Film Room: Underrated 2027 Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we creep closer and closer to the 2026-2027 season this fall, I wanted to spend some time highlighting some of the most underrated 2027 prospects across the state. There is no shortage of talent in this senior class, and I've found a litany of prospects who I can't wait to discuss, starting with these eight! Enjoy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2204399"],"_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-69fd06241fac8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fletcher is one of the most intriguing prospects in the state, standing at a towering 6'7" and already holding a pair of D1 offers from Drake and South Dakota, as well as an NSIC offer from Winona State. The big man has some electric tape as a TE. He is a legit possession catch target. Fletcher has an insanely long wingspan and can go up and get nearly any ball that is thrown his way. Once he reels in the catch, he proves incredibly difficult to bring down, and he'll barrel through multiple defenders while racking up some YAC yardage. He's even got some tape of himself lined up out wide, where he's able to make tough sideline toe-tap catches to earn some much-needed yards for the offense. As one might expect, he also has utility as a run blocker. Fletcher is a mountain next to his competition, and he's able to displace defensive linemen with ease. Keep an eye out for this streaking Blue Earth prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2204408"],"_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-69fd06241fb61"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wall is a northern MN prospect who's been attracting some serious NSIC attention over the past couple of weeks, which includes two offers from Bemidji State and SMSU! He's got nearly 4 minutes of tape put together from his junior campaign, and he lit up the turf as a defensive end. In that film, Wall's power and athleticism are on full display early and often. Wall possesses an incredibly explosive first step, gaining a ton of ground. His bull rush is likely the best tool in his arsenal. Wall gets low and creates a ton of leverage, and combined with his frame, he's able to throw offensive tackles off the ball and shed their block in an instant. He can get to the quarterback in the blink of an eye, and once he finds his way there, he's incredibly physical when wrapping up the gunslinger. Both his straight-line speed and his agility pop on tape, and it's clear to me why he's receiving so much high-level attention right now. Expect a monster senior season out of the Pierz product. </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":"Caden Nelson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"260","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton","_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-69fd06241fc66"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another out-state trench dog that has been generating a lot of hype ahead of his senior season, Nelson recently received his first offer from MIAC member Concordia-Moorhead. Nelson has a ton of great tape at DT, often showing incredible grit and utility both as a run-stopper and as a pass-rusher. In particular, I love how Nelson splits double teams. He gets low, never stops moving his feet, and constantly fights with his hands as he works toward the ball carrier. He's a tall task for anyone to drive off the ball by themselves, and he does a good job of moving down the line without overpursuing. His pad level and ability to shed blockers make him a valuable asset up front for DGF. Expect more MIAC offers to follow for this senior. </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":"Andy Arntson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"240","_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":"Moorhead","_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-69fd06241fd8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A key starter for one of the best teams in the state, Arntson is looking to continue in his role for what many expect will be a state championship season for the Spuds. Holding a recent offer from Concorida-Moorhead, Arntson is finally starting to develop the hype he deserves. Against some of the best teams in the state, Arntson managed to put up some really solid tape as a center. He's an incredible tenacious blocker, firing off the line like a missile and constantly driving his feet. He never gives up on a play and is always looking to find work somewhere. I love how quickly he works to the second level, and once he locks onto a defender, he can take them for a ride that usually ends up in the dirt. He's very quick on his feet, capable of pulling and making tough reach blocks look easy. Arntson has all the makings of a very successful athlete ahead of his senior year. </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":"Grant Merz","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Buffalo","_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-69fd06241fe95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buffalo has produced a litany of collegiate talent spanning all levels over the last decade, and Merz looks to be joining that pipeline. The All-District HM recently received his first offer from MIAC member Concordia-Moorhead, and shows no signs of slowing down. On his tape, Merz proves to be a tenacious athlete who is relentless in his pursuit of the ball carrier. He does a great job of playing downhill and clears each and every run lane while flowing naturally to the alley. Merz makes disciplined reads and sheds blockers very early on in their engagement with him. He's also shown off quick hips in coverage, being able to change direction and adjust his placement to the evolution of the route. I'm a big fan of Buffalo prospects, and Merz checks a lot of boxes on that list. </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":"Mason Koverman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_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":"Mora","_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-69fd06241ffaa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An extremely underrated athlete from north central Minnesota, Koverman is the heart and soul of the Mora Mustangs team, and is looking to put together a monster senior campaign this fall. An athlete with verified track speed whose attracted both D2 and D3 attention, Koverman put forth some great junior tape. He fits exceptionally well into the Mustangs offense, making a ton of plays with both his arm and his legs. With the rock in his hands, he can make multiple defenders miss on the same play, and his ability to stop and start on a dime is very impressive. On defense, Koverman possesses legit upside as a DB. He's great in both man and zone coverage, showcasing some insane closing speed and really quick hips. He's a sound tackler as well, often hitting knees or lower and rolling through to finish the play. Koverman has a lot of tools to be very successful in 2027. </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":"Braxton Koss","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"155","_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":"Triton","_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-69fd06242008c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A RB/DB who is an elite track athlete who possesses a stunning high jump, also boasts a 3.9 GPA and sees time on the hardwood in the winter, Koss checks a lot of boxes from things you'd like to see from a prospect. On his defensive junior tape, Koss's pursuit abilities are on full display early and often. He's got excellent closing speed and crashes down like a bat out of hell when tasked with defending the run. He can provide tight outside zone coverage and is physical at the point of attack when attempting to disrupt passes. His speed and athleticism make him an intriguing out-state prospect for schools to take a look at 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":"Ace Oyewole","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"240","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Anoka","_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-69fd062420191"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Oyewole was a key part of the Tornados defensive line last season, finishing with 27 total tackles, and he's looking to step into a larger role during his senior campaign. He spent a lot of time on the IDL during 2025, making key plays as a defensive tackle. Touting a quick first step, I'm a big fan of Oyewole's footwork. After the ball is snapped, he's got short and choppy feet that allow him to gain ground and disrupt the run game, and often make tackles in the backfield. He does a great job of utilizing leverage and plays really low through his first few steps off the ball. He's got a high motor as well, constantly pursuing the ball carrier. I think Anoka is bringing a very talented roster into 2026, and I'm excited to see what Oyewole will do with this team next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->