MN Small School Standouts to Watch in Week 3

Small-school football in Minnesota (9-man through Class 3A) is already showing how much talent lives beyond the big-school spotlight. The first two weeks of 2025 have featured eye-catching numbers, clutch performances, and plenty of film that translates to the next level. These players are producing in real time and giving college recruiters reasons to watch.   Here are eight prospects to watch ahead of Week 3:    Goodhue senior [player_tooltip player_id='1881812' first='Jack' last='Carlson'] has turned himself into one of the most physical two-way players in the state. At 6'0, 220 pounds, Carlson is built like a bruiser but moves with the feet of a lighter back. In Goodhue's Week 1 win over Triton, he carried the ball 19 times for 83 yards and a touchdown. Week 2 was another workhorse outing in a muddy win over Randolph — pounding out 7-to-10-yard chunks and adding about 55 yards as a receiver out of the backfield. He finished with two touchdowns. Defenders know he's getting the ball and still struggle to bring him down. They wear down over four quarters against his downhill style. His wrestling background (a state runner-up at heavyweight) shows up in his leverage, footwork, and ability to stay upright through contact. He runs behind his pads, finishes runs, and punishes would-be tacklers. Carlson has good hands, processes quickly in space, and can be used effectively as a receiver. At 220, he's a load in the open field but has enough quickness to beat linebackers in coverage and instincts to read and react like a natural playmaker. On defense, he's a high-motor linebacker, always first in line for drills, and showing the kind of motor and toughness that sets the tone. College programs like North Dakota State and Bemidji State have taken notice.     Two Harbors senior [player_tooltip player_id='1248725' first='Carter' last='Nelson'] made plays all over the field in the Agates' win at TCO Stadium, finding the end zone three times, including a reverse that broke open for a long score. Nelson showed his versatility throughout the night, bouncing between running back, slot receiver, and cornerback. Nelson isn't the biggest back at 6'0, around 180 pounds, but he runs hard and knows how to use his quickness to get into space. He follows blockers well, hits the hole with decisiveness, and once he gets into the open field he's tough to catch. His background in track shows up in his acceleration and respectable long speed, and he's got the leaping ability and hands to make an impact as a receiver when lined up in the slot. Defensively, Nelson is just as valuable. He made a key interception against Denfeld, breaking instinctively on a ball to stall a drive. His football IQ, balance, and instincts allow him to thrive in the secondary, giving Two Harbors a reliable two-way playmaker. He's even-keeled, competitive, and one of the leaders on a roster heavy with underclassmen. Nelson is drawing attention from both football and track programs at the next level, including Concordia-Moorhead and multiple DIII schools.     Minneapolis North junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1612765' first='Logan' last='Lachermeier'] is off to a blazing start. The 5'11, 160-pound passer carved up the defense in Week 2, going 12-for-14 for 248 yards, five touchdowns, and a perfect 158.3 passer rating. The Polars are 2-0 and have 104 total points through two games. Lachermeier has a big arm with a smooth, compact release. He throws an arcing deep ball and can also drive intermediate routes into tight windows with zip and anticipation. Calm feet and a quick trigger help him make sharp reads in the RPO game. Lachermeier layers throws with touch outside the numbers and delivers catchable balls underneath. He's confident throwing from multiple angles and stays balanced and accurate when he slides in the pocket or works outside of structure. He isn't a run-first quarterback, but he's mobile enough to extend plays and keep defenses honest on designed keepers. Keep keeping an eye on Lachermeier.     Junior running back Griffen Hannah opened Week 2 by taking an outside zone run 45 yards to the house. He pressed the line, read his blocks, and once he slipped through the second level, his burst and speed took care of the rest. Hannah is part of a deep rotation in his program's shotgun wing-T attack, but he's carved out his role as the explosive slasher of the group. He has the frame to run through contact. He quickly identifies space and accelerates. He runs with vision and balance between the tackles and has patience setting up blocks. A high-level athlete, Hannah is also a standout hockey player and track competitor, and those traits show in his agility and closing speed. He's comfortable stretching plays horizontally, but he also has the toughness to churn through arm tackles when needed. His ability to process the blocking scheme and stay patient before hitting the cutback makes him a dangerous fit in a system that thrives on misdirection. Hannah isn't asked to carry the ball 20 times a game with multiple backs in the rotation, but his touches count.     International Falls senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1256241' first='Hayden' last='Swenson'] was nearly flawless in Week 2, completing 10 of 11 passes for 274 yards and six touchdowns in a 59-8 win over Ely. His efficiency translated to a perfect 158.3 passer rating and continued a scorching start. At 5'11, 180 pounds, Swenson has a powerful, live arm and throws with accuracy at all three levels. He consistently gives his receivers an advantageous chance to make plays. He can fire strikes and drop deep shots in stride. His ball placement and touch stand out. This fall, he looks even sharper. He reads coverages with confidence, gets the ball out quickly, and shows the ability to vary speed and trajectory. Swenson plays with command and composure, running an offense that can hit quick strikes or attack deep.     Sophomore Ryan Stone is quickly becoming the heartbeat of his defense. The 6'4, 210-pound linebacker has piled up around 30 tackles through the first two games and looks every bit like one of Minnesota's premier young defensive prospects. He plays downhill, loves to hit, and consistently finds the football. With huge hands and feet and room to grow into a 230-pound frame, he already brings the size and physicality of an upperclassman. He sheds blocks, closes fast, and finishes with authority, setting a tone that teammates feed off. Also a tight end, Stone shows two-way value with strong hands and natural athleticism, but his calling card is defense. He reads keys quickly and attacks with a motor that doesn't quit, showing the instincts and toughness that anchor a front seven. Still a young player, keep an eye out for him this summer.     Goodhue junior [player_tooltip player_id='1580586' first='Ethan' last='O'Reilly'] is a 6'2, 235-pound lineman who's already a three-year starter. He is one of only two players to start as a ninth grader at Goodhue in the past 29 years. O'Reilly has anchored both sides of the trenches since day one. He's Goodhue's top offensive and defensive lineman, able to play guard or tackle on offense and dominate as a defensive end. On offense he's a complete technician: he can hook on the edge, drive block with power, pull and climb to linebackers, and lead the way on screens. Defensively, O'Reilly is relentless. He wins with leverage, hand use, and motor. He delivers game-changing plays, like blowing up a rocket toss for a forced fumble and scoop-and-score last week. His wrestling background shows in his balance and ability to stay low and control blockers, while his football IQ helps him to react and disrupt plays. Athletically, O'Reilly moves like a smaller player. A 3.9 student with toughness and leadership, he brings the complete package that schools look for.     Junior wide receiver Nik Wallen is getting open alot this year. Last week he slipped behind the defense on play action for a wide-open 10-yard touchdown that extended Pequot Lakes lead. The 6'3 slot receiver has a tall, long frame and moves with smooth efficiency, giving quarterbacks a big, reliable target in the middle of the field. He's a polished route runner who understands coverages and finds seams in zone. Lined up primarily in the slot, he's trusted to execute a vertical package that demands timing and spatial awareness, and he consistently gets to his spots. He opened the season with five catches for close to 80 yards, immediately replacing the production of last year's standout Briar Nordby. With enough speed to challenge defenses and the length to win contested catches, Wallen forces safeties to stay honest. He reads leverage well, adjusts to the ball, and shows natural hands on seam and crossing routes. His ability to process defenses and create easy throwing lanes makes him a perfect fit in a multiple-formation offense that thrives on play-action and quick-strike opportunities.

Small-school football in Minnesota (9-man through Class 3A) is already showing how much talent lives beyond the big-school spotlight. The first two weeks of 2025 have featured eye-catching numbers, clutch performances, and plenty of film that translates to the next level. These players are producing in real time and giving college recruiters reasons to watch.