Nate's PRZ Minnesota Combine Standout Notebook: Part I

Yesterday at our spring Prep Redzone Minnesota Combine, I was in float mode looking for the best of the athletes at all positions at the Plymouth Soccer Dome. With several pages of prospect logged for their skillsets in my notebook, I start off with the prospect targets that made Part I of my list of standouts, with plenty more to come from just about if not every position between the two sessions.   OL/DL:   [player_tooltip player_id='1517061' first='Griffin' last='Moore'], OL, Minnetonka 2026<a href="https://x.com/_gxm79"> Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/IMG_2939-rotated-crop-481x316-1744653288.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1656699" style="width:293px;height:auto" /></figure>   The first prospect that caught my attention in the first session came away as our offensive line MVP which was [player_tooltip player_id='1517061' first='Griffin' last='Moore'] out of Minnetonka. Griffin got on our board during the state championship games this winter and showed off the explosive footwork I wanted to see during the live eval, which showed off plenty of fluid movement for the verified 6'4 300 pounder for the Skippers. I felt even since our last eval in December, Griffin has grown his excellent pad-level and shows off an even more athletic bend up close. He is peeking at the best time, as we move into camp season and one that should be on every scholarship level programs board in the Midwest as a young man that also has excellent character to build around in the locker room.   [player_tooltip player_id='1602733' first='Wes' last='McLean'], OL, Orono 2026 <a href="https://x.com/mclean_wes76">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/IMG_2947-rotated-crop-481x316-1744653358.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1656701" style="width:322px;height:auto" /></figure>   Another offensive linemen that trended upwards from their live eval yesterday at our Prep Redzone Minnesota Combine, was [player_tooltip player_id='1602733' first='Wes' last='McLean'] out of Orono. The 6'4 270 pounder, flashed early with his fluidity that was evident rep after rep I watched from start to finish of the first session yesterday in Plymouth. During Indy, Wes showed off an offensive linemen that won reps with how balanced his first step and beyond appeared to be from what I got from the live eval. His hands also showed off great technique as one offensive linemen that was parallel with his defender in the reps I watched. Wes surely was in my top-tier for offensive linemen yesterday at our Prep Redzone Combine as won that should have more interest at the D1 and D2 levels upcoming.   [player_tooltip player_id='1653689' first='Brody' last='Miller'], DL, Bloomington Kennedy 2028   A new name to my Minnesota radar from page one of my notebook was 2028 defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1653689' first='Brody' last='Miller'] out of Bloomington Kennedy. Brody is still putting together his frame at 6'0 195 pounds, but was another one that passed the early eye test due to his pursuit angles, quick first step, and was more fluid than I was expecting as a 2028 target that just wrapped up his freshmen year. One that I feel that has promising upside that we will see grow showcase after showcase as the athleticism is there for the taking for Brody.   RBs   Revis Cooney, RB, St. Thomas Academy 2028   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/IMG_2945-rotated-crop-481x316-1744653427.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1656705" style="width:280px;height:auto" /></figure>   Revis was of the best 2028 running backs I learned about for the first time at our prep Red Zone Minnesota combine yesterday in Plymouth. He showed off all the balance I wanted to see with not only his athletic movement, but also showed off well-versed vision that caught my attention quickly. We got into one on one reps, Revis showed off the route running ability that not many freshmen have in the state of Minnesota as he showed off instinctive awareness which played above his age. I love how much upside can grow with this young man with three years of high school football left to show off under his belt. Revis also showed off an elite frame for his age that immediately passed the eye test from the getco.   [player_tooltip player_id='1552404' first='Colbe' last='Tappe'], RB, Staples-Motley 2026 <a href="https://x.com/colbe_tappe2">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/IMG_1757-rotated-crop-481x316-1744652565.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1656695" style="width:274px;height:auto" /></figure>   I wasn't able to watch Colbe for as much as I would have liked during live reps, but I feel myself and our other scouts in attendance saw got a great look of what I saw from Colbe during the 2024 state championship quarterfinals. The suddenness Colbe showed off was apparent and smoother than what I saw in December and I felt his agility with his change of direction was amped up some notches from my last game live eval, in which Colbe took over the game for the Cardinals in their double-overtime win against Barnesville. The balance of Colbe's fluidity and durability was evident, as a running back out of Lakes country that should be playing on Saturdays. He is one I will be intrigued to see where he lined up amongst the RB group in testing.   [player_tooltip player_id='1656423' first='Bryce' last='Jensen'], RB/DB, Shakopee 2027 <a href="https://x.com/Vaultie2">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/IMG_2959-rotated-crop-481x316-1744653558.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1656707" style="width:277px;height:auto" /></figure>   Bryce was a 2027 running back I felt was nearly on every Prep Redzone scout in attendances board yesterday. The 5'9 180 pounder from Shakopee, has sound size for his age and the RB position and yet showed off the fluid change of direction consistently in every rep I got to watch from him in the first session. He was one that from beginning to the end of the first session, that showed quick growth as far as his development, as it was seen during Indy especially how much Bryce wanted to improve his craft based on watching him slow down and really take each rep with developing technique. This led Bryce to show off smoother footwork and change of direction during one-on-ones where his route running Shirley showed growth. Bryce is for sure one RB I will be tracking in the coming years out of Shakopee.   [player_tooltip player_id='489643' first='Gage' last='Johnson'], RB, Jackson County Central 2027 <a href="https://x.com/gagejohn4">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/IMG_2949-rotated-crop-481x316-1744653620.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1656710" style="width:285px;height:auto" /></figure>   A 2027 running back that kept standing out to me throughout my notebook, was [player_tooltip player_id='489643' first='Gage' last='Johnson'] out of Jackson County Central. This wasn't Gage's first rodeo at our Prep Redzone combines, as I had him as a standout at our Dakotas Combine last spring in Sioux Falls as Gage is one that has surely developed his football IQ at the running back position in my eyes. He surely has taken his game up notches as a route-runner, showing off the athleticism and great hands and a sound sense of ball-tracking ability as well. The 5'9 190 pounder has also grown significantly in the weight room since our last eval, and the tape shows how that durability has come to fruitation as it looks like there is no shortage of athletes coming out of the 2024 State Champs in 2A out of Jackson County Central in the coming years with Gage and others destined to play on Saturdays.   LBs:   [player_tooltip player_id='1533914' first='Beaux' last='Thyen'], LB, Maple Grove 2026 <a href="https://x.com/BeauxThyen">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/IMG_2941-rotated-crop-481x316-1744653737.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1656713" style="width:286px;height:auto" /></figure>   It was a great day to be a Maple Grove Crimson in session one, as they took two spots as our MVPs, including first team All-District 2026 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1533914' first='Beaux' last='Thyen']. From start to finish of the first session of our combine, Beaux was a certified flyer to the ball and plays with pure instincts, a ton of finesse for his size, and quick downhill speed to the ball. Beaux excelled as one of the best linebackers in pass coverage reps on Sunday in Plymouth as one that processes with such a smooth nose to where the ball is going as his movement is very sudden. I also think too there is some position flexibility with Beaux at the next-level as a free safety as one that logged four interceptions for the Crimson in their 6A state championship season in 2024. He surely is one that plays massively outside of his 5'9 175 pound frame.   [player_tooltip player_id='1255895' first='Max' last='Jones'], LB, Rosemount 2026 <a href="https://x.com/Jonsey_41">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/113-Max-Jones.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1252298" style="width:284px;height:auto" /></figure>   Another all-district linebacker that landed in my top-tier amongst 2026 linebackers yesterday was [player_tooltip player_id='1255895' first='Max' last='Jones'] out of Rosemount. The 5'11 207 pounder for the Irish, has ideal next-level size and I was quite impressied with how agille he was for his size as a linebacker that played with powering athleticism on every rep I got to watch Sunday in Plymouth. Max also showed off the motor I would want if I was a college recruiter, as one that has fiery hands at the point of attack and everything I watched that Max does shows off the fluidity too from start to finish at our Prep Redzone Minnesota Combine. He will be another prospect from page one that I will be enlightened to see where his testing numbers lined up on Sunday as one that I know would be a great fit for scholarship level schools.   Garret Bauer, LB, Monticello 2026 <a href="https://x.com/Garett_Bauer7">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/IMG_2943-rotated-crop-481x316-1744653891.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1656720" style="width:286px;height:auto" /></figure>   Just like the others, Garret would be another 2026 linebacker I would name to my first team for All-Camp Team for linebackers as I love the growth I have seen in the last 9 months since I got a live eval at a college camp last summer. He has added 15-20 pounds to his frame since then, but has not missed a beat as far as his game speed slowing him down as I love how explosive this kid is. He logged nearly 100 tackles for the Monticello Magic in 2024 and constantly drives the ball carrier backwards with his excellent hit stick physicality which should be everything you want within the inside box at the next-level. Garret also showed off the matching range you see on tape in the live eval from Sunday, as one that can get from sideline to sideline as a three-sport athlete that you never will have to worry about the stamina he has.

Yesterday at our spring Prep Redzone Minnesota Combine, I was in float mode looking for the best of the athletes at all positions at the Plymouth Soccer Dome. With several pages of prospect logged for their skillsets in my notebook, I start off with the prospect targets that made Part I of my list of standouts, with plenty more to come from just about if not every position between the two sessions.