Emergent Series: Top Freshman Standouts from Class 2A MN

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving up to Class 2A MN, we take a look at our next batch of stellar freshman athletes that have immediately made an impact on the field for their varsity lineups and have showcased a strong level of potential through the valuable early experience they got on the field. Here are 5 players from Class 2A MN part of the class of 2029 to watch out for as they enter their sophomore seasons!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1715740"],"_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-6972ce51572c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1715740' first='Johnathan' last='Nelson'] may be very well on pace for a huge jump entering his sophomore season. In 8 appearances, Nelson ran for 123 yards on 21 carries (5.9 YPC) and a rushing TD. This total ranked 6th most on the team, but all 5 of the leading rushers ranked ahead of him from last season are graduating, meaning Nelson may very well find himself propelled to the No. 1 RB position on the depth chart entering his sophomore season. With solid speed, agility and size that can be built upon over the next few seasons, Nelson has the makings of a future stud in the backfield for Holdingford. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2065977"],"_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-6972ce5157368"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2065977' first='Brody' last='Anderson'] made an immediate impact on both sides of the ball for the Huskies, playing a key role in bringing them their second straight AA championship. With reps at WR, return specialist, and at both CB and Safety, Anderson was a pure all-purpose threat that added dimension to how dangerous the Huskies were as a unit. Anderson showed great ball-carrier vision and was slippery to tackle in open space. Anderson excelled as a man-coverage CB and was an excellent tackler while also being able to slip by blocks on designed screens to force the stop in the backfield. Anderson is going to be a dangerous presence in the 2A conference who will look to maintain the Huskies' standing as the top dogs of the conference. </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":"Kolton Kley ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"160","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Norwood Young America","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6972ce515746b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Norwood Young America juggled with 3 different starting QBs during the 2025 season with freshman Kolton Kley getting a good portion of reps among the mix. Kley had early struggles, finishing with 169 total passing yards, 2 TDs, and 3 INTs, though with the other two QBs graduating this offseason, Kley is in position to take over as the Raiders' starting QB in 2026. Kley flashed potential under Center, showing a nice arm, solid mobility, and being able to make some tricky passes on the run throwing across his body. As Kley grows more comfortable in the lineup, he could become a sneaky breakout candidate entering 2026 within the 2A conference. </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":"Eero Nelson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"215","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6972ce5157546"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite a 1-8 campaign in 2025, the Fighting Saints hold a potentially dangerous prospect that needs to be under their radar in Eero Nelson. Taking reps at DE, TE, and Long Snapper, Nelson immediately stood out among his teammates with his impressive size and length. Nelson shined as a special teams standout, earning consistent praise in kick coverage and in long snapping throughout the 2025 season. In limited defensive reps, Nelson showed quick burst off the snap and using his length and agility to get around blockers to create pressure on the QB. Nelson has the makings of a clear diamond in the rough among this Fighting Saints' group going forward. </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":"Luther Johannes","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_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":"220","_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":"Medford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6972ce5157618"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Medford has struggled mightily over the last few seasons, having gone winless in each of the last 3 years, though they were able to find a clear bright spot in the darkness with Luther Johannes, who was a standout on the trenches. Quickly showcasing his versatility taking reps at Center, Left Tackle, and Right Tackle, Johannes showed potential for growth as a solid run-blocker who can get to the second level of the defense to open up blocks down the field. Johannes should build some more mass this offseason to increase his strength, but Johannes looks to be a mainstay on the Tigers' offensive-line going forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->