PrepRedzoneMN's Way-Too-Early Mr. Football Finalists

As the undisputed and foremost expert on Minnesota prep football, I'm always willing to put my Minnesota ball knowledge to the test, and a good to way to do that is through predictions. Now that we're going into Week 3 of the 2025 Minnesota regular season, I wanted to capitalize on the brief and always-shrinking window to talk about seniors and name our Way-Too-Early Mr. Football Selections. Yes, this is somewhat of our own team, but we're always hoping to use this to predict the actual Mr. Football nominees and selections in a couple of months, so use this article as a barometer to look back on come Awards SZN. Remember, a Mr. Football nomination generally emphasizes team success, a representation of all classes of MN football, multi-phase utility, outrageous individual stat lines and production, are the de facto team leader and heart and soul of their roster, and on-field dominance from the senior class. It's much harder to name the front-seven finalists until the season concludes, but we're taking our shot either way. Meet the team below!   --   Way-Too-Early Mr. Football Finalists    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Joseph_Mapson/status/1961531567039271185 </div></figure>   Highlights:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>24-47 for 277 yards and 2 TDs to 1 INT passing, 42 rushes for 323 yards (7.7 YPC) and 7 TDs + one 2pt conversion. Also seven punts for 215 yards </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>In Andover's first year in Class 6A, Mapson has been an integral part, heart & soul, and go-to playmaker of the Huskies hot start, including a 44-20 thumping of Wayzata and tight 28-24 loss to Champlin Park </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>4.63 laser 40 this past offseason </li> </ul>     <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/carson_heimer8/status/1965829696589099236 </div></figure>   Highlights:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Byron is 2-0, taking down two Top-10 Class 4A competitors in non-section play, ranked #1 in Class 4A, and have all the pieces to make a deep playoff run, namely superstar [player_tooltip player_id='1104940' first='Carson' last='Heimer'] </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>28 carries for 244 yards and 3 TDs, 3 catches for 22 yards and a TD, 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF vs. Orono</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Three-phase contributor as a RB, SAF, and returner with splash play ability every snap</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>10.84 100M and verified 4.4-4.5 speed; committed to MSU-Mankato over D1 offers from South Dakota, St. Thomas</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>15 carries for 75 yards and 1 TD rushing, 9 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TFL, 1 PBU vs. Holy Angels Week 1 </li> </ul>     <a href="http://Edina Highlights">http://www.hudl.com/v/2SXm3a</a>   Highlights:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Top uncommitted player in the state, Top 6 football prospect and Top 5 hooper in the 2026 class, one of the top multi-sport athletes in the entire United States</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>If you don't think Moore should be on this list, check out his first highlights versus Edina High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Elite athleticism, especially quick-twitch elusiveness and top-end speed, make him the #1 mismatch in the Land of 10,000 Lakes on the perimeter</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>14 catches for 250 yards (17.9 YPC) and 4 TDs against 6A Metro DBs and competition</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Instrumental in Hopkins' resurgence as a football program, namely snapping their 29-game losing streak and string together three-straight 6A victories in 2024, with 2025 still left with six games remaining in the regular season</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Double-digit high-major offers in hoops and multiple B1G offers in football, namely Minnesota, Iowa, and Kansas State </li> </ul>     <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MNHSFBNETWORK/status/1961544578361881022 </div></figure>   Highlights:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Undefeated and defending state 3A champion Stewartville is one of the best stories of the developing 2025 season, as their move up to Class 4A has begun with raucous success. 2-0 start with a thumping of Benilde-St. Margaret's a gritty, one-score win over perennial contender Totino-Grace in Week 2 have to have Tigers fans excited</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Catalyst of this success is RB and returning stat monster [player_tooltip player_id='1602765' first='Malik' last='Abdi'], who is rightfully easing into his new role as Stewie's RB1 to the tune of 62 carries for 409 yards and (6.6 YPC) and 3 TDs through two weeks</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>After rushing 123 times for 879 yards and 15 TDs as a junior as Stewartville's RB2 en-route to an undefeated Class AAA state title, Abdi is stepping into the RB1 and go-to offensive weapon and playmaker for the Tigers 2025 campaign in Class 4A </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Good hooper ranked in the state by PrepHoops, verified speedster with the Tigers strength and conditioning program </li> </ul>     Highlights:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Minnesota's undisputed RB1, Iowa State-bound tailback [player_tooltip player_id='591990' first='Caleb' last='Francois'] is the lynchpin of an imposing 2025 Minnetonka offense that is built to once again contend for the Minnesota Class 6A state championship in early November. </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Arguably the state's most valuable individual player in 2024, Francois has transitioned to RB, where he will spend his college positional days, and is already tearing up 6A defenses to the tune of 41 carries for 332 yards (8.1 YPC) and 7 TDs as the personified steamroller that is the Skippers 2025 offense. Also has added 6 receptions for 98 yards and a kick return for 47 yards as a multi-faceted offensive weapon </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>46-86 for 828 yards and 7 TDs to 7 INTs + 260 carries for 1,624 yards and 24 TDs in 2024 as a junior</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Earned his Iowa State offer in front of now-Detroit Lions TE and West Fargo, ND native and NDSU great Tyler Roehl in January of 2025, committed a few days later </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Minnetonka is currently ranked #1 or #2 in the state of Minnesota, depending on who you ask </li> </ul>     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6346711/68b747a5170858ab3c511c16">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6346711/68b747a5170858ab3c511c16</a>   Highlights:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>The surest bet to make the 2025 Minnesota Mr. Football Finalists, Jackson County Central is the physical embodiment of a Land of 10,000 Lakes' Outstate STUD athlete, with a do-it-all on-field skillset with the size of an offensive or defensive linemen, a decorated multi-sport background, five years of varsity starting experience, and a future B1G home in the Minnesota Golden Gophers </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Stats aren't available yet, but JCC is off to a 2-0 start with a 114-46 point differential with huge wins over Maple River and Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Jackson County Central was the 13-0 undefeated Class AA state champions in 2024, Voss was unfortunately hurt in the Class AA state quarterfinal against Norwood Young America in early November, but still managed to ran for 1,177 yards and 17 TDs and had three different games where he passed, rushed, and caught a TD. </li> </ul>     <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jamin_metzger/status/1954011108660203710 </div></figure>   Highlights:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Returning 9Man All-State selection and current Sioux Falls QB commit [player_tooltip player_id='1371692' first='Jamin' last='Metzger'] is one of two Hills-Beaver Creek seniors who could potentially earn 2025 Minnesota Mr. Football Finalist honors</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Led the Patriots to a 12-1 record and 2024 Class 9Man state runner-up finish last season as a junior </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Excellent Summer Camp SZN showing, particularly in the testing department </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Completed 126 passes for 2,018 yards and 22 TDs while adding 455 yards and 12 TDs on the ground. </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Hills-Beaver Creek is currently 24-2 with Metzger at the helm in his now-three years as the varsity QB1 </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Hills-Beaver Creek is the #1 ranked team in Class 9Man and is 2-0 with a 49-6 win over Adrian and a 55-14 thwacking of Renville County West </li> </ul>     <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Crimsonfootball/status/1964147778851872931 </div></figure>   Highlights:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Always need some QB representation, and Harney - a South Dakota State commit - is the best in Minnesota this fall </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Three-year starter who is 22-3 at the helm of the Maple Grove offense and was an undefeated state champion starter last fall as a junior </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>78-133 (59%) for 1,578 yards and 16 TDs to 7 INTs in 2024 as a state champion </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Iced his Maple Grove squad's win in Week 2 of the 2025 MN regular season over Eden Prairie with a 50-yard TD scamper that highlighted his 4.6 speed and developing duel-threat skillset </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Maple Grove is 2-0 in 2025 and ranked either #1 or #2 in the state, depending on who you ask </li> </ul>     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17774162/68b5d918c56be323777f82b5">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17774162/68b5d918c56be323777f82b5</a>   Highlights:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>You have to go with a dark horse, and so far through 2025, Pine Island - as well as their senior RB Nick Thein - are roaring past the competition </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>A returning All-District and All-Section RB from 2024 who is coming off a 192 carry for 1,305 yards and 14 TDs + 1 receiving TD + 14 kick returns for 461 yards and 2 TDs junior season with Pine Island, who went 8-3 last season </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Section 1AAA Pine Island is 2-0 with an 85-0 point differential and have a very good chance of entering their last two regular season games against Lake City and Chatfield undefeated </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Through two games, has rushed 28 carries for 408 yards and 7 TDs + 1 tackle defensively </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Pine Island are a legit Class AAA state title contender, one of the more up-in-the-air classifications of competition in Minnesota in 2025 </li> </ul>     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17533559/68b3dcf7020d971d5477b172">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17533559/68b3dcf7020d971d5477b172</a>   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17533559/68c02200c61ac1fbda403b43">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17533559/68c02200c61ac1fbda403b43</a>   Highlights:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Generally, an OL or defensive prospect sneaks in for a Mr. Football Finalist nod, and if Forest Lake's [player_tooltip player_id='592117' first='Howie' last='Johnson'] puts up his typical type of production, and Forest Lake makes a good run at the state title like they should, I think the DE earns the nod </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Best defensive player in the state, best shot putter in the senior class, ELITE athletic testing numbers for his size, committed to PJ Fleck and the Minnesota Golden Gophers </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Captain, heart & soul, undisputed leader of Forest Lake, who are 2-0 and a Top 5 contender for the 2025 Class 6A crown </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>11 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 TFLs through two games of 2025, 87 tackles, 32 TFLs, 4 sacks, 1 FF in 2024 as a junior </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>I think a lot will depend on how deep Forest Lake makes it in the state playoffs </li> </ul>    Next Up   [player_tooltip player_id='1506853' first='Micah' last='Bush'] (Hills-Beaver Creek) ATH. 6', 190 lbs.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>multi-phase utility, never takes a play off </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>9Man, small schooler, team has a chance to win a state title, heart & soul of offense and arguably program</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>South Dakota State commit </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>caught TD, ran TD, punt return TD in a Week 2 win vs Renville County West</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='402073' first='James' last='Engle'] (Maple Grove) RB. 5'8, 180 lbs.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>53 carries for 326 yards and 3 TDs through two games, Maple Grove is 2-0, #1 or #2 in Class 6A, and the defending state champ </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Mankato State commit who was a 2025 Summer Camp SZN winner and is stepping into his first full-time role with the Crimson's offense </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Stepped up in the very late move to Philadelphia by fellow 2026 RB Patrick Wright </li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='592125' first='Mason' last='West'] (Edina) QB. 6'5, 210 lbs.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Integral part of the Hornets 2025 roster, will be a key part of Edina's potential 2025 playoff success</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Edina is 2-0, West is 28-35 (80%) for 444 yards and 5 TDs + 6 rushes for 33 yards and 2 TDs on the ground </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Always need to respect QB play, especially QB wins and production at the Big School 6A level</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>First Round NHL Draft selection by the Chicago Blackhawks </li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='1666356' first='Isaac' last='Fredin'] (Springfield) WR/DB. 5'9, 180 lbs.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Springfield, the defending Class A runner-up, has arguably the most dynamic passing attack in small school football with 2027 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1633417' first='Parker' last='Kuehn']</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>New go-to playmaker and WR on the #1 ranked Class A Springfield Tigers 2025 roster</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>13 catches for 217 yards and 6 TDs + 4 tackles in Springfield's 2-0 start to the season</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='1256241' first='Hayden' last='Swenson'] (International Falls) QB/ATH. 5'11, 185 lbs.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>A lot of the success will be dependent on International Falls postseason success, as well as the ability to keep producing at this consistency</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Energizer Bunny of a duel-threat QB option with a ton of juice in his arm and his legs </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>38-51 (75%) for 611 passing yards and 9 TDs to 1 INT</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>International Falls is off to hot start in 2025 despite the 1-1 record and are putting up eye-boggling numbers on the stat sheet, led by Swenson </li> </ul>   Thomas McEachern (Zimmerman) QB/ATH. 6'3, 185 lbs.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>captain, multi-faceted skillset and an all-around good football player </li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='1255909' first='Nathan' last='Ramler'] (Chanhassen) QB. 6'5, 220 lbs.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>45-64 (70%) for 580 yards and 7 TDs to 0 INTs, Chanhassen is 2-0 through two weeks of the regular season and a top contender for the 5A crown in 2025 </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>One of the best QBs in the MN 2026 class</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Chanhassen's once again sniffing around a deep 5A playoff run </li> </ul>   Sleepers   [player_tooltip player_id='1612765' first='Logan' last='Lachermeier'] (MPLS North) QB. 5'10, 160 lbs.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Nomination will be dependent on North's postseason sucess </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Generally puts up crazy individual stat lines, albeit he can be a bit risky with the football</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='1255138' first='Chris' last='Rehak'] (Farmington) RB/LB. 5'10, 205 lbs.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Two-way dynamo who is a game-changer and stat-stuffer on both sides of the ball </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Farmington is off to a hot start in the 6A ranks, 2-0 with a Week 2 win over Lakeville North 7-3 and a legit chance to go 6-2 in the regular season, maybe even better </li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='1881812' first='Jack' last='Carlson'] (Goodhue) RB/LB. 6', 220 lbs.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Size, athleticism, two-way versatility really have the chance to make an impact on a prep football team's outlook </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>31 carries for 163 yards and 3 TDs + 5 tackles defensively </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Lynchpin of Class AA darkhorse Goodhue, who got a big Week 1 upset over Triton High School</li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='591732' first='Andrew' last='Trout'] (Rocori) OT. 6'7, 300 lbs. Committed to Minnesota   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Missed nearly all of 2024 with a leg injury, Week 1 against Totino-Grace was his first game back in months </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Rocori is primed for another successful Class 4A run anchored by their stud LT </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Arguably the best player in the state, undisputed best linemen in Minnesota </li> </ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='1255129' first='Q' last='Barnslater'] (Apple Valley) QB/ATH. 6', 175 lbs.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Going to need to help his team find success in the 5A postseason or record-wise in the regular season, or stuff the stat sheet outrageously </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>NDSU WR commit and the #2 ranked WR in Minnesota's 2026 class </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Moved to QB for his senior season and looks excitingly fluid, twitchy, and dynamic with the ball in his hand every play </li> </ul>

As the undisputed and foremost expert on Minnesota prep football, I'm always willing to put my Minnesota ball knowledge to the test, and a good to way to do that is through predictions. Now that we're going into Week 3 of the 2025 Minnesota regular season, I wanted to capitalize on the brief and always-shrinking window to talk about seniors and name our Way-Too-Early Mr. Football Selections. Yes, this is somewhat of our own team, but we're always hoping to use this to predict the actual Mr. Football nominees and selections in a couple of months, so use this article as a barometer to look back on come Awards SZN. Remember, a Mr. Football nomination generally emphasizes team success, a representation of all classes of MN football, multi-phase utility, outrageous individual stat lines and production, are the de facto team leader and heart and soul of their roster, and on-field dominance from the senior class. It's much harder to name the front-seven finalists until the season concludes, but we're taking our shot either way. Meet the team below!