PrepRedzoneMN's 2025 SZN Breakout Stars: 2027 Edition

As we hurdle full throttle into Week 2 of the 2025 Minnesota prep football season, PrepRedzoneMN is beginning to smell some Breakout Names and Contenders that are beginning to make their mark on the MN high school football scene. Partly due to strong performances on the Summer Camp Circuit, as well as notable and eye-catching midseason performances, these 2027s are having tremendous junior years on the gridiron, so much so that the term "Breakout Star" comes to mind. Now, in order to qualify, your success in 2024 pales in comparison, so 2027 superstars like [player_tooltip player_id='1633432' first='Zack' last='Shatek'], [player_tooltip player_id='1292281' first='Martin' last='Sleen'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1289874' first='Mack' last='Jurkovich'] are disqualified despite their outstanding 2025 campaigns. These boys are newer to the varsity gridirons around the state, and they are creating some serious momentum, production, and hype at the midseason point of this fall. Get to know some 2027 Breakout Stars below! Only on PrepRedzoneMN.   --   2027s    Arguably the biggest Breakout Star - especially on the recruiting front - of the first three/four weeks of the 2025 Minnesota prep football regular season, Stillwater's [player_tooltip player_id='1633442' first='Carter' last='Zollar'] has a ton of big-time regional D1 programs excited and itching to get a look at the TE/WR hybrid. Unfortunately, Zollar missed the entirety of the 2025 Summer Camp SZN, as well as the PrepRedzoneMN Showcase this past spring, due to a lower body injury, but boy oh boy has he come back better than ever. There were flashes of his outrageous upside last fall as a sophomore, but Zollar's Week 1 performance against Maple Grove blew the Stillwater product straight into the Division 1 and P4 recruiting sphere with must-watch explosiveness.   Through 4 games, Zollar has posted 19 catches for 324 yards and 8 TDs, a superb scoring rate that is rare to see at the 6A level, and the film displays a prep WR with a massive catch radius due to a combination of his outstanding length, coordination, and ball skills. Zollar is dangerous and effective at the top of the route, accelerates out of his breaks, and is able to create separation against high-quality 6A DBs, plus he's willing and able to go over the middle to pluck the ball out of the air through traffic and potential upcoming hits. As one would hope with the size, the 2027 Ponies grad can win the 50/50 ball and is a contested catch standout, especially in the red zone, but he also possesses the speed to take the top off the defense and win vertically. It's a dangerous and rare combination for a young pass-catcher of his size, and I also love to see a big-bodied wideout who is easily able to take slants to the house. Thanks to good throws, Zollar is able to catch in stride, plant upfield, and accelerate past that oncoming safety and through the trailing cornerback. That's a tough play to make for a reported 6'4, 210 lber., but a lot Zollar's skillset, highlights, and production speak to his toughness to defend and overall rarity. The Stillwater product has visited Wisconsin in early September, but I see the recruitment bumping up a notch once the midseason film begins to make the rounds. Take a look below!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Czollar83/status/1970171350917562460 </div></figure>     One of the more hyped first-year starters we've seen in the 2000s, Minnetonka's [player_tooltip player_id='1029336' first='Caden' last='Gutzmer'] has been a well-known name on the Minnesota recruiting scene since he was a young freshman, and he's done a great job of developing and improving year-after-year in preparation for his chance to take over the QB1 role for 6A heavyweight Tonka. After earning some varsity reps as a sophomore during garbage time in big Tonka victories, Gutzmer has more than embraced his role as the new signal-caller for the Skippers, showing poise and confidence his first three starts, throttling Tonka out to a 3-0 beginning of the 2025 season while showing accuracy, ball security, consistency, and a big-play arm in the Skippers' first three wins of the season. Currently sitting at a 70% completion percentage (30-43) for 553 yards and 4 TDs through the first three weeks of the season, with a 12.9 YPC percentage and 184.3 YPG average, Gutzmer is showing off some exciting tools and ability so far this season, but there hasn't been a tight ball game, bright spotlight, or real-deal DL getting after his butt, so I'm holding tight on proclaiming Gutzmer as the Truth as of right now. Additionally, Gutzmer hurt his ankle this past Friday, and it sounds like he won't be playing against Eden Prairie in Week 5, so we're still devoid of some Gutzmer prime time moments for the next week or two. Stay tuned on his injury status with PRZMN as well!   The Week 1-3 highlights showcase a signal-caller who can stretch the field vertically as well as put some beautiful touch on the ball to hit some exciting moon shots that drop the rock right in the breadbasket of the awaiting wideout. The second rep of his 1-3 highlights really showcase some arm strength and velocity, as Gutzmer rocketed the ball in between three different Moorhead DBs at two different levels of the field for an extremely small prep football window in coverage, and the Tonka product has some of the most noticeable and impressive zip and velocity I've seen from a Minnesota QB since 2020. He can take snaps under center, sports a compact, precise arm motion and mechanics that get the ball out of his hand quickly, smoothly, and with a tight spiral, and he seems to see the field well. Gutzmer also looks extremely accurate, throws a good ball off-platform and from a variety of different arm angles, and is athletic, as he's able to scramble and improvise and around the pocket, extend plays with legs, and evade rushers to buy time for his wideouts. Plus, Gutzmer is dangerous and smart as a ball carrier, with sudden, effective cuts and some real elusiveness when he tucks the ball and takes off. Even sees his number called on QB keeps and carries throughout a ball game. Minnesota has been rich in QB talent lately, make sure you pay attention to Gutzmer as his film spreads and recruitment develops.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19493653/68be304b343e17d28aeb2916">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19493653/68be304b343e17d28aeb2916</a>     One of the best non-varsity players in Minnesota last fall in 2024, Minnetonka's standout WR [player_tooltip player_id='1120526' first='Cody' last='Braun'] is due for a rankings bump. Thanks to sharing a graduating year with the Skippers stud QB Caden Gutzmer, as well as a knack for the big play and standout athleticism for his age, Braun has some great chemistry with his now-QB1, and he's one of a handful of deep threats crammed into the Skippers WR room in 2025. So far, the 2025 Breakout Star has posted 7 catches for 127 yards and 2 TDs, as well as 12 tackles, a TFL, 2 PBUs, and an interception defensively, and it seems like the junior and first-year varsity starter is really starting to find his groove.   The 2025 game film shows off a wideout with game-breaking burst, both from a start/stop position after the catch or with the ball in his hands, as well as out of his breaks as a DB in coverage. I love his man-coverage ability out of the slot as the high safety as well. Braun looks patient, is aware of where the sticks are as well as where and when a WR is likely to break, and is lightning out of his breaks. Also physical at the catch point and will put his body on the line to get the ball. As a wideout, Braun breaks his routes off well and is effective at creating separation at the top of the route and is also lethal in the open field, see his TD catch against East Ridge for poignant evidence.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/codybraun_/status/1966998959366566306 </div></figure>     Hard to believe that the Elk River backfield has added yet another weapon, one playing so well that he's earned a PRZMN nod as one of the 2025 season's Breakout Stars, but here we are! If we've learned one thing from the 2025 season, it's to expect the unexpected, and Becker has catapulted himself from unknown to the Elk's RB1 through the midseason point of 2025. Becker, a 5'11, 170 lb. junior, is Elk River's leader in yards (451) and is tied for first in TDs (5) while being only third in carries (22), and his 20.5 YPC average, good for first of Elk River's rushers, proves that he is this year's explosive and splash-play option.   The only thing I know about Becker is that he is a multi-sporter who also plays hockey and lacrosse, but his 2025 film has been electric so far. Becker is like a pinball in pinball machine when working up the gut of the Elk River OL and LOS, zigging and zagging into space and away from defenders while rocketing out of his cuts and seeing the field well before exploding upfield and far and away from pursuing DBs. The 170 lber. can go from 0-60 in a blink weaves through traffic incredibly smoothly, and his top-end speed really stands out in game highlights against Bemidji and St. Francis. Seems to glide by defenders - who are sprinting after him as fast as possible I may add - and can capitalize on even the smallest of creases as well as well as pull away from speedy safeties in the open field, plus shows good contact balance for his size, sees the field well, has a nose for the endzone.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19870386/68cc2498195d931686a10318">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19870386/68cc2498195d931686a10318</a>     Lots of competitive teams in Minnesota's Class 6A in 2025, and lots of new faces owning the spotlight, including Champlin Park's stud RB [player_tooltip player_id='1633474' first='Preston' last='Nelson']. If you're not already aware, MN's 2027 class is stuffed with playmakers and skill talent, and RB Nelson is one to keep an eye on in the developing race for potential D1 prospects. The Champlin product had a nice little introductory sophomore campaign as a sophomore in 2024, posting 73 carries for 398 yards and 4 TDs as an underclassmen competing against juniors and seniors, and he has tested very well on the offseason camp and showcase circuit.   After a long offseason of hard work, Nelson has attacked 2025 as a now-upperclassman, far and away asserting himself as the Rebels RB1 and helping power them to a 3-1 start at the midseason point while totaling 85 carries for 694 yards and 6 TDs, as well as two catches for 53 yards, and he already seems to have a season's worth of highlights through only four games. Nelson possesses home run speed, quick feet, and a very well-rounded skillset that operates smoothly and with a sleek kind of effortlessness that shows up in a variety of ways. The junior is patient, uses his blocks to his advantage and allows the hole to develop, and owns good burst and acceleration once he sees daylight. His strong lower body and good contact balance allow Nelson to easily work through weaker tackle attempts, but his twitch and sudden, powerful cuts in the hole and in the open field is as impressive as it is quick. Plus, he has a couple physically dominating truck sticks to add to his potent play style on the gridiron. No doubt one of the better tailbacks in Minnesota this fall.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/preston_nelson1/status/1970269783393542576 </div></figure>     It was an eventful offseason in Minnesota. With an exodus of some of the state's top talent to the likes of Ohio, Arizona, and Pennsylvania - not to mention the instate transfers - rosters around the Metro were reshuffled and the always-applicable old football adage "next man up" once again rose its head in prominence. There was no program where this rang truer than at 6A competitor Stillwater, who saw their 2026 Eastern Michigan QB commit move out of state in the spring, but lucky for the Ponies, Jack Runk is a dog. An accomplished baseball player with the Ponies and MN Icemen, Runk has brought real juice to the Ponies offense and QB spot, with a dual-threat athleticism and mobility that that has led Stilly to a 2-2 record at the midseason point, with their losses coming to #1 Maple Grove and then-#3 Shakopee. Additionally, Runk has been one of the most productive and efficient passers in Big School football this fall, completing 53 passes on 87 attempts (61%) for 694 yards and 11 TDs to only 2 INTs through four games, not to mention 25 rushes for 68 yards 2 TDs on the ground. Sadly, no film available right now, but PRZMN will be eagerly refreshing his Hudl profile and Twitter account for something new to ingest from his 2025 season. Gotta love multi-sport standouts! Great job so far this year, Ponies. This was some real adversity to work through for high schoolers.     A 2025 Breakout Campaign that has culminated due to a strong 2025 Summer Camp SZN, a ton of hard work in the weight room, hardwood, and Metro-area turf fields around the 651, and seizing the moment in the budding 2025 regular season, [player_tooltip player_id='1633384' first='De'Mandre' last='Frierson-Hollie'] is no doubt a Breakout Star of the season. His performance at one of the PJ Fleck RTB Prospect Camps in June helped solidify him as a Minnesota Gophers prospect to watch, as he's received multiple gameday invites and recruiting graphics, and his efforts as CDH's #1 pass-catching threat have the Raiders sitting at a solid 3-1 going into Week 5. Frierson-Hollie is leading CDH in receptions (26), yards (400), and TDs (5), and he's added 7 tackles and a TFL for good measure.   Big, long, quick, strong in the air and in 50/50, contested catch settings, and using a massive catch radius that will reel in anything and everything thrown his way, as seen by his performance during 1v1s at the aforementioned Gophers prospect camp, Frierson-Hollie is putting up some seriously fun film through the midseason point of the 2025 season.   His midseason mixtape shows off a TE who primarily flexes out of the slot and is a smooth route runner who can flip his hips, use his quick feet, and show some shake at the top of the route. Frierson-Hollie displays strong hands that can reel in and finish receptions through tight coverage, and I love the YAC ability at his size. Shows real get-up and burst, contact balance that can run through weaker tackle attempts without breaking stride, and has the top-end speed to eat up big chunks of yardage or find the endzone if given the edge. Plus, he's strong blocker who can physically dominate in the trenches when asked, and the skillset, particularly the contested catch and YAC ability, project very well to the college level. Could be a fruitful offseason on the recruiting trail for this developing Raiders pass-catcher.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Dre2tuff/status/1970271071409520747 </div></figure>     A transfer from Rosemount High School, St. Thomas Academy QB1 Tristan Karl is has seen his stock grow in value exponentially since the 2025 season began in late August. Breakout star, in-season Stock Riser, QB1 of a 5A state championship contender, call Karl whatever you want, but you can't deny the fact that he's 4-0 and coming off the biggest win of his football career in last week's takedown of then-#2 Chanhassen 28-13 in Mendota Heights. Karl isn't stuffing the stat sheet, but he's completed 68% of his passes on 37 attempts for 231 yards and 5 TDs to 0 INTs + 18 rushes for 125 yards and 1 TD, and has been instrumental in the Cadets 4-0 start and climb into the 5A state title conversation after the midseason point.   Karl throws a good ball on the move and off-platform and is safe with the football, as he shows some ball-placement ability and puts the rock where only his wideouts can get it. Additionally, the 185 lber. is very mobile, with great pocket awareness and scrambling ability that can buy time, extend plays, and really stretch the fringes of a defense and their individual assignments rep to rep. He's a tough, sleek runner with some lateral agility and toughness at the contact point, and I'm hearing some chatter behind the scenes about his stock, production, skillset, and 2025 season performance finding some big-time regional eyes as of late. Keep an eye on Karl and the rest of the Cadets this season! Fun things happening in Mendota Heights.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/tristanrkarl/status/1969971476184076295 </div></figure>     The Bulldogs have a good one on their hands in 2027 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1638567' first='Mason' last='Hansen']! A 6'1, 180 lb. three-sport standout from the Class AA St. Cloud-area program, Hansen has been one of the state's bigger recruiting risers from the 2025 season, taking a gameday visit to North Dakota this past weekend, and when you turn on the midseason tape it's easy to say why his recruiting is starting to take off.   Hansen possesses a huge arm that can really stretch the field vertically. The second play of his midseason tape is especially eye-catching, as Hansen rockets the ball outside of the pocket from his own 33-yard line that travels beautifully into the awaiting breadbasket of his wideout near the opposing 15-yard line for a MONSTER of a deep ball early in the season. The 180 lber. can drop the ball cleanly in the bucket and put some excellent touch on the pigskin in-between multiple DBs for eye-catching passes all around the three levels of the gridiron and fit the ball into some impressively small windows as a junior prep QB. His combination of touch, arm strength, and ball placement is an exciting mix, and the Paynesville product is also mobile and can extend plays and navigate the pocket well as a scrambler, with some fun twitch and elusiveness in the open field. If his athletic numbers are close to what he reports online (4.62 40, 4.24 pro-agility), we have a serious prospect in our hands in Paynesville's junior class.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Mason_hansen5/status/1970520057391247639 </div></figure>     It's always a priority at PRZMN to find some small school representation, especially from Class 9Man, and Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons has a fun junior athlete at the QB position in [player_tooltip player_id='1662074' first='Jacob' last='Dulitz'], a 6'3, 200 lber. Dulitz has tallied 39 completions on 68 attempts for 758 yards and 10 TDs, but he has thrown 8 INTs, but has balanced it out with 22 tackles defensively and 31 rushes for 220 yards and 2 TDs + six 2pt conversions.   The size, dynamic ability, and production both catch and hold PRZMN's attention, and the tape displays a versatile QB who loves moving, scrambling, throwing from odd angles, and improvising when things break down. The 200 lber. possesses a big arm that is willing to stretch the field, and he throws with noticeable touch and is accurate when on the move, and is especially accurate when throwing to the third level of the gridiron. He's also a powerhouse of a ball carrier who can run you over as easily as he can run by you, as well as a tough kid who took a GIANT lick against Wabasha-Kellogg thanks to stepping into and finishing a throw with precision. Only two games of tape available publicly right now, but I like what I'm seeing from the rising 2027 ATH.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23012232/68b299bddb7bcab9217c2fef">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23012232/68b299bddb7bcab9217c2fef</a>     Minneapolis North is STACKED with talent this season, especially in the 2026 class, but the Polars have a darkhorse of a junior prospect who is going to make a college recruiting coordinator or position coach very happy someday soon. No aerial attack is as explosive or effective as possible without a legitimate running game, and the Polars potent passing game is built on a foundation of physicality and quickness that is set at the point of attack by 6', 200 lber. [player_tooltip player_id='1655336' first='Tyshone' last='Jenkins'], as well as his offensive line. PRZMN got their first look at Jenkins at this past spring's PrepRedzoneMN Showcase, where he impressed with his physical build, testing performance to showcase his athleticism, and competitiveness and effectiveness in space during during 1v1s. Jenkins primarily played linebacker with the Polars in 2024 as a sophomore, but he's transitioned to North's full-time RB1 during the 2025 season and is doing so with ruthless effectiveness, toughness, and production with the ball in-hand.   Jenkins, who has helped run the Polars off to their 4-0 start in 2025, has posted 72 carries for 597 yards and 9 TDs in four starts with an eye-catching 8.3 YPC average and a nearly 150-yard-per-game average to boot. Powerful, North-South, slasher of a tailback, Jenkins is a patient ballcarrier who is nimble, light on his feet and keeps them active, and has the lower body strength to cleanly bounce weaker tacklers off his lower body without breaking stride. He is sudden and powerful in the open field and a tough 1v1 assignment for that free defender, as the 200 pounder does a good job of setting up would-be tacklers and not indicating where he is quickly and cleanly cutting to. He's a strong kid who can carry smaller DBs backpack style for extra yardage, or drag dogpile attempts for extra gains post-contact, and the contact balance, nose for the endzone, and visible fight to stay upright and churn out as much yardage as possible per run all have me excited about his potential success at the next level. That first offer is coming soon!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TyshoneJ09/status/1968160065313255825 </div></figure>     Representing Section 8A, Park Christian High School up in Moorhead has been one of the 2025 season's biggest surprises and best offenses, averaging 260 passing yards per game and 138 rushing yards per game to fire themselves out to a 3-1 start in 2025. This is the Falcons first year up to Class A after competing in 9Man the past seasons, and with the help of some explosive juniors, Park Christian looks more than ready for continued 11-man success. Up first is standout RB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1858670' first='Logan' last='Giese'], who has posted 60 carries for 478 yards and 9 TDs along with 17 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 FFs, and 4 INTs through four games of 2025 action, and I don't see the production slowing down anytime soon.   An exciting blend of speed, quickness, and power, Giese displays pull away, top-end speed to finish big runs for six and game-breaking pace that can capitalize on smaller creases and holes in an opposing defense. He possesses dirty quickness in the open field that puts would-be tacklers on skates, great ball skills, shifty, powerful COD ability that can generate some serious juice when he sticks and plants, and good contact balance for his size. I love Giese's nose for the big play, and he is always looking to score with the ball in-hand. Splash plays and momentum-building highlights just seem to surround this dude. Buy stock now!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LoganBGiese/status/1967794247291273578 </div></figure>     The second part of Park Christian's explosive two-headed 2027 monster this season, QB Jayden Hanson's qualifications for 2025 season Breakout Star is almost too long to mention. With the Falcons off to a 3-1 start in their first season up from Class 9Man, Hanson has been deadly with his arm through 4 games, as he's second in the state of Minnesota in passing yards and one of only three QBs to already cross the 1,000-yard mark in 2025. His fantastic start to the season includes a 73% completion percentage (73-109) for 1,032 yards and 7 TDs to 5 INTs, and his 258 YPG passing average is good for third in the state as well.   The tape displays a signal-caller who gets rid of the ball quickly and processes and makes quick decisions on the gridiron, and he can throw with accuracy to all three levels of the field consistently. Hanson can lead his WRs open and fit the baller into tight windows in prep defensive coverage and also displays quick, jittery, elusive footwork as a ball carrier. The production and tape combination have me excited for what this dude's career stat sheet is going to look like when it's all said and done. Get to know the name now!    --

As we hurdle full throttle into Week 2 of the 2025 Minnesota prep football season, PrepRedzoneMN is beginning to smell some Breakout Names and Contenders that are beginning to make their mark on the MN high school football scene. Partly due to strong performances on the Summer Camp Circuit, as well as notable and eye-catching midseason performances, these 2027s are having tremendous junior years on the gridiron, so much so that the term "Breakout Star" comes to mind. Now, in order to qualify, your success in 2024 pales in comparison, so 2027 superstars like Zack Shatek Zack Shatek 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB/DB/DB Hastings | 2027 State MN , Martin Sleen Martin Sleen 5'11" | 160 lbs | RB Hermantown | 2027 State MN , and Mack Jurkovich Mack Jurkovich 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Forest Lake | 2027 State MN are disqualified despite their outstanding 2025 campaigns. These boys are newer to the varsity gridirons around the state, and they are creating some serious momentum, production, and hype at the midseason point of this fall. Get to know some 2027 Breakout Stars below! Only on PrepRedzoneMN.