PRZMN 2027 Rankings Update: WL Prospects to Know

2028 Rankings Update is about to officially get underway next week, but we're still hot on the trial of 2027 Minnesotans in need of attention, coverage, and evaluations now that the 2027 Rankings Update is live on the site. Up first, 10 Names of Minnesota Watchlist Prospects to Know, some of whom's second watch has earned them a bookmarked guarantee of entering the Big Board in an upcoming micro-tweak. Things are fluid, get to know these studs now!   --    PRZMN is always deeply interested in the rosters of the Becker Bulldogs, especially now that Dwight Lundeen's last season of coaching is on the horizon for the 2026 season. The Bulldogs have a tall, long, and high-potential 2027 wideout in [player_tooltip player_id='1454131' first='Adam' last='Wipper'], who is currently strongly holding down a spot on our Watchlist as of the latest update. Wipper can drop his hips and break down at the top of the route smoothly for a taller wideout, and he's sure handed, showing a bit of YAC ability, as he can step and stay upright through weaker tackle attempts at his lower body, which is fun given the size. He displays a good get-off at the line that helped him earn an easy TD vs. Detroit Lakes, and he's big and physical enough to fight through the press and can get open at the top of the route. Hope to see him at the newly announced <a href="https://prepredzone.com/all-events/?title_contains=minnesota">PrepRedzoneMN Spring Exposure Showcase</a> on April 18th in Plymouth.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/adam_wipper/status/2030985381441610142 </div></figure>     The Brainerd Warriors always seem to be pumping out impressive trench warfare specialists cycle to cycle, and a 2027 that PRZMN will be watching thoroughly is DT [player_tooltip player_id='1694136' first='Andrew' last='Ehlert']. The 3T shows some real-deal pass rushing rush from the interior, as well as a good get-off and the ability to unlock his hips and work his way through contact thanks to his effort in the weight room. Ehlert is strong at the contact point and shows the base and power to withstand pullers around the LOS, and he can shock and shed blocks with effectiveness. Good hand usage, can make tackles through contact, and has a great rep of him melting perfectly into a Spring Lake Park RB's screen lane for a near INT on an instinctive defensive effort for a interior DL against high-level competition. Hope to see Ehlert at the upcoming <a href="https://prepredzone.com/all-events/?title_contains=minnesota">PrepRedzoneMN Spring Exposure Showcase on April 18th in Plymouth!</a>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AndrewEhlertt/status/1935764443398287544 </div></figure>     PRZMN is a big fan of the upcoming 2027 and 2028 classes at Hopkins High School in Minnetonka, and the Royals have a 6'3, 240 reported. OL/DL/LS with real breakout potential coming in 2026. A current offensive lineman who was a JV contributor last fall, Johnston played both tackle and both guard spots in his junior tape, displaying a solid base that can withstand power rushes and some pop at the contact point as a run blocker. Johnston is comfortable blocking in space and working to the second and third level of a defense in search of work, has experience at both guard spots as well, and is efficient in both run and pass blocking assignments. JV breakout prospect to know!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Ben_Johnston_MN/status/2002240166698631678 </div></figure>     One of the more versatile 2027s in Minnesota, Mankato East's Blake Kamphoff should absolutely be ranked, earning a guaranteed nod to enter to 2027 Big Board in an upcoming micro-update to get some must-have New Additions on the rankings around the time 2028 goes live. Kamphoff, thanks to his 11.60 100M, 23.36 200M, and 52.01 400M PRs, was incredibly dynamic as a junior, finishing 2025 with 120 rushes for 804 yards and 8 TDs to lead the Cougars in rushing in 2025. He added 13 catches for 138 yards and 2 TDs, 4 tackles on defense, and was 4-5 passing for 54 yards and 1 TD for East, taking wildcat snaps out of the backfield as a junior, both running and passing assignments.   Kamphoff opens his tape with an explosive 89-yard TD run against Owatonna, showcasing some excellent vision, burst, and ability to cut at top speed. Plus, he eats and stays upright through an ankle tap, getting back up to speed quickly enough to still evade the Huskies pursuers, who did not have to slow down in their efforts to catch him. He displays the top end speed to finish impressive runs for six against quality pursuit angles, and I love how impressively and noticeably he can accelerate, shift gears, and get-up to top speed at the optimal time. Plus, Kamphoff owns good contact balance and lower body strength and is dynamic in space and as an offensive threat. Shifty footwork and hips create tough angles for defenders and he's able to break multiple tackle attempts in a single rep with ease.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BlakeKamphoff/status/1988796852712657403 </div></figure>     Ever since I played a New London-Spicer product in college, I've paid special attention to the Wildcats and their dynamic, tough, exciting prospects and recruits year to year. [player_tooltip player_id='2128345' first='Brecken' last='Westby'] certainly fits the description, and he's right on the cusp of entering the ranking's Big Board thanks to his junior campaign. As a HB/wing in his first clip - Westby takes a jet sweep, stretches the defense, then sticks his cleat in the turf, gets vertical, and beautifully splits two defenders, bouncing them off one another and then strutting into the endzone, showcasing some exciting top-end explosiveness and athletic ability. He finished 2025 with 20 completions on 50 attempts for 332 yards (16.2 average) and 2 TDs, 29 carries for 118 yards, 12 catches for 122 yards and 1 TD, 8 tackles, 1 FF, and 1 INT. Talk about doing a little bit of everything!   Westby has a nose for the endzone, is a good route runner out of the slot who can create separation at the top of the route, and is light on his feet and quick after the catch. The 165 lber. defeats blocks with physicality out on the perimeter as a cornerback, setting the edge with proper leverage and really bringing aggression to run defense from his CB spot. Westby also displays some excellent elusiveness, improvisation skills, and ability to extend plays with his legs as a QB, as well as some touch and arm strength as a passer. On the flip side, he also showed he can get open as a WR when his QB gets outside of the pocket and needs someone to get open. What a skillset to work with going into the next level! Hope to see Westby at the upcoming <a href="https://prepredzone.com/all-events/?title_contains=minnesota">PrepRedzoneMN Spring Exposure Showcase on April 18th in Plymouth. </a>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BreckenW86028/status/2032131658682376658 </div></figure>     Another program that pumped out some fun players and prospects I played college ball with at St. Olaf was Tri-City United! The Titans have an exciting 6'1, 165 lber. who has earned a guarantee spot on the ranking's Big Board thanks to his junior tape is Brody Factor, whose tape stuck with us after doing the days of film evaluation required for the update. Factor is a SS who can drop into the box in both coverage and run defense, showed he can smoothly can see and exploit passing lanes in zone schemes, reading and reacting to perfectly step in front of passes around the box. He absolutely decleated a Norwood Young America defender as the punt returner, lowering his pads and trucking the socks off the poor coverage defender, and made some great reads from a two-high safety shell, picking off posts, misthrows, and fades alike. Factor is dangerous with the ball in his hand, no matter the situation, and always seemed able to make a defender miss, as he's slippery and elusive combination of footwork and balance. Plus, the TCU Titan is a three-phase contributor as a SS, WR, punt returner, and boy he packs a heckuva punch at the contact point. Laid the wood from his SS spot and really put the hurtin' on some WRs from the defensive secondary in 2025. You'll see Factor on the Big Board at the upcoming recruiting-related micro-update in a couple weeks. Hope to see Factor and some TCU teammates at the upcoming 2026 <a href="https://prepredzone.com/all-events/?title_contains=minnesota">PrepRedzoneMN Spring Exposure Showcase on April 18th in Plymouth</a>.     Hawley has a promising 2027 class that Minnesota's Class AA should be on notice for, and the Nuggets are led at the QB position by the experienced junior [player_tooltip player_id='1665758' first='Brody' last='Hadley']. The 5'11, 155 lber. puts some noticeable zip on the ball, and his ball placement was consistent in the fact that he can put the rock where only the WR can make a play on it, including on his deep balls. Hadley has some reps of him throwing accurately and off-platform, displays compact throwing mechanics with a quick release, and will step into his throws and eat contact from rushers. He shows good footwork in and around the pocket, noticeable touch on his intermediate and deeper passes, and some elusiveness and balance through contact & tackle attempts from pass rushers when scrambling and extending plays. Stay on the lookout for the Nuggets this offseason and fall!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BrodyHadley12/status/2026780093738074240 </div></figure>     A dazzling and electric RB out of Foley, 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1288311' first='Brody' last='Kipka'] has 100% earned a spot on the 2027 Ranking's Big Board in the upcoming micro-update in the next couple weeks. Kipka's junior tape displays a twitchy ball carrier who light on his feet, elusive, and does a great job of getting defenders off-balance, where he can either step by them with eye-catching quickness or create an angle that allows him to step and work through the tackle attempt at his lower body, Kipka will run behind his pads and lower the boom at the contact point, with some especially impressive truck sticks on his 2025 tape, and his effective, explosive burst gets hum up to the second and third level in a hurry. Plus, he owns great balance and possesses the speed to take the edge and the sideline on a defense. Get him on your recruiting boards ASAP! Hope to see Kopka and his Foley teammates at the upcoming <a href="https://prepredzone.com/all-events/?title_contains=minnesota">PrepRedzoneMN Spring Exposure Showcase on April 18th in Plymouth</a>!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KipkaBrody11/status/1997232842837725237 </div></figure>     Delano has an exciting crop of 2027s and 2028s coming through the upcoming recruiting ringer, and the Tigers have a big-bodied, high-potential, eye-catching SAF prospect in 6'2, 200 lber. [player_tooltip player_id='2128343' first='Caleb' last='Erickson']. With big-time size for the DB position, Erickson attacks and takes the edge with proper leverage and is a booming presence in run support from the defensive secondary, and he closes on ball carriers, takes space, and comes into contact full throttle and with intention and intensity. Erickson shows some loose hips that could serve him well as a safety at the next level, works to undercut deeper passes and shows some noticeable ball skills, and is also capable of manning and playing an off-ball OLB spot, reading, filling, and making impact tackles at the contact point around the box. Erickson runs the alley smoothly and effectively and is very comfortable tackling 1v1 and in space. Hope to see this young man at the upcoming <a href="https://prepredzone.com/all-events/?title_contains=minnesota">PRZMN Spring Exposure Showcase on April 18th in Plymouth</a>!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CalebErickson27/status/1996005990609682854 </div></figure>     With fellow PRZ scout [player_tooltip player_id='1292716' first='Nate' last='Wahl'] still residing in Big Lake, the Hornets always hold a special place in our heart, and although it's been lowkey, Big Lake has been putting out some very intriguing talents the past few cycles. The 2027 class is no different, and Big Lake has an excellent WR prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='1988630' first='Caleb' last='Martin'], a standout two-sport athlete with an excellent baseball background and a Prep Baseball Minnesota Preseason All-State pick under his belt already, not to mention a 400 lb. squat and 300 lb. bench during Big Lake's winter lifting and offseason circuit. He sure earned a spot on the ranking's Big Board in the upcoming micro-update as we look to extend our Big Board a bit past a Top 300, as he can easily get open when working vertically thanks to his long speed and does a great job of finding space and working in cohesion with his QB when a play breaks down and improvising is needed. Martin demonstrates great concentration, can high-point the football over defensive back coverage effectively and shows some 50/50 ball ability, and can play the X or out of the slot. The contested catch machine is also fearless and willing to put his body on the line when working over the middle to pluck the ball out of the air through traffic, and he shows some shiftiness and elusiveness in the open field after the catch. Keep up the great work on the gridiron, weight room, and baseball diamond, young man! And oh yeah, please make an appearance at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/all-events/?title_contains=minnesota">April 18th's PRZMN Spring Exposure Showcase</a>.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Caleb_martin27/status/1933018107431227590 </div></figure>    --

2028 Rankings Update is about to officially get underway next week, but we're still hot on the trial of 2027 Minnesotans in need of attention, coverage, and evaluations now that the 2027 Rankings Update is live on the site. Up first, 10 Names of Minnesota Watchlist Prospects to Know, some of whom's second watch has earned them a bookmarked guarantee of entering the Big Board in an upcoming micro-tweak. Things are fluid, get to know these studs now!