2025 Preseason All-Upper Midwest Defensive Dream Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A couple of years back, I was interested in seeing how my home state of Minnesota stacked up recruit-wise against some of our geographical neighbors, one thing to lead to another, and before ya know it, <em>PrepRedzone </em>had an Upper Midwest Dream Team on its hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite the recent rash of offers coming to Upper Midwest prospects, we are still in the midst of a dry, footballless offseason, and if you're a recruiting fanatic like, you're just itching for new prep football-related content. Well, we're once again exploring how the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, North dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa stack up in 1v1 evaluation settings, and it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that this 2025 Preseason All-Upper Midwest Dream Team is overflowing with P4 and FBS talent from all around the Great States of America's Heartland. Now, it was a bit tricky figuring out just exactly what was the "Upper Midwest" as one could argue Chicago, and thus Illinois, should be included, but I'm confident in our geographic and cultural categorizations and are happy to bring a featured piece that you aren't going to find anywhere else but <em>PrepRedzone</em>. Hundreds of prospects considered, only a few made the cut. Check out the best of the best defenders and all-around athletes from America's Upper Midwest, only on <em>PRZ</em>. Congrats to the selections! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">2025 Preseason <em>PrepRedzone</em> Upper Midwest Defensive Player of the Year: <strong>Corey Sadler Jr.</strong> (<em>Cass Tech</em>, MI) 2026. 5'10, 170 lbs. Uncommitted. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Defensive Line</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">First Team: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Draeden Punt</strong> (<em>MOC-Floyd</em>, IA) 2026. 6'6, 220 lbs. Committed to Kansas</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaiah Harris</strong> (<em>Saline</em>, MI) 2026. 6'2, 215 lbs. Committed to Miami (OH) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Recarder Kitchen</strong> (<em>Muskegon</em>, MI) 2027. 6'6, 245 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='592117' first='Howie' last='Johnson'] (<em>Forest Lake</em>, MN) 2026. 6'4, 260 lbs. Committed to Minnesota </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Second Team: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaac Miller</strong> (<em>Catholic Memorial</em>, WI) 2027. EDGE. 6'6, 250 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Richie Flanigan</strong><em> (Notre Dame Academy</em>, WI) 2027. 6'3, 265 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Luke Starcevic</strong> (<em>Kindred</em>, ND) 2027. 6'5, 250 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1368410' first='Eli' last='Diane'] (<em>Wayzata</em>, MN) 2027. 6'4, 240 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Third Team: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1102620' first='Micah' last='Fenney'] (<em>Norwood Young America</em>, MN) 2026. 6'4, 215 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryan Westrich</strong> (<em>Bonduel</em>, WI) 2026. 6'6, 235 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mason Black</strong> (<em>Waukesha West</em>, WI) 2026. 6'5, 220 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trey McPartland</strong> (<em>Valley City</em>, ND) 2026. 6'6, 260 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Honorable Mention: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='445957' first='Hans' last='Pederson']</strong> (<em>Buffalo</em>, MN) 2026. 6'4, 250 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1476059' first='Daniel' last='Devine']</strong> (<em>Holy Angels</em>, MN) 2026. 6'4, 225 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semaji Petzold </strong><em>(Pewaukee, WI) </em>2026. 6'3, 230 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hendrix Dawson</strong> (<em>Wisconsin Dells</em>, WI) 2028. 6'4, 240 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Linebacker</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">First Team: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nathan Gersh</strong> (<em>Dexter</em>, MI) 2026. 6'2, 220 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kasen Thomas</strong> (<em>Bishop Heelan Catholic</em>, IA) 2026. 6'2, 195 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Julian Manson </strong>(<em>Iowa City West</em>, IA) 2026. 6'4, 205. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Charlie Jilek</strong> (<em>Portage Central</em>, MI) 2026. 6'4, 230 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Second Team: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyler Heinle</strong> (<em>Grafton</em>, WI) 2026. 6'2, 200 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joey Hardy </strong>(<em>Sergeant Bluff-Luton</em>, IA) 2026. 6'4, 225 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bergan Tetzlaff </strong>(<em>Brookings</em>, SD) 2026. 6'4, 225 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tate Wallace </strong>(<em>Iowa City Regina</em>, IA) 2027. 6'3, 225 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Third Team: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brendan Foley</strong> (Arrowhead, WI) 2026. 6', 210 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='592225' first='Ryder' last='Skanson']</strong> (<em>Maple Grove</em>, MN) 2026. 6'1, 215 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carlos Blount Jr.</strong> (<em>Ankeny Centennial</em>, IA) 2027. 6'1, 220 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gavin Stecker</strong> (<em>Bettendorf</em>, IA) 2027. LB. 6'3, 200 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Honorable Mention: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dreshaun Ross</strong> (<em>Fort Dodge</em>, IA) 2026. 6'3, 200 lbs. - Oklahoma State wrestling commit. Missed 2024 season with an injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cayden Cavanaugh</strong> (<em>De Pere</em>, WI) 2027. 6'1, 215 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kason Clayborne</strong> (<em>Sioux City East</em>, IA) 2027. S. 6'3, 210 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anthony Alexander </strong>(<em>Minot</em>, ND) 2027. 5'11, 195 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Defensive Back</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">First Team: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaidon Windom</strong> (<em>Martin Luther King</em>, MI) S. 6'1, 170 lbs. Committed to Cincinnati </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dustin Roach</strong> (<em>Catholic Memorial</em>, WI) 2027. S/N. 6'3, 175 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='592132' first='Brayden' last='Dozier'] (<em>Maple Grove</em>, MN) 2026. CB. 6', 175 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden McGregory </strong>(<em>Valley</em>, IA) 2026. S/CB. 6'2, 195 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Second Team: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elijah Goins</strong> (<em>Dakota</em>, MI) 2027. S. 6'1, 170 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212480' first='Blake' last='Betton'] (<em>Shakopee</em>, MN) 2027. S. 6'3, 180 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>David Williams</strong> (<em>DeLaSalle</em>, MI) 2026. S. 6', 180 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1255892' first='Levi' last='Grigson']</strong> (<em>Hill-Murray</em>, MN) 2026. S/N. 6'1, 190 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Third Team: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='592119' first='Deron' last='Russell']</strong> (<em>Waseca</em>, MN) 2026. CB. 6'1, 165 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cash Danner</strong> (<em>Thompson</em>, ND) 2026. S. 6'4, 215 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bradley Esser (</strong><em>Harrisburg</em>, SD) 2026. S. 6'2, 205 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1104940' first='Carson' last='Heimer']</strong> (<em>Byron</em>, MN) 2026. S. 6'1, 190 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Honorable Mention: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dominick Walters</strong> (<em>Franklin</em>, WI) 2026. S. 6', 200 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Derrick Taylor </strong>(<em>Belleville</em>, MI) 2027. Nickle. 5'10, 170 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Israel Bauer </strong>(<em>West Fargo Horace</em>, ND) 2026. CB. 5'10, 175 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Samarae Stephens</strong> (<em>Detroit MLK</em>, MI) 2026. Nickle. 5'11, 185 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Athlete</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">First Team: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Corey Sadler Jr. </strong>(<em>Cass Tech</em>, MI) 2026. 5'10, 170 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212362' first='Roman' last='Voss'] (<em>Jackson County Central</em>, MN) 2026. 6'4, 215 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaxx DeJean </strong>(<em>OABCIG</em>, IA) 2027. 6'5, 220 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Second Team: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anthony Cartwright</strong> (<em>Detroit Country Day</em>, MI) 2027. 6'4, 215 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marcello Vitti</strong> (<em>Divine Child</em>, MI) 2026. 6', 180 lbs. Committed to Iowa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pierce Peterson</strong> (<em>Triton</em>, MN) 2026. 6'4, 190 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Third Team: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kobe Russell</strong> (<em>Prescott</em>, WI) 2026. 6'1, 185 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaxson McIntire</strong> (<em>Clear Lake</em>, IA) 2027. 6', 190 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kye Schlichting</strong> (<em>West Fargo Sheyenne,</em> ND) 2026. 6'3, 195 lbs. Committed to North Dakota State</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->