PrepRedzoneMN 2026 Rankings Update: Biggest Stock Risers

Rolling on with 2026 post-rankings update features, and this runaway train has hit the Biggest Stock Risers portion of the tracks. Although the upper portions of the rankings received a manicure and micro-update during the 2024 season, it had been a while since things were completely overhauled and every single athlete was fully vetted and reevaluated. Now that well over 300 tapes have been watched, the numbers have been crunched, and we have dug into the research and context as much as possible, it's time to highlight the biggest movers and shakers from the latest update. Make sure you stay posted to PrepRedzoneMN for the rest of the week as we continue to highlight the newest names debuting on the ranking, more stock risers boosting their recruiting status, the fastest players in the rankings, the hardest hitters, and much more. Congrats to the update's Biggest Stock Risers below!   As a reminder, the state rankings are constructed based on a combination of film, size, verified athletic data when available, projection and upside to the college level, production, competition level, multi-sport success and ability, and positional value. Every single athlete's film was watched - unless you didn't update your junior tape - and data was used from our own showcase, as well as during the summer camp circuit. The more I see you in person, padded and unpadded, the better, and the less I know about you the less I feel comfortable ranking you higher than others. I realize that there are a lot of emotions involved, but these rankings are not finalized or concrete, and the range and tier in which a prospect is ranked is more indicative of where they project to than the ranking itself. If anyone has any questions or concerns or knows of someone they think should be ranked, please *respectfully* DM on Twitter (@OJW_Scouting) or email me at: oliver@prepredzone.com.   --    Saw His Ranking Rise 100 Spots from #187 to #87   My favorite Stock Riser from the latest 2026 update, Fertile-Beltrami's [player_tooltip player_id='1255910' first='Preston' last='Hanson'] was a can't-miss presence during the 2024 9Man state semifinal and Prep Bowl from back in November, firmly planting himself on the 2026 recruiting scene as a long, physical, and versatile 6'5, 215 lb. EDGE/TE with a ton of room to grow and develop. Prior to his junior season, Hanson only had a few basketball highlights available on his Hudl, and prospects coming from the small school ranks, especially 9Man, are notoriously difficult to find information on, but with already-present and eye-catching size, we obviously had to fit him onto the Big Board. Now, and especially after watching him at state, he's firmly planted himself as a Top 100 prospect with a lot more room to continue to climb. Hanson, who is fresh off a visit to Fargo for NDSU's first Junior Day, could benefit from some editing to his junior highlights, but it's still obvious that the EDGE/TE is long, in possession of an awesome frame that could really blow up at the next level, and owns a skillset and combination of length, speed, power, and physicality to dominate at the 9man level.   As a TE, Hanson is a physical blocker with a nasty streak who will let you know that he kicked your butt when he has your face in the turf. Can handle 1v1 assignments and open some big gaps for his RBs throughout the season. As a pass-catcher, the 6'5, 215 lber. does a good job of finding and sitting down in zone coverage pockets, shows some juice after the catch as a ball carrier as well thanks to his speed and strength through contact. He shows soft hands that do a good job of catching the ball away from his body and he can also reel in catches in traffic and through tight coverage. Hanson also possesses burst out of his cuts and a huge catch radius when reeling in receptions around the field, and he can work with his QB, improvise, and find space when plays are being extending and his QB is scrambling. Defensively, Hanson aligns as both a standup EDGE and off-ball linebacker, showing up all over the field as a dynamic defensive presence. He is an instinctive edge presence who can use his length and get-off to not only produce as a pass rusher, but occasionally step into passing lanes and pick off some low passes, a la Andrew Van Ginkel in 2024. The small town standout does a good job of reading and processing with pace to create big plays in the backfield before things can develop. He understands leverage as the edge defender and does a good job of containing the ball carrier while keeping his outside shoulder free. Hanson uses his length to stay unblocked and not get tied up around the box and can win reps and beat blocking attempts with physicality as well, and he's also a strong tackler with good closing speed. For a 6'5 defender, Hanson does a good job of mirroring, breaking down, and corralling shifty ball carriers without over-extending, over-pursuing, or coming in out of control for a missed tackle.   Obviously, there's a lot to like in the prospect with ideal size at a premier position on the gridiron, but PrepRedzoneMN would be thrilled to get some athletic data on the small schooler so we can really contextualize how he would best fit into the college level. Hope to see this dude on the offseason trail!     Saw His Ranking Rise 98 Spots from #147 to #49   An astounding almost 100-spot jump for the Spring Lake Park 2026 ATH in the latest update is powered primarily by [player_tooltip player_id='1120544' first='Jamal' last='Smith']'s top-tier, verified, flat-out dangerous speed. Smith had one of the best performances at a PrepRedzoneMN Showcase that we have ever seen, coming in at almost 6'2 and over 190 lbs., Smith popped off a 32" vert, a 4.56 40, two 4.44 shuttles, and a 9'7 broad jump to put a giant spotlight on his top-tier athleticism, which also happens to include a PR of 10.82 in the 100M, 22.61 in the 200M, and 19'7" in the long jump. Smith even had three sub-11-second 100M dashes this past spring, as well as a recent 6.83 60M indoor time at the USATF Minnesota All-Comers Meet, and everybody should know that track speed is a whole different ball game to defend on the gridiron. That's got Top 50 prospect written all over it. The thing about Smith is that is plays DE for the Panthers. At 6'1+ 190 lbs., Smith is far from small, but he's still undersized for a hand-down DE going into the college ranks, leading to the "ATH" designation on his player profile. It really muddies the water regarding how he projects to the next level, but good coaches and good developers can always take advantage of raw athleticism and versatility, especially with the kind of twitch and closing speed Smith shows on the tape.   The junior, who is fresh off a Junior Day visit to the University of St. Thomas, posted 45 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 TFLs, 2 FF, 13 QBH, and a PBU as a standup EDGE in 2024, displaying a quick get-off and bend at the top of the arc when rushing the passer, and as his 5.5 sacks show, he's capable of doing so with success. Smith is twitchy when defeating blocks, can eat and work off contact, and beat blocks with physicality, and it's eye-catching how fast he gets in the backfield and closes. QBs can barely blink before he's right in their grill and laying the wood. The 190 lber. naturally gets his hands on the rock and strips to create turnovers. Has a good rep of him ripping the ball out of a Monticello RB's hands like he was taking candy from a baby, and Smith is a good tackler who can power through stiff-arms and create physical collisions that drive ball carriers backwards to negate extra yardage gains. Definitely a current in-betweener in terms of size and position, I still think the verified explosiveness and athleticism is too hard to ignore when talking best players in the state. Look for Smith to continue rising up the Big Board depending on how the offseason goes.   <a href="https://twitter.com/jamal2shiftyy/status/1853949992232202594">https://twitter.com/jamal2shiftyy/status/1853949992232202594</a>     Saw His Ranking Rise 89 Spots from #151 to #62   Not only did Chanhassen High School have one of the PRzMN 2026 Ranking's Top Newcomers, which was published yesterday morning, but they also are home to one of the state's Biggest Stock Risers. Last update, based on the then-sophomore's JV film, I remember crowning Ramler as the state's best non-varsity quarterback, but holy cow did he make the most out of his first season at the helm of Chan's varsity offense. Ramler, who led the defending state champs back to U.S. Bank Stadium, where they dropped a nail-biting 21-19 semifinal matchup to eventual champs Elk River, went 173 for 285 (61%) for 2,373 yards and 23 TDs to only 6 INTs in 2024. The completion percentage, TD to INT ratio, and big-game performances, not to mention the winning mentality, all get me excited, as does the massive pocket-passer frame that he reports is currently around 6'6, 220 lbs. Huge build, big arm, 5A success, and passed our in-person test during the state playoffs after proving himself to be collected, consistent, and accurate in the biggest football game of his life, Ramler hasn't reported much in the recruiting department, and we think that he's very much on the radar at this current point in time.   The XL QB can put the ball on a rope and can hit every route on the route tree with success, including deep outs and comebacks from the opposite hash and completions through tiny prep football coverage windows that require a ton of zip on the rock. His mechanics look sound and is release is quick, tight, and compact, which, combined with his big-time size, can really sling the rock around. Ramler also throws a beautiful deep ball and owns a cannon of an arm that can stretch the field vertically, drop the ball in a bucket, and leads receivers open, which can be difficult given some of the speed he is throwing to in his Storm WR room. Ramler climbs the pocket effectively, shows good awareness in terms of the internal clock a QB needs to get rid of the ball and where the rush is coming from, and is a big body as a ball carrier who can pick up first downs with his legs and tough yardage when he drops his shoulder pads. He will stand in the pocket and deliver accurate passes through oncoming contact and collisions and is also athletic enough to buy time and extend plays as a scrambler behind the LOS. Looks like a surefire scholarship QB who should be having a fruitful offseason on the recruiting trail.   <a href="https://twitter.com/nathan_ramler/status/1859267271451176970">https://twitter.com/nathan_ramler/status/1859267271451176970</a>     Saw His Ranking Rise 74 Spots from #190 to #116   Owners of one of the best linebacker traditions and legacies in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, you'd have to be a fool to not be excited about a 6'1, 220 lb. junior linebacker out of Wayzata High School. [player_tooltip player_id='1489759' first='Will' last='Eisinger'] was a well-built 'backer manning the non-varsity ranks of the Trojans at the last update, but a strong offseason of work led to him clamping down a starting spot in the 6A linebacker room of the Trojans, posting 81 tackles, 7 TFLs, a PBU, and a sack and rifling himself up the PRzMN 2026 Big Board.   Only St. Thomas has him on their radar right now, which was aided by Eisinger camping in St. Paul this past summer as a sophomore, and he reports a 4.76 40, a number that would really help rise up the rankings if it can be verified at his size. The film shows an ILB rocking a neck roll and an old school #34 on his jersey with the contact prowess to match. Eisinger is a strong tackler who reads his keys, processes, and triggers on the ball with pace, and is balanced and quick when he works laterally and scrapes across the LOS. He's capable of tackling in both space and 1v1 situations, and is a thumper at the contact point who negates extra gains once he makes contact with a RB and puts some noticeable whiplash on a ball carrier when puts the pads on. The 220 lber. takes good angles to the football, shows solid speed that can pursue out to the edge and far downfield if needed, can unlock his hips and beat blockers with quickness, and does a good job of identifying and meeting the RB in the gap. He doesn't over pursue while keeping his shoulders square to the LOS and feet active. I'd love to see the thumper in person this offseason.   <a href="https://twitter.com/WillEisinger34/status/1875705917494456655">https://twitter.com/WillEisinger34/status/1875705917494456655</a>     Saw His Ranking Rise 69 Spots from #197 to #128   Another 2026 gem that was unearthed in-person and live during the state tournament, Parkers Prairie's versatile two-way contributor [player_tooltip player_id='1257237' first='Trevor' last='Rounds'] put on some weight and strength this past offseason to really strike an imposing presence as an off-ball LB and occasional DE, not to mention occasional OL. Rounds, strengthened by a strong showing in the Class A semifinals, saw a nearly 70-spot rise on the PRzMN 2026 Big Board after the weight gain, improvement in his film, production (77 tackles, 9 TFLs, 3 sacks), and positional versatility as a 3-4 DE or off-ball ILB. Rounds has the speed to chase down and cut off RBs and QBs in the backfield and out towards the sideline, uses his hands to shed blocks effectively, and can shock & shed and fire into the backfield with noticeable pace. The 220 lber. is also strong enough to work through contact and lead blocking attempts in run defense, displays a quick get-off, and owns the ability to read and seek out the rock quickly and with urgency, which helped him stone a ton of RBs in the backfield for losses in 2024. Plus, he can tackle in space and in 1v1 settings. Can't wait to see how another offseason treats the Parkers Prairie standout.   <a href="https://twitter.com/trevor_rounds/status/1864500862078386306">https://twitter.com/trevor_rounds/status/1864500862078386306</a>     Saw His Ranking Rise 47 Spots from #89 to #42   Our new LB2 is one player who I am itching to get some verified testing data on, especially after being a lynchpin on a senior-heavy 6A squad that went undefeated and a Big School state championship in 2024. At the time of the last update, Skanson was a non-varsity TE/LB who seemed to get more reps on the offensive side of the ball than on defense, but things can change quickly, and the Maple Grove product is a testament to what hard work over the offseason an do for a player. Skanson is hovering somewhere between 6'1 and 6'2 and between 210 and 220 lbs., and the well-built junior posted 64 tackles, 9 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 FF, and 2 INT on the #1 defense in Minnesota in 2024.   Skanson's junior year offseason is off to a hotter start than almost all of his 2026 peers as well. Ivy League heavyweights Cornell and Princeton have already reached out with FCS roster spots in the last month, and with Skanson's size, varsity and big game experience, production, instincts, and physicality are making sure that more high-powered suitors will continue to come calling. The junior opens his tape with a beautiful read, tackle, and strip of a Minnetonka ball carrier in the state title game that was returned for a TD by his teammate, highlighting his ability to get into the backfield quickly, tackle in space, and create splash plays for his defense. The 215 lber. is quick and slippery when working through and under blocking attempts from interior linemen, uses his hands well when disengaging from blockers, and his play speed helps him pursue to the sideline, make an impact as a blitzer, and close with pace and physicality. I love how he times out the snap and shoots gaps effectively to get into the backfield unblocked, where he can finish 1v1 tackles in space, and Skanson brings his hips and runs his feet after contact, making for some big collisions that noticeably snapped RB and QB heads back at initial contact. Plus, can drop into passing lanes and disrupt an opponent's passing attack. The junior seems like he can do everything well, and he does so in fluid, aggressive, and urgent fashion. I'm hoping we can see how high his ceiling is this offseason.   <a href="https://twitter.com/RyderSkanson/status/1864504710562017575">https://twitter.com/RyderSkanson/status/1864504710562017575</a>     Saw His Ranking Rise 46 Spots from #173 to #127   Possessing less than two minutes of public film on his Hudl, there is a lot I still want to know and learn about Bemidji's 6'5, 260 lb. OT [player_tooltip player_id='1256240' first='Mason' last='Church'], but he's got a heckuva foundation to build on. With great size at a premium position on the gridiron, Church didn't have any film last year as a sophomore, but a productive year on the Lumberjacks varsity has him firmly in the sights of college coaches, scouts, and the media alike. Church displays some pop at initial contact and is an aggressive offensive tackle who excels in the run game. The 260 lber. is a bruising finisher who emphatically plays and runs his feet whistle to whistle and can overwhelm opponents once he gets engaged. He can also find work and break down effectively in space, showing off some footwork, mobility, and control in his junior highlights when asked to work out to the edge and handle second and third level defenders. The strength and mobility at his reported size could pay itself back in gold for a college OL coach, but there's still a lot of unknowns in the Bemidji junior's profile. However, he did catch the eye of fellow PRZ scout [player_tooltip player_id='1292716' first='Nate' last='Wahl'] at last summer's NDSU Prospect Camp, so we're beginning to piece together the puzzle that is Church's collegiate projection. Hope to see this kid on the camp trail!     Saw His Ranking Rise 44 Spots from #80 to #36   [player_tooltip player_id='591990' first='Caleb' last='Francois'] is the biggest recruiting enigma I've come across in my professional career with PRzMN and NFN, so far.   Not only is he a recruiting enigma, he's also one of this latest update's Biggest Stock Risers, shooting himself up 44 spots and into the Top 40. Last year, as a sophomore, Francois was an underclassman getting his first taste of varsity action against some of the state's heavy hitters, trying to get comfortable and adapt his game to the newfound speed and physicality primarily as a RB in the Skippers crowded backfield. However, his talent was too hard for Tonka's staff to ignore, and those limited varsity reps paid dividends as Francois EXPLODED onto the varsity scene as a junior, leading the Skippers all the way to the 6A state championship game while playing his absolute tail off. You could argue that Francois was the most impactful and influential player in Minnesota in 2024, but he brings such a unique playstyle to the table that it's hard to confidently project him to the next level, especially positionally. Francois also didn't make any appearances on the college camp circuit this summer, or at a PRzMN Showcase, so I have no idea how fast or explosive he really is. However, I do know that his play firmly raised his recruiting stock during the 2024 season, paying off in Iowa State, North Dakota, and NDSU gameday invites while Minnetonka was still playing, as well as major B1G and Big12 programs visiting Tonka and asking around the young dynamo at the QB position.   I'll say this too: Francois' junior tape doesn't come close to properly capturing his skillset, ability to impact and take over a game over four quarters, toughness, physicality, and dynamic athleticism. I saw the Francois-led Skippers four times in 2024, including the 6A state semifinal and championship, and each time he was the most impactful individual player on the field, besides maybe Chuck Langama of MG in the state title game. The 6'1, 190 lb. Minnetonka junior is a physical athlete at the QB position, and although he proved at U.S. Bank Stadium that he could move the chains and sling the ball with accuracy and zip, he'll be bound for another position in college, which is where things get a bit muddy. Francois is at his best and most dynamic as a ball carrier, where he's a patient, powerful, instinctive, physical, and quick rusher who can carry the rock 30+ times over the course of a ball game and wear down a defense without losing any juice himself. Francois can consistently pick you up 4+ yards a carry, moving the chains while setting defenses up for what eventually becomes an explosive run that he can burst up the middle or out to the sideline and far upfield. The junior can also break tackles in a variety of ways, as he's laterally twitchy and sudden, which takes defenders by surprise and sends them hurdling past him, partly due to the fact that he can easily run you over and beat you down North-South with consistency and effortlessness. It's dazzling to watch over the course of four quarters, and especially over the course of a season, as Francois does it with surgical-like precision and poise, unreal endurance, and rare physicality and power for a 190 lber. He wants and embraces a big role in an offense, as well as key moments in a ball game when the lights are the brightest, and his importance and individual role in Minnetonka's 2024 success cannot be overstated. However, I don't have any measurables on the young man, and I don't know where he'd best fit at the next level, so for now, Francois is holding down that #36 spot.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CalebFrancois11/status/1848183654968639521 </div></figure>     Saw His Ranking Rise 44 Spots from #170 to #126   Minneapolis Southwest - my alma mater - has a heckuva two-headed monster in their 2026 class. Led by WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='924228' first='Jacob' last='Hartman'], who is in contention for some scholarship offers a little down the line, has been getting thrown to by his standout, gunslinging teammate [player_tooltip player_id='923855' first='Kyler' last='Thom'], a 6', 175 lber. who has seen his ranking climb 44 spots since the last 2026 PRzMN Rankings Update.   Despite the Lakers' struggles in 2024, Thom managed to have quite the junior season, posting an impressive 62% completion percentage (124-199) for 1,847 yards and 18 TDs to only 8 INTs, a very impressive feat given Southwest's 1-8 record last season. Thom is fresh off a Junior Day visit to St. Thomas in St. Paul, where two former Lakers play LB, and the Tommies have to like Thom's strong arm that can stretch the field vertically and put some noticeable zip on the ball, accuracy to all three levels of the field, and general safety and security with the football. The 6' signal-caller climbs the pocket and is a calm, cool, and collected scrambler who keeps his downfield and can throw on the move and off-platform and from untraditional angles. Also is a solid ball carrier who rushed for nearly 300 yards and 2 TDs and can hurt defenses when he tucks and takes off. Thom displays great footwork, both when he scrambles and when resetting his feet before flicking the ball into a receiver's hands, and he does a great job of improvising and moving the chains when things break down and plays and route concepts need to be extended. The junior visited Augustana in November and has received a few recruiting graphics from the North Dakota State Bison, but he should expect a busy offseason on the recruiting trail in the MN 2026 QB ranks.   <a href="https://twitter.com/ThomKyler/status/1848062923349868679">https://twitter.com/ThomKyler/status/1848062923349868679</a>     Saw His Ranking Rise 40 Spots from #159 to #119   A strong PrepRedzoneMN Showcase performance and some fun junior tape has propelled Jordan Hubmen's WR [player_tooltip player_id='1248722' first='Elijah' last='Jones'] 40 spots up the PRzMN 2026 Rankings Big Board at the time of the latest update. Jones posted a 4.66 40, 4.59 shuttle, and 8'10 broad jump at the recent Stock-Up Event, backing up the explosiveness we see on tape from the junior. Jones isn't the biggest wideout around, but he opens his tape with a thrilling 85-yard touchdown catch and run that saw him stay upright through a tough contested catch, turn and take off, outrun a pursuer, cut past the safety, and blow past another two defenders for an electric splash play that had his sideline fired up. The Jordan product can win 50/50 balls and high-point the football over tight coverage, tracks the deep ball well, and can easily take the top off the defense, and has a ton of explosive TD catches from 2024. He's a solid route runner who can win at the top of the route and accelerate out of his breaks and is balanced, shifty, and strong after the catch and with the ball in hand. Plus, he shows the top-end speed to finish big plays and crack a ball game wide open. We're excited to see how his recruitment continues to develop now that he's an upperclassman.    --

Rolling on with 2026 post-rankings update features, and this runaway train has hit the Biggest Stock Risers portion of the tracks. Although the upper portions of the rankings received a manicure and micro-update during the 2024 season, it had been a while since things were completely overhauled and every single athlete was fully vetted and reevaluated. Now that well over 300 tapes have been watched, the numbers have been crunched, and we have dug into the research and context as much as possible, it's time to highlight the biggest movers and shakers from the latest update. Make sure you stay posted to PrepRedzoneMN for the rest of the week as we continue to highlight the newest names debuting on the ranking, more stock risers boosting their recruiting status, the fastest players in the rankings, the hardest hitters, and much more. Congrats to the update's Biggest Stock Risers below!