PRZMN 2027 Ranking's Update: Welcome to the Rankings

Welcome to the Rankings, fellas! We're finishing up the Top Newcomers and New Additions of the 2027 updated Big Board, and the 2028 update is already underway, but there's still time to celebrate the rising seniors who are set to blow the roof off the Summer Camp SZN. 10 new faces and evaluations for PRZMN's subscribers only! Dig in.   --    One of a tremendous crop of returning Lumberjacks going into next season, and especially in their 2027 class, rising senior EDGE Logan Caron popped in 2025 to the tune of 56 tackles, 10 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 2 FF. His efforts along the defensive side of the ball for 5A Bemidji have already been rewarded by college coaches, as the University of Jamestown offered Caron on a campus visit this past weekend. Quite a start for the Caron, as the upstart and newest member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference knows how to evaluate, and they must have liked a lot of the same things PRZMN when checking out his junior tape.   Caron put his hand in the dirt for the first time in 2025, but also took snaps as an off-ball LB in the middle of Bemidji's 5A defense and as a standup EDGE outside the tackle or TE. He displays a great get-off, closes on QBs quickly and before they're able to react, and he does a good job of punching OL but not getting tied up or allowing them to get their hands on for any extended period of time. His nonstop motor and made plays all over the field, and Caron shows noticeable play speed for his size to boot. Plus, he's an aggressive, fast, physical blocker who lines up and plays both ways as a FB/HB for the 'Jacks and effectively can set the tone from a blocking stand point. Talk about a potential stock riser!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LoganCaron55/status/2031127336779686245 </div></figure>     Zimmerman was sneakily one of the bigger 4A teams in Minnesota last year, pound-for-pound as well as visually hanging in there with MN 6A competitors at the 2025 Bemidji State War on the Shore Big School Team Camp. This was particularly true in their front-seven, which included 2027 LB [player_tooltip player_id='2128340' first='Jarek' last='Loija'], who opens his tape with an explosive, violent strip sack of a Providence Academy QB to highlight some blitzing and big-play ability as an ILB. Loija does a great job of smoothly working up and under climbing OG in the box and not allowing himself to get tied up so he can make physical tacklers on ball carriers all around the field. He demonstrates noticeable & effective closing speed and overall looks like he is able to pursue sideline-to-sideline is run defense. Loija does a good job of shocking and shedding with his hands in block defeat in run defense, flows to the ball with effective angles, and is aggressive at the contact point. Good production in 2025 as well, which included 9 TFLs and 2 sacks from his LB spot.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JarekLoija/status/1987650169773679041 </div></figure>     Lot of Centennial Cougars representation on this new PRZMN feature, starting with a fun triple-option RG in [player_tooltip player_id='1882763' first='Brayden' last='Brittan']. The 6', 210 lber. is a bit of an in-betweener, and I could see him possibly playing DL or even LB at the next level, especially after Brittan's showing at last month's Futures Exposure Camp at the impressive UW-Eau Claire facility over the eastern borderline. Brittan - who was covered and evaluated in person by both UWEC's football staff as well as PRZWI's Mark Johnson, and both did he come to play! The 210 lber. popped off a 4.78 40, 38.2" & 37.8" vertical + 9'6 broad jump at the UW-Eau Claire Futures Exposure Camp, frankly eye-popping numbers, and the tape is a doozy as well. Brittan seeks out contact and loves throwing his weight around, and he's a hard-hitting RG who flies out of his stance and off the ball like he was shot out of a cannon. He sent his fair share of 6A defenders flat onto their butts in 2025, and the RG is a quick, effective, and concise puller with some pound-for-pound thump at the contact point. Plus, in some multi-phase utility, Brittan is also a snappy LS with accuracy and a ton of coverage ability as a tackler after he gets the snap off. Get him on your board ASAP! And talk about another potential stocker riser in the 200s!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CougStrength/status/1897081398080758196 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/braydenbrittan_/status/2029012958274060517 </div></figure>     Another Centennial Cougars' 2027 who college coaches have to get on their big boards, in large part thanks to his outstanding efforts in the weight room the last couple of offseasons, LB/RB [player_tooltip player_id='1693700' first='Chase' last='Wicklund'] was one of the best JV players in the state of Minnesota last year. Wicklund is on breakout watch in the eyes of PRZMN and I'm sure in the Centennial defensive room, as his 2027 tape shows a linebacker who squares up and sticks RBs on first contact and doesn't allow extra yardage after he gets the pads on. He's a smooth, effective blitzer off the edge of the LOS, a strong 1v1 tackler, and overall spent a lot of time in opponents' backfields in 2025. He flies into the backfield with noticeable pace and also shows the ability to impact offenses from a pass coverage standout, floating into passing lanes around the flats and quickly reading and reacting to screens. Wicklund's also doubles as a fluid ball carrier who can see and take advantage of space with the ball in his hands, and has been putting in some serious work in the weight room, as his recent 275-pound clean emphasizes. PRZMN is looking forward to getting some eyes on this kid this upcoming Summer Camp SZN.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/wicklund_chase/status/2026800976506626469 </div></figure>     You gotta love the big, mismatchy bodies and body types that Alexandria Area has been pumping out in droves as of late. In the trenches, amongst their skill positions, and even - and especially - at the QB position, the Cards have been a serious talent factory as of late. Continuing this long (both physically and categorically), intriguing trend into the 2027 class is WR/TE hybrid [player_tooltip player_id='1693108' first='Grady' last='Starzl'], who also doubles as an accomplished hooper well covered by Ryan James and PrepHoops on the AAU and high school basketball circuit. Starzl tallied 18 catches for 189 yards and 1 TD in 2025, and although he doesn't have a ton of tape, what he does have uploaded certainly pops.   Starzl, vs. SRR, looks like a long, fluid pass catching option around the middle of the field who can improvise and get open when his QB extends plays. He catches the ball away from his body while on the move, gets vertical, and then absolutely crumples an incoming DB with frightening dominance and frankly, surprise for a reported 200 lb. hooper. He also produced a smooth, eye-catching TD reception versus Elk River where he once again gets open on an extended play while around the middle of the field and the second level, gets vertical after the catch, and then easily sails by three streaking Elks defender who can't get an angle on the 6'5, 200 lber., scoring a big TD for his offense. Starzl is sure handed, owns a big catch radius, makes the most of his opportunities, and is physical after the catch, running behind his pads with clear aggression and confident. Plus, you gotta love the multi-sport background and skillset, an always-present and favorable trait for Minnesota football/basketball hybrids. Hope to see this kid on the summer camp trail 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/streethistory/status/1941176789700899164 </div></figure>     The final Centennial Cougars athlete to make this "Welcome to the Rankings" special feature, we are covering not one but BOTH offensive guards for the Cougs in this new PRZMN article. LG Hudson Westlund does a good job of not indicating when he's pulling in Centennial's triple-option attack and is a smooth puller and trapper who doesn't waste steps or movement, is physical at the contact point, and has the strength to finish blocks against 6A DL with emphasis. He's more than capable of climbing and finding work at the second and third level of defense and will bully and beat up LBs and DBs once he sticks to them in space. Westlund can set the edge and explode up to the second level in pin & pull-type assignments, dominate post-contact thanks to his strength and unrelenting leg drive, and he really brings his hips into and through contact. Plus, the growing OG has a great get-off from the snap, which, combined with his bend, is a perfect combo for a triple-option OG. Looking forward to seeing this dude at the upcoming PRZMN spring showcase and the summer camp trail.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/HudsonWestlund7/status/2027831051372957774 </div></figure>     Edgerton has some serious SIZE in their upcoming graduating classes, including at the all-important QB position, where 6'4, 195 lber. Colin Scholten put out some ye-catching highlights and 2025 junior tape during the fall. Scholten displays a particularly great deep ball that drops the rock right into the breadbasket, hitting his WR in stride and leading them open, and he also shows good velocity on his shorter and more intermediate tosses and a nice, tight spiral out of his quick release. Speaking of that release, Scholten has good mechanics and a compact throwing motion, and he doubles as an athletic, fluid ball carrier who is a real-deal threat when he tucks and takes off. Plus, the 9Man QB can utilize touch when needed and throws a beautiful ball off-platform. He also doubles as Edgerton's combo guard on the hardwood, another exciting pro and plus in his 6'4 skillset. Watch out for Edgerton this upcoming fall in the 9Man ranks!     A long, wiry 6'4 WR with a ton of breakout potential going into the fall, PRZMN is very bullish on STMA's roster and returning experience in 2026, which includes their second-leading WR from the fall in 6'4 Dylan Faucher. The 180 lber. tallied 19 catches for 262 yards and 1 TD in 2025 for the 5-6 Knights, and he's an effective and consistent pass catcher who can thrive in the middle of the field against Minnesota 6A defenses. Faucher is more than willing to go over the middle and put his body on the line, and he shows a big catch radius and sure-handedness at the catch point, not to mention the fact that he's a mismatch for secondary defenders out on the perimeter. Faucher owns noticeable burst after the catch for a 6'4 wideout, runs a mean comeback route, tracks and plays the ball well in the air, and can make tough catches through tight coverage and DBs draped over his back and impacting the catch point. Plus, Faucher can drop his hips and shut down effectively at the top of the route for a 6'4 wideout. College coaches: make sure you visit the halls of STMA this upcoming recruiting cycle!     Representing 6A Eastview High School and the city of Apple Valley, 2027 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1882809' first='Oliver' last='Hormann'] instinctively works and floats into opposing passing lanes around the box and including behind the LOS from his OLB spot. He's a solid 1v1 tackler and is able to beat TEs and OTs off the edge - both in run and pass blocking setting - to impact offenses behind the LOS and not allow them to set the edge in the run game specifically. Hormann displays a good motor, the speed and effort to chase down RBs and QBs from the backside of the LOS, and is technically sound and doesn't get sucked in and off-assignment when opponents attempt to naked boot or play the read-option game. Should be a huge offseason for Hormann in 2026.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/OliverHormann27/status/1994134974627500248 </div></figure>     A fun, exciting RB prospect out of Plymouth and Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1826215' first='Zahki' last='Nix'] posted 101 rushes for 577 yards and 6 TDs against 5A competition in 2025, including against eventual Class 5A state champion Spring Lake Park. Nix smoothly weaves and cruises through traffic both at the LOS and out in space, poking at testing the gap integrity of a defense as he works to the edge before he cleanly sticks his cleat in the ground, gets vertical, and exposes a hole in the defense for a strong game. He displays splash-play burst and can get to the third level of a defense in a blink, clean COD ability that can cut at top speed, and good contact balance. Nix has an especially fun rep displaying some contact balance where he runs through and splits two Spring Lake Park LB attempts at one time, clapping the two 'backers off each other like pin balls while working forward without any visible loss of momentum. Lots to like in his game and film. Get to know Nix 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/ZahkiNix/status/2027427706942456225 </div></figure>    --

Welcome to the Rankings, fellas! We're finishing up the Top Newcomers and New Additions of the 2027 updated Big Board, and the 2028 update is already underway, but there's still time to celebrate the rising seniors who are set to blow the roof off the Summer Camp SZN. 10 new faces and evaluations for PRZMN's subscribers only! Dig in.