Nate’s Big Dogs of the Game: Annandale

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We move our scouting notebook from Friday night over to the #1 ranked Annandale Cardinals as we point who caught our attention in their 30-10 win over Holy Family. I have to tell you, the amount of 2026 under the radar targets this team has for the next-level is a ton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Colton Purcell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"200","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Annandale","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc1ba21979b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of two impact 2027 wide receivers that intrigued me on Friday night from Annandale was Colton Purcell as a wide receiver that was hard to miss with his size. The 6'3 200 pounder showed off the route creativity that was able to improvise on the fly if the first look wasn't there. What was evident along with the size was the long strides that Colton could make as a route-runner and you could see it when the ball came his way how he was able to spread the field wider along the edges. Colton seems to have interest as a hooper, but I would be remissed if I didn't feel he has the frame, speed and route-running ability to easily play on Saturdays in the fall. <a href="https://x.com/ColtonPurcell0">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kane Fobbe","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"225","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Annandale","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc1ba2198e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In my time watching the offensive line during the game for the victorious Annandale Cardinals, there was one name that caught my attention on numerous occasions which was 2027 tackle Kane Fobbe. The 6'2 225 pounder easily had the most fiery hands from watching both teams in the offensive trenches. I also was intrigued by the consistent hand placement he had which allowed him to get leverage and drive into the second level. Not a name you might find on Hudl or Twitter, but this young man had a nice night in Victoria.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1489404"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1923193,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc1ba21999a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was my first live eval of Michael into his senior season as 2026 quarterback that my gut told me could have a stellar senior season, that is still uncommitted. The 6'4 225 pounder (you read that right) has a commanding quick release that you could quickly tell has well-built chemistry with his receiving core as his ball placement was right on point especially on those screen passes that created plenty of yards in the open field. What I liked even more about Michael and the Annandale offense is the balance they had throughout the game as the screen routes turned into intermediate routes which is intriguing as an evaluator. One of his passing touchdowns right in front of me on an intermediate route showed off that balance I talked about with great touch and precise ball placement for a touchdown. You want to talk about chemistry, Michael is one that can lock it quickly with his wide receivers. <a href="https://x.com/michaelk1277">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1581353"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc1ba219a26"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cooper was one that I got on my radar back at our spring Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase and had a sound outing offensively against Holy Family in the Cardinals receiving core. I was on the opposite end of the field for most of Cooper's receptions but what impressed me with his receptions was the improved suddenness I saw getting yards after the catch which has certainly rose since last spring. Some of the receptions too from what I recall were in high traffic areas, which from my eyes Cooper looked more posied reeling those in as well. He's one of a couple 2027 WRs that I like upccoming for the Cardinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1648447"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1923195,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc1ba219aad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If I had a defensive MVP to give out for Annandale in Friday night's game my vote would be going for 2026 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1648447' first='Keagan' last='Grube']. You want to talk about persistence around the football, that's what Keagan showed off on Friday night against Holy Family. The 6'1 210 pounder plays with a great motor that college programs should love to have in that position group. I saw muliple tackles that Keagan made that were on point as far as the physicality and finishing ability you want your linebacker to have at the next-level. He has one MIAC offer, but should have a handful more based on what I saw on Friday. <a href="https://x.com/KeaganGrube">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1362932"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1923197,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc1ba219b40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of Annandale's biggest impact players on all three levels on Friday night came from the performance of 2026 target [player_tooltip player_id='1362932' first='Gabe' last='Westman']. I've evaluated Gabe as a wide receiver in the past, but what he was able to do defensively and in the return game gave him a higher mark as more of an athlete when it comes to the next-level as college coaches should love the position flexibility they could have with Gabe. The 6'4 200 pounder was more rangy than I expected to see with his movement as a defensive back and I loved his instincts on both sides of the ball as you could tell why he has muliple offers as he has a sound football IQ. Probably one of the best 1v1 wide receivers that is still out there in this 2026 Minnesota class in the state for sure and especially the Outstate. <a href="https://x.com/gabewestman">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cameron Ergen","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"200","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Annandale","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc1ba219c73"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The bell-cow of Annandale's rushing offense on Friday night came from 2026 athlete Cameron Ergen, who is a new name to the radar that added three rushing touchdowns for the Cardinals on Friday against Holy Family. Cameron was consistent with his vision and did so in areas that were hard-earned yards within the inside box for the most part. I could tell from my first look at this young man, that the vision not only was apparent but Cameron also had the patience to wait for the holes to open up and then hit his gaps. He's an very under the radar running back in this 2026 class that could be a small school fit at the next level to know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1257442"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1923201,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc1ba219d1e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most apparent 2026 stockrisers I logged from Friday night's game in Victoria, came from 2026 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1257442' first='Isaiah' last='Turner']. The 6'0 185 pounder played a miles ahead of that size with how many yards after contact he was able to get on Friday night on the Holy Family defense, as I would love to know what that final number was stats-wise. I also thought it was evident the position flexibility Isaiah has for the next-level even though I saw high glimpses as a slot-back on Saturdays. Isaiah might be one of the more under the radar 2026 prospects in the state, as he showed off the high bar of athletic ability that is there for the taking!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/SlipOffZay">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->