PrepRedzoneMN 2027 Rankings Update: Final Feature

And just like that, the PrepRedzoneMN 2027 Ranking Update's coverage is beginning to wind down. It's been a good ride, as well as one that is still ongoing, but there are still quite a few sophomores that we want to highlight before camp szn gets underway this summer. In our quest to leave no stone unturned and no prospect uncovered, check out a variety of 2027 Minnesota sophomores that we're bullish on going forward in this so-called Final Feature of the PrepRedzoneMN 2027 Rankings Update. Have a great rest of your Sunday, everyone!   --    A fantastic find from the 2024 state playoff tournament at U.S. Bank Stadium, PrepRedzoneMN couldn't keep their eyes off a skinny, single-digit-wearing cornerback who was locking down an experienced and athletic Anoka wide receiver corps, and we were pleasantly shocked to see that the 6A starter was a sophomore underclassman getting the starting nod under the bright lights of U.S. Bank Stadium in a Big School state semifinal showdown. At a reported 5'9, 150 lbs., Vogel still has some room to grow and fill in, but he played far bigger than his size would suggest, staying sticky in coverage and really attacking the ball in the air and at the catch point. A starter all season, Vogel put up good proudction from the CB spot, finishing 2024 with 47 tackles, 15 PBUs, 3 TFLs, and 2 INTs, very impressive for a first-year, sophomore starter in the Minnesota 6A ranks.   Comfortable and fluid as an off-man cornerback on an island, Vogel has the speed to carry and stay on top of faster X receivers going vertical and shows quick and concise footwork, as well as an impressive ability to sink his hips and burst out of his breaks with noticeable acceleration. He reads and anticipates WR's routes well, doing a great job of naturally slipping under and undercutting receivers, especially on quicker three-step hitches and slants. Vogel also demonstrates smooth short-area quickness, solid eye discipline, and noticeable pace and burst from a dead stop, and he doesn't waste steps or movement in coverage. The Tonka 2027 also is a willing tackler who will stick his head in there on the perimeter and attacks the ball and shows good technique at the catch point. He had great reps against D1-committed seniors in 2024, and against all three levels of the defense I may add. We don't have any athletic data on Vogel, nor have we seen him in an offseason setting, but I'm very excited about the tape, gameplay, and skillset of the young Skippers product. Hope to see this kid at April's Showcase or this summer!     Compared to your typical Minnesota recruiting cycle, there's a lack of size and length in the 2027 class that I'm not used to seeing, making Alexandria's rising junior DL [player_tooltip player_id='1629846' first='Jensen' last='Martinson'] even more of a must-watch as this sophomore class continues to develop. At a reported 6'4, 225ish, Martinson has verified weight room numbers that catch the eye, notably a 255 lb. clean, 405 lb. squat, and 250 lb. bench, and he is the younger brother of Alexandria senior [player_tooltip player_id='362275' first='Joseph' last='Martinson'], who measured in at around 6'3, 300 and was a key piece to Alex's Class 5A state runner-up finish in 2024. The younger Martinson was also a contributor, posting 13 tackles in his introductory season to 5A football while seeing tick deep into the playoffs.   I saw Martinson line up as a 5T, 3T, 2i, or head up as a NG, bringing some exciting versatility to the table, and the sophomore is strong enough to stuff a gap and a ball carrier on the interior. He reads, processes, and identifies where the ball is quickly, making a ton of tackles at the LOS, demonstrates a quick first step that can get both vertical and wide, and uses his hands to shed and disengage from blocking attempts and can make tackles through contact as well. If Martinson attacks this offseason, the 5A experience he earned in 2024 made for an excellent foundation to build on as an upperclassman. The dude is a must-watch in the 2024 class, regardless of position.     Something special going on at Triton High School right now, and on the heels of their nationally-renowned 2026 multi-sport athlete Pierce Peterson, who is fresh off a Penn State offer and nearing double-digit P4 and D1 offers overall, the Cobras will be carrying some recruiting momentum into the following recruiting classes as college programs remember Triton High School's name. Luckily, the Cobras have another kid who is ready for the spotlight, as 6'2, 190 lber. Graden Thomas was an eye-catcher during the 2027 ranking update process for a multitude of reasons. At 6'2, 190 pounds, Thomas is a two-way contributor as a WR and SS, and his film pops, as he's productive, dynamic, long, and has a knack for the big play on both sides of the ball.   Thomas totaled quite the stat line as a sophomore, finishing 2024 with 31 receptions for 593 yards and 9 TDs on offense as well as 6 INTs, two recovered fumbles, and 3 defensive TDs thanks to a nose for a big play and a ton of juice after the catch. Thomas displays a big catch radius and is a 50/50 ball standout who is able to high-point the rock and reel in receptions through contested defense and tight coverage, plus he's quick and fluid at the top of the route and can take the top off the defense and win vertically. Defensively, Thomas is able to play man coverage out of the slot or on the perimeter and is instinctive in pass coverage, and is always around the football, hence the six INTs. Thomas reads and anticipates route combinations well as a zone defender, can change direction smoothly and shows noticeable pace out of his breaks, and is a playmaker who is looking to score at any opportunity. Had a 100+ yard INT return for a TD in 2024 to highlight his ballhawking ability and explosiveness. The size, dynamic athleticism, and production have me quite bullish on this young Cobra's future. Come to April's PRzMN Showcase, Graden!     Currently holding down the OL2 spot on the 2027 Minnesota Big Board, Simley High School's 6'3, 265 lber. [player_tooltip player_id='1363065' first='Luis' last='Fierro'] is one of a plethora of currently-ranked Spartans to grace our various recruiting boards, making us overall excited and optimistic about Simley's 2025 season in the 4A ranks. Fierro was a lynchpin on the 2024 Spartans season that saw them nearly knock off Hill-Murray in the Class 4A, Section 3 championship 49-42 in what was one of the best games of the entire season, and that valuable post-season experience is going to serve them well as they look to own 2025 and it's hardware. We first discovered Fierro in late October/early November thanks to the always-important midseason tape updates, and his sophomore film was overall formidable, as Fierro can do a lot of things in both the run and pass game, is mobile and technically sound, and plays with a physical edge that made him a strong choice for the state's OL2.   Fierro took reps as both a left tackle and right guard in 2024, and he displays a good first step, aggressive play style, and does a great job of timing out his punch, finding inside hand placement, and running his feet with noticeable effort. Both the quality and quantity of the 250 lbers. pass-pro reps also caught my eye, as Fierro can gain depth in his pass set and shows off good technique, as well as the strength to finish 1v1 blocks against pass rushers. He can reach DEs and set the edge for his RBs outside the tackle, demonstrates good hand usage, and owns a strong, balanced base that does a good job of eating, absorbing, and redistributing contact and power rushes when he drops the anchor. Would love to see Fierro & his fellow Simley Spartans at April's PrepRedzoneMN Combine Series.     Bringing some well-needed size, girth, and mauling ability to the Minnesota 2027 OL class, Owatonna's [player_tooltip player_id='1564023' first='Sam' last='Dulas'] was a sophomore starter on one of the more balanced and explosive offenses in the state, as well as one that went deep in the Class 5A playoffs, finishing as the state semifinalist in 2024. Dulas was an All-District HM selection last season, as the multi-sport athlete also benches 310 pounds and squats 315, showing that strength and power on the gridiron, as Dulas plays with a ton of physical authority and is a dominating presence and finisher in both run and pass settings.   As a right tackle, Dulas' crushing strength and finishing ability leave quite an impression on tape, as he easily gets opponents off balance and on their heels after initial contact thanks to his heavy hands, where he then demonstrates nonstop leg drive whistle to whistle while trying his best to put an opponent on his back with his full weight on top of them every rep. Dulas is also mobile and athletic, and can smoothly and effectively work and climb to the second level and out on the perimeter, as he does a great of closing on second and third-level defenders, breaking down and dropping his hips in space, getting his hands on effectively, and wiping them out of the play. He is comfortable in space and athletic enough to get out on the perimeter and lead block to shut down quicker LBs and DBs with ease, experienced and heavy-handed in pass pro, and overall displays a balanced and physical skillset beyond your normal sophomore offensive linemen. Really hope we get some eyes on this kid in April for our Minnesota Combine Series.     Another Alexandria Cardinals sophomore defensive lineman who is tracking and developing like a potential D1 prospect in his future, 6'2, 220 lber. [player_tooltip player_id='1633433' first='Blake' last='Scholl'] had a strong season along the varsity DL of the Class 5A runner-up Cards. A multi-phase utility contributor who can also long snap effectively for his squad's special teams, Scholl was extremely productive in 2024, especially for an underclassman starting in the trenches in the second biggest classification of MN football and for one of 5A's heavy hitters. Scholl totaled 63 tackles, 5 TFls, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and helped the Cards to a 10-3 record in 2024 and a Class 5A state runner-up finish and is a real-deal pass rusher who was in the Top 3 in the three major DL statistical categories despite being an underclassman and first-year starter.   Generally working as a 5T, Scholl can align and find work from a two or three-point stance and is twitchy and able to cross face and win 1v1 rushes against OTs on impressively quick inside moves. He shows an effective jab step and quick, active feet, good initial pop off the snap, and his play speed and COD ability for a DL really stand out on tape. Scholl can also get skinny and slip through doubles and tight down blocks between the tackles, flows to the ball quickly and effectively, displays noticeable closing speed when he nears the rock, and is a strong tackler who can corral and bring down ball carriers 1v1 and in space. If Scholl can continue to fine-tune his body and pass-rushing repertoire, add an inch or two of verified height, and maintain his play speed and explosiveness with another 10-20 pounds, he's going to be making some serious noise on the recruiting trail soon. Come to the PRzMN Combine Series Showcase, Blake!     Mankato West is on a serious tear with WRs, going from Jalen Smith (Minnesota) to [player_tooltip player_id='743256' first='Eleazar' last='Staley'] (MSU-Mankato) in back-to-back cycles with a lot of room for an up-and-coming Scarlets rising senior WR to take the reigns. However, Mankato West may not have to worry about a senior stepping up, as 6'2, 185 lber. [player_tooltip player_id='1567052' first='Ayden' last='Betts'] is looking like the real deal at the wide receiver position with a lot of verified data backing his cause and argument. As a sophomore, Betts caught 11 passes for 192 and 1 TD, solid yet unassuming numbers, but Betts has really cultivated some hype off the gridiron, thanks to strong showings at both the 2024 outdoor track & field season and the PrepRedzoneMN Stock-Up Showcase in December. Betts posted some impressive track times for a freshman last spring, recording bests of 11.36, 11.37, and 11.61 in the 100M and 23.93 and 23.99 in the 200M, an excellent foundation of speed that he built on at the Stock-Up Showcase this winter. At nearly 6'2 and 185 pounds, Betts posted a 27" vert, a 4.87 40, a 4.71 shuttle, and an 8'9 broad, creating an all-around exciting athletic resume that is only going to improve as he gets older.   The Golden Gophers sent a personal camp invite, as has North Dakota State and Northwestern, and it's hard not to like the big play wideout, as he is shifty and sudden at the top of the route, accelerates out of his breaks, and has the speed to take the top off the defense and consistently threaten defenses vertically. He tracks and plays the deep ball well, cuts his routes off cleanly, and is fearless and smooth going over the middle and reeling in receptions through traffic. Betts demonstrates good hands that can reel in catches away from his body and finish catches through contact, shows some contact balance after the catch, and is overall a smooth, speedy receiver who can create separation on a variety of catches and demonstrates a good understanding of the route tree. The future is bright for the speedster out of the 507.     More Simley Spartans love and more verified speed high up in the 2027 classes Big Board! Get to know sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1581372' first='Justin' last='Runge'], as you'll be hearing more about him in the next couple of years, we can guarantee that. Not only can Runge fly, he is also one of the most productive sophomore pass-catchers in all of Minnesota, totaling 28 receptions for 574 yards and 7 TDs on a Class 4A Metro contender that was 7 points away from a berth in the state playoffs. That's some strong and notable production for a first-year starter, and an underclassman to boot, and Runge's performance at December's PrepRedzoneMN Stock-Up Showcase gives some major indications as to why.   The then-153 lber. went 4.84 and 4.87 in the 40, two of the better 40 times of the 2027 class in attendance, as well as 4.69 and 4.75 in the shuttle, almost 8' in the broad, and 7.66 in the L-drill. An impressive athletic performance to say the least, and Runge's tape displays explosive deep threat and a clean, concise route runner who is one of the smoothest wide receivers in the class. The 155 lber. displays a twitchy and effective ability to separate, with sudden cuts and quick feet that give him plenty of juice at the top of the route, as well as loose hips, some burst out of his breaks and can pull away from trailing DBs when he's tracking the deep ball. Speaking of the deep ball, Runge has the top-end speed to win vertically, and he did some kids dirty as a route runner, leaving them shaking their heads in search of the sophomore's trail and 5 steps behind on double moves and explosive routes. Don't be surprised if this dude climbs the rankings come next update.     Pine Island High School is on the rise and I'm excited to have another Schiltz coming through the Panther's ranks. Following in the footsteps of his NDSU-bound older brother Cody, a massive linebacker and a hard hitter, 6'2, 215 lber. [player_tooltip player_id='1629919' first='Cody' last='Schiltz'] is a three-sport athlete at Pine Island who brings two-way versatility to the table. Unfortunately, he also shares some injury history with his older bro, as Cody is recovering from an ACL tear, an injury that unfortunately cut his sophomore season short. The younger Schiltz was on a tear too, but he's got two years left to assert his dominance on the gridiron and should create some steam on the recruiting trail just like his senior sibling.   Schiltz impresses on both sides of the ball, and although I'm not sure if TE or DE fits him better when projecting to the college level, he's an impressive two-way contributor for Pine Island. The 215 lber. displays juice as a pass rusher, throwing an effective spin move out on the first clip on his five-game sophomore highlights, and he does a good job of penetrating the backfield but staying patient in order to successfully identify and trigger on the football, run or pass. Schiltz is disruptive and can consistently create penetration in an opponent's backfield, and he attacks and eliminates lead blockers with physicality and overall demonstrates effective play speed - as he can run down RBs from the backside of the LOS and close on QBs before they can react and get the ball off. Plus, he's a good tackler in space. As a TE, Schiltz shows a bit of shake at the top of the route, contact balance after the catch, and is a physically dominating blocker who can handle DL and LBs with equal impact. I can't wait to see him again in 2025. Attack recovery like you attack would-be blockers, Cody!     I smell a Small School Sleeper! Representing Heron Lake-Okabena-Fulda, a 9Man program in SW Minnesota near the Iowa & South Dakota border, Bryce Nielsen could also be categorized as a Biggest Mystery/Highest Upside type prospect, as he has all of the makings of a potential D1 kid but is missing some key parts of his athletic resume. Nielsen was listed at 6'2, 225 on his MNFootballHub profile last fall, but is listed at 6'3 in his Hudl, and speaking of his Hudl, Nielsen doesn't have a lick of football film updated and only limited basketball highlights. He was just named All-Conference HM on the hardcourt in 2025, though, but he also doesn't have a Twitter. However, Nielsen stuffed his sophomore stat sheet, totaling 107 rushes for 793 yards and 7 TDs, 4 catches for 37 yards, 59 tackles, 12 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and a FF, showing a dynamic and potentially dominant physical skillset on both sides of the ball. That's about where the extent of my knowledge on Nielsen ends, but I'm really hoping the 225 lber. is hitting the camp trail this summer. Otherwise, PRzMN is heading to Jackson County! I wanna see this kid ASAP.     I'm very bullish on this Minnesota 2027 defensive back class, and leading the charge from near the front of the pack is [player_tooltip player_id='1523144' first='Ashton' last='Harris']. We've already notched multiple exposure points on Harris, who runs with the talent-rich Hitmen 7v7 squad, and Harris also showed up and showed out at December's PrepRedzoneMN Stock-Up Showcase, walking away with DB MVP honors thanks to a prolific 1v1 performance and high marks from his position coaches. He also was on fire during testing, measuring in at 5'11 and nearly 150 pounds and firing off an eye-catching 4.71 40, as well as a 4.84 on his first run, displaying some real-deal explosive capability that few sophomores in the class have right now. He also went 4.72 in the shuttle and 8.4.5" and 8'3.5" in the broad, owning athletic numbers far better than average for your typical sophomore. Not only that, he's been sticky in our multiple live exposure points, showing excellent short-area quickness and a physical, bullying edge when pressing.   Harris has a lot going for him in his 2024 sophomore film, as he displays smooth, loose hips that can easily transition throughout a route, acceleration out of his breaks, and physicality in both run and pass support. Harris naturally works underneath WRs at the catch point, can speed turn and locate the ball quickly, and clean footwork. His start/stop ability and speed to stay in phase on a WR throughout his breaks in a route, and that same speed shows up as he can easily and effortlessly stay in the hip pocket of a streaking wideout sprinting vertically. Harris is also physical and effective at the catch point with good bounce and the athleticism and tenacity to compete on 50/50 balls and contested catches and is a thumper as a tackler who posted some dominant collisions in 2024. Can set the edge with authority and more than holds his own in run support. I like everything about this kid right now. Has all the makings to play cornerback in college, not an easy feat for most defensive backs going into the college ranks.     Another one of those aforementioned talented defensive backs I was talking to in the 2027 class, Eastview's [player_tooltip player_id='1581395' first='Trey' last='Sanders'] is one of the more high upside of the bunch, coming in at nearly 6'2 and over 150 pounds as a sophomore with a ton of room to fill in. Sanders is also a multi-sport athlete, as he plays lacrosse for the Lightning, and there's burgeoning data coming out about the effectiveness and next-level success of football/lacrosse athletes when projecting to college and even the NFL ranks. Sanders had a strong showing at December's PrepRedzoneMN Showcase as well, notching a 40 in the high 4.8s and going 8'5 in the broad jump twice, showing a strong foundation of both speed and explosiveness for an underclassman DB. Running with the 6A Lightning's varsity, Sanders showed that he's confident in man coverage - especially as an off-man corner - who possesses the speed to stay with receivers working vertically and closes quickly and effectively. Sanders is long at the catch point and does a good job of undercutting WRs with good timing and technique and will shed blocks, sometimes with impressive physicality, to set the edge for his defense on the perimeter. Balanced skillset with a lot of room to develop. The future is bright for this Lightning sophomore.     I always like to prioritize varsity reps when it comes to scouting underclassmen, but there are always exceptions. One of which is going to one of the largest schools in Minnesota, as that means that school has one of the largest football rosters, which Edina without a doubt qualifies for. DL [player_tooltip player_id='1629875' first='Gage' last='Geyer'] has rare and can't-miss size as a 6'4 240+ DL, and to sweeten the pot, he's a multi-sport athlete on Edina's vaunted high school hockey team, playing in 7 varsity games for the Hornets' nationally-ranked 2024-25 squad that finished third in the Class AA tournament. Talk about an enticing athletic resume, and Geyer's JV highlights from 2024 show a raw, albeit massive, defensive lineman with some can't-miss physical tools on tape. He plays high, but is a overwhelmingly large DL who gets off the ball and into the backfield with noticeable pace who is too big for JV blockers to try and move. I saw him align as a 5T, 4i, 4T, and 3T in his sophomore tape, and he's a long, strong kid with some thump as a tackler, solid play speed for his size, and a little bit of bend at the top of the arc. With Geyer's top-tier size, multi-sport background, and functional athleticism, he has all the chances in the world to climb up the 2027 Big Board. Keep this kid name's locked away in your Fort Knox for future use!    --

And just like that, the PrepRedzoneMN 2027 Ranking Update's coverage is beginning to wind down. It's been a good ride, as well as one that is still ongoing, but there are still quite a few sophomores that we want to highlight before camp szn gets underway this summer. In our quest to leave no stone unturned and no prospect uncovered, check out a variety of 2027 Minnesota sophomores that we're bullish on going forward in this so-called Final Feature of the PrepRedzoneMN 2027 Rankings Update. Have a great rest of your Sunday, everyone!