The Crown Jewel of the OL in attendance at the Bemidji State War on the Shore Big School Team Camp was Forest Lake’s Alex Knies Alex Knies 6'3" | 260 lbs | OL Forest Lake | 2027 State MN . The Bemidji State 2027 commit was fundamentally clean and physically impressive at all points in the camp, and I’m sure the young Beaver was making sure to work hard and put on a show in front of his future coaches. Bendy, nimble, but a bruiser in the trenches like all great MN 6A OL, this kid has All-Metro and potentially All-State written all over him, depending on Forest Lake’s overall output and success this fall.

The Forest Lake Rangers are coming off one of their best seasons in recent memory, finishing 8-2 in 2025 before an unfortunate Class 6A, Round 2, 31-30 loss to eventual state champs Edina. Despite having a senior class that will be etched in 6A lore, you don’t earn eight Big School wins without some depth and talent in the non-senior ranks, and Forest Lake has some serious names and prospects returning for their 2026 campaign. One of their anchors in the all-important offensive line is Alex Knies, who first caught the eye of PRZMN this past summer at the Bemidji State War on the Shore Big School Team Camp, where Knies & co. were moving some mass in the run game against high-quality competition.

Knies is one of a handful of 2027 OL that PRZMN is watching particularly close this offseason as we look to clean up and solidify the always-prominent OL group in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. With solid size at a reported 6’3, 260, Knies displays concise, fluid movement skills and ability make him a bully of a blocker when climbing to the second level that 6A defenders should really fear around the box and even up to the secondary at times. He’s a crushing puller, and I love his footwork as a puller and versatile blocker & mover around the LOS. You can can see the impact of his initial contact when he puts the pads on defenders in his junior tape, strong kid with a lot of power, balance, and finishing ability in his game. The LG #55 is a bruising finisher when he gets his hands on the chest plate of a DL or LB who visibly explodes through his hips out of his stance as a run blocker. Don’t be surprised in the slightest if you see this Forest Lake Ranger rise up the Big Board this offseason.