PrepRedzoneMN 2026 Rankings Update: Fastest Prospects

Not a lot of traits on the gridiron can compare to pure, raw speed. After every PrepRedzoneMN Rankings Update, we always try to highlight the fastest and most explosive players the state's recruiting cycles have to offer, and the Land of 10,000 Lakes' 2026 class is stuffed to the brim with speed, speed, and more speed. Track speed, gridiron speed, verified speed, in-person speed, and more. Check out the Fastest Prospects in the Minnesota 2026 class 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.   --    The fastest football player in Minnesota was unfortunately injured during the 2024 season. Burnsville's [player_tooltip player_id='1289981' first='Caleb' last='Kamara'] was locked in and loaded up for a monster junior season as Burnsville's undisputed RB1, having posted three sub-11-second 100M times, including a PR of a 10.80 at the Section 3AAA True Team Meet and a 10.93 at the MSHSL State Track & Field Championships in June. He also posted three sub-11.1-second 100 times, as well as a 21.74 200M, 51.93 400M, and 19'4" long jump for some awe-inspiring track times as a mere sophomore. That kind of verified speed is as valuable as gold on the gridiron, and although Kamara missed the 2024 season with an ankle injury - one that he is fully recovered from - college programs have still come to Burnsville to check in on the #1 contender for RB1 in Minnesota, most notably the Iowa State Cyclones. Just to show that he's back to 100%, Kamara posted a 4.27 40 and 22.2 MPH (.9) flying 10 in winter workouts with the Blaze, and we're hoping he hits the ground running when the summer camp circuit rolls around. PRzMN is already stoked to see this kid's senior tape, but like Monticello's [player_tooltip player_id='234761' first='Luke' last='Emmerich'] - who missed all of his junior season before blowing up on the recruiting trail after posting some eye-catching track times - Kamara could really jumpstart his recruitment during his junior outdoor track season. Big-time name to watch inside the Top 50 of the 2026 Big Board.   <a href="https://twitter.com/BurnsvilleBlaze/status/1880347440311898251">https://twitter.com/BurnsvilleBlaze/status/1880347440311898251</a>     One of the state's biggest stock risers in the 2026 PRzMN Rankings Update, Spring Lake Park's 2026 6'2, 190 lb. ATH/DE [player_tooltip player_id='1120544' first='Jamal' last='Smith'] was just featured in one of the update's premier articles published yesterday on the site, so I'll do my best to try and not repeat myself for the sake of this speed-focused write-up. At 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 at last month's PrepRedzoneMN Showcase 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.   The size and speed combination doesn't scream DE at first glance, so I'm really curious as to where he projects best positionally at the next level. As primarily a standup EDGE, Smith does a lot of good things as a pass rusher, showing both bend at a bit of twitch to beat blocks, but the excellent speed predominantly shows up when he closes and pursues QBs and ball carriers in the backfield, as well as in his track-like first step and get off at the snap. To be honest, I wish he could show off the speed a little bit more on the gridiron, and it's hard not to think about how he'd look as an off-ball linebacker or potentially a RB, though I'm sure SLP has tinkered around with things behind the scenes. The bottom line is that I believe good college coaches and staff can get the most out of a versatile player with the rare and legitimate speed that Smith possesses, and I hope he gets a chance to show it off in the summer camp circuit. He's got a great frame that could hold more weight at the next level, another huge plus, and I think he's going to force colleges to pay attention to his upside and raw talent when he posts some outstanding 100 and 200M times this upcoming outdoor season. Enjoy this recruiting mystery's time as a prep while we have him.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jamal2shiftyy/status/1853949992232202594 </div></figure>     St. Thomas Academy's CB [player_tooltip player_id='1271512' first='Avery' last='Buckner'] is worth getting excited about for a variety of reasons. Not only was the 2026 speedster a big part of the Cadets' 2023 state 5A title run in which they finished as runner-ups, Buckner also had a standout sophomore season on the outdoor track, posting a 10.99 100M at the MSHSL State T&F Championships and 11.05 in the MSHSL Section 3AA Championship. Buckner also went 21'0” in the Long Jump at the MSHSL Section 3AA Championship and 20'0.75” at state, positioning himself for a massive junior season on the gridiron, track, and recruiting trail. Last summer, Buckner also popped off a 4.69 40, 4.62 shuttle, and 9'2 broad, just in case you were worried about the Apple Valley product's athleticism. The junior took gameday visits to NDSU, Iowa State, and Iowa this fall, and NDSU and Princeton have sent junior day invites to begin what is hopefully a lengthy recruiting process.   Buckner didn't have any film available at the time of the rankings update, and his MNFootballHub profile stated that he only recorded 7 tackles in 224, so I was quite excited when the junior uploaded some tape last week out of nowhere. In it, the STA standout opens the tape with a beautiful snag on a back-shoulder fade against Andover that saw him high-point the ball with noticeable bounce while fully extending his arms back across his body in a great display of length, body control, and ball skills. The speed shows up in his ability to hawk down loose ball carriers as the backside CB in run support, and he plays with range and can cover ground in run defense as a motivated and physical tackler with a good understanding of leverage who will fight off blocks and hold the edge. He also has the speed to carry in and all WRs deep. I also like his technique, timing, and physicality at the catch point, and the 170 lber. can shut it down and drop his hips to make plays on the ball as soon as the wideout breaks off his route. He displays burst out of his breaks, does a good job of reading and reacting to a QB's eyes and a WR route concept, and owns good quickness when he triggers on the ball. This dude could blow up big during the 2025 outdoor track season and ensuing summer camp circuit as well.     The Shakopee Sabers backfield was undisputedly the fastest in the state last season. Tellise "TJ" Clark (4.53 40 and 9'5 broad this summer, 221 carries for 1,412 yards and 15 TDs), [player_tooltip player_id='1582456' first='Emmanuel' last='Taye'] (4.61 40 and 10'3 broad this summer, 29 carries for 433 and 8 TDs), [player_tooltip player_id='923832' first='Carson' last='Turner'] (ran in the 4.7s, hurt Week 1) and [player_tooltip player_id='1181590' first='Judah' last='Forsberg'] (featured later in this article) were joined by [player_tooltip player_id='592238' first='Christian' last='Peris'], who may be the fastest among them when it's all said and done. Peris posted back-to-back 11.09 100M times this past outdoor season, one of which happened at the Section 3AAA True Meet, as well as a couple 11.3 times for good measure. Plus, he's PRed at 48.83 in the 300M hurdles. The 175 lber. also tallied 20 carries for 272 yards and 2 TDs in the crowded backfield, positioning himself well for a leading role in the 2025 offense, and I am stoked to see him hopefully run sub 11 seconds this upcoming track season.   Peris spotlights his explosiveness in the opening rep of his junior tape with a 90-yard return against Hopkins, going basically untouched up the right sideline after a beautiful vertical cut off his right foot, working upfield, and hitting another notch of acceleration, blowing by three more Royal pursuers. The junior is a big play back who can finish big runs for six and take advantage of defenses once he's given daylight or has space at the second level. He's a fluid cutter, shows good footwork, solid vision, and the in-game awareness of how to manipulate and take advantage of his blockers. Plus, he can finish contested catches out of the backfield and has strong hands. Make sure to follow this Shakopee Saber during the outdoor track & field season this spring.   <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisperis_/status/1875474892126351834">https://twitter.com/chrisperis_/status/1875474892126351834</a>     Mounds View High School's [player_tooltip player_id='923834' first='Godson' last='Rufus-Okomhanru'] is easily in contention for the most electric junior highlight tape in the Great State of Minnesota's 2026 class. The fun can in large part be traced back to the Shoreview products high-end speed, which was on full display during the 2024 outdoor track season last school year. Rufus-Okomhanru posted an 11.16 and 11.15 100M times as well as a 22.07 200M sprint to sweeten the pot. His junior season went so well that the Mighty North Dakota State Bison - arguably the best recruiters of Minnesota talent in the land - offered the junior gameday visit in early November. Rufus-Okomhanru was one of only two Minnesotans to earn an offer from NDSU this school year, and one of only a handful of juniors to earn an NDSU offer during their 2024 season, so I hope you guys realize how confident the FCS heavyweight feels about the Mounds View athlete's talent and upside. A WR/RB/OLB for the Mustangs, the 6', 180 lber. twitch, burst, fluidity, top-end speed stand out the most on tape.   He opens his clip with a beautiful rep of him sticking, planting, and getting open in the redzone before making an eye-catching full extension to perfectly high-point a fade route through a waiting DB's outstretched arms in an impressive display of body control. Rufus-Okomhanru is a smooth, fluid, effortless ball carrier and cutter who shows sudden COD ability. He can break at top speed, accelerate out of his cuts, and easily make free defenders at the second and third levels of the defense. He was a huge part of Mounds View's excellent 2024 season, which saw them nearly upset Shakopee 24-17 in the state quarters to cap off an 8-3 season in Minnesota's largest football classification. The 180 lber. took a kick back for six against Woodbury, making it look as easy as a walk in the park for you and me. Defenders never know where he's going to cut to, and he can change direction so suddenly and smoothly without losing speed that it barely looks like he slowed down. His top-end speed can easily pull away from 6A defenders and finish runs for six once he takes space, and he's a big play wideout who pulled off some electric catches in 2024, especially through tight coverage and multiple defenders draped all over him. He wins at the top of the route and can take the top off the defense, is surehanded, and shows good contact balance after the catch. Rufus-Okomhanru should continue to stay fruitful on the recruiting trail in 2025, as North Dakota, NDSU, Wyoming, Montana State, Boston College, Columbia, and Minnesota have all stopped in to see the junior, and he's sure to turn some heads during this upcoming track season. The big question is where do you put the playmaker at the next level position-wise, but with verified athletic data backing up the explosive tape, it's not the worst question to try and answer. You'll be hearing more about the Mounds View junior this offseason!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GOkomhanru/status/1852809508080193822 </div></figure>     Winona has themselves a heckuva verified speedster in 2026 DB [player_tooltip player_id='591736' first='Zakari' last='Epps'], who also happens to be one of the darkhorse prospects of the Big Board with the best chance to make a significant jump in the state rankings. Epps had a heckuva 2024 outdoor track season, going 11.17, 11.22, and 11.24 in the 100M last spring, as well as two 22.84 200M times, a 19'7 Long Jump, and a 41'4.75" Triple Jump for good measure. That is some serious juice on the track, and the 507 product took a gameday visit to MSU-Moorhead this fall to get himself on college radars early. NDSU has also sent a host of recruiting graphics.   Epps is one of the few juniors in Minnesota to have returned a kick for a TD in 2024, spotlighting his explosiveness in a 90-yard KOR against St. Croix Lutheran in which the 2026er blows by the first wave of coverage defenders, cuts left, and out runs three different pursuers up his team's sideline for an exciting display of athleticism. Epps nearly took another kickoff back against Byron, and he totaled 6 returns for 207 yards and a TD in 2024, as well as a 45-yard punt return against Rochester Century. The burst, contact balance, vision, and top-end speed, along with the willingness to lower his shoulders and run behind his pads with physicality, prove him to be a lethal weapon with the ball in his hands. Epps is also a CB who can defend the edge with proper leverage and without losing contain, can shed blocks on the perimeter, and stick his head in the run game to make 1v1 tackles against sprinting ball carriers. He's physical and thrives in run defense. The film leaves a little bit to be desired, especially in the coverage department, but the combination of physicality mixed with outstanding explosiveness and returning prowess is a fun combination that could really be taken advantage of by a collegiate program. Could be a big offseason for the 507 standout once track and the summer camp szn roll around.   <a href="https://twitter.com/EppsZakari/status/1850954224865042453">https://twitter.com/EppsZakari/status/1850954224865042453</a>     Another 2026 prospect who has already been featured in a big-time post-rankings update article this week, Chanhassen's stud WR [player_tooltip player_id='1528749' first='James' last='Kopfmann'] was one of the most prolific wideouts in Minnesota high school football in 2024, finishing 12th in MN in receiving yards (827) on only 32 receptions, meaning he averaged an eye-popping 25.8 yards per catch, as well as 8 TDs. This also came in Minnesota's second-largest classification of football on the 2023 state champion and 2024 state semifinalist Storm. That also makes Kopfmann the 6th highest yardage total in the MN big school ranks of 5A and 6A. The fact that Kopfmann is in the elite & limited group of MN's most explosive skill players can be traced back to his raw, volatile, verified speed. The now-junior went 11.22 in the 100M and 21.95 in the 200M, plus a 49.79 400M and 5'10 high jump, last outdoor track season as an underclassman. He's a strong candidate to break 11 seconds in the 100M this coming spring, and with the route running prowess, quickness out of his breaks, and ability to consistently separate on every route on the route tree, combined with the speed, and I think you have maybe the most under-the-radar prospect in MN's 2026 class. Yesterday, finally, Kopfmann finally met with a D1 college, as Montana's Joe Pawlak stopped in to see the wideout, and some teammates, at Chan High School.   The track speed most noticeably shows up in Kopfmann's impressive ease when taking the top off the defense and winning vertically, and doing so with fluidity and an easy-breezy effortlessness that can sadly be hard to find in MN skill players at times. With quick footwork and a knack for taking advantage of an opponent's overreach or misstep, Kopfmann does a good job of beating and then immediately stacking a CB, out-positioning himself before easily pulling away to catch a long deep ball. The extra gear he shows when tracking and running down the deep ball, as well as his impressive burst and acceleration, flash the track start and get-off needed as a stud sprinter. It doesn't seem like there was a DB in Class 5A who could keep up with Kopfmann in 2024.     There wasn't a 2026 prospect in Minnesota whose junior film I was more excited to see than [player_tooltip player_id='1602930' first='Pierce' last='Petersohn']s'. Petersohn is one of the freakiest athletes the Lane of 10,00 Lakes has seen in at least the last half-decade, bottom line, and I try my best to not use the word "freaky" very often. Not only that, the Triton product had a very convincing showing at this past summer's Minnesota Gophers prospect camp in Dinkytown. Petersohn recorded some of the most eye-popping track & field metrics I've seen while working for PRZ/NFN, including a 49.93 400M, 2:03.66 in the 800M, and 6'10" high (!!), the last stat being a Top-20 jump in the United States high school ranks last season and the top jump in all of Minnesota, as well as a school record. The 6'5 standout's track and field background also translates to his gait, technique, and overall speed as well. Petersohn has posted some eye-catching 40 times on the camp circuit, a couple of which I've seen in person and live. His Twitter bio reports a 4.59 laser, and honestly, I don't think that's a big embellishment. This kid can fly.   To add to the freakiness, Petersohn is already the Cobra's all-time leading scorer on the hardwood as only a junior, surpassing the 1,440-point mark in early January with an entire season and a half remaining in his career on the hardwood. Big-time regional college programs have already taken notice, as Petersohn is fresh off his first offer after Iowa State reached out with a Big12 scholarship five days ago. North Dakota followed it up the next day with a Missouri Valley scholarship offer, making Petersohn one of just a handful of Minnesota 2026s to hold a P4 offer right now, as well as an even smaller group of MN natives to earn a P4 offer this offseason. Not only that, he's a part of an even SMALLER group to earn a coveted offer from the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who visited Dodge Center to Petersohn's home to extend the offer in person. DC Danny Collins and LB coach Mariano Sori-Marin made the trip, so you can safely assume that the Gophs like the 2026 standout as a linebacker. Now that the offer train has left the station, I don't see things slowing down anytime soon.   Petersohn possesses rare dynamic ability for a verified 6'5, 190+ lber. with a 6'8 wingspan. Playing primarily as a QB/S, Petersohn passed for 1,479 yards 17 TDs to only 4 INTs while adding 382 yards on the ground and 9 rushing TDs, as well as picking off 3 passes as a DB himself. The District Offensive Player of the Year displays a tall, long, and lean frame both on tape and in person, and you can't help but imagine what a legit college strength and conditioning coordinator could do with his build and athletic profile. The speed shows up all over the field and all over his game and skillset too, as Petersohn is a playmaker on the offensive side of the ball who seems to be on another plane of athleticism and elusiveness than the competition as well as a rangy defensive back who can cover large swaths of ground in both run support and pass coverage. The 6'5 athlete's second rep of his tape shows him running the alley and displaying exciting defensive range while coming from the third level of the defense before making contact, lifting, and dumping a RB in WWE-esque fashion. Follows it up a few plays later with a massive hit on a JWP ball carrier that resembled a car crash on the away team's sideline. Petersohn comes downhill and will stick his RBs in the hole in physically dominant fashion, negating extra gains and yardage and sitting the ball carrier down where he stands, and it's safe to say he's one of the harder hitters in the state, as well as one of the most exciting ball carriers. Petersohn is a shifty, elusive, dangerous scrambler and ball carrier who can take the edge and the sideline on a defense, even through good pursuit angles by DBs and LBs. He uses angles and the width of the field well, doing a good job of setting up defenders before he bounces it outside and cuts the corner with impressive ease, balance, and body control. The 2026er is a mobile QB who can stretch the field with his arm but is at his most electric and most impressive as a ball carrier. He's a naturally elusive scrambler who can extend plays as long as he wants, improvise like a puppet master, and hurt defenses with both his arm and/or his legs, as well as easily outpace and pull away from pursuers like they're stuck in the mud. Plus, he's a tough kid who will hang in the pocket, step into, and finish throws through oncoming hits and isn't afraid to lower the shoulder and take contact as a ball carrier. Also worth mentioning he led Triton to a Class AA Section 2 Section Championship and an 8-3 record in 2024, their final loss coming to Chatfield in the Class AA quarterfinal 23-22. More than enough to be excited about in the [player_tooltip player_id='1602930' first='Pierce' last='Petersohn'] athletic resume projecting to the college level. Don't be surprised if the #10 ranking grows even higher.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PiercePetersohn/status/1883641450375876925 </div></figure>     Minnesota's new RB1 checks all the necessary boxes in the speed department. Not only is he one of the fastest prospects in the state's 2026 class, Heimer is also one of the biggest stock risers of the 2026 update, climbing 22 spots up to #33, is on a short list of in-state prospects that the Golden Gophers will be checking up on and seeing in person this winter, and is your new RB1 in the Great State of Minnesota. Heimer followed up a fantastic junior season on the gridiron (188 carries for 1,561 yards and 21 TDs and 58 tackles and a defensive TD while missing two games) by showing up ahd showing out at the PrepRedzoneMN Stock Up Showcase last month. The junior measured in at 6'1, 182 with a 6'3" wingspan and a 31" vert before posting a 4.59 and 4.62 40, a 4.21 and 4.57 shuttle, and a 10' broad to go on top of an eye-catching showing during competition as a RB. Not only does Heimer have football speed, he's shown some real-deal track speed as well. The Byron product ran an 11.34 100M time in the 2023 outdoor track season, strengthening the portfolio with a 6' high jump, 21'9.5" long jump, 50.68 400M, and 22.92 200M. The young man can run, and he's also seriously under-the-radar on the recruiting trail right now, despite some big-time collegiate programs coming into Byron to meet him.   As a RB, Heimer is a fluid, electric, game-changing ball carrier who was scoring long TD runs nearly three minutes into his junior tape. It's obvious the junior was on another plane of speed and athleticism last season, blowing by entire defenses without seeming to break a sweat and bouncing and working through tackle attempts like he was playing JV opponents. The kid was flat out dominant in 2024, and is a silky smooth ball carrier who glides by pursuers and up to the third level of the field and can scoot by would-be tacklers with a simple cut and flip of the hips. His big-play speed can create and finish explosive runs for six, his balanced gait and lower body helps him slip and run through tackle attempts at his legs without losing momentum, and he can easily break tackle attempts and drag multiple defenders and dogpiles for extra yardage. Plus, he's a sudden and dynamic cutter with some quick plant & stick ability. Heimer's eye-catching burst gets him upfield and into the third level of a defense in a blink, and the top-end speed shows up well when he's finishing a big run and outpacing that final backside CB or S down the sideline with noticeable ease and without extra strain or a pickup in his gait. I also like his effective and well-timed stiff arms that sent a couple defenders flying onto their backs this past season   As a safety, the 185 lber. opens his defensive reps with a car crash-esque collision against a Faribault RB after coming across the field at full tilt, lowering a shoulder, and running through the RB for a crushing and dominant hit. Heimer is one of the state's hardest hitters who can physically dominate at the contact point and create hair-raising hits that get the crowd on their feet, and his play speed allows him to play with range and cover large swaths of ground in pursuit of the pigskin throughout a rep. He can come downhill and run down QBs behind the LOS as well as get out of his breaks with pace and create massive hits to jar the ball loose in coverage from his safety spot. Heimer is a strong 1v1 tackler who is great at tackling in space, reads the QB eyes and route concepts quickly, and naturally works to undercut routes and make plays on the ball, and runs the alley effectively. Safety is very much in play for Heimer's potential position at the next level, and North Dakota and Wyoming have come in to check on the junior this past month. I'd keep an eye on this kid's recruitment and stock if I were you.     Last winter, as a sophomore, 507 product and Rochester Century then-sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1120569' first='Owin' last='Gerber'] came into the PrepRedzoneMN Stock-Up Showcase and blew the roof off the testing portion of the event, clocking a 4.44 and 4.43 40 (!), a 4.5 and 4.53 shuttle, and a 9'3 and 9'2 broad at 5'11, 180 lbs., numbers I'm sure the now-junior can best in 2025. To sweeten the pot, Gerber clocked two 11.42 and an 11.44 100M dash time last outdoor track & field season, and PRzMN is very excited to see how fast he runs this upcoming spring as a junior. He also added a 36+" vert and 1.05 Flying 10 at the Northern State prospect camp in July.   This past season, Gerber only allowed one catch on 10 targets as a cornerback, finishing the season with 53 total tackles (17 solo), 5 PBUs, 3 TFLs, an INT, and a fumble recovery, along with four catches for 70 yards on offense. Gerber's junior tape displays a WR/S who can flip his hips and accelerate out of his breaks to break up passes and is an effective MOF defender as a safety who can read the eyes of a QB, identify and break on route concepts, and make plays on the football. The 180 lber. can cover ground in run support and come downhill from the third level of the defense, as well as run the alley, with pace, occasionally even meeting RBs behind the LOS, and he holds the edge of the defense with good leverage and stuff RBs in run support. Plus, Gerber is willing to go over the middle as a WR and finish receptions through contact and big hits and can jet by defenders after the catch with the ball in hand while showing off some quickness as well. NAIA Graceland got a visit this past September and the University of Jamestown sent a holiday graphic as well. More recruiting attention incoming!     There's more than enough evidence validating the fact that [player_tooltip player_id='402073' first='James' last='Engle'] is one of the fastest players in Minnesota's 2026 class. The Maple Grove Crimson utility RB/WR is one of the more decorated PrepRedzoneMN Showcase performers when it comes to the testing department, posting two 4.62 and a 4.54 40 at separate events, as well as 4.28, 4.37 x2, and 4.41 shuttles, a 9'7 broad, and a 6.81 L-drill. That is some serious, untenable, game-changing speed, quickness, and explosiveness, and Engle put it to good use on the undefeated 6A state champion and the undisputed best team in Minnesota, posting 42 carries for 247 yards and 9 TDs rushing as well as four catches for 66 yards through the air for the Crimson. However, this is where we run into a classic dilemma faced by many prep football players. Yes, it is good that Engle plays for the big school champion, and the competition, coaching, and culture provided by the Crimson is a massive plus in his still-growing recruiting resume. However, there were a lot of good players on MG's roster and it was a crowded backfield in particular, so even though Engle has impressive, eye-catching, verified athleticism, his role was limited in the Crimson's 2024 state title run. At a lot of other programs in the state, Engle would be a featured part of an offense, potentially playing both ways, but things are different at the 6A level and Engle's overall ranking took a bit of a dip in the newest update. To be clear, it wasn't anything he did or didn't do, Engle has continued to improve his craft, strengthen and develop his body, get bigger, faster, and stronger, and add more weapons to his arsenal. The production and number of reps just didn't translate to as strong of film as some of his junior counterparts. 2025, with Engle as one of the Crimson's key offensive pieces, is going to be a huge year for the young man, who has positioned himself to make a massive jump in the rankings thanks to that verified athleticism. Don't be surprised if he blows up on the camp trail as well.   Engle's junior tape displays a ball carrier with quick feet and good contact balance that can break weaker tackle attempts at his lower body and eat and absorb 6A hits and collisions while fighting to stay upright and continue forward for as much extra yardage as he can squeeze out of a run. The junior owns good vision, shows noticeable burst when he hits the hole, has the speed to take the edge on a defense, and possesses smooth COD and the overall speed to glide by 6A defenders with impressive ease. Engle went untouched on a number of his TD runs in 2024, is also a slot back who can win vertically and get open as a pass catcher, and is a willing blocker who can step in as a fullback and open holes for his fellow ball carriers. Fresh off a St. Thomas junior day visit, Engle will also head to NDSU this winter and has been contacted by the University of Jamestown. This kid's best football is still in front of him.   <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesEngleJr/status/1881511250557054981">https://twitter.com/JamesEngleJr/status/1881511250557054981</a>     Bloomington Jefferson's standout 6'2, 170 lb. 2026 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1359226' first='Braylon' last='Kelly-Taylor'] is not only one of the state's fastest players, he's also one of the PrepRedzoneMN 2026 Rankings Updates Top Newcomers, and is on a short list of vaunted instate juniors to earn a visit from the home state Minnesota Gophers at his high school, as well as the Iowa State Cyclones. Kelly-Taylor debuted at #34 in the state's 2026 Big Board at the time of the last update, largely due to some newly verified speed and some exciting junior tape. The 6'2, 170 lber. is a great example of what an offseason showcase can do for a prospect's stock. Unfortunately, Kelly-Taylor's junior campaign was cut short in 2024 thanks to an injury, and his presence was sorely missed by the Jags, who earned their only two wins of the season while the wideout was healthy. With some game reps missing from his in-season resume, Kelly-Taylor came into the offseason motivated and ready to make some waves after recording 13 catches for 419 yards and 4 TDs in five games of 2024 action, and that explosive yards per catch average was backed up athletically after the junior came into this past December's Stock-Up Showcase ready to work. The wide receiver came in at right around 6'2, 160, and during testing he went 4.56 in the 40, 4.65 in the shuttle, and 9'2 broad jump to put a spotlight on some top-tier athleticism that was sure to catch the attention of college scouts. Unsurprisingly, major programs came knocking, with Iowa State CB coach Hank Poteat stopping by the Jags for a visit, as well as Minnesota's CRO Nick Lee and NDSU's Carlton Littlejohn. North Dakota and Augustana has also sent a junior day invite.   Kelly-Taylor's game-changing speed shows up in a variety of ways in only a midseason's worth of tape and game reps. Possessing a big play skillset that can easily take the top off the defense and burn man and zone coverage alike, blowing by CBs playing off-man and safeties acting as the last line of defense in pass coverage and either in a two-high single safety set. It's also fun to see his acceleration when tracking and playing the deep ball in the air, and that same burst shows up when he's pulling away from defenders after the catch and in space. The Jags rising senior possesses the kind of explosiveness that can turn a game on its head and needs to be accounted for every offensive rep of a ball game. Going to be a big offseason for the Bloomington product.     Not a lot of information about Minneapolis North's WR [player_tooltip player_id='1612694' first='Saye' last='Monibah'], oh yeah, except explosive, verified athleticism. Monibah isn't the biggest wideout, but at 5'7 and 140 pounds, Monibah popped off a 4.51 and 4.58 40 this past summer on the summer camp circuit, as well as a 9'7 broad jump and 4.61 shuttle. However, he has no film publically available and posted only one catch for 13 yards and one tackle in 2024. Should still be a kid that DIII, NAIAs, and even JUCOs should be talking to.     Another 5'7 speedster out of Minneapolis North, Branch had an explosive showing on last summer's camp trail, posting a 4.65 and 4.55 40, as well as 4.55 shuttle, and 9'2 broad jump, showing off some real-deal athleticism whose speed cannot be ignored. However, Branch doesn't have a lick of film available on his Hudl page and only has a single tackle recorded from his 2024 junior season. Still a name that DIII, NAIA, and potentially JUCO programs should be inquiring about later in the cycle.     A small schooler out of Park Rapids Area who is bringing some serious speed out of the Class AA ranks, [player_tooltip player_id='1489626' first='Jaydon' last='Walen'] had a memorable showing on the summer camp circuit in 2024, popping off two 4.63 40s, a 4.54 shuttle, and an 8'11 broad jump for a noteworthy performance in the testing portion of PRzMN's camp series. However, Walen doesn't have a single rep of film available on his public Hudl page and Park Rapids doesn't have any stats updated on their MNFootballHub site. Still someone that small college coaches should have marked in their potential 2026 recruiting boards.     PrepRedzoneMN has more than enough evidence to proclaim Spring Lake Park standout speedster and the state's RB3 [player_tooltip player_id='605457' first='Lamari' last='Brown'] as one of Minnesota's fastest players. Brown has multiple exposure points in our book, including a PrepRedzoneMN Showcase MVP performance in the winter of 2023 when Brown was an underclassman. That winter, the then-sophomore went 4.71 in the 40, along with eye-catching quickness in his 4.25 shuttle and 6.96 L-drill, as well as a 9'2 broad. Brown then showed that he wasn't a slouch during the offseason, coming into the summer camp szn and improving his numbers to the tune of a 4.64 40, 4.26 shuttle, and 30" vert. Not only have we seen Brown unpadded on the offseason camp trail, we've also seen the SLP Panther padded up during this past fall when the Panther's hosted Monticello in an exciting 5A showdown. Brown was fantastic, putting that eye-popping quickness to good use on the gridiron and showing off some deadly twitch and impressive contact balance and lower body strength, both of which combined to break a ton of tackle attempts without any noticeable extra exertion from Brown. He was a game-changer for SLP, moving the chains, breaking tackle attempts, and gaining extra yardage post-contact, all while showing toughness, endurance, and of course, speed!   The 5'9, 180 lber. totaled 1,113 yards on a 6.5 YPC average and 10 TDs in 2024, and the production in the 5A ranks, tradition of polished college prospects coming out of SLP, and athleticism has the likes of NDSU and Upper Iowa involved, the former of which got Brown on campus for both a gameday experience during the fall and a junior day appearance this past weekend. The Bison are sure to like the footwork, vision, twitch, balance - which is aided by his low center of gravity - and of course, breakaway speed, which helped Brown create some exciting TD runs and/or big carries in 2024. Bouncing off, spinning through, and juking by tackle attempts, cutting back across the grain and producing sudden, jittery, and effective cuts out of nowhere, and bursting through the first and second level of a defense before defenses can seemingly react was a fun and productive combo for the 180 lber. last fall. Can't wait to see what happens this offseason for another college-ready Spring Lake Park Panther prospect.   <a href="https://twitter.com/LamariBrown45/status/1883570593741812095">https://twitter.com/LamariBrown45/status/1883570593741812095</a>     I don't know a lot of college programs that would pass up a 6'1+, 175 lb. wideout who runs a 4.72 and 4.65 40 in the summer going into their junior year. Meet Bemidji's [player_tooltip player_id='1489510' first='Taylen' last='Schermerhorn'], a 2026 wideout currently ranked outside of the state's Top 150 due to the fact that he doesn't have any tape from his junior season and according to MNFootballHub only posted one catch for eight yards. The Lumberjacks rushed for over 300 yards a game in 2024, so it may just be a case of not being an ideal offense to be a WR in, but either way, Schermerhorn's speed, along with his quickness (4.65 and 4.58 shuttle, 7.38 L-drill) and 9' broad jump should keep the Bemidji product's name on their 2026 boards this offseason, especially once camp szn rolls around.     Holy Family Catholic High School, stand up! Last year's TrainingHaus combine was a goldmine of verified athletic data, and 2026 DB/WR/returner [player_tooltip player_id='1311587' first='Breck' last='Neubauer'] was one of the best performers of the event, especially in the 40 yard dash. The 5'10, 165 lber. clocked a flying 4.65 in front of some TrainingHaus staff for one of the best times at the entire event. Neubauer also had a strong showing at this past winter's PRzMN Stock-Up Showcase, clocking a 4.75 40, 4.58 and 4.31 shuttle, and 8'9 broad jump during the opening testing portion of the event.   A three-phase contributor as a WR/DB/returner, Neubauer showed off that speed and explosiveness in an exciting kickoff return for a TD against Byron where he bursts through the initial wave of coverage defenders before sticking, planting, and cutting right, blowing by the last would-be tackler and out-running three pursuing Bears for a game-changing special teams play. As a CB, the 165 lber. can flip his hips, find the hip pocket of the receiver, and get his head around quickly, and when he gets back in phase to allow himself a chance to play the ball. Neubauer is capable of playing as a press corner, and in coverage, he's quick out of his breaks and does a good job of working to undercut a receiver's route for impressive PBUs. The 165 lber. also has no problem sticking his head into run support and can defeat blocks and make 1v1 tackles as the edge defender. He is also a strong tackler who packs a punch for his size and can play wideout if called upon. Don't be surprised if he moves up the rankings this offseason.     Another verified speedster who is sadly lacking in both stats (Eagan didn't update their MNFootballHub page), [player_tooltip player_id='1602808' first='Harrison' last='Brandt'] is holding down a spot at the back part of the 2026 rankings in large part due to an impressive performance at last year's TrainingHaus combine. Brandt, among other impressive testing times, posted a 4.67 40 to show off some verified speed and burst for a DL. In 2024, against Edina, Brandt does have a clip available of him showing off a quick get-off, some lateral ability, and closing speed in a sack/forced interception against stud QB [player_tooltip player_id='592125' first='Mason' last='West']. Could be a promising name to know for DIII, NAIA, or even JUCO program to know as the 2026 cycle becomes more prominent amongst large and small colleges recruiting departments alike.     If you want to bet on a name inside the Top 100 who could make a big climb on the rankings Big Board, Two Rivers High School's [player_tooltip player_id='1120548' first='Johnny' last='Laugerman'] is a name to remember. The speedster has popped off some impressive testing times throughout his high school career and in front of PrepRedzoneMN scouts, most recently popping off a 4.69 and 4.72 40, a 4.44 and 4.49 shuttle, and an 8'11 broad at December's PrepRredzoneMN Stock-Up Shwocase. The junior took a visit to St. Thomas for the Tommies junior day in January, and NDSU and Montana State have both stopped by Mendota Heights to check in on Laugerman at school. The stud wideout caught 30 passes for 655 yards (21.8 YPC) and 12 TDs, 10 of which were through the air, one on the ground, and one as a returner.   Laugerman can take the top off the defense and easily burn man coverage when he works to get vertical, even blowing by double coverage and popping off massive gains through the air without defenders even being able to get a hand on him thanks to his pace. The same goes for his KOR TD, Laugerman made one cut, got vertical, and was gone, blowing by the entire St. Paul Highland Park coverage unit and into the endzone like it was a stroll in the park. Nearly took a punt back for six in 2024 as well. The 170 lber. can easily eat up CB cushions, accelerates out of his breaks, which helps him take advantage of DBs when they get off-balance or out of position and at the top of the route, and does a good job of stacking WRs after gaining a step. The three-year starter will also sell out and sacrifice his body to reel in deep balls.   <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnnyLaugerma1/status/1847442132711449035">https://twitter.com/JohnnyLaugerma1/status/1847442132711449035</a>     We just talked about Jordan Hubmen's explosive junior wideout [player_tooltip player_id='1248722' first='Elijah' last='Jones'] this past week when highlighting the Ranking's Top Stock Risers of the recent update, so I'll do my best to not repeat myself. Jones came into this past month's PrepRedzoneMN Stock-Up Showcase flying, posting a 4.66 40, 4.59 shuttle, and 8'10 broad jump, and the athleticism he showed in person also showed up on tape in 2024. Jones 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. And that speed he showed in pulling away from the defense and finishing that run with so many defenders trialing him highlights his explosiveness well. The Jordan product can easily take the top off the defense, and has a ton of explosive TD catches from 2024. He shows the top-end speed to finish big plays and crack a ball game wide open. Augustana just sent a junior day invite, and I hope the Vikings would appreciate the YAC ability and proficiency at dusting man coverage like we do, as well as the 40 time, which earned Jones a spot on this new feature as well.     Another electric recruiting enigma and offensive weapon in the Minnesota 2026 Big Board, Elk River's [player_tooltip player_id='923833' first='Levi' last='Harris'] was one of the fastest, most dynamic, production, and dangerous ball carriers in all of Minnesota last fall. After an unfortunate injury in Week 1 vs. Chanhassen took Harris out for the rest of the 2023 season, he hit the ground running as the Elk's QB1 as a junior, leading Elk River to a 12-1 record and a Class 5A state championship while scoring 24 total TDs, carrying the rock 115 times for 984 yards, and adding 34 tackles and an INT and six PBUs as a DB. He was named Offensive Team MVP, District QB of the Year, and is a three-sport athlete who also competes in basketball and track & field. It's somewhat of a lazy player comparison, but Harris has a lot of Cade Osterman in his game, and is an explosive, confident, fluid, and twitched-out-to-the-max ball carrier who can skirt, sprint, and maneuver around would-be tacklers like he's on another plane of athleticism. Harris is on a short list of 2026 athletes whose speed I am itching and scratching to verify, and the only data point I can find on harris is an 11.3 100M time as a freshman, along with a video he posted himself on Twitter. His track & field web profiles do not have that listed, however. I am really hoping I can get this young man to the PRzMN Showcase in April/May. That'll be after basketball, however, where Harris is averaging 14.9 PPG as a guard on the Elks hoops squad.   The Elk River playmaker can go 0-60 in a blink, leaves pursuers in the dust, and effortlessly cruises down the sideline and past defenders pursuit angles like they're stuck in slow motion, and Harris was scoring long, unchecked TD runs three minutes into his junior tape. If you give him a gap or a tunnel of daylight and he is going to make you pay. The combination of burst and top-end speed makes him look like he's shot out of a cannon if you leave him uninhibited for too long. Plus, the contact balance is pound-for-pound up there with the best in the state. Harris ate and worked through some big-time collisions that would knock the majority of ball carriers flat on their butts. He had a particular rep in the 5A state title game against Alexandria where he ate the safety's hit - who was going 100 MPH downhill - in what resembled two bighorn rams going at it on a mountaintop, he then broke the same defender's second tackle attempt as he sprinted through space for a hair-raising gain. Defensively, he shows impressive range as the deep safety who can read, process, and patrol the third level of the field with authority. Able to flip his hips, stay on top of speedy WRs streaking downfield, and make great plays on the ball in the air, as well as come downhill as the high safety and cover a ton of ground in run support, meeting ball carriers at and behind the LOS for clean tackles. Harris also returned a punt for six against Alexandria without any Cardinals figuring out how to even touch the explosive three-way contributor. I am dying to know how fast Harris truly is, but no matter the time he clock you can't deny that he owns some of the best tape in the state.   <a href="https://twitter.com/leviharris0/status/1659010309426753538">https://twitter.com/leviharris0/status/1659010309426753538</a>     Quite the pair of triple-option/Power-T QBs in Minnesota's 2026 class, and for this PRzMN feature, we're going to write about them back to back. Now that we've covered [player_tooltip player_id='923833' first='Levi' last='Harris'], it's time to get to know Shakopee QB1 [player_tooltip player_id='1181590' first='Judah' last='Forsberg'], a 6A speedster who was the lynchpin of the Sabers 2024 6A state semifinalist appearance, led on the shoulders of the fastest backfield in Minnesota last season. Unfortunately, Forsberg's speed is unverified and unknown, with zero appearances at any college camps I was aware of and no track background, but it doesn't take a track & field coach to notice Forsberg's impressive speed oth in person and/or on tape.   Forsberg fires through the first and second levels of the defense like a rocket, shooting past 6A defenders and pursuers like he's racing against his little cousins on Thanksgiving. Displaying great running form, a smooth gait, and impressive burst and finishing speed, Forsberg can rip open a game and turn a simple option or QB keep 50+ yards untouched and for six. He displays good vision and decision-making and is a smooth athlete who is very comfortable and effective in space. He owns the hard-to-find ability to turn a game on its head with one missed assignment or bad pursuit angle. Plus, the 175 lber. demonstrates solid contact balance, lightness & nimbleness on his feet, and owns the quickness and elusiveness to make that free defender miss in the hole or third level of a defense. Not sure where he best projects to positionally in college, but I do know this kid can fly and make plays. Hope to see him on the offseason camp circuit soon.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ForsbergJudah/status/1881168388418060295 </div></figure>    --

Not a lot of traits on the gridiron can compare to pure, raw speed. After every PrepRedzoneMN Rankings Update, we always try to highlight the fastest and most explosive players the state's recruiting cycles have to offer, and the Land of 10,000 Lakes' 2026 class is stuffed to the brim with speed, speed, and more speed. Track speed, gridiron speed, verified speed, in-person speed, and more. Check out the Fastest Prospects in the Minnesota 2026 class below.