UMD Big Dog Camp: Nate's OL/DL Top Performers

One of our four camps in a week a couple weeks back, was the UMD Big Dog Camp. I have to say, I took a drive around campus prior to camp and felt like I can surely circle UMD as a school that I would want on my son's college school list, as the campus is beautiful. Right on campus was nearly 100 hogs and dogs ready for battle in the trenches and there were some good ones. There was hidden gems that won a ton of 1v1 reps, established names now committed, and all in all 16 names that crossed our radar as standouts in Bulldogs Country. Find out who they were!   Offensive Linemen:   Ben Klein, Jordan, MN 2026   A 2026 offensive linemen that in my eyes rose their stock at the UMD Big Dog Camp was Ben Klein out of Jordan. He showed off a swifter first step than I had expected to see at 6'0 250 pounds and there were even more athletic traits that Ben showed off in Duluth. I thought there was plenty of balance with his change of direction when watching him in the shuttle and later in reps where he had to be a pull-blocker. He is an offenisve linemen that has the upside to develop, as based on my eval from Duluth he is one that can grow his hand control and develop more finish with that being said. Regardless, Ben surely has the body type and skills to play on Saturdays for sure as I see Ben as a great small school fit.   [player_tooltip player_id='1220667' first='Cael' last='Gago'], Rice Lake, WI 2026 <a href="https://x.com/CaelGago">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/IMG_3915-rotated-crop-384x253-1753223771.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1726276" style="width:293px;height:auto" /></figure>   I have heard a lot about Cael this camp season, and this was the first time of the first time of me getting my own personal live eval on Cael. I loved watching this young man's textbook hand control as there was a high amount of balance in that skillset in every rep I watched from Cael. As I had seen on tape, there wasn't a question with the strength Cael could generate nor quick speed he could generate it at as Cael rates as one of my top tier offensive linemen on the day with ease. He constantly was getting his blocks into the second level in Duluth persistently as one of the most dominant offensive linemen in attendance. It's real easy to see why he has G5 and D2 offers on his resume as Cael had plenty of skillsets that got logged into my notebook a couple weeks back in Duluth.   Alexander Jensen, Elk River, MN 2026   Another trench monster that has continued to pick up recruiting steam at NSIC camps, is Alexander Jensen of Elk River. I've loved getting to watch to see how coachable this young man has been during the camps I have been at which is the first thing that pops out right away. Alex has brute strength at the point of attack as he showed a very quick power generation with his well-placed hands and suddenness with his sound drive-blocking ability. He of course has some upside as a pass-blocker, but at another camp feel he dusted off some of those skillsets when watching his PB reps. One that has just one offer thus far, but the camp evals I have gotten show he should have more coming here soon.   [player_tooltip player_id='1276435' first='Patrick' last='Roeker'], Oconomowoc, WI 2026 <a href="https://x.com/Patrick_Roeker">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/IMG_3919-rotated-crop-384x253-1753223594.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1726229" style="width:325px;height:auto" /></figure>   The newly committed Minnesota State-Mankato commit showed off why he's such an ideal fit in the NSIC from what we saw in Duluth prior to his commitment. I logged in my notebook that Patrick has "missile" like strength when he makes contact with the defensive linemen which I though was evident during the live eval at UMD. He was one that you can tell the foundation is built from the top and starts with his great athletic base as the 6'4 295 pounder from Oconomowoc draws his hands extremely quick out of his stance and the natural punch that Patrick has with his hands surely is going to be a fun one to watch in the NSIC over the coming years. The Mavs are going to love this young man's work ethic in their offensive trenches in my eyes.   [player_tooltip player_id='1210315' first='Brett' last='Kopp'], Elmwood-Plum City, WI 2026 <a href="https://x.com/bkopp79">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Brett-Kopp-2026--crop-2764x1815-1750461856-crop-640x420-1753223850.jpg?w=639" alt="" class="wp-image-1726294" style="width:335px;height:auto" /></figure>   Find me a more decorated OL prospect during camp season than Elmwood-Plum City 2026 offenisve linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1210315' first='Brett' last='Kopp']. The new Coo Falls offenisve linemen commit, started off being off most folks radar and it did not take long for the whole NSIC conference to catch wind after the UWEC Big Man MEGA Camp and beyond into July. Myself personally, I have seen Brett at nearly every camp this summer, and I would say just about every time, my notebook logs show off the pluses he has gained. I don't believe you could find a better work ethic inn the trenches than what I have seen this summer out of Brett. As for what he brought to the table at the UMD prospect camp? I don't feel from a production perspective there was a more elite run-blocker than Brett was determined to be as whenever I used the term "destroy" on a live eval, that's usually a pretty good sign their doing well in their live eval. You can't also not love the character this young man has that he'll bring to the offensive trenches to the Coo!   Samuel Hanke, Oregon, WI 2026 <a href="https://x.com/SamuelH559">Twitter</a>   A new name that appears to be under the radar, that has the encourgaing size and more, is Samuel Hanke of Oregon (WI). The 6'5 275 pounder from the live eval showed off the feisty hands and punching ability that I love to see in the trenches and early. Another area that I thought was interesting for Samuel, was just how balanced his footwork was for his size as I was impressed with how agile and free-based he was for all that size. I think Samuel is a 2026 prospect that will be one that NSIC schools need to look at his first three games during this 2025 fall season, as to me the projected upside is there, but there's a lack of tape from his junior season that most coaches will want to get a sooner glmpise on.   Andrew Kriz, Anoka, MN 2026 <a href="https://x.com/andrew_kri87554">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/IMG_3918-rotated-crop-384x253-1753223528.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1726211" style="width:290px;height:auto" /></figure>   Andrew is a 2026 offensive linemen that I felt somewhat at least came out of nowhwere and earend an offer from the Bulldogs a couple weeks ago. The 6'4 240 pounder, I felt had some of the fastest yet well-balanced footwork I saw overall in the offensive linemen group. Andrew didn't miss a beat either with his first step, as that too appeared as one of the fastest in the OL group. Andrew is also one that when he gets control of his defender, the control he has teethers at close to 100% as I saw that during Indy drills where I first got a look at Andrew. He could be one of the July risers upcoming in this 2026 MN class.   Henry Smentek, Mankato West, MN 2026 <a href="https://x.com/HenrySmentek">Twitter</a>   One of my biggest surprises during the live eval at the UMD Big Dog Camp, came from 2026 offensive linemen Henry Smentek of Mankato West. There's no doubt from a mile a way you couldn't miss on the size Henry had, but this young man was almost perfect during 1v1s a couple weeks back. The 6'5 315 pounder, showed mack-truck hands when he made contact with the defenisve linemen and I was impressed with from the eye test how well-versed Henry's stance and athletic base were for his XL offensive linemen size he has. I surely think Henry is another example that most D2 schools will wait till they get his first three games of his senior season, as the tape is limited at the moment. But what I saw in Duluth, this kid can surely play at the next-level for sure.   Defensive Linemen:   Luke Mathewson, Milwaukee Marquette, WI 2026 <a href="https://x.com/lukemathewson11">Twitter</a>   Luke started off his day getting our first live eval in testing, as defensive linemen from Milwaukee Marquette tested extremely well in the shuttle based on what these eyes could grasp at his size. Luke also showed off an intriguing athletic base that is one that I wish I had watched more reps out of him outside of testing and individual drills. He doesn't have any tape as of yet, but surely is getting on radars during camp to hopefully have an intriguing high school football season with elite next-level measurables as a defensive end in my eyes. The first three games of the 2025 season with be crucial for Luke as the traits are there for the taking.   Owen Pederson, Annandale, MN 2026 <a href="https://x.com/Owenpederson_62">Twitter</a>   Owen is a prospect that similar to when we saw him at the UWEC Big Man MEGA Camp, he caught some early attention. You cannot miss on the agility this young man has with his pass rush moves, as that was a similar skillset that I felt had been elevated in Duluth after seeing their effectiveness in Eau Claire last month. Owen is relentless with his motor, and has sound hand placement to even when he doesn't have a clean lane, he still can move with that hand lever and position. The 6'2 235 pounder is a Outstate sleeper out of Annandale that also was one of the most promising DLs in the triple broad jump too in Duluth.   Heath Sunnarborg, Esko, MN 2026 <a href="https://x.com/SunnarborgHeath">Twitter</a>   Heath was a local name I had pre-circled before camp got started, as I wanted to see th 6'4 245 pounder from Esko in acction. What I saw were glowing athletic traits early in his vertical jump as a pass-rusher that looks like he has the depth and long arms to disrupt those small passing windows. In my eyes Heath's natural fit looks to be in the offensive trenches, but also what I saw a few weeks back in Duluth is the quick hand speed he can generate quickly as one that has an upside with his pad-level in the defensive trenches as there was some promising reps thru indy and 1v1s in Duluth. Heath is one that I feel that is under the radar out of Esko's 2026 class with just one D2 NSIC offer thus far but I surely see the opportunity for more looks in the coming months.   [player_tooltip player_id='948143' first='Cody' last='Slater'], Janesville Parker, WI 2026 <a href="https://x.com/codyslaterrr">Twitter</a>   Cody has seemed to catch the radar of a handful of our PRZ scouts at several camps this summer, and you can add me to the list from the UMD Big Dog Camp. The 6'3 215 pound defensive end from Janesville Parker is one that passed the early eye test and showed off some pure athleticism in testing areas like the pro agility and his vertical. Watching him later in reps, I loved the wirey movement Cody has at his disposal as I feel this young man has the range you want coming off the EDGE. He shows off a well-tuned inside move and I feel the position flexibility to play linebacker or EDGE should intrigue college coaches in that department. Surely has the high motor in my eyes that has great shedding hands to be a quick processer in the run game at the next-level.   Kyle Barbour, Lakeville North, MN 2027 <a href="https://x.com/KyleBFootball">Twitter</a>   A new DL name in the 2027 class that caught my attention and has caught more college coaches attention this summer is Lakeville North's Kyle Barbour. He showed off one of the more agile twitchest off the snap I saw in Duluth amongst the 2027 defensive linemen from these eyes. Kyle is certainly a Lakeville North product that is one that is a "wait and see" prospect in the 2027 class but showed off the promise in Duluth to surely be a name to watch for in the coming years for the Panthers.   Jamis Stewart, Minnesota Valley Lutheran, MN 2027 <a href="https://x.com/StewartJamis">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/IMG_3916-1-rotated-crop-384x253-1753223464.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1726193" style="width:311px;height:auto" /></figure>   Jamis goes down in my eyes as my favorite new name I gather from the UMD Big Dog Camp in Duluth. The 2027 defensive linemen from Minnesota Valley Lutheran wasted no time showing off the power he incoming with his hands and not only that, it was evident that his hand placement was on point during the reps I watched. He also peaked with his instincts with his get off during 1v1s, as I could tell this young man had the pre-snap vision to get to the point of attack with instinctive vision in mind he gathered. The 6'2 200 pounder is only scratching the surface with the talent he has, as one of the most intriguing "wait and see" 2027s that we saw at the UMD Big Dog Camp.   Birk Zeleny, St. Thomas Academy, MN 2026 <a href="https://x.com/Birk_Zeleny">Twitter</a>   There was a handful of skillsets that intriguing me about STA 2026 defenisve linemen Birk Zeleny in Duluth a couple weeks back. He has the well-versed athletic bend and base for his 6'2 260 pound frame. An area that intrigued me most in Birk's live eval, was how agile this young man was out of his stance and with his inside and outside moves for that size I mentioned as he really did a solid job finding the ball carrier in the interior as a defensive tackle. Not to mention, rep after rep I felt amongst the interior defensive linemen, that Birk had one of the strongest finishes in all of his indy and 1v1 reps from what I coudl evaluate. One NSIC offer has been logged, but Birk is an upwards trender in my eyes after the UMD Big Dog Camp.   Colton Boehlke, Grafton, WI 2026 <a href="https://x.com/BoehlkeColton">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/IMG_3921-rotated-crop-384x253-1753223697.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1726256" style="width:317px;height:auto" /></figure>   Another big winner during 1v1 reps at the UMD Big Dog Camp came from Grafton 2026 defensive end Colton Boehlke of Grafton. The 6'3 235 pounder was perfect during pass rush drills and two skillsets were evidently shown in these eyes. The first one is how wirey Colton appears to be out of his stance and has the soft yet authoritative hands to constantly get by and win rep after rep like he did in Duluth. I also liked how Colton appeared proactive with those hands, as at UMD if he got off his mark duirng , he still had the tenacity to re-fit his hands with versatility to see a better fit. I was surely surprised to see he has just one D3 offer to his recruiting trail, as his perforamnce was impressive on the North Shore.

One of our four camps in a week a couple weeks back, was the UMD Big Dog Camp. I have to say, I took a drive around campus prior to camp and felt like I can surely circle UMD as a school that I would want on my son's college school list, as the campus is beautiful. Right on campus was nearly 100 hogs and dogs ready for battle in the trenches and there were some good ones. There was hidden gems that won a ton of 1v1 reps, established names now committed, and all in all 16 names that crossed our radar as standouts in Bulldogs Country. Find out who they were!