2026 Bemidji State Small School Team Camp: All-Camp Team Defense

Team camps are lowkey some of the most memorable, best learning experiences, and highlights of a prep football season. Yes, season, not just preseason, and Bemidji State's small school and Big School team camps are so much fun that is has me reminiscing of my glory backs back when Minneapolis Southwest went to Brookings for our first-ever summer team camp.   PRZ took our talents up to beautiful Bemidji for the 2026 small school camp, and after a day of watching 7v7, linemen challenges, and team scrimmages and mixers, we were honored to bring the exclusive coverage of the high-energy conclusion to the camp: The War on the Shore. Four plays to score. Score, stop them, or go home. Here's your exclusive All-Camp Team, with all 15 teams represented between offense and defense. Dig in!   Your 2026 War on the Shore small school team camp winner = Breckenridge High School   --   Defensive Line   First Team:    There was a lot of tough trench warfare battles and competitors at BSU's small school team camp last week. Rising amongst the heap of bodies to hit the grass throughout the various exercises, scrimmages, mixers, and of course, the War on the Shore, was Pelican Rapids' [player_tooltip player_id='2154300' first='Edwin' last='Escobar']. Undoubtedly one of the best lineman in attendance, Escobar put together a stock rising performance in all aspects, and he firmly supplanted himself on Bemidji State's radar, working out for the Beavers' staff personally between sessions. A naturally big, wide, and strong 6', 250ish with very little body fat for the weight, and boy did he have some power in his hands and backing those shoulder pads. Escobar also knew how to shed blocks, as well as read and diagnose run plays and blocking schemes IRL and as they develop.   During War on the Shore, Escobar was absolutely erasing ball carriers when he gets ahold of them, and he he was shocking, shedding, and then reading and triggering on the football with impressive quickness and obvious intensity from the DL spot. Made some crushing tackles and a TFL or two throughout War on the Shore from his DL spot and also was playing OL and paving the way for his tailbacks and QB the whole time. Kid's in good shape too.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Edwin_Escobar78/status/2048760815608594605 </div></figure>     Waterville-Elysian-Morristown put together one of the best overall bodies of work from Bemidji State's small school War on the Shore team camp. The Buccaneers also had one of the most fun and diverse group of football prospects in attendance, and in terms of ceiling, 2028 new find [player_tooltip player_id='1738130' first='Cole' last='Bartz'] was up there towards the top of the pack. Sitting around 6'2-6'3 and 210 pounds with noticeable length and a good frame to continue filling in and adding weight, Bartz was undoubtedly one of the best pass rushers in attendance. A First Team All-Eye Test Selection with tools to back up the looks, Bartz was bendy and could turn the corner when getting after the QB, and his twitchy inside rushing moves during team and War on the Shore were giving good OTs trouble as well. Bartz was generating big pressure on [player_tooltip player_id='1543013' first='Reed' last='Creighton'] and Belle Plaine's quality OL that really caught our attention and impressed.     Representing the War on the Shore small school team camp's winners Breckenridge High School, 2028 DT/OG [player_tooltip player_id='2250322' first='Keaton' last='Butts'] was one of PRZ's best finds from the BSU team camp. Measuring in at around 6'1, 250, Butts was a First Team All-Eye Test selection with some noticeable swag for a lineman, and he was blowing people up on both sides of the ball all week long. Butts flew into backfield for TFL against WEM like a bolt of lightning. The get-off, closing speed, and how he smelled the rock out quickly and finished the tackle in space against a beast of an underclassman RB was one of the most impactful plays of the War on the Shore. Strong, good pad level and overall movement ability, and super heavy hands. Good athlete in the trenches for the Cowboys and one of the best of the best at the 2026 War on the Shore small school team camp.   @KeatonButts58     Park Rapids had plenty of eye-catching prospects, but even amongst their size, DL/OL [player_tooltip player_id='2250183' first='Jaden' last='Davis'] stood out amongst the crowd. You'd be a bad scout if you DIDN'T notice Davis, as the hulking rising junior was built like a powerlifter, an observation backed up by his status as a 1,000 pound club member thanks to his bench, squat, and power clean numbers. In addition to his size and two-way versatility, Davis was obliterating opponents at the point of attack, and he showed some twitch as well as power from his defensive line spot. Additionally, Davis showed good footwork and balance as an offensive lineman, with the ability to play multiple spots along the OL. Great initial evaluation point for Davis thanks to the Bemidji State small school War on the Shore Team Camp.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jadenalidavis/status/2056204467079418231 </div></figure>     Belle Plaine was one of the most physically impressive small school teams in attendance at the Bemidji State War on the Shore small school team camp. Height, length, mass, muscle, it didn't seem like a ton was left to be desired on the Tigers' roster, and one of the First Team All-Eye Test and First-off-the-Bus selections goes to [player_tooltip player_id='2250194' first='William' last='Posthumus']. An XL 2028 reportedly coming in around 6'4, 225 lbs., the DE and OT had good footwork and balance for his size, and he was able to generate some noticeable pressure as pass rusher from his DE spot. Good get-off and a bit of bend for a tall kid as well. I'll be itching to get a better look at this kid and his upcoming 2026 tape.   @WillPosthumus19    Linebacker   First Team:    Easily one of the more college-ready prospects in attendance at the Bemidji State small school War on the Shore team camp, Park Rapids' was being led at the front by their towering 6'2, 220 lb. ILB, TE, and occasional RB [player_tooltip player_id='2250157' first='Brady' last='Hirt']. An easy choice for First Team All-Eye Test and First-off-the-Bus status, Hirt reads and flows to the ball smoothly and with urgency, but he was also a run stuffer between the tackles who attacks climbing OL and potential blockers with force, aggression, and effectiveness. The thumper of a tackler at the contact point's collisions were making an audible pop thanks to the sheer force he was sticking ball carriers with face to face. Also made a couple contested catches over middle as TE. Huge sleeper in the 2027 LB class in Minnesota.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Brady_hirt15/status/2036127004626391175 </div></figure>     Not sure how PRZMN missed [player_tooltip player_id='2250151' first='Mason' last='Bungarden'] on our 2027 Big Board, but that's on us, and Bungarden has sure made us look silly for the oversight. Coming in at around 6', 215 lbs., Bungarden looks like he hasn't missed a day in the weight room in a while, and the jacked, cut up, and well-built multi-phase utility weapon knows how to use them, as he posted some fantastic athletic times at this past spring's 612Q's Offensive Skills Camp. 4.67 laser 40, 4.55 laser pro, and near 35" vertical jump bring some serious athleticism to the table, and he was applying it well during team exercises and of course, War on the Shore.   Bungarden produced an interception vs. Osakis on a beautiful undercut and read, and although it seems like he's best fit for defense at the college level, Bungarden has some juice offensively as well. The RB/SB flattened LBs and DBs from the slot and backfield as a lead blocker. The audible pop from the collisions he was creating were echoing through the practice fields of BSU and very much exciting the current Beaver football players in attendance, and he also trucked a WDC defender on first carry of the War on the Shore to emphasize his toughness and physicality. Bungarden also produced a TD catch on an out route against Sioux Valley wherein he caught it away from his body, and it was behind him, stuck his cleat in the ground and worked vertical, and stepped through a tackler for good measure at the goal line. Also scored a TD against Royalton on another out route from him faking a jet sweep and leaking out to the flats from the backfield. Dynamic, athletic, and explosive, this kid is 100% a SLEEPER in the 2027 class.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/bungmd23/status/2039029902796591506 </div></figure>    Second Team:    One of the best new finds from the Bemidji State War on the Shore small school team camp, Osakis' loaded 2026 roster was stacked at the top end by the likes of OLB [player_tooltip player_id='2250176' first='Tucker' last='Hagen']. A legit 6'4 presence in the box for the Silverstreaks, Hagen was an impressive three-down 'backer prospect who could defeat blocks when he locked out and extended those long arms, effectively act in pass defense in either zone or man coverage thanks to his impressive change of direction ability, and also come downhill and really fill gaps and enforce his physicality as a run defender. The burst out of his breaks were reminiscent more of a DB than LB, and he was an easy choice for First Team All-Eye Test and First-off-the-Bus status thanks to his size and frame as well.     Big #54 out of a talented Pelican Rapids roster caught the attention of PRZMN during Bemidji State' heralded War on the Shore conclusion to their small school team camp. The 6', 220 lbs. was a force of a two-way contributor from his LB and OL spot, with toughness, power, and a proclivity to enforce his will in the run game. A big-time thumper at the contact point, Hillukka has a big, strong build on him and good change of direction ability for the ILB position at the next level.    Third Team:    Big #9 for Sioux Valley was maybe the Corsairs most physically impressive prospect, coming in at a reported 6'3, 215 lbs. with room to fill in. Dangerous up the seam as a TE threat, Johnson was also a run stuffer between the tackles who could beat blocking attempts with power as well as win 1v1 collisions and contact in the run game. Sioux Valley has a fun roster going into 2026!     One of a plethora of two-way contributors splitting LB and OL duties for their prep program at the Bemidji State War on the Shore small school team camp, Paynesville's [player_tooltip player_id='2251345' first='Colin' last='Wendlandt'] was an eye-catcher and standout from his ILB spot during War on the Shore competition to conclude the camp. A physical eye catcher coming in somewhere around 6', 220 lbs., Wendlandt had a good frame to continue adding weight and muscle, and he was an effective blitzer with a good skillset to beat blocking attempts in a variety of ways. Also strong at the point of attack and a good tackler in 1v1 settings. Lotta juice coming out of the middle of Paynesville's defense thanks to Wendlandt.   @ColinWendlandt1     Former DB [player_tooltip player_id='2070831' first='Channing' last='Wade'] has undergone a growth spurt since we saw him last, and the now-6', 200 lber. is a good looking 2028 prospect set to get a bump on our Big Board in the coming months. In addition to the frame, Wade owns good change of direction ability, sees and flows to the ball well, and is physical at the contact point. Should be a breakout year and junior campaign for this Bronco.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ChanningWade43/status/2023795936112332895 </div></figure>    Defensive Back   First Team:    Now that I have the benefit of hindsight to work with, I cannot believe that Park Rapids' #5 at the Bemidji State small school team camp was a freshman. One of the more dynamic playmakers in attendance amongst the 15 teams that descended on Bemidji to camp, Jalbert had a strong, powerful build that was showing up all over the field and in a variety of manners. Explosive, and seemingly always around the football, Jalbert - just from what we saw - produced a deep INT, toe-tapping TD on a fade, and a snag over middle, followed by an easy acceleration into space for a TD. The frame/playmaking ability screams senior, not sophomore, as did the ball skills, comfortableness as a playmaker, and speed/quickness/balance. Two words: sophomore sensation.     A fan favorite from the Bemidji State small school War on the Shore Team Camp, #11 for Sioux Valley was also a favorite of the BSU Beavers' football players working/coaching the camp. The team's cohesion, as well as variety of playmakers and skillsets, not to mention overall toughness, made the Corsairs easy to root for during the camp's conclusion exercise of War on the Shore.   Not the biggest cat out there, but don't worry, Tucker made up for it in fearlessness, instincts, and playmaking ability, and he had a particularly strong showing when the lights were the brightest during War on the Shore. Tucker was a fundamentally sound and very effective 1v1 tackler who produced a great 1v1 tackle against PR-B's big tailback to open up competition for the War on the Shore. Also Chopped down (and wrapped up) much larger ball carriers at tough angles as well. Runs the alley with pace, and stuck a Pine River-Backus RB in a tough goal line tackle later in the series for good measure. Tucker also displayed great body control and field/situational awareness on an outstretched catch on a fade ball against Walker, right in the back corner of the endzone, and, to prove his DB status, made a great break on a goal line out route to break up what would have been a Walker TD pitch & catch. Big-time sleeper out of SD's 2027 class.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/tuckerke11on/status/2069677483151032654 </div></figure>     Another new name and fun new find out of Breckenridge, the eventual winners of the 2026 Bemidji State War on the Shore small school team camp, ATH/DB [player_tooltip player_id='2250761' first='Joey' last='Lopez'] had himself a good camp with the Beavers. Dynamic and operating out of a variety of different positions with the Cowboys, Lopez continually flashed smooth change of direction ability and overall athleticism that helped him make plays all over the field. Was getting open as a route runner, including out of the backfield. Posted an INT vs. International Falls that involved a good read, instincts, and quickness. Offensively, he was a fluid, smooth cutter and his COD ability was an effective asset in the open field. Lopez can drop his hips and cut on a dime without any wasted movement. TD vs. Pelican Rapids that involved good vision and a big, effective, well-timed cut that caught your attention in real time and on tape. Yet another sleeper out of Breckenridge's 2027 class of prospects.     Osakis and the Silverstreaks' 2026 roster was far from lacking in size, length, or physicality, and the Class AA competitor was well-represented on the back end by a tall, rangy, eye-catchingly athletic SAF in 2027 Tyler Wolbeck. Rocking #99, and bringing a strong hoops background to the gridiron and equation, the FS was defensively rangy, especially as the MOF defender, but his ball skills were some of the best at the entire Bemidji State War on the Shore small school team camp. Comfortable tracking and playing deeper vertical throws and passing attempts, good 50/50 and contested catch ability thanks to his length and hops, and showed off those skills in a couple of situations during War on the Shore. The height/length, athleticism, and basketball background quality make Wolbeck a no-brainer as far as a sleeper when talking Greater Minnesota rising seniors, not to mention worthy of BSU War on the Shore All-Camp Team recognition.    Second Team:    An obvious First Team All-Eye Test selection from a big, variety pack of prospects that is the Park Rapids' 2026 roster, #17 [player_tooltip player_id='2250168' first='Eli' last='Gieseke'] also caught - and more importantly held - the attention of PRZMN throughout the Bemidji State War on the Shore Team Camp. A tall, long, mismatchy two-way contributor, Gieseke displayed a big catch radius, physicality on the both sides of the ball, and some ball skills, which is a big plus given the length.     One of many Osakis Silverstreaks I was hustling around the practice fields of Bemidji trying to get the names of, CB [player_tooltip player_id='2250179' first='Luke' last='Kraemer'] was one of the best corners in attendance amongst the 15 teams that descended on Bemidji State for their annual small school War on the Shore Team Camp. Rocking a memorable #75, Kraemer was one of the better built CBs in attendance, and was an asset in both run and pass defense. His change of direction ability and man coverage skills showed up well in 7v7 and skelly exercises and periods, and I loved his overall ball skills, especially when tracking and playing vertical throws and passes to the third level of the field. Kraemer had some impressive PBUs throughout competition and proved himself to be a true collegiate CB prospect in the eyes of PRZMN.     As mentioned, Waterville-Elysian-Morristown put together one of the best overall showings of any high school program at the BSU small school War on the Shore Team Camp. Not only did the Bucs' finish as runner-ups, the Mankato-area co-op had one of the most interesting and diverse groups of prospects, and PRZMN kept finding ourselves impressed with #47 for W-E-M, throughout mixers, 7v7, scrimmages, and of course, War on the Shore. Playing all around the field, Einertson was just a straight-up playmaker, getting reps, from what we saw, at RB, WR, FS, and OLB. Depending on the size and measurables, I think he'd be a good DB at the next level, maybe OLB dependent on the scheme, but as a prep prospect he's a big-time utility weapon and three-phase contributor with a ton of juice no matter the position he finds himself at.   #47 was very productive during 7v7 and skelly, not to mention during the ultra-competitive War on the Shore, and his jittery, energetic, and physical play style made for a fun watch, especially when he had ball in-hand. Einertson was quick as a route runner, after the catch, or as a ball carrier, and his deep speed helped him exploit defenses vertically throughout the competition. Additionally, his great closing speed helped him create a big time stick & collision on Breck's QB during War on the Shore, and from OLB spot, #47 could read and flow to the backside or play side and fill with authority. Yet another under-the-radar 2027 to know out of the BSU small school team camp.    Athlete   First Team:    Personally, Royalton's [player_tooltip player_id='2250197' first='Max' last='Vannurden'] was my favorite new find from the 2026 Bemidji State War on the Shore Team Camp. Coming in at around 6'1+ to 6'2, 215ish if I had to guess, Vannurden had a couple sessions during the full team mixers I saw where he was flat-out dominating. Not only was he the biggest & baddest dude out there, Vannurden was also playing like a complete psycho (in a good way) and going 100% between the whistles like his hair was on fire and it was his last snap of football. A wiry and thick, powerful, and naturally solid build that screams Greater Minnesota stud, the rising senior was all over the field as a tailback and linebacker for the Royals. We saw him make a beautiful one-handed catch out of the backfield for a good gain, consistently break tackles thanks to his pure power, balance, and general fight to stay up, dynamic skillset, and positional versatility all up front and personal, and it left an impression, to say the least. The kid was playing his fricken butt off, strong in his block defeat and tackling ability, not to mention ball carrying, where he was making defensive secondary players routinely make business decisions, and he was running over just about anyone and everyone who stepped up to the plate in the contact department. Shifty, loose hips as a tailback, and boy did he run hard. Also slipped through tackle attempt, and score with a tough, outstretched finish for a TD against International Falls during War on the Shore. Please hit this kid up about playing college football for your team, coaches!     Maybe the pound for pound best, toughest, and most B.A. prospect of Bemidji State's 2026 War on the Shore small school team camp emerged in full throttle during the War on the Shore competition to end the camp. #35 for W-E-M, [player_tooltip player_id='2250211' first='Brody' last='Filan'], a 2029 (!) was a power-packed Muscle Hamster of a 5'10, 190-200 lber. who really, to me, seemed like the heart & soul and go-to playmaker for the Bucs and their War on the Shore run that concluded as runner ups to Breckenridge. Tough, athletic, "not your typical freshman", you name it, Filan proved he was different during the brightest lights of the multi-day team camp as a RB, LB, and by the end, NG, yes NG. He had a monster TD that saw him churn and truck through a handful of well-attempted tackles, but his resume during the actual War on the Shore competition was as good as anyone that day. The resume itself should speak to his skillset, here are some highlights besides the monster TD run:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>3 rushing TD on video, including a goal line TD run against Paynesville</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>explosive, crushing sack vs. Paynesville. Blew into the backfield into the face of the QB so fast you'd have thought he was shot out of a cannon, finished it by closing and leaping into the QBs grill for an eye-catching showing of body control in attendance to speed, blitzing ability, and physicality</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>tough, battering, bruising TD carry against Belle Plaine that required vision, physicality, and the quickness to find and exploit the hole when presented</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>moved down to NT against Breckenridge in the finals of the War on the Shore</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>big-time goal line carry and TD against Osakis, carrying 3-4 defenders into the endzone right behind his fullback I'll be getting this dude on our Big Board ASAP </li> </ul>    Second Team:    Sioux Valley High School, the lone South Dakota representative at the 2026 Bemidji State War on the Shore small school team camp, manufactured one of the strongest showings of any of the 15 small school programs in attendance, and they had a dynamic group of playmakers to lead their offense to six points in a variety of different ways. Leading the front was the Corsairs' QB, RB, LB [player_tooltip player_id='1319713' first='Wyatt' last='Hardt'], a very strong (literally) college football prospect who seemed to be the heart & soul of the upcoming 2026 roster for the Corsairs. A threat with both his arm and his legs, but more of a run-first type of quarterback, Hardt displayed outstanding contact balance, with the ability to break multiple tackle attempts in a carry, whether they were arm tackles or weaker attempts at his lower body, and his jittery footwork made him elusive in the open field and hard to corral for a defense, even with multiple defenders. That same light and nimble footwork had LBs slipping in space and was creating gaps itself, and #5 also displayed shifty moves and good vision that led to an impressive TD run against Belle Plaine where he read, reacted, and broke that free tackler for six during the War on the Shore. Also displayed great touch on an endzone fade ball to WR #11 against Walker and sideline to sideline range as a linebacker, where he did a good job of working up and over blocks while in pursuit out to the sideline.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/HardtWyatt/status/2067017210032267371 </div></figure>       A not-so-little Energizer Bunny of a two-way contributor for Wadena-Deer Creek, #50 was consistently all over the field during every session or competition of the 2026 War on the Shore small school team camp. Somewhere around 6', 185 lbs., [player_tooltip player_id='2250768' first='Leo' last='Petrowski'] was an instinctive football player and natural playmaker with a great frame to add weight and mass at the next level, and we personally saw him light things up during War on the Shore competition to conclude the camp. Petrowski scored on a crossing route for a TD against Paynesville - got foot in the ground and vertical with pace, and he also made an awesome read and PBU from his safety spot to break up a quick-game hitch on a slot back against Belle Plaine, easily the best passing attack of the schools in attendance. Read and triggered with exceptional pace, and he sweetened the pot by making a great read and tackle against Walker and their option rushing attack later in competition. Get this dude on a college recruiting radar and roster ASAP!     I'll make sure to post it on X, formerly Twitter, but Breckenridge's Avery Smith produced one of the biggest and most memorable collisions of the 2026 Bemidji State War on the Shore small school team camp last week. Coming from his field side corner spot, Smith came flat down the LOS against W-E-M and produced a massive, eye-rattling hit in what was one of the biggest and most aggressive collisions of the entire War on the Shore competition. At around 5'10, 185ish, he also scored a TD against Wadena-Deer Creek, carrying multiple DBs through the endzone in impressive fashion (not 100% confirmed it's him), and he also scored a TD on pitch - untouched - against WEM in the final. Yet another under-the-radar Cowboy to know in MN 2027 class!    --

Team camps are lowkey some of the most memorable, best learning experiences, and highlights of a prep football season. Yes, season, not just preseason, and Bemidji State's small school and Big School team camps are so much fun that is has me reminiscing of my glory backs back when Minneapolis Southwest went to Brookings for our first-ever summer team camp.