Colbe Tappe Colbe Tappe 5'8" | 174 lbs | RB/DB Staplesmotley | 2026 State MN played a central role in guiding Staples-Motley to the Class 2A State Championship game last season. Tappe held his own pretty well going against athletes from much bigger schools during the event, flashing his physicality and his strength in rushing downhill. He showed great hands and toughness during the blocking drills and also is a solid pass-catcher, despite playing to defend the pass as a DB. Tappe is a bright small-school prospect that certainly warrants watching in 2025.

Prepredzonemn ranking 234/Ranked #2 the 152A weight class by The Guillotine

Tappe does a little bit of everything for the Cardinals. He is a hard-hitting defensive back who can play deep safety and slot corner. As a punt returner, the junior has good speed and explosiveness coming out of breaks. On offense, he is a great blocker coming out of the backfield. That physical play translates to his skill carrying the ball. His strength running the ball is complemented by his balance coming through the hole. He is strong enough to bounce off and break tackles and has the balance to keep moving forward. While not his primary role, Tappe can also catch the ball coming out of the backfield. As a wrestler, the junior has advanced to the finals in the last two years but has yet to reach the top of the podium.

One of the best multi-sport athletes in Minnesota’s 2026 class, Staples-Motley standout Colbe Tappe Colbe Tappe 5'8" | 174 lbs | RB/DB Staplesmotley | 2026 State MN is a three-sport stud who already holds a Minnesota-Duluth baseball offer, was the 2024 MSHSL 152A state runner-up on the wrestling mat, and is a force on the gridiron as a running back and defensive back. The 175 lber. scored four TDs in the Class AA state semifinal win against Chatfield, where he remarked that the junior is a “strong kid who looked unstoppable at times, Tappe is shifty, strong, and a powerful lower body that can carry defenders for extra yardage and easily run through arm tackles and weaker tackle attempts at his lower body.” He was named to the 2024 PRzMN All-Prep Bowl State Semifinal Team for his efforts, and the limited junior tape displays a three-phase contributor as a RB, DB, and returner who is a playmaker in all units of the game. His low center of gravity, powerful lower body, and nonstop leg drive combine to help Tappe churn through tackle attempts like a machine, pulling in and chomping through tackle attempts like a RB of a much bigger stature. His strong and emphatic cuts are sudden, quick, and well-timed, and he does a good job of both seeing and creating space when he sticks his cleat in the ground and works laterally. Tappe is also a rangy defensive back who covers ground in both run support and pass coverage, runs the alley especially well and is able to make 1v1 TFLs behind the LOS as the high safety and is a violent tackler as well as effective at tackling space. I hope he makes a complete highlight tape soon, but given the limited film, the in person eval, and the multi-sport resume, it’s safe to say the kid is a stud.

On special teams, Tappe had a long kickoff return. Then, he showed excellent footwork with some quick cuts. Then, he made a great broken-field run for twenty yards. He has excellent foot speed, highlighted by a pair of short runs where he made two good cuts at the line of scrimmage, turning short losses into a six-yard gain and then an eight-yard gain.