PRZMN Regular Season’s Biggest 2029 Recruiting Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 prep football season in Minnesota has been chock-full of breakout performers and exciting new names on recruiting boards across the Midwest. Recruiting timelines have accelerated, so it's never too early to look a recruiting cycle or two ahead and highlight the Minnesotans who best raised their recruiting stock this season. Up first: meet the regular season's Biggest 2029 Recruiting Risers. These sophomores did the best job of raising their profile and recruiting stock thanks to their gridiron exploits this fall. Dig in. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2208552"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aeb8fc6d2fe2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There's another <strong>Bush</strong> to buy stock in at <em>Hills-Beaver Creek</em>! The <em>Patriots</em> are the defending Class 9-Player state champs in Minnesota, and among their wealth of talent on their roster this fall is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2208552' first='Malachi' last='Bush'],</strong> a very promising 2029 safety who is also the younger brother of current South Dakota State freshman <strong>Micah Bush.</strong> The younger Bush is already pumping out good film and shows some of the same fluid and sudden movement ability his brother showed at the same stage in his career, and big-time programs are already taking notice, including the Minnesota Golden Gophers, whom <strong>Bush</strong> visited on Oct. 25. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The SAF is a rangy ballhawk as the MOF defender who does a great job reading, processing, and breaking on route concepts all around the second and third level of the field. <strong>Bush</strong> will come down, run the alley, and fill and tackle with physicality, and he closes with pace as a tackler and can set the edge and tackle/defend with proper leverage. He's also a read-option QB with game-breaking speed and shows good touch and solid arm strength as a QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Malbush23/status/2114410161851019721","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Malbush23/status/2114410161851019721 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Malbush23/status/2114410161851019721","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Malbush23/status/2114410161851019721 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1716426"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aebed382f820"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1716426' first='Jackson' last='Kruse']</strong> may be the biggest riser out of the 2029 class this season. The <em>Tracy-Milroy-Balaton </em>sophomore is a big kid with a strong multi-sport background as a hooper and baseball player, plus an impressively dynamic and productive presence on the gridiron. Acting as the <em>Panthers</em>' QB1 and de facto playmaker this season, <strong>Kruse</strong> was scoring and creating splash plays in about every way possible, and an <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/special-teams-and-returners-shine-early-in-2026/">earlier write-up from late September</a> highlighted specialists and returns from the first few weeks of the fall described his special teams ability in particular: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"The KOR against <em>MACCRAY</em> was quite impressive, as he burst through the gut and middle of the coverage unit with so much speed and explosiveness that he was untouched and looked like he was playing and sprinting on another plane of speed than the competition. The last few seconds of the KOR TD run didn't even have any defenders in the film's window and view. <strong>Kruse</strong> was CRUISING! Potential Player of the Year status out of the 2029 class so far this fall."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kruse</strong> has since uploaded more film, and the game tape vs. <em>Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg</em> displayed a fluid, shifty, powerful, and elusive ball carrier in the open field and with the ball in hand. His contact balance and length helped him easily work through arm tackles and tackle attempts at off angles. vs. <em>Murray County Central</em>, <strong>Kruse</strong> was a dangerous scrambler and tough runner who eats and absorbs contact well. He displays a nose for the football, is a strong tackler, and flows to and closes on the ball quickly. <strong>Kruse's</strong> athleticism lets him regularly extend plays and force defenses to key on him, but he's also accurate at all three levels of the field and can get the ball out quickly and with zip, not to mention good touch on his vertical passes. Big play speed and vision once he tucks and takes off, too. Hard not to think the future is bright for this young prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1654786"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aebed382f8a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1654786' first='Malik' last='Lauer']</strong> asserted himself as one of the state's most dangerous and dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks this fall. Built on a foundation of elite speed and athleticism that included blazing freshman track &amp; field PRs such as his 11.25 100M, 23.49 200M, and 19'05" long jump, Lauer has been a stat-stuffer, gamer, and massive asset to the <em>Warriors</em> in his first year starting at QB. <em>Brainerd</em> is 8-1, and <strong>Lauer</strong> has completed 121 passes on 196 attempts (62%) for 1,774 yards and 19 TDs to 5 INTs passing, not to mention 60 rushes for 456 yards and 9 more TDs rushing. This kid can play, to say the least, and his regular-season highlights display a ball carrier who is shifty, twitchy, and has tons of acceleration in the open field. Seems to glide and skate by defenders like he's on another level of speed, which he is. <strong>Lauer</strong> owns a good arm and throws an accurate deep ball and has some impressive throws on his sophomore tape, including multi-layered completions and can fit the rock into tighter windows at the prep level. Also impressive off-platform accuracy and ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lauer</strong> is also an elusive, explosive scrambler who gets more potent the longer a play is extended. Can take advantage of small seams and gaps in a defense and exploit them for splash plays and big gains. His powerful lower body aids the speed but also helps him work through and bounce off of tackle attempts. He does a great job of using the entire width of the gridiron to his advantage, sets up defenders and freezes their feet before bouncing it inside or outside, especially since he possesses the speed to consistently take the edge of a defense. What a verified dynamic talent we have on our hands, especially for a sophomore! Expect recruiting attention out of this camp sooner rather than later. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2246065"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aebed382f906"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Someone is due for a rankings bump! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2246065' first='Chase' last='Zupke']</strong> is one of the biggest and best recruiting finds of the fall, not just out of the 2029 class. The TE is a Top 20 or Top 10 kid come update time, and we tried to give you guys a good picture of <strong>Zupke's</strong> game in his <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/potential-minnesota-recruiting-stars-unearth-themselves-in-2026/">evaluation from late September</a>, including the fact that <strong>Zupke</strong> has all of the tools and makings of a potential high-level FCS or above TE prospect coming out of a state that develops our TEs especially well. He's added more tape since we last evaluated him, which we've highlighted below. Make sure to keep an eye out for this sophomore on the recruiting trail this offseason and beyond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>vs. <em>MCW</em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>strong run blocker with power, technique, physicality, effort</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>vs. <em>GFW</em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>highlight-reel worthy catch on a wheel route out of the slot, high-pointed the ball and perfectly played it in the air from a back-shoulder position</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>smooth COD ability and unlock his hips as a route runner</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>made a nice snag down the seam with good body control that allowed him to stay upright after the catch and carry 4-5 more defenders for extra yardage further down the field</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>was running some good routes</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>will stick his face in a defender as a run blocker</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>vs. <em>Lester Prairie</em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>crushing, effective blocker as an inline TE in the run game</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>big catch radius. Can fully extend and reel in catches away from his body and with defenders right in his hip pocket</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>quick and strong at the top of the route, doesn't waste movement</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>vs. <em>St. James</em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>pulled off a crushing pancake block and finish in pass pro as a wingback</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>quick at the top of the route and was creating separation as a route runner</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["785859"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aebed382f96b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite his outrageous breakout season this fall, one that was preceded by an excellent showing on the summer camp trail in unpadded, high-level competitive settings, <em>Armstrong's</em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='785859' first='Kyson' last='Wanjara']</strong> did not play varsity ball last season with the <em>Falcons</em>. However, that means that <strong>Wanjara</strong> qualifies for this <em>PRZMN</em> special feature highlighting the sophomores who rose in recruiting stock the most this fall. I've been singing his praises all season, through a variety of means, in order to raise awareness around this special playmaker, and we have film breakdowns from the last two games of <strong>Wanjara's</strong> season, just so you know where his game and skill set are at late in the year. This is one of the best WRs we're going to see in the 2020s, folks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playoffs vs. <em>Park Center</em>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>7 catches for 131 yards and 1 TD</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>absolutely torching <em>Park Center's</em> cornerbacks, had them stepping and stumbling and off-balance thanks to how quickly he can eat up space and cushions</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>excellent route runner, zero wasted movement, can accelerate out of his. breaks and shut things down in a blink, deadly releases</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>lethal and potent deep speed and explosiveness, vertical ability</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>works back to the ball and attacks it in the air</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 8 vs. <em>Alexandria</em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>14 catches for 151 yards and 1 TD</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>ball skills and body control when the ball is in the air</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>ran a particularly dirty and impressive deep comeback that almost had the Alexandria CB stumbling over and onto his face</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>fluid and can unlock his hips at the top of the route with beautiful effectiveness</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>quick and sudden after the catch</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2476779"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aebed382f9c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Minnesota's 2029 RB class has been superbly strengthened by the discovery of <em>Hutchinson's</em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2476779' first='Lex' last='Ostlie'] </strong>earlier this season. Not only has he been one of the best sophomores in the state this fall, but he's also been one of its best RBs, period. Here's what he said about <strong>Ostlie</strong> in a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/mns-week-3-breakout-performers-and-stock-rising-standouts/">write-up from September</a>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"With conflicting reports of height, I'd wager the sophomore is somewhere between 5'8-5'10 and around 180 lbs., and within that frame is some ridiculous, raw, and untethered track speed that includes eye-popping personal records from the 2026 outdoor track &amp; field season including an 11.11 100M, 23.73 200M, 31'9.75" shot put, 19'11.75" long jump as a freshman. Also 6.99 55M indoor 2026 PR. <strong>Ostlie</strong> sure put it to good use in Week 3, rushing 37 times for 302 yards and 3 TDs (8.2 YPC) in the 21-14 win over <em>Rocori</em>. "</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ostlie</strong> hasn't consolidated any game tape himself, but from Hudl's automated uploaded tape, vs. <em>Marshall</em>: you can really see his track background and explosiveness as a sprinter in his burst, right out the gates, the kid is into space, where he's lethal and more than challenging to corral. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>vs. <em>Willmar</em>, <strong>Ostlie</strong> displays big-time burst, shooting through the LOS and into the second and third level of the defense in a blink, and his strong lower body easily runs through arm tackles and weaker tackle attempts at his lower body, especially after he creates tough angles with his speed and COD ability. Versus <em>Detroit Lakes,</em> he was a powerful, shifty cutter with good vision and a nose for the end zone. I can't wait to see what kind of recruiting momentum this kid conjures up here soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1735147"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aebed382fa2c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1735147' first='Luca' last='Maciej'],</strong> a 2029 running back from <em>Maple Grove</em>, is our lone 6A representative on this star-studded list of sophomores raising their recruiting stock this season. <strong>Maciej</strong> stepped up and made the most of his opportunity at the <em>Crimson's</em> RB1 in the middle of the season, and his <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/10/minnesota-week-5-heroes-risers-breakout-performers-mvps-part-1/">Week 3-5 highlights from early October</a> vs. <em>Osseo</em>, <em>Edina</em>, and <em>Moorhead</em> saw him tally 58 carries for 396 yards and 2 TDs, displaying a "big-play back with home-run speed against 6A defenders. <strong>Maciej</strong> uses the width of the field well and knows how to set up defenders, play off blocks, and know when and where to bounce it outside; he's laterally shifty and bouncy with good vision. The sophomore has an effective stiff-arm and is a weapon on screens, with a strong lower body that can step and work through weaker tackle attempts. He's shifty, strong, sudden in the open field, and shoots into the second and third level of a defense in what seems like a blink. We have a stud on our hands, ladies and gentlemen!"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's added more tape since then, and his Andover highlights display quick feet and a sudden, shifty running style in the open field that makes it tough for tacklers to try to square up and get a clean shot on. His big burst gets him into the second and third level of the field quickly, and he displays good vision, sees the cutback open up, and is tough and has good balance through contact. Overall smooth operator as a ball carrier. Maple Grove has one of the best tailback traditions in the state, and <strong>Maciej</strong> is an excellent new installment of this trend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->