Emergent Series: Top Freshman Standouts from Class 5A MN

Moving up to Class 5A MN, we take a look at an intriguing group of players from the Class of 2029 that have already made an imprint playing among one of the toughest conferences in the state, having generated enough attention to see a major uptick in reps within the varsity lineup as they enter their sophomore seasons. We take a look at 7 players from Class 5A MN from the class of 2029 to watch out for in 2026!    Having the opportunity to work with [player_tooltip player_id='1715725' first='Connor' last='Moen'] during his freshman season, I can say the buzz over his impressive athleticism and versatility heading into his freshman year is justified as Moen already cements his status as the top WR prospect in MN for the class of 2029. Moen saw many reps on the Scarlets' special teams' unit while also seeing some playing time at DE, using his length and strong hands to gain leverage over his blockers and force pressure on the QB. While he didn't get many reps on varsity as a WR, his strength and catch radius that was described by our scouts of him was clearly present during the numerous practices I watched him in. Moen will be an exciting athlete to watch develop for the Scarlets going forward, and there is a good chance that he will emerge as a starter on the varsity defense entering his sophomore season.     Brainerd's run game was centered around [player_tooltip player_id='1652933' first='Jayden' last='Barnum'] last season, though with his departure following his senior season, the next player in line who may have the best change of replacing the 1100+ yard rusher is freshman standout [player_tooltip player_id='1691372' first='Asa' last='Hemsworth']. Despite his smaller size, Hemsworth flashed as an explosive runner with great lateral speed and a surprising level of power, particularly in his stiff arm. Hemsworth runs well through contact and takes full advantage of any open seam to burst through for maximum yardage while also being able to change direction effortlessly. Hemsworth could become quite the X-factor for Brainerd's offense going forward who should see a lot more carries going his way next season.     With starting QB [player_tooltip player_id='923833' first='Levi' last='Harris'] graduating this offseason, the varsity QB job for Elk River will be open in 2026, and a prime candidate who could fill that vacancy could be Lachlan Marsh. Whilst playing for a run-heavy offense, Marsh flashed solid arm strength and velocity on his longer throws while also showing the mobility and ball-carrier vision to fit the role playing for the Elks' Power-T Offense. Marsh also flashed at Strong Safety, with several clips showcasing his open-field tackling ability, taking smart angles and showing a solid amount of power in his hits. Marsh could build some strength to better match his frame at both positions, and with that, there is a real chance that Marsh emerges in 2026 as a two-way starter for the Elks.     Staying in Elk River, [player_tooltip player_id='1454217' first='KJ' last='Staples'] marks as another freshman stud for the Elks emerging as a force on the defensive-line. A stout defender who often lined up at Nose Guard, Staples flashed his prowess as a run stuffer, gaining leverage into the interior gaps and plugging up the inside run. Staples shows an explosive first step forward off the snap, flashing great hand placement and flexibility maneuvering to the blocker's outside shoulder to get in the path of the RB. Much like with Marsh, Staples could benefit with some bulk to add to his frame and increase his role as a tough asset on the trenches for the Elks heading into 2026.     [player_tooltip player_id='1657637' first='Will' last='Charcut'] saw a considerable amount of playing time during his freshman year at CB for the Millers' secondary. Charcut recorded 25 tackles and 2 INTs playing for the varsity defense. Charcut proved more than capable of holding his own lined up 1-on-1, showcasing great timing and instincts in man coverage while showcasing exceptional ball skills to jump up and break up passes as well as coming down with interceptions. Charcut also aids well in the run game, using his length to outreach his blockers and get to the ball-carrier while also showing clean tackling form. Charcut should continue to develop brightly as a strong shutdown CB that should drape his opponents' No. 1 WRs well.     St. Thomas Academy boasts a strong roster of underclassmen that should continue to help the Cadets dominate across the 5A conference going forward, with one of the most promising rising stars being Connor Flanagan. Flanagan flashed in his limited reps at LB, showcasing impressive tackling form and a hard-hitting style that could make him a feared presence in the middle of the Cadets' defense. Showing excellent sideline-to-sideline range, Flanagan's most notable trait is his timing with his hits, particularly on passing plays, being able to close down on the receiver and slam into the receiver to knock the ball loose at the point of the catch. Flanagan has the traits to become a core standout for the Cadets as they look to make a push for the 5A title once again next season.     Mason Ziebell saw some valuable reps toward the end of his freshman season playing at Left Guard for the Rockets. Already boasting solid size and a frame that can be built upon, Ziebell proved difficult to push around, holding his own in securing his gaps, showing decent pad level and hand placement on his jabs, and having the strength to turn defenders to the ground or to the side away from their intended gaps. Ziebell should become a regulars starter for the Rockets' O-line entering his sophomore season and could become a vital piece as the team looks to rebuild their offense in 2026.

Moving up to Class 5A MN, we take a look at an intriguing group of players from the Class of 2029 that have already made an imprint playing among one of the toughest conferences in the state, having generated enough attention to see a major uptick in reps within the varsity lineup as they enter their sophomore seasons. We take a look at 7 players from Class 5A MN from the class of 2029 to watch out for in 2026!