Minot State Prospect Camp: Nate's Top Performers

Why Not Minot? Is the term they say up in Beavers Country as Minot State proved last season in the powerful NSIC that they are an up and comer in the conference having their best season ever in the D2 era. We've been fortunate enough to make the trip up twice to Minot for camp and although it's a haul to get up there, we have always enjoyed our time in the Magic City as the Beavers had over 80 athletes in attendance at their prospect camp we attended a couple Saturdays back already. Our notebook is becoming very full as we get into mid-July logging several standouts camp after camp, and that was no different in Minot. We found 15 prospects that caught our attention at the Minot State Prospect Camp including: great talent on both sides of the trenches, wide receivers on the rise and an an offer now wide receiver, and much more.   Running Backs   Davyion Clemons, Nedrose, ND 2027 <a href="https://x.com/davyionclemons">Twitter</a>   Dayvion may not have been the biggest running back in the RB group, but golly does this young man have the speed that will get some looks. He ran one of the fastest 20-yard sprints at the Minot State prospect camp with a 2.6 flat versus around 80 campers that showed up to the Magic City and was one of the most agile RBs I watched on the morning. The nearly 5'6 160 pounder also was impressive when we got in the new Beavers weight room, going 225 pounds nine times, which is really impressive for that size. Later in indy drills, I found out how coachable Dayvion was. He went from having one above average rep, to a near perfect rep by picking up new information and putting in into fruitition. I was quite impressed with how much explosiveness Dayvion had working in tight windows, as this young man showed off the RB that is going to fight thru contact every time. Dayvion is surely a 2027 local RB that made a sound impression in Minot.   Lukas Pederson, Miller Comprehensive, SK 2027 <a href="https://x.com/pederson21725">Twitter</a>   A new name out of a Canadian program that I am well-aware of that stood out at the Minot State prospect camp was 2027 running back Lukas Pederson. Man, did Lukas catch my attention off the eye test and certainly when we went into the Minot State weight room, where he logged 12 reps at 225 pounds at 5'6 187 pounds and looked every pound of that in person. Getting into indy and 1v1s, you could gauge real quick how fluid Lukas was in every rep I got to watch him take as the speed looks more apparent in the live eval vs. testing where he ran a 2.78 20-yard sprint. He was one that during 1v1s I felt the twitch and timing of his twitch got more instinctive the more reps I was able to watch as a 2027 to watch for out of Saskatchewan.   Wide Receiver   [player_tooltip player_id='1219685' first='Ivan' last='Hopfauf'], Mandan, ND 2027 <a href="https://x.com/HopfaufIvan">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/4-Ivan-Hopfauf-crop-2354x1546-1753413582.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1731642" style="width:329px;height:auto" /></figure>   Ivan is a 2027 wide receiver that I feel is hitting his stride at the right time ahead of what should be a bigger role in his junior season for the Braves upcoming. Where he has gained ground througout the summer and at the MSU prospect camp, was with his route-running. He's shown off to be a quick hitter with short routes in the past, but I feel is expanding his range the deeper we gotten to see him more this summer. The change of direction has come around, as he logged a summer-best 4.22 in the pro agility and 4.55 in the 40-yard dash. He'll get his reps this fall with getting better tape, as one that I feel projects as a slot-receiver at the next-level.   Evan Erickson, Sidney, MT 2026   A new name just outside of my region that stood out at the Minot State Prospect Camp was Sidney's Evan Erickson. The nearly 6'0 170 pounder has the athletic traits to play at the next-level, showing off a 2.79 20-yard sprint, 8'11 on the broad jump and the most eye-catching number from Satruday his 4.30 pro agility. He was a two-way prospect that I watched in testing that I am kicking myself I didn't get a firmer live eval on. Ethan surely looks like a one to check on with his first three games and could be a great NAIA fit either in North Dakota or obviously Montana.   Christian Peris, Shakopee, MN 2026 <a href="https://x.com/chrisperis_">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/IMG_4231-crop-4148x2724-1753413491.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1731612" style="width:320px;height:auto" /></figure>   A 2026 wide receiver prospect that has made plenty of gains this summer as far as his stock, as been Shakopee's Christian Peris even though the offers might not reflect it quite yet. He tested extremely well in Minot, logging the best broad jump out of the 80+ in attendance with a 9'9 and this was not the only time this summer where Christian has been at the top of the scoreboard in testing, as he did the same thing amongst the 1800 athletes at the Minnesconsin MEGA Camp as well. His outing in Minot, I felt was his best when it came down to what he did outside of testing that I got my eyes on. His route-running got muliple times elite seperation from the defensive backs giving the QB a can't miss window to hit. Christian has also gotten softer with his hands throughout the summer in these eyes, as I thought his hands were at his best at the Minot State prospect camp. He even flashed outside of the wide receiver position taking reps as a DB and still with his football IQ, had success there. He showed how quick he could turn around and get to the ball carrier with the reps I got to watch and showed off some the best position flexibility in my eyes at camp with the balance he plays. The 4.2 GPA shows off a high academic prospect you won't want to miss on with one offer thus far from MSU-Moorhead and I wouldn't doubt there's more coming in the coming months if not sooner.   [player_tooltip player_id='1560143' first='Isaac' last='Bachmeier'], Bismarck Century, ND 2026 <a href="https://x.com/IBachmeier12268">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_1916-rotated-crop-384x253-1753413536.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1731627" style="width:331px;height:auto" /></figure>   A 2026 wide receiver I have seen solid growth from over the last 6-9 months who I saw at camp in the Magic City, was [player_tooltip player_id='1560143' first='Isaac' last='Bachmeier'] of Bismarck Century. His speed off the line has seen an increase and there is certainly more twitch being seen when he cuts back on his route, with relishing the attention to detail with his footwork which is a key area that I saw growth. He shows off the springy route-running I like on intermediate and deep routes and I have also noticed a softer plush when it comes to Isaac's hands as there is still wiggle room to room. He went 2.76 in the 20-yard sprint, 4.37 in the pro agility, and the upper body strength was there going 225 nine times on the benchpress. Isaac surely in these eyes looks like a fit in the NSIC as a slot receiver.   [player_tooltip player_id='1732149' first='Blaze' last='Pettapiece'], Bishop James Mahoney, SK 2026 <a href="https://x.com/bpetts17">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/IMG_3957-1-rotated-crop-384x253-1753412993.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1731428" style="width:315px;height:auto" /></figure>   Blaze was easily my favorite wide receiver live eval I got at the Minot State prospect camp as the third prospect that I logged from Saskatchewan in Beavers Country. He was the smoothest route-runner I could find in the wide receiver group as one that I felt got more and poised the more reps he got in during 1v1s. He also had some of the toughest catches I witnessed in high-traffic areas in Minot as there wasn't many defenisve backs that could slow Blaze down with his efficency on his routes. The 5'10 nearly 170 pounder, also ran in the top-tier in the 20-yard split with a 2.7, 9'4 in the broad jump, and 4.18 in the pro agility. Regardless if it's USports or NCAA, Blaze was the most "offer now" prospect I saw at the Minot State prospect camp and also was quite coachable from what I got to watch.   Offensive Linemen   [player_tooltip player_id='1319850' first='Seth' last='Irey'], Ellendale-Edgeley-Kulm, ND 2027 <a href="https://x.com/irey5799">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/IMG_3959-rotated-crop-384x253-1753412894.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1731400" style="width:322px;height:auto" /></figure>   Another recent OL MVP at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase that had a sound showing at the Minot State prospect camp was [player_tooltip player_id='1319850' first='Seth' last='Irey'] out of EEK in the 2027 class. Seth is one that I could tell right away has found the weight room, playing appromixately 15-20 pounds bigger than my last live eval. You can see he's elevated his game with his footwork this summer, as I could quickly grasp after watching him in his last couple of reps from camp that his foot speed has gotten faster and more balanced in my eyes. He also has grown his hand technique in pass-protection which shows off the versatility that this young man keeps developing with his skillsets. He's an offensive linemen that I feel can play in just about any spot in the offensive trenches as a summer riser this camp season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1407850' first='Carter' last='Michlitsch'], Bismarck St. Mary's Central, ND 2026 <a href="https://x.com/Carter_Michl">Twitter</a>   Carter was a name I heard dropped a few times by the Beavers coaching staff and I myself was intrigued by Carter's performance at the Minot State Prospect Camp. You couldn't miss on watching Carter's persistent pad-level all camp long. Carter also casted a persistent wide base from his lower body on upwards as this young man showed off driving strength several times during the board drill in Minot. Carter has certainly developed with his technique from last fall into summer camps as the 6'1 now 260 pounder is no longer just has bully strength at the point of attack, he's gotten much more polished with all the college coaching he has gotten this summer. He's one I wouldn't be surprised to see more attention come from the northern schools in the NSIC.   Landon Baumgartner, Roseeau, MN 2026 <a href="https://x.com/Baumgartner2026">Twitter</a>   One of the Beavers newest offennsive linemen commits, we saw at camp last Saturday was Roseau's Landon Baumgartner. Watching Landon during 1v1 reps, he was one of the most noticable when it came to reps getting better as rep after rep went by. Landon showed off some of the more balanced footwork amongst the offensive linemen group. The fluidity in Landon's feet thru contact is an skillset that resonated with me as I felt this young man had a lot of power to give out with his lower body. The area trhat kept getting better the most for Landon was the leverage, as he was able to show off great and growing pad-level, natural strength, and tight-fit hands to end camp in the Magic City with a couple eye-catching drive blocks during board drills. This is why you go to camp kids, because the dominoes start falling as after Minot, Landon got one more offer but then closed the deal and committed to the Beavers, which I feel is a great fit for Landon and Minot State.   Defensive Line   [player_tooltip player_id='1732266' first='Kash' last='Ferster'], A.E. Moose Jaw, SK 2026 <a href="https://x.com/KashFSask95">Twitter</a>   Kash is the first defenisve end to catch my radar at the Minot State prospect, hailing from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in the 2026 class. As a pass rusher, Kash showed off the springy type get off that shows off the athleticism I like from the jump. He showed off a balanced mix of speed and upside with power generation. The 6'1 218 pounder in my eyes could be one with position flexibility at the next-level as watching his range from camp to tape you could see a move to linebacker at the next-level in my eyes. I can gauge after seeing him at the NDSU prospect camp however, that his power generation seems to certainly be well ahead into the summer as a prospect still awaiting that first offer, but these eyes feel has the tools to play on Saturdays.   Faafetai Tautolo, Dickinson, ND 2027 <a href="https://x.com/TaiTautolo2608">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/IMG_3958-rotated-crop-384x253-1753413286.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1731539" style="width:341px;height:auto" /></figure>   There wasn't a 2027 prospect at the Minot State prospect camp that I was more fired up about that defensive end Faafetai Taotolo. Tai just made the move to Dickinson from national powerhouse Mater Dei (CA) and man, was he a fun one to watch develop and get eyes on during the live eval. The 6'3 nearly 245 pounder, has upside thru the roof but we saw the quick growth curve that Tai could make as we watched plenty of his reps last a couple Saturdays ago already. He's got a highly sound get off for his size, and is still putting together his pass-rush moves to use at his disposal as we saw some of them pay off during 1v1s in Minot. As the day went on, you could see the drive this young man had with his hands, as he got progressively quicker off his sheds and showed off a more natural instinct with that progression. I'll say it's an understatement to see what this young man can do this fall at Dickinson, as I felt at the end of camp that Tai might be another Division I graded defensive end coming out of what is already a stacked 2027 class in North Dakota.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113076' first='Ethan' last='Howey'], Minot North, ND 2027 <a href="https://x.com/EthanHowey1">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_2179-rotated-crop-384x253-1753413326.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1731554" style="width:335px;height:auto" /></figure>   There were not one, but two D1 graded defensive ends in Coach D-Mac's defensive linemen group at the Minot State prospect camp, as Minot North's [player_tooltip player_id='1113076' first='Ethan' last='Howey'] was another stud in attendance. A recent DL MVP at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase, we are well aware of the natural strength Ethan has getting off his blocks, and that was no different at the Minot State prospect camp. Ethan continously brought the agile first step we have grown to know and I felt has gotten even more elusive with his hand fighting ability by having several reps that showed off how much stronger Ethan has gotten with being able to constantly finish thru contact. You can also tell the growth Ethan has made with his technique this summer from all the camps he's been attendance at across the country, as I also saw quick growth with his hand technique. He picked up his hometown offer after camp, which surprisingly is still his first, as Ethan is an early offer target in my eyes for this 2027 class as a a prospect ranked in our top five.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422665' first='Jason' last='Hunter'] Jr, Fargo Davies, ND 2026 <a href="https://x.com/JasonjrHunter1">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/IMG_3954-1-rotated-crop-384x253-1753413056.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1731447" style="width:320px;height:auto" /></figure>   Jason is a 2026 defensive linemen that I have within my top 20 in the state as one that you would expect to leave an impression and certainly did at the Minot State prospect camp. The 6'4 250 pounder from Fargo Davies was smoother on his feet that you might expect with that size and that wasn't all. Jason was in my eyes the most coachable trench monster there was on either side of the ball, as I look at the gains he made from Indy drills to 1v1s, and so on. You couldn't miss watching the amount of growth that Jason starting off to how he generated strength with his strong hands to an even higher plateau to utilzing tighter windows with his rush moves to assure the offenisve linemen couldn't get back to their spot in time. I am a firm believer not how you start its how you finish camp, and Jason certainly ended on a high note going up against the best of the best in the OL group.   Linebacker   [player_tooltip player_id='1323108' first='Drew' last='Thorpe'], Ellendale-Edgeley-Kulm, ND 2027 <a href="https://x.com/DrewThorpe12">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/IMG_3962-rotated-crop-384x253-1753413111.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1731466" style="width:335px;height:auto" /></figure>   Drew made an impact earlier last week at the Valley City State prospect camp, but I could feel his impact even more once we got to Saturday at the Minot State Camp. It started off in testing, as the 5'11 207 pounder from EEK ran a 2.7 20-yard sprint and a 4.15 in the pro agility which at that size I mentioned, exceed expectations as far as numbers you want to see. What did we see from Drew in the live eval that we loved? Textbook downhill pursuit angles and all the physicality you want out of a wrestler that also plays football on contact. Put simply, Drew was a contact demon that you didn't want to meet if you were the ball carrier cause his last rep had quite the firepower I wanted to see. Standing out at two camps in one week is no easy task especially with 100s of names to watch!   Defensive Back   [player_tooltip player_id='929957' first='Xander' last='Hanson'], Bismarck Century, ND 2026 <a href="https://x.com/HansonXandergh">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_2184-rotated-crop-384x253-1753413147.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1731481" style="width:355px;height:auto" /></figure>   A recent DB MVP at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase, we got to see a mid-summer look of Bismarck Century's [player_tooltip player_id='929957' first='Xander' last='Hanson'] at the Minot State Prospect Camp. In what I grasped from Xander, he's gotten more comfortable in man coverage from the last live eval I got from him at camps. Where I saw the growth from Xander is he is quicker getting his head around to track down the ball earlier than before. He has some upside to show with slowing down the wide receiver on crossing routes, but surely plays with a balanced presence to develop that skillset. I feel Xander grades out as a solid fit in the NSIC in my eyes with just a couple offers thus far but I could surely see him gain more NSIC traction early into his senior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1625528' first='Madit' last='Ajak'], Fargo South, ND 2027 <a href="https://x.com/maditajak10">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/15-Madit-Ajak-crop-2688x1765-1753413186.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1731493" style="width:350px;height:auto" /></figure>   It's been a nice couple months of live evals for the Ajak brothers out of Fargo South, as Madit is the first in line that got their live eval in the Magic City at their prospect camp. It's been noticable to me over the last few months, the great instincts Madit as a ball-tracker, and those instincts to me have gotten better througout the from what my live eyes have seen. Although a safety, Madit has gotten more comfortable in 1v1 pass coverage than he had been prior to our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase has this young man has a growing football IQ that he is starting to realize how to use it to his advantage in coverage. Another area of skillsets that intrigued me in Minot, was on the benchpress, as at 5'9 150 pounds, Madit did 225 pounds, 11 times which was out of nowhere.

Why Not Minot? Is the term they say up in Beavers Country as Minot State proved last season in the powerful NSIC that they are an up and comer in the conference having their best season ever in the D2 era. We've been fortunate enough to make the trip up twice to Minot for camp and although it's a haul to get up there, we have always enjoyed our time in the Magic City as the Beavers had over 80 athletes in attendance at their prospect camp we attended a couple Saturdays back already. Our notebook is becoming very full as we get into mid-July logging several standouts camp after camp, and that was no different in Minot. We found 15 prospects that caught our attention at the Minot State Prospect Camp including: great talent on both sides of the trenches, wide receivers on the rise and an an offer now wide receiver, and much more.

Access all of Prep Redzone

Continue reading this article and more.

Minot State Prospect Camp: Nate’s Top Performers

In this article:

Access all of Prep Redzone