PrepRedzoneMN 2026 Rankings Update: Top Newcomers

We're in the thick of rankings season, and after a week and a half of hard work, the freshly minted Minnesota 2026 rankings are live on the site. This is a recruiting class that fans of high school football should be excited about, with well-established names continuing to grow and sharpen their game, as well as representation at positions that Minnesota traditionally produces well at into the college level, verified & high-level athletic data, and elite multi-sport success. There are both skill players and big bodies worth getting excited about, including the best QB class in a decade, and after the latest high school football season, there are some major new names and talents finding their way onto the state rankings. Let's get to know the top newcomers and debut standouts 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 class of 2026 is the year of the multi-sporter, and our #1 Top Newcomer in the PrepRedzoneMN 2026 rankings goes to standout East Ridge Raptor hooper and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1602754' first='Cedric' last='Tomes']. Ranked as the #5 2026 hooper on PrepHoopsMN, the point guard has been a varsity contributor since 8th grade and has been averaging over 30 points a game this basketball season as a junior. He currently holds basketball offers from Minnesota, Bryant, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Drake, Oklahoma, and Saint Louis University. He's also a tremendous football player, holding down the QB1 spot for the Raptors and leading them to an impressive end-of-season run that included an upset of the #1 ranked Lakeville North Panthers and a playoff win over Rochester Mayo, with a two-point, nail-biting loss to Champlin Park nearly adding another notch of excitement to their postseason rally. Tomes went 94-147 (64%) for 1,120 passing yards and 10 TDs to 7 INTs while adding 139 carries for 568 yards and 10 more TDs. Without even turning on the film, you can safely assume that Tomes is a tough, dynamic athlete on the gridiron with the twitch, competitiveness, bounce of an elite basketball player, and is even better than advertised when he tune into the film.   Tomes climbs the pocket effectively and is naturally elusive behind the LOS when scrambling and extending plays. Can quickly sidestep and cut by rushers, is tough to run down and corral when he's scrambling, and is effective and dangerous with both his arm and his legs. He can keep his eyes downfield, see and process the field, and move the chains with his arm, but he always needs to be accounted for as a ball carrier and can pick up big chunks of yardage when he tucks and runs as well. The 175 lber. has a good arm and a quick release that can push the ball downfield with both accuracy on touch and has some good reps of accuracy and timing, as well as ball placement over tight coverage, particularly on fades and when facing down an oncoming rusher. In addition to the arm talent and accuracy he showed in 2024, Tomes is also a twitchy ball carrier who can start/stop and shut down in a blink, sending defenders flying by him out of control, and can make free DBs and LBs miss in space with ease. He does a good job of following his blocks and running with patience, noticeable burst when he sees space and has a mean stiff arm, as well as good contact balance that can bounce weaker tackle attempts off his lower body. Tomes is a high-level athlete at the QB position, and although I don't have any verified data on the junior, the basketball background and major offers cement an athleticism that few high school players possess. He'd probably be a WR or DB at the next level if he opts to play football, so there's some positional uncertainty that goes into his current debut ranking, but if he's interested in playing football in college, and if I can get some eyes on him this offseason, there's no reason why he won't keep climbing the rankings charts.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15934544/6728078bbf323254c1869601">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15934544/6728078bbf323254c1869601</a>     Another football/basketball hybrid holding down a spot in the upper echelons of the 2026 PRzMN rankings update, Bloomington Jefferson's 6'2, 170 lb. standout WR [player_tooltip player_id='1359226' first='Braylon' last='Kelly-Taylor'] makes a big-time debut on the Big Board in large part due to a fantastic showing at December's PrepRedzoneMN Showcase. Now verified at 6'2, 160+, Kelly-Taylor popped off an eye-catching 4.56 40, 4.65 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 has also sent a junior day invite.   The Jags only have their stats updated to the midseason point, and they went 2-7 in 2024, but Kelly-Taylor still managed to catch 13 passes for 419 yards and 4 TDs through 5 games before an injury unfortunately ended the young man's season. However, the film still flashes, particularly in that same speed department that showed up so well during December's PRzMN Showcase. Kelly-Taylor possesses a big play skillset and uses that noticeable speed to eat up DB cushions and make himself hard to handle for waiting safeties, especially once he gets a full head of steam and gets up to top gear. Kelly-Taylor tracks the deep ball well and does a good job of pulling away from DBs once the ball is in the air, and is also balanced, quick, elusive, and can finish big runs once he gets to the third level of the defense or takes the sideline. I also like his contested catch ability, and he can fully extend and pluck the ball out of the air over the middle and in high-traffic situations. Jefferson got their only two wins of the season when Kelly-Taylor was healthy, so he and the Jags will be itching to get back on the gridiron in 2025. We love the 6'2, standouts athleticism and ability but a strong showing on the offseason camp circuit is going to be critical for the young Jaguar to show that he can apply that athleticism to the gridiron. Fun name to watch this offseason!   <a href="https://twitter.com/braylonkt08/status/1851258602033725442">https://twitter.com/braylonkt08/status/1851258602033725442</a>     Simultaneously one of the biggest mysteries and most high-potential prospects in Minnesota's 2026 class, Prior Lake's [player_tooltip player_id='1522534' first='Colten' last='Gunderson'] is also a 6'6 C/PF on the Lakers basketball squad and a RHP on the baseball team. Gunderson really brings that basketball skillset, size, and length to the gridiron in a dominant way, proving himself to be a dangerous and effective weapon in the passing game and particularly in the redzone. The size advantage, bounce, and ball skills lead to him being a matchup nightmare that can be as hard to adjust to and prepare for, let alone stop.   Gunderson posted 20 catches for 293 yards and 7 TDs in 2024, showing reps of him pulling down catches with multiple receivers draped all over him and owning some rare and dominant contested catch and 50/50 ball ability. The Prior Lake product can reel in receptions through tight coverage and contested hand battles at the catch point, displays good body control, particularly while in the air, and owns good coordination, strong hands, and solid timing in his jumps. His huge catch radius helps him pull down big-time catches while fully extended, in what normally would be an overthrow for a wideout, and he can even expand things when he high-points and climbs the ladder in the air. Gunderson can fight through contact well as a route runner, especially when fighting through press at the LOS, and if he beats and stacks a DB he is at a huge disadvantage throughout the rest of the route. Plus, I see good balance overall, both when working through contact as a route runner and when eating tackle attempts and breaking tackles at his lower body after the catch, and he can drop his hips and break his routes off well for a taller wideout. The junior lines up as a WR flexed outside the LOS, and he uses his length to wipe out DBs as a blocker on the perimeter. Can break down in space to corral DBs in space and runs his feet and overwhelms once he gets his hands on and engages. Opened a ton of holes and constructed some big TD runs for his RBs throughout the year.   Schools have obviously taken notice of his size/skill/film/multi-sport background. Northwestern TE coach Paul Creighton came in to watch Gunderson hoop, personally inviting him to their one-day camp this summer, and UNI and St. Thomas have invited him to their junior day. Keep an eye on the Prior Lake junior as a big-time sleeper and darkhorse in the race for P4 status in MN. I'm hoping to get some measurables and verified athletic data on him this summer, and if they look as promising and strong as the film suggests, don't be surprised to see Gunderson's ranking continue to rise.   <a href="https://twitter.com/ColtenGunderson/status/1880734830805270996">https://twitter.com/ColtenGunderson/status/1880734830805270996</a>     Another high upside, low information, big-bodied mystery gracing the Top 50 of the PrepRedzoneMN 2026 rankings, Class A state champion [player_tooltip player_id='1602672' first='Kyson' last='Arndt']'s rise to the top tiers of the rankings was spurred on by a fantastic state tournament performance with his Minneota Vikings. It's hard to get info on Minneota kids, so this was my first time seeing the Vikings in 2024, and Arndt was an immediate eye-catcher at a reported 6'5, 225 with a ton of room to grow. As a standup EDGE who also can put his hand in the dirt, as well as a right tackle on the Vikings' dominant OL, Arndt was all over the field and a physically dominant two-way presence on the undefeated, back-to-back-to-back Class A state champs.   However, there is a lot of the unknowns about the Southwest Minnesotan, namely the unverified size, but Arndt reports a 270 lb. bench, 360 lb. squat, and 240 lb. clean, numbers that, if true, would indicate an ability to find success against bigger school competition, especially if his length and height are accurate. The film is good too, as the 6'5, 225 lber. generally works as a standup EDGE out of a two-point and shows off a bull rush, quick get-off, and bend at the top of the arc. His long arms help him create separation from a blocker when locks his arms out and extends, and he can accelerate from a dead stop, which helps him track and run down QBs behind the LOS. Arndt attacks blockers with proper leverage and is physical at the contact point, as he planted a couple of RBs flat on their butts in pass pro, and he shows some top speed as a pursuer and reads and finds the ball quickly. As both a left and right tackle, Arndt's fluid mobility helps him easily climb to the second level and find work in space, but he's more than strong enough to be physically dominant at the LOS in the run game. He had some impressively aggressive finishes as a run blocker in 2024. Could be a big offseason for the Minneota Viking. We'll try to get him to our PRzMN Showcase in April/May.   <a href="https://twitter.com/kyson_arndt/status/1881400030617338248">https://twitter.com/kyson_arndt/status/1881400030617338248</a>     Another big, long, high-potential pass rusher who I'm dying to get a look at this offseason, Orono's [player_tooltip player_id='1602726' first='Simon' last='Vinton'] was fantastic in the multiple in-person visual points I got on him and the Spartans 4A state semifinal run in 2024. As both a TE and DE, the kid would just play his tail off, staying very active in both run defense, pass rush, and run blocking. He would display great play speed for his size, consistently made plays behind the LOS, and was also one of the best pass rushers I saw this past fall. He also has a great frame, self-reporting at around 6'5, 220, with good length and a multi-sport background that includes wrestling and lacrosse. I really love his production rushing the passer. Vinton posted an impressive 10 sacks in 2024, along with 10 TFLs and 57 tackles, and when you combine it with the size and length combination and you have the makings of a potential big-time prospect at a premium position.   Vinton, who is fresh off a junior day visit in Fargo with NDSU and also earned a junior day offer from North Dakota, displays a balanced skillset of speed, quickness, technique, and power as a DL/EDGE. He shows a good get-off, uses his hands effectively, and owns a good pass-rushing repertoire, and can pursue down the LOS and out to the edge with noticeable speed for his size, which also helps him run down and pressure QBs in pass-rush setting. Vinton reads, processes, and identifies the ball and ball quickly, all while staying square and light on his feet while working deep into the backfield, and demonstrates heavy hands and an effective first punch. He doesn't get tied up and allow OTs and TEs to get hands on, and overall is consistent in his technique and assignment sound. He's also strong enough to eat contact, chips, and lead blockers and can maintain his balance, shed, and create disruption and finish tackles in the backfield. Offensively, he's a tough, physical blocker with good hand placement and can help out in the passing game. Vinton's size, film, multi-sport background, production, competition level, contributions to a 4A semifinalist, and in-person evals have me bullish on his chances of continuing to rise up the ranking. Just need some verified data on the kid!   <a href="https://twitter.com/SimonVinton/status/1864874246188466656">https://twitter.com/SimonVinton/status/1864874246188466656</a>     I can't lie, I didn't expect the 2023 Minnesota 5A state champion Chanhassen Storm to defend their crown as well as they did this past season. A 5A state semifinalist who narrowly lost to the eventual champions Elk River 21-19, Chanhassen's success and clutch playoff performances were powered by the likes of our next Top Newcomer: [player_tooltip player_id='1528749' first='James' last='Kopfmann']. The junior wideout popped off for 32 receptions for 827 yards (25.8 YPC)and 8 TDs, powered largely due to his blazing 11.22 100M and 21.95 200M, plus a 49.79 400M and 5'10 high jump, all from the 2024 outdoor track and field season. That is some serious speed and athleticism, and I dare say that the junior is still under-the-radar on the recruiting-front right now. If Kopfmann can go sub-11-seconds in the 100M and record a bunch of new PRs this upcoming T&F season, things are going to change very quickly, no matter how popular he is on the junior day trail.   I got to see the Chan product live in that state semifinal matchup with Elk River, and he was a dynamo. A vertical threat who was consistently getting open on a variety of routes, Kopfmann's junior tape proves him to not only be one of the most explosive wideouts in the state, but also one of its best route runners. The junior displays good footwork in his releases at the LOS and can beat DBs at a variety of points throughout a route. If he gets a step and stacks the DB, it's game over, and he also wins and creates separation at the top of the route with consistently. He's a sudden, smooth, effective route runner who generates noticeable power and accelerates out of his cuts, hit a dirty hitch-and-go and a comeback against STA and ran a beautiful route for a TD in the state semifinal game against Elk River. Kopfmann can win in 50/50 situations and shows strength and body control when playing the ball in the air, sometimes over or through multiple defensive backs, and he displays impressive burst from a dead stop and with the ball in hand and pull away speed when the ball is in the air. He can easily take the top off the defense, and also does a good job of working with his QB and finding space when a play is extended and his QB is scrambling. People need to start waking up on this young man's talent!   <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesKopfmann/status/1858668921613644170">https://twitter.com/JamesKopfmann/status/1858668921613644170</a>     Not often we see a QB of this caliber come out of the 9Man ranks. Hills-Beaver Creek's [player_tooltip player_id='1371692' first='Jamin' last='Metzger'] is easily the best 9Man QB I've seen while working for PRZ/NFN, and the junior was fantastic live and in-person during the 9Man state semifinal and championship, slinging the rock around with abandon and moving the chains with ease. His connection with fellow Top 100 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1506853' first='Micah' last='Bush'] was one of the best combinations all state tournament, and his 6'5, 200 lb. frame stands tall in the pocket and delivers strikes with accuracy, zip, and poise. His 2024 season saw him complete 126 passes for 181 yards (70%) for 2,018 yards and 23 TDs along with 55 carries for 455 yards and 12 more TDs on the ground. The accuracy and arm talent are noticeable to say the least, and college programs are taking notice. Augustana and Sioux Falls got him on campus this fall for gameday visits, Iowa came by H-BC this month to check in, and Northwestern College (IA) and Princeton have invited the small schooler to junior days.   Metzger demonstrates a quick, compact release that produces a tight spiral and noticeable zip on the pigskin, as well as a big arm that can stretch the field and can really sling the rock all over the gridiron. He shows good touch on his downfield throws, reads the field quickly and makes good decisions with the football, has the athleticism to buy time behind the LOS and scramble effectively, and puts the ball on the money and with consistency in the passing game. Metzger is a big-bodied ball carrier with solid COD ability who strikes an intimidating presence when he tucks and takes off, and his production, accuracy, big-game performances, history of winning, and number of reps and game experience, not to mention the positional value of a scholarship-worthy QB, makes the argument for itself.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jamin_metzger/status/1861073661710442906 </div></figure>     A 6'7 4A OT with a wrestling background? How could you not want to learn more? Mound Westonka's junior 6'7, 290 lber. [player_tooltip player_id='1602779' first='Phillip' last='Pisarchuk'] is a player I'm itching to get some more information on, as his frame and tape lends one to believe he has a ton of potential and upside going into the college level. Still an unknown commodity in the 2026 OL recruiting race in MN, Pisarchuk is a RT who is long, filled in for his height, and looks bendy and flexible for a 6'7 offensive tackle at the edge of the LOS. He shows lead in his hands who can shock when he gets his paws on a DL or LB, a good base who can absorb and redistribute contact in both run and pass blocking situations, and is capable of reaching and gaining width with quickness when working laterally, especially off the snap. The junior works to finish once he makes initial contact and displays a clean pass set who can drop his hips and gain depth, time out his punches effectively, and use a rushers momentum against him. The size, athleticism, and technique, along with the wrestling background, have me excited about his chances of continuing to climb the rankings, especially if I can get some eyes on him this offseason. Big-time darkhorse in the 2026 MN OL class.   <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Pisarchuk/status/1856873154783715759">https://twitter.com/P_Pisarchuk/status/1856873154783715759</a>     The Outstate Monster of the 2026 Minnesota recruiting class, Parkers Prairie towering offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1602696' first='Zak' last='Koep'] reports himself to be 6'8, 295, and on tape he looks every inch of the gargantuan measurables. I was lucky enough to get Koep on my radar after seeing a news clipping on Twitter about the hulking junior picking off a pass against Lake Park-Audubon, and boy am I glad he updated his Hudl. As with many of these Top Newcomers on the PRzMN 2026 Rankings Update, I know very little about Koep besides what I can gather on film and from his basketball stat lines, so college programs are going to have to do their due diligence on this small schooler with huge potential. However, he's got the chance to strike as big as a slot machine jackpot if the size and athleticism can be backed up and verified.   The tape displays a mammoth RT who holds his weight well. Depending on what his actual measurements are, Koep could put a significant amount of weight on in a college strength and conditioning program, and he also looks flexible in his stance, balanced, fluid, and coordinated. The reps of him getting out and into space are impressive, as he can accelerate and display some get-up before shutting things down and dropping his hips to corral DBs and LBs out at the third level of the defense. There's definitely rawness in his game, but he's a big, strong kid who can dominate at the point of attack and has a strong punch that sent many defenders flying backward and/or onto their butts in 2024. Given how little we know about him, I'd love to see Koep make some appearances at camps this spring and summer, especially to see how he matches up against players from all over the state and see how well he moves in person. Either way, he's a must-know for college coaches. There's been plenty of giant Outstate linemen just like Koep who have found success at the next level.     We're keeping length at a premium in the MN 2026 rankings, and Sartell-St. Stephen's TE/DE [player_tooltip player_id='1602698' first='Peyton' last='Allen'] nearly has a 6'7 wingspan to go along with some solid testing numbers at a verified 6'5 from the spring and summer. The junior visited North Dakota this November, and he recorded his 75th career victory on the wrestling mat with a pin against Detroit Lakes. A tough kid with two-way versatility, Allen flies out of his stance and uses his length to his advantage when keeping OL at bay before shedding blocks with active hand usage. Can also identify and work into passing lanes to bat down passes at the LOS. He possesses solid quickness and can stuff up run gaps as a DL, and the junior is also a strong run blocker who can finish defenders into the turf and move mass. He shows a bit of a nasty streak when he has a dominant rep and can handle both DEs at the LOS and also work and find success at the second level. A big year in the weight room and at the dining room table would this kid wonders, and a college program could really take advantage of the potential his size, frame, and skillset offers.   <a href="https://twitter.com/PeytonA71448373/status/1881558657453990170">https://twitter.com/PeytonA71448373/status/1881558657453990170</a>     Yes, there's more length, height, and high upside on the table in this Top Newcomer entree. You shouldn't be surprised that talent-factory Robbinsdale Cooper has some exciting prospects on the 2026 rankings, and a must-know Top Newcomer to the recently updated Big Board is 6'6, 225 lber. [player_tooltip player_id='1602711' first='Abel' last='Nason']. I got to see him live against crosstown rival Armstrong during the regular season, and although it was a tough night in the trenches for Nason that game, the junior DE is oozing with upside and potential, especially when you turn on the film. Plus, he came with revenge on his mind in the Hawks rematch with Armstrong, as his playoff highlights open with him absolutely crushing a scholarship commit OT on a swipe back block in the playoff rematch with the Falcons, pulling off an eye-popping TFL against one of the best 5A teams in the state.   With premier size for a DE/EDGE, Nason sets the edge well and is physical at the point of attack, showing bend at the top of the arc and a quick first step that gets vertical and allows him to create disruption in the backfield. Nason also demonstrated closing speed, change of direction ability, and the control to mirror and chase down ball carriers in pursuit. Nason also played RT in the playoffs, displaying a clean pass set for a primarily defensive player and showed he could absorb and redistribute contact on the edge, as well as gain depth to handle speed rushes up field. Like a lot of guys on this list, I am dying to get some verified measurables on the young man, so hopefully we can get him to the spring showcase. Lot of runway left in this recruitment, folks!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Abelnason715/status/1854248551301145056 </div></figure>    --

We're in the thick of rankings season, and after a week and a half of hard work, the freshly minted Minnesota 2026 rankings are live on the site. This is a recruiting class that fans of high school football should be excited about, with well-established names continuing to grow and sharpen their game, as well as representation at positions that Minnesota traditionally produces well at into the college level, verified & high-level athletic data, and elite multi-sport success. There are both skill players and big bodies worth getting excited about, including the best QB class in a decade, and after the latest high school football season, there are some major new names and talents finding their way onto the state rankings. Let's get to know the top newcomers and debut standouts below.