isn't a sleeper anymore even though, I am still hunint for this young man's Twitter account.   [player_tooltip player_id='641221' first='Sam' last='Hanson'], DE, Maple Grove 2025 <a href="https://x.com/SamHanson25">Twitter</a>   The first step that 6'2 220 pound defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='641221' first='Sam' last='Hanson'] showed off has gotten more twitch since my last eval I got of him last year as the upside of the three-year starter has rose in my eyes. Sam also appeared to be more fluid with his hand movement coming off his sheds as a 2025 that is still waiting on his first offer. Sam also checks out with the aggressive motor he plays with which is telling me that there could be position flexibility at the next-level. I also like the balance he showed off attacking the hip as I felt he was mobile attacking either side of the offensive tackle.   [player_tooltip player_id='362301' first='Vinny' last='May'], WR, Minnetonka 2025 <a href="https://x.com/Vinny_May8">Twitter</a>   The Skippers needed a playmaker in their receiving core late in the game and on their last scoring drive to try and make one last run at the Crimson, they got it from 2025 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='362301' first='Vinny' last='May']. The 5'8 165 pounder, showed off excellent hands in high traffic areas and was the driving force of the Skippers passing offense that got them down the field quickly for a touchdown. I was impressed with the work-horse mentality Vinny showed off on this drive showing that he was going to do whatever it took to get open and did just that with getting great seperation. He is one that I believe could be a 2025 sleeper in the MIAC or the WIAC to take note of this winter.   [player_tooltip player_id='1255885' first='Matthew' last='Perusse'], OT, Maple Grove 2026 <a href="https://x.com/PerusseMatthew">Twitter</a>   I don't think there was an offensive tackle prospect that impressed me more during the 6A Prep Bowl than Maple Grove 2026 offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1255885' first='Matthew' last='Perusse']. His hands had the most balanced strength at the point of attack from what I saw at US Bank Stadium, and without a doubt those hands and fluid footwork were a driving force into the second level on several occasions. There is so much balance in Matthew's versatile skillsets that it surprises me that first Division I hasn't come around yet however, I believe that will change sooner rather than later as Matthew is next up in the batch of Crimson hog mollies to play on Saturdays.   [player_tooltip player_id='591990' first='Caleb' last='Francois'], QB, Minnetonka 2026 <a href="https://x.com/CalebFrancois11">Twitter</a>   We knew at our last Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase that Caleb was loaded with athleticism and seeing it come to fruitation in the 6A Prep Bowl was fun to watch. Caleb impressed me with his patient vision that he had to display I felt on every rep to find the gap that his stout offensive line put together which we agree at PRZ, is one the best offensive lines in the state across the board. He also showed off some great suddenness out of contact which created splash plays for the Skippers. We were also curious to watch Caleb's arm talent at the end of the game, and the 6'1 190 pounder showed off the football IQ on some of his intermediate and deep routes. Even though the Skippers don't throw often, Caleb showed off the precision and timing on the bulk of the passing reps we got to watch. He surely is a 2026 athlete that I will be intrigued to see positionally where he ends up at the next-level, as there are plenty of options with his versatility.   Chuck Langama, RB, Maple Grove 2026 <a href="https://x.com/Charles2Langama">Twitter</a>   The North Dakota running back commit put together one of the most impressive offensive performance of the day last Friday and was named our Prep Redzone Minnesota MVP from the 6A Prep Bowl final. This young man showed off some of the best fluidity I have watched across Minnesota and the Dakotas this fall at the running back position as Chuck showed off the mix of speed and durability that you want out of your rushing attack. Chuck also had the patient vision working in his favor and showed off nasty change of direction and a lethal stiff arm that put a Skipper on the turf for one of his multiple touchdowns. The fan base in Grand Forks and RB coach Donnell Kirkwood should be fired up to get this young man in their running back room.   More Standouts in Part II   Ian Titterington, LB, Jackson County Central 2025 <a href="https://x.com/ianlewytitt">Twitter</a>   Gavin Chenoweth, DB, Staples-Motley 2025   [player_tooltip player_id='1582786' first='Tavion' last='Diggs'], ATH, Jackson County Central 2025 <a href="https://x.com/Tadiggs4">Twitter</a>   Jacob Gendreau, TE, Minnetonka 2026 <a href="https://x.com/gendr17013">Twitter</a>   [player_tooltip player_id='743255' first='Dylan' last='South'], OL, Maple Grove 2025   The little brother of North Dakota tight end Mason South, showed off as another Crimson 2025 prospect that might not fit the measurables threshold, but man there were some skillsets there for the taking for Dylan. The 6'1 215 pounder impressed me with his twitchy first step off the snap which lead to sound leverage on a few occasions driving his defender into the second level.   Sterling Bain, DB, Minnetonka 2025 <a href="https://x.com/SterlingBain6">Twitter</a>

MINNEAPOLIS- We unleash one last hoorah from last Friday's Prep Bowl from US Bank Stadium. In Part I we found 18 standouts that caught the attention of our notebook and in Part II, that number almost doubles, as we logged 31standouts totally nearly 50 prospects from last Friday that caught our eyes at PRZ Minnesota. We close the book on the 2024 season with the best of best from Jackson County Central, Staples-Motley, Maple Grove and Minnetonka.