AA Southern MN Athletes to Watch

Southern Minnesota has been producing high-level athletes at an increasing rate over the last half-decade, and AA football has been the starting point for a number of elite prospects. This crop of athletes from the classes of '27, '28, and '29 is no different. I'm pumped to bring you 7 AA Southern MN Athletes to Watch!    Johnson is a dynamic two-way starter who could easily play either RB or LB at the next level. He's a 2x state champ with Jackson County Central, and was named First-Team All District last season. He also holds All-Conference honors in track and baseball. On his plethora of tape, Johnson proves to be a dynamic runner who can catch passes out of the backfield and is a problem in open space. He showcases fantastic contact balance, often bouncing off defenders like a pinball for extra yardage. His receiving threat can't be understated, and that ability to hurt defenses out wide on quick releases really expands his running game too. He's got legit upside as a returner as well. Johnson has a handful of plays on his tape where he houses both punts and kickoffs. He does some of his best running outside of the tackles, and time after time it'll require more than one defender to bring him down. He runs hard and has the ability to make lethal cuts at the LOS to hit the open hole. I'm excited to see what he can do during his senior campaign.     Brennan is an out-state athlete with an insane frame that makes him very appealing as an FCS/FBS prospect. He put forth some great tape from his sophomore year as an MLB on a state championship team. On his tape, Brennan does an excellent job of playing both physically and downhill. He moves well for his size and finds open running lanes, then explodes through them and tackles the ball carrier for a loss. This kid is a TFL machine who is uber-effective when sent on a blitz. His pursuit of a ball carrier downfield also caught my eye. Despite running nearly halfway across the field, on a couple of plays, Brennan was able to hawk down the ball carrier and make a TD-saving tackle at the last minute. There is a lot to like about Brennan, and it wouldn't shock me if he's a serious rankings riser when the 2028 rankings drop this summer.     Anderson was one of the most impactful freshmen last season as a two-way starter for the AA state champs JCC, which culminated in an All-District Honorable Mention at the end of the season. He's got legit upside at both positions, as well as on special teams as a returner. He's produced some fantastic tape as a corner. Anderson can provide top-notch man coverage and does an excellent job of blowing up screens and breaking up short passes underneath. He does a great job of contesting deep balls as well, and fights hard at the catch point to bring down the rock or at least break up the pass. As a wideout, his route running has evolved far beyond his age. He's also crafty in space and does a great job of maximizing his YAC. Not many 2029s did what Anderson did last season, and I'm pumped to see what he does in 2026.     A running back who has impressed our scouts at a couple of combines over the past couple of years, Tweit was a driving force for that Minnesota Valley Lutheran offense last season as a sophomore. He's got a fair amount of sophomore tape, and I liked what he had to offer. The kid runs hard and fights tooth and nail for every extra yard possible. He's noticeably both quicker and faster than a vast majority of people on the field, and shows off real potential as a kick returner. I love how he doesn't hesitate to get north and south, and this applies every time he touches the ball. He pumps his legs hard upon contact and can easily break 1-2 tackles, especially if they don't meet Tweit head-on. I'm excited to see how he evolves going into his junior season.     Reipke is an under-the-radar prospect whose size makes him stand out among his fellow AA prospects. On his tape, Reipke is a physical defensive end who can create havoc in the backfield at ease. I don't know how he's gone unnoticed, but Reipke possesses a lightning-fast first step and can make an offensive tackle look lost in an instant. He's got plays on film where he swims a tackle and runs through an LB within two seconds to sack the QB. His agility for his size is nuts, and he's had success lined up everywhere on the defensive line. He gets his hands up on passes to bat them down, and can be found in the backfield breaking a play more often than not. He is often the biggest and seemingly fastest athlete on the defense, and demands a double team at all times. I think Reipke is a diamond in the rough and has scholarship potential.     A powerful Minnesota Valley Lutheran prospect who bullies offensive linemen on his tape, Stewart should be a major disruptor for offenses in 2026. He's a defensive end with a solid get-off, and he makes it very difficult for offensive linemen to lock onto him. I like how his feet never stop moving, and his lateral movement can be very rapid at times. I would argue that the best aspect of his game is how hard he fights to prevent a blocker from sealing the edge. Stewart does a standout job of working down the line and forcing RBs to stay east/west instead of getting upfield. I expect Stewart to be a welcome returning presence on that MVL defense next season.     Christenson doesn't have a ton of junior tape out, but his role on the Giants' offense should evolve going into his senior campaign. He's got an impressive kick return, which he took to the Giant's 30, and made multiple defenders miss in the process. His film at receiver highlights his ability to make possession catches on key 3rd downs in order to move the chains. I'd love to see more from the LeSueur product going forward, both from his junior and senior seasons.

Southern Minnesota has been producing high-level athletes at an increasing rate over the last half-decade, and AA football has been the starting point for a number of elite prospects. This crop of athletes from the classes of '27, '28, and '29 is no different. I'm pumped to bring you 7 AA Southern MN Athletes to Watch!