Headliners Shine in Minnesota Week 1 Action

Let's check in with some of the heavyweight prospects in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and how their Week 1 performances and contests went!   --    Iowa State's gargantuan DT commit [player_tooltip player_id='1642211' first='Zivad' last='Robinson'] balled out last Thursday against South St. Paul, making a huge impact on the game in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The Eagles' nearly defeated the 651-crosstown foe Packers 27-24 in an obviously narrow defeat but still a strong showing from the 612 competitor with some serious size and speed on their roster in 2026.   Robinson was tremendous in the effort, and he's up to 6'4, 285 lbs. and hits like it! Scary closing speed at his size, does a good job of getting out of his stance and off the ball with explosiveness, and sees and sniffs out the rock effectively and in a hurry. Robinson, in the loss, showed he can get to the backfield before runs can develop, owns heavy hands that create separation from OL when he locks out and extends with ease, and is a total bowling ball at the contact point. Also is a good tackler in space, shows clean footwork and can unlock his hips well, and is a nightmare of a 1v1 blocking assignment in run or pass blocking schemes. Real deal pass rushing juice from the interior and has gotten noticeably stronger, twitchier, looser and more controlled, not to mention more physical.   Stat line: 11 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 sack   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BigZivad/status/2096337145828958587 </div></figure>     The #1 2028 in All of the Land, Hills-Beaver Creek's [player_tooltip player_id='1651465' first='Brodie' last='Metzger'] is fresh off offers from both Texas Tech and Kansas State and showed why he is so highly-touted and highly sought after in his personal showing and stat line against Adrian/Ellsworth during MN's Week 1. Metzger finished his day with 4 rushing TDs (tied for second in the state), 9 tackles (tied for 7th in MN), 1 sack, and 134 rushing yards (tied for 32), plus an unquantifiable impact on the three phases, not to mention a ton of personal attention from the Dragons' scheme and defensive coordinator.   Metzger showed off, amongst other things:   Long, speedy, violent, silky smooth off-ball LB who looks bigger, longer, faster, and more physical from his sophomore campaign. Talk about a good offseason! A nose for the ball, superb speed off the edge as a rusher from two point stance, and sideline to sideline and eye-catching range/closing speed, especially at his size. Also consistently wins at the contact point. Stuns ball carriers at initial contact and does a great job of pumping his legs and driver tailbacks and QBs backward to prevent extra gains. Particularly impressed by his smooth lateral agility, loose hips, and COD ability displays no wasted movement on a variety of different breaks and cuts. Sticks and plants like a DB. Also a twitched-up, slashing, balanced, and strong ball carrier who can break tackles in just about every way imaginable.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/brodie_metzger/status/2097134029816418647 </div></figure>     The #2 2028 in Minnesota also had a strong Week 1 showing. Hill-Murray's [player_tooltip player_id='1651178' first='Brady' last='Reeves'] was a beast of a blocker, pass catcher, and defensive presence in the Pios' win over Chisago Lakes. The holder of 14 D1 offers, most recently from KState and Purdue, Reeves was flexing out into the slot as the lead threat in a bunch formation early into the <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2UFJ8b">game tape against Chisago Lakes.</a> Crushed his blocking assignment, a helpless OLB or safety who quickly felt his back hit the turf and the 2028 P2-bound standout's full weight landing on him in emphatic fashion. First play of the second half, Reeves showed off some frightening YAC ability after breaking three tackles on the way to a huge pitch, catch, & TD from his 2029 QB [player_tooltip player_id='888363' first='Brayden' last='Hartmann']. Also caught another TD on an out route in the endzone and popped off some TFLs and tackles galore and did it in front of Strictly x Strib Varsity's first stop on their 2026 football tour. This kid's just a straight-up dang good football player.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Marcus_R_Fuller/status/2096009152170516699 </div></figure>     The best QB Minnesota has produced since Aidan Bouman in 2020, Moorhead's [player_tooltip player_id='1194605' first='[player_tooltip player_id='1194604' first='Jett' last='']' last='Feeney'] is on a different plane of QB existence than his peers in the state. Feeney popped off for 378 yards (first in state), 5 passing TDs (second in the state), and 13 completions (tied for 21st in the state) in Moorhead's 48-30 win over Rogers on Thursday. The Gophers' commit, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2UEhJh">against the Royals</a>, was dropping the deep ball in the bucket with absurd touch against 6A DBs, and his big-time zip got the ball into his WR's hands in a jiffy. Also sees the field well, can get through his reads and make clean, secure decisions with the football, and displays great timing. Hits his wideouts at the perfect time right out of their break and leads his WRs open and out of harms way on his deep balls. Also showed off some open-field elusiveness and quickness on some scrambles and carries, owns a quick release, tight, compact throwing motion and mechanics, and is impressively accurate off platform. The future is bright for this Minnesota-born-and-bred quarterback prospect.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/[player_tooltip player_id='1194604' first='Jett' last='']feeney3/status/2096392776321511920 </div></figure>     WR1 in Minnesota this fall comes out of Moorhead and their sensational route runner and pass catcher [player_tooltip player_id='1629849' first='David' last='Mack']. The Minnesota Golden Gophers' commit showed off his striking chemistry with fellow 2027 QB and Gopher commit [player_tooltip player_id='1194605' first='[player_tooltip player_id='1194604' first='Jett' last='']' last='Feeney'], popping off for 4 catches for 75 yards and 2 TDs.   Mack, against Rogers High School, displayed deep speed + ball skills, not to mention YAC ability on an eye-caching TD run to really open up the 6A contest's scoring. Burst, vision, and game-breaking speed were all in impressive form as the future Golden Gopher and B1G wideout cruised into the endzone on a WR tunnel/rocket screen in eerily easy fashion. RTB and Ski-U-Mah!   <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2UEajR">game film</a>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/streethistory/status/2097035398233063780 </div></figure>     DB1 in Minnesota, along with his Moorhead teammates RB1, QB1, and WR1, is heading to Dinkytown and the University of Minnesota to continue their collegiate football careers. [player_tooltip player_id='1694135' first='Zak' last='Walker'] is the late bloomer (recruiting wise) of the bunch, with an excellent, breakout showing at a Minnesota Gopher prospect camp two June's ago setting the stage for what ultimately became a P2 recruitment and commitment by the homestate's flagship university. Walker also is the owner of some unreal track and field times as a sprinter and jumper, numbers we've talked about before (10.56 100M, 20.92 200M, 49.40 400M, 24'8" long jump) and numbers that translate to absolute to game-changing, game-breaking explosiveness on a high school gridiron.   Walker, against Rogers High School, went off for 7 receptions (tied for 5th in MN) for 252 yards (1st in MN) and 3 TDs (tied for second in MN). Walker showed off strength and balance through contact, explosive get-up and acceleration, and his elite top speed allows him to blow by pursuit angles and create tough 1v1 angles for tacklers in the open field. Walker is a legit threat to take it the distance every snap thanks to elite and verified track speed and a man coverage burner who can easily get behind CBs and safeties and take the top off the defense. Plus, he's a lockdown DB. Should be a huge fall for Walker, Moorhead, & company.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/rybo_2/status/2096417382684107010 </div></figure>     South Dakota State RB commit [player_tooltip player_id='1633432' first='Zach' last='Shatek'] is a frightening combination of size and top-end speed at the RB position, popping off for 27 carries for 299 yards (tied in the state), 4 TDs (tied for second in the state) as Hastings beat New Prague 38-12 on Thursday night. Shatek also showed off a crazy jump cut that covers a ton of ground and is noticeably and impressive laterally explosive. He's lightning in a bottle and a threat to take it the distance every carry. Possesses both power and finesse, not to mention great vision that finds and sniffs out the cut back effectively. He's twitched up and deadly in the open field thanks to his lightning-fast feet. Elite acceleration and speed allows him to blow up pursuit angles and create tough tackle angles in situations that normal RBs would go down or get corralled. Overall ridiculous tackle-breaking ability, footwork, contact balance, and fight to stay upright and onward. One of the best watches in Minnesota this fall. Go Jacks!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Zack_Shatek/status/2096136978295144850 </div></figure>     Despite Hermantown's [player_tooltip player_id='1292281' first='Martin' last='Sleen'] verbal commit to North Dakota State, one of the best recruiters of MN talent out there, not to mention a newly-minted FBS program, Sleen still seems underrated. The owner of some very strong track & field times, namely a 10.76 100M as a sophomore and 11.03 100M as junior, as well as a 21.83 200M as sophomore and 22.41 junior outdoor season, Sleen got his senior campaign off to a hot start against Duluth Denfeld. Against the Hunters, Sleen totaled 13 carries for 179 yards and 4 rushing TDs (rushing tuddys tied for second in the state) on a 13.8 YPC, and the <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2UFPyZ">game tape</a> against Denfeld displays a tailback whose contact balance, will to stay upright, and 0-60 burst immediately stand out from the first play of his game tape. Good vision, does a good job of following his blocks, and can step through, run over, and break tackle attempts at his lower body with frightening power + ease. Explosive acceleration gets Sleen up and into the second and third level of a defense in a blink, and yes, he has more than enough speed to finish big runs once given the space. Really silky, powerful, and smooth ball carrier who can beat defenders in a multitude of ways. NDSU got a good one! Roll Herd!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MartinSleen27/status/2043086406998987259 </div></figure>     Illinois State commit and Minnetonka Skippers senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1654702' first='Myles' last='Augustyn'] picked up right where he left off in 2025. The reported 6'3, 220 lber. finished his junior campaign with 120 tackles, and Augustyn finished his Week 1 team victory over East Ridge with 10 total tackles, tied for second in the state through Week 1.   No film for the future Redbirds' LB, but Augustyn is big, physical, has a nose for the football, and never takes his foot off the gas. Next evolution of an impressive and distinguished Minnetonka LB line of prospects, especially as of late. Can't wait to see this D1 LB commit's condensed film in a few short weeks.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/mylesaugustyn/status/2057594676354470221 </div></figure>    --

Let's check in with some of the heavyweight prospects in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and how their Week 1 performances and contests went!