PrepRedzoneMN 2027 Rankings Update: Watchlist to Rankings

The offseason = rankings updates, and I was pumped to publish the Minnesota 2027 rankings update on Monday night. It was the culmination of a year's worth of gathering and research and a week's worth of grinding film, adding names, and ranking and reranking Minnesota 2027 prospects, and when the dust settled we had a talented Top 160 with a ton of notable names ready to jump up from the Watchlist. Some quick-hitting thoughts on the update include the fact that this is one of the least defined OL/DL classes I've seen in a while, there's more skill talent that lineman, which is rare, more speed than size, and behind the Top-8, which seems pretty defined, there's a lot of mystery and room for shakeups. Varsity experience was still prioritized, as was athletic data when available, and the QB class is an interesting one, with lots of Outstate signal-callers ready to make serious ranking climbs. If you have any questions on the rankings, of if you have someone we missed, please feel free to email: oliver@prepredzone.com.   For now, check out some of the Minnesota 2027 Rankings Update's Biggest Stock Risers to the 160-strong Big Board, in this case, the sophomores who jumped from the Watchlist to the Rankings. Lots of good content coming to the site this month. It's a great time to be subscribed to PrepRedzoneMN!   --    One of only five Minnesota 2027s to hold a D1 offer and one of three to have received a P4 offer, Benilde-St. Margaret's mammoth OT [player_tooltip player_id='1290747' first='Dajohn' last='Yarborough'] had a great sophomore season with the Red Knights, so great that I caught wind that Yarborough was starting and mauling early in the season thanks to a buddy on one of BSM's competitors in the first half of the season. Yarborough was very much on our radar last year when he was a freshman, just as any 6'5, 300+ lb. first-year would be, but freshmen of that size can either go one of two ways and are either freaky athletic or need years to develop their body and move well at their weight. With no film as a freshman either, Yarborough held down a spot on the Watchlist that we continued to check in on, and since we can now say he lends himself to the former camp of being top-tier athletic at his size, he climbed all the way to the #2 spot in the 2027 rankings. His ability to bend, work laterally, and overall mobility helped him earn P4 offers from Big12 heavyweights Iowa State and Kansas State in late January, cementing himself as one of the top 2027 OL in the Midwest and snowballing into upcoming unofficial visits with Nebraska, Michigan State, and Boston College.   Yarborough owns brute strength and knows how to use it, is a physical and impressive finisher, and is a bully at the second level. He manhandles and bullies defenders when he gets his paws on them. You can see them fighting and struggling to break loose but he continues to ragdoll them around and drive his legs until he hears the whistle. The 330 lber. displays good pop and can send smaller defenders to their butts when he gets a shot on them. Bit of a nasty streak too and will make sure to add an exclamation point and get an extra pop or leaping finish on a defender once he gets you on the turf. He also crushes LBs and DBs when he gets a chance to put the pads on them and is smooth and effective when he climbs and finds work at the second level of a defense. Yarborough's strong, solid base can work laterally and change direction fluidly and effortlessly, and he looks good passing off and finding work in a zone-blocking scheme. He's a strong finisher who knows how to use and exploit a DL or LB once they get out of position, demonstrates great effort and a noticeable motor between the whistles leads to him running defenders off screen or hard into the turf more often than not, and even has some good reps of him firing out of his stance and working flat down the LOS to crush RBs out on the perimeter as a DT. He needs to clean up the technique and footwork, but Yarborough but does good in pass protection and can stay square, work backwards, and find depth to handle speed rushers working his outside shoulder. Also an obviously powerful base that can handle power without issue. The combination of raw power, balance, finishing ability, and effectiveness at working upfield and into space really have me impressed by his athleticism and mobility as such a young age and at such a towering size. Obvious P4 talent at a premium position on the recruiting trail; I think the Gophers need to get involved sooner rather than later.     What is in the water in Byron? The past three seasons have seen the Class 4A competitor rise into the ranks of a legitimate title contender, and a lot of that has to do with the athleticism on their roster the past handful of years. Not sure if the Bears hired a new S&C coordinator, if the kids have bought in more to the strength program, or if the class of natural athleticism has improved, or some combination of the three, but the Bears 2024 roster was packed to the brim with talent & athleticism, a lot of which was recently verified at the inaugural UW-Eau Claire Combine. Rodemeyer was one of a handful of Byron athletes to show up and show out at the WIAC contender's workout, measuring in at nearly 6'1, 175 lbs. with a near 6'4 wing and going 30"+ in the vert, 9' in the broad, 6.84 and 6.82 L-drill, and 4.81 and 4.85 in the 40 for one of the stronger performances of the athletes in attendance. Without any film as a freshman, Rodemeyer was sequestered on the Watchlist, but he took over the QB1 role for Byron as an underclassman and first-year starter, far from an easy task no matter the class of football you play. The sophomore led Byron to a 9-2 record and a district and section championship, earning a berth in the state playoffs, and he posted 85 completions on 131 attempts (65%) for 1,075 yards and 9 TDs along with 187 rushing yards and 4 TDs on the ground. With varsity starter status, varsity production, good film, and verified athleticism behind him, Rodemeyer debuts as a Top-50 prospect after spending a season the Watchlist, a high rise that doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon.   The film shows a mobile right-handed signal-caller who is accurate to all three levels of the field, mechanically sound and consistent, and can move the chains with both his arms and his legs. Rodemeyer can stretch the field and lead receivers open, as well as drop the ball into a breadbasket downfield, and his smooth mechanics help him get the ball out of his hand quickly. He reads the field and processes quickly, make good decisions with the football and is safe and accurate, especially for a first-year varsity starter, and throws a good ball on the move. He's also a read-option QB who is dangerous when he tucks and takes off, and his good burst can get him to the third level of a defense quickly. It's hard to find QBs that are poised enough to methodically and accurately take their offense down the field, but Rodemeyer looks comfortable, confident, and athletic beyond his years. He puts his WRs in positions to succeed and make plays and is a promising QB coming out of the 2027 class. Stay on the look out for Byron the next two season with Rodemeyer at the helm.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EliRodemeyer_5/status/1862544076215570585 </div></figure>     If you don't know by now, the Heimer boys are built different. Not only are Carson (2026) and Jordan (2027) both two-way standouts are starters who put out nothing but good football tape, they both have verified athleticism backing up the film, making me feel very good about both of their projections to the college level. LB/RB [player_tooltip player_id='1288402' first='Jordan' last='Heimer'] came into this past December's PrepRedzoneMN Stock-Up Showcase and tore it up, coming in at 6'1, 195 lbs and really showing off some quickness with a 4.4 and 4.26 shuttle, something that shows up well in his sophomore highlights. We've also had Heimer clocked with some solid times in the 40 and broad jump, and with so much time left in his prep football career, it's hard not to get excited about how explosive he could be by the time he's a senior, and even beyond. With no film as a freshman, Heimer was designated to the Watchlist, but quickly forced his way onto the rankings by carving out a very important role on a loaded Byron roster in 2024. Playing on both sides of the ball, Heimer posted 90 carries for 663 yards (7.4 YPC) and 12 TDs while adding 35 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, and a sack as a linebacker, earning All-Conference HM mention honors for his effort.   Heimer - as a RB - is a fun blend of speed and power with a nose for the endzone that created impressive production as an underclassman as a big play back who can also win with physicality and break down a defense throughout a game. His long legs and strong lower body help him easily step through weaker tackle attempts at his lower body and he owns exceptional contact balance for a 200 lb. sophomore. Heimer absorbs and stays upright through some serious tackle attempts, including multiple in a single carry, and he demonstrates a mean stiff-arm and the ability to stop on a dime, which combined for some thrilled broken tackles in 2024. The stiff-arm, size, and contact balance were a fun mix on tape, as Heimer made kids go high, where he could easily use his weapon and stab would-be tacklers off of him while maintaining his balance around and up the sideline. His powerful and sudden cuts at the third level of the field and on the perimeter catch the eye and help him see and utilize space in the open field. As a LB, the 200 lber. is a physical presence on defense who can make plays and 1v1 tackles all around the box and behind the LOS with a physical stamp of authority, and he's strong enough to shock and shed iOL working to the second level. The Byron sophomore is also an aggressive tackle who wins at the contact point and can upend and physically dominate ball carriers 1v1. Lots of varsity reps, big-game moments, TDs, and tackles left in this kid's football career.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JHeimer24/status/1896921829819998218 </div></figure>     Representing my alma mater Minneapolis Southwest, a program I will always love to bring attention to, the Lakers have a Top 10 WR in the 2027 class in 5'10, 150 lber. Lincoln Ribick, as well as two Top 110 overall sophomore peers joining Ribnick on the 2027 Big Board and two Top 150 recruits in the 2026 class to boot. The Lakers like to toss the pigskin around a little bit, and Ribnick had a solid introductory campaign to varsity football, posting 9 catches for 155 yards and 3 TDs in Southwest's potent passing attack. This also catapulted him from the Watchlist into the Top 100 after spending his freshman season navigating the non-varsity ranks. The sophomore also flashed some sauce on the 7v7 circuit this offseason, showing out with TNT's Hitmen in a head-on-head matchup with E7United earlier this offseason, so he's got a lot working for him going into the all-important junior season.   Ribnick can track and play the deep ball, cuts off his routes well and does a good job of seeing, finding, and sitting down in space in between zone coverage, and shows some dangerous shake after the catch. He broke some ankles at the top of the route and can create separation consistently there, and his sudden COD ability shows up as a route runner and after the catch, Plus, he's willing to go over the middle. A year in the weight room is going to be huge for him and should really elevate an already strong skillset of quickness, route running ability, and YAC. Go Lakers!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LincolnRibnick1/status/1897017415135088913 </div></figure>     Anoka - a 2024 Class 6A state quarterfinalist - has quite a promising 2027 class rising up through the Tornadoes ranks, many of whom got their first taste of varsity action throughout Anoka's memorable run at the state title this past season. One of the Anoka sophomores we're most excited about is QB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='1120517' first='Blake' last='Sieben'], a 5'11, 165 lber. with some varsity experience, solid tape, and good athletic data backing him as an underclassman. Sieben sniffed out 7 completions on 9 attempts for 124 yards and 2 TDs, as well as 7 carries for 63 yards with Anoka's varsity, and he was prolific with JV, passing for 1,944 yards and 14 TDs and adding 447 rushing yards and 8 more TDs on the ground. He had a good showing on both the track and a PrepRedzoneMN Showcase in 2024 too, popping off a 13'6" pole vault last spring, good for 4th all-time at Anoka. He also went 4.72 in the 40, 4.57 and 4.53 shuttle, and 9'3 and 9'4 in the broad jump. Talk about impressive!   Sieben displays a good arm that can stretch the field with accuracy and touch and put good zip on the ball to fit the rock into smaller windows. He's able to extend plays with his legs and throw a good ball on the move and will stand in the pocket and deliver throws through pressure and oncoming hits with accuracy. Plus, he's fast, elusive, has good vision, and is quick in the open field, able to run with patience and manipulate space and defenders to find paydirt. With long-time starter [player_tooltip player_id='485214' first='Peyton' last='Podany'] off to SJU to play basketball, Sieben looks like the heir-apparent to take over the reins of Anoka's offense, and I'm confident in saying that the offense looks like it's in good hands. Sieben has all of the makings to keep climbing up the 2027 Big Board.     I saw Burnsville's [player_tooltip player_id='1288386' first='Tommy' last='Subah'] as a cold winter's night when he was a young freshman playing 7v7 with MN Go Get It last year, and despite him not having any film, his athleticism and comfortability made him a must-know in the budding freshman class and easily earned him a spot on the freshman. Subah then made the dramatic jump to varsity with the Blaze in 2024, holding down a spot as a 6A WR, in which he reeled in 18 catches for 219 yards, as well as a tackle on defense. Subah is a good route runner, shows off noticeable burst and quickness after the catch, and possesses soft hands that can reel in catches while fully extended and away from his body. His 50/50 and contested catch ability also catches the eye. Subah can high-point the ball over tight coverage and shows some bounce as well as good body control, highlighted by a smooth and impressive back shoulder fade around 40 seconds into his sophomore tape. He's also a willing blocker on the perimeter and has a balanced and effective skillset that has already succeeded at the varsity 6A level. Keep up the great work, Tommy!     Just rounding out the 2027 Big Board's Top 100 is Robbinsdale Cooper's [player_tooltip player_id='1288303' first='Antonio' last='Ferguson'], one of a handful of DBs in the Hawks' 2027 class who look like legitimate college prospects. Although Ferguson doesn't have any tape from 2024, his two in-person exposure points to PrepRedzoneMN went more than successfully, as he was arguably the top defender at the E7United 7v7 tryout this winter, showing off fantastic range, quickness out of his breaks, and ball skills as a MOF defender and high safety. Ferguson also backed up the playmaking ability with certified athletic numbers at December's PrepRedzoneMN Showcase, running a 4.82 40 and popping off back-to-back 8'7 broad jumps to highlight some explosiveness. Can't wait for this kid to get some tape. If you need DBs in 2027 you're going to want to stop by Cooper High.     The younger brother of a former Bemidji State DE, I just watched [player_tooltip player_id='1205924' first='Nehemiah' last='Schwinghammer'] kick some butt at the Xcel Energy Center during the state wrestling tournament, finishing 6th in a loaded AAA215 lb. bracket as an underclassman against a very senior-heavy side and finishing his sophomore wrestling season 44-21 with 24 pins. He also helped Bemidji qualify for the state team duels as well. Schwinghammer was also productive on the gridiron in 2024, posting 66 tackles, 9 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks in 10 starts with the 5A Lumberjacks, who went 7-3 in 2024.   Schwinghammer is positionally versatile and can disrupt and produce as both a DT and DE, showing a good get-off that comes off the ball low and with power, lead in his hands that whiplashes OL's heads backward on initial impact and helps him easily shock & shed linemen at the LOS, and aggression at the contact point as a powerful tackler. He also shows a bit of lateral quickness when defeating blocks at the LOS, has an effective bull rush and power can put OL on skates into the backfield, where he can shed tight off an OG's backside and make tackles through contact, and a good motor that will clean up loose ball carriers and broken plays downfield. I'd keep an eye on Schwinghammer as a potential rankings riser 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/Nemoschwingham1/status/1896583614969843777 </div></figure>    --

The offseason = rankings updates, and I was pumped to publish the Minnesota 2027 rankings update on Monday night. It was the culmination of a year's worth of gathering and research and a week's worth of grinding film, adding names, and ranking and reranking Minnesota 2027 prospects, and when the dust settled we had a talented Top 160 with a ton of notable names ready to jump up from the Watchlist. Some quick-hitting thoughts on the update include the fact that this is one of the least defined OL/DL classes I've seen in a while, there's more skill talent that lineman, which is rare, more speed than size, and behind the Top-8, which seems pretty defined, there's a lot of mystery and room for shakeups. Varsity experience was still prioritized, as was athletic data when available, and the QB class is an interesting one, with lots of Outstate signal-callers ready to make serious ranking climbs. If you have any questions on the rankings, of if you have someone we missed, please feel free to email: oliver@prepredzone.com.