PrepRedzoneMN's 2025 SZN Breakout Stars: 2028 Edition

As we hurdle full throttle into Week 4 of the 2025 Minnesota prep football season, PrepRedzoneMN is really starting to smell some Breakout Names and Contenders that are beginning to make their mark on the MN high school football scene. Partly due to strong performances on the Summer Camp Circuit, as well as notable and eye-catching Week 1-3 performances, we're continuing our breakout mini-series with the seemingly-heralded and quickly-rising 2028 sophomore prospects. Minnesota has seen some especially impressive 2028s begin to take over gridirons all around the Land of 10,000 Lakes this fall, and nothing can quite match underclassmen production, so as always, PrepRedzoneMN has your first-look at some of the future faces of Minnesota prep football stardom. The future is NOW!   --   Sophomores    In retrospect, we should have seen this coming. Brainerd Warrior gunslinger [player_tooltip player_id='1683410' first='Bo' last='Schwartz'] had a fantastic showing during the 2025 Summer Camp SZN, catching the eye of PrepRedzoneMN at stops at the Minnesota Gophers RTB Prospect Camp and the first North Dakota Flagship Camp of the summer. Strong arm, tall in the pocket, consistent in his accuracy, and always a top performer during 1v1 competition, Schwartz had us bullish on his potential in 2024, but he's been exceeding expectations through three weeks of his sophomore season. Schwartz has been running with the Warrior's QB1 job since earning the starting nod during fall camp, leading Brainerd to an early 3-0 record while completing 33 passes on 49 attempts (67%) for 445 yards and 2 TDs to 0 INTs + 51 rushing yards in wins over Buffalo (28-27), Duluth East (30-0), and Sauk Rapids-Rice (49-14).   The tape shows off a young, developing first-year starter who can throw with touch downfield, can scramble and evade pressure around the pocket and throws a good ball on the move, and will step into his throws and finish passes through contact and oncoming big hits. Schwartz displays a quick release, good timing on his passes, the arm strength to zip the ball into zone coverage windows, and is also a threat as a rusher. Brainerd is HUMMING right now, and a lot of their competitiveness can be credited to Schwartz, who does a good job keeping his offense moving, churning out yardage thanks to his quick decision making, and keeping the football safe. Keep an eye on Brainerd in the 5A race in 2025!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Bo_schwartz09/status/1966912989279514658 </div></figure>     Hill-Murray - led by an astounding wave of underclassmen talent - is off to a 2-1 start with their lone loss coming to #1 ranked Byron, and the Pioneers have been putting up serious numbers in their first two wins of the season. One of the breakout stars of the Pioneers 2025 campaign is sophomore RB [player_tooltip player_id='1643319' first='Grady' last='Buettner'], who has posted 29 rushes for 311 yards (10.7 YPC) and 4 TDs through three games of action and isn't looking to slow down anytime soon. Buettner, who is also a stud forward on the Pioneers heavyweight hockey team and an accomplished 3B/OF/UT for HM's baseball squad, has been explosive for his Pioneers in 2025, showing off a balanced skillset of speed, strength, and vision that has been hard to stop for opposing defenses this fall. Not a ton of film available yet, but PRZMN is eagerly awaiting some updated tape from the sophomore. This Pioneers squad is only getting better week to week.     A pleasant surprise out of Section 7AAAAA, St. Francis is looking lean and mean in 2025, coming out of the gate hot with wins over Robbinsdale Cooper and New Prague, but a Week 3 throttling by Elk River is forcing the Fighting Saints to recalibrate, especially since Elk River is looming large in Section 7's postseason. Led by Minnesota-Duluth QB commit [player_tooltip player_id='1593562' first='Tanner' last='Rothbauer'], the Fighting Saints have seen a resurgence thanks to 2028 breakout star RB [player_tooltip player_id='1236446' first='Owen' last='Darsow']. The speedster has catapulted himself into the RB1 spot for his high school squad, currently sitting at 49 rushes for 307 yards and 2 TDs, with a 6.3 YPC average as a first-year starter and underclassmen battling against seasoned 5A competition.   In the limited film Darsow has posted so far, the 185 lber. flashes an electric skillset, with well-timed, laterally twitchy cuts, the contact balance to bounce off tackle attempts at his lower body, good vision, and a ton of physicality at the contact point. He's made some would-be defenders look downright silly so far in 2025. Can't wait for some comprehensive tape on this young tailback soon.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Owen_Darsow/status/1964809136694341762 </div></figure>     There's a couple of especially exciting sophomore prospects at Up North's Warroad High School, both of whom are also standout multi-sporters and legit prospects on both the gridiron and hockey ice. Running back and linebacker Conner Lund has been instrumental in the Warriors 2-1 start and ensuing gridiron success, putting his solid size to good use by already posting 71 rushes for 522 yards (7.4 YPC) and 7 TDs along with 20 tackles and a pick-six defensively. The frame suggests strength and power, the YPC average points to speed and explosiveness, and the production leads one to think that Lund could be a baller. Additionally, Lund has already received some serious recognition for his hockey exploits, and everyone should already know how much we like multi-sport athletes in the Land of 10,00 Lakes. No film yet, but I'm hoping that changes soon.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/rybo_2/status/1964348140317766119 </div></figure>     Another sophomore stud out of the Warroad Warriors, 2028 defensive back Maddex Cole has been one of the most productive ballhawks in the state through three weeks of 2025. A 6', 170+ lb. sophomore, Cole has posted three interceptions, two of which came in a thrilling 17-16 win over Hawley in Week 2. Sadly, no tape available, but Cole is also an established hockey player with the heavyweight Warroad program and seems to really be running with the varsity opportunity and spotlight as a young underclassmen starter on the gridiron. DB coaches: you've been warned!     Yes, another article discussing Eden Prairie's sophomore sensation Owen Konrad. PRZMN is fresh off seeing this young man live, where he absolutely wowed in a big home win against Classic Lake Conference rival Edina. Like the last two 2028s we broke down, Konrad is an accomplished hockey player for Eden Prairie's big-time hockey program, so accomplished that he was drafted in the USHL's Phase l draft's 15th round after posting 10 points during the Eagles run through postseason play that resulted in a 4th place finish at the state's Bantam AA state tournament.   The upper tier athleticism more than shows up on the gridiron, as Konrad is a dazzling combination of speed, strength, and quickness with especially impressive foot speed and an effective bag of tools in the open field and when breaking tackles. Konrad can run your butt over, break your ankles with perfectly timed sudden cuts, or blow past you en-route to a touchdown. Varsity football and playmaking seems to come natural to this kid, and it's always fun to add another high-powered multi-sporter to the PRZMN ranking's Big Board. As the Eagles current #1 rusher, Konrad has tallied 46 carries for 429 yards and 3 TDs in what is going to be the start to a fantastic prep campaign. Get on the bandwagon now, folks.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/27404089/68c588e42612daceb0690604">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/27404089/68c588e42612daceb0690604</a>     Shoutout to fellow PRZ scout [player_tooltip player_id='1292716' first='Nate' last='Wahl'], who found Caledonia's Next Great Prep Football Prospect at one of South Dakota State's prospect camps this summer. This may go down as the recruiting find of the year in Minnesota, as Allen was not only a fantastic tester and performer at a verified 6'3, 215 pounds as a rising sophomore, but also has been up eye-catching production on the gridiron as a second-year starter in 2025. Through three games, Allen has posted 30 tackles, 2 sacks, and a 1 FF, positioning himself to easily best his 2024 numbers of 55 tackles, 5 sacks, and 3 TFLs. Given the combination, it's hard not to see Allen as a P4 linebacker or DE some day soon, and the film he's released so far displays eye-catching closing speed, defensive range, the ability to easily track the hip and close with pace, and tackle well in space and in 1v1 settings. Allen flows to the ball with urgency, attacks at the contact point and looks to win at the gain line, and runs the alley like a safety. I'm itching for more tape on this kid. Nothing hits like a Division 1 Caledonia kid.   @Cooper138752q   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20090814/68c19eb9646e58d7c62d0e96">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20090814/68c19eb9646e58d7c62d0e96</a>     The tides turn, the winds shift, and the pendulum swings, and in 2025, the Kato Jug belongs to Mankato East High School. After 19 years across town with Mankato West, the East High School Cougars thrashed their in-town counterparts 28-7 at Minnesota State-Mankato's football stadium. The Cougars moved to 3-0 with the victory and look like a legitimate contender for a deep Class 5A playoff run and potentially a state title, and the lynchpin of the success is sophomore QB sensation [player_tooltip player_id='1581375' first='Kellen' last='Willaert']. A 6'1, 165 lb. PrepRedzoneMN Showcase veteran, Willaert has been balling out through three weeks of action, completing 34 passes for 51 yards (66.7%) for 530 yards and 7 TDs to 2 INTs and spearheading a Cougars passing attack that is throwing for nearly 200 yards a game and over 10 yards an attempt.   Displaying accuracy to all three levels of the field, good touch on his downfield throws, and the ability to read the field well and make fast, effective decisions with the football, Willaert has been efficient and secure with the rock while displaying a quick, compact release and a strong arm that can put the ball on a rope, even on more difficult passes on the route tree. Willaert opens his Mankato West highlights with a beautiful deep out route from the opposite hash that he put on a line, and he shows real poise in the pocket and will finish and deliver throws through big hits and oncoming rushers. The sophomore is playing and throwing well above what his age would suggest, and I think it's safe to say that Willaert is one of the breakout stars of this developing 2025 season. Pay attention to Mankato East in the 2025 5A race, folks!   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21815732/68c5acca5701f01258cc81d3">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21815732/68c5acca5701f01258cc81d3</a>     Representing Section 7AA and the 218's Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin co-op, 6'5, 175 lb. sophomore QB/ATH Evan Woodman has been stuffing the stat sheet so far in 2025. Throwing at a near 60% clip with 4 TDs to only one INT, according to MNFootballHub, Woodman sports a big arm that can stretch the ball vertically, and he's also a threat with his legs, adding to a dangerous Titans backfield. Most importantly, Woodman is leading his GNK Titans squad to a 2-1 start to 2025 with a ton of football left to be played. Not a ton of tape or information available, but Woodman's frame, dynamic ability, two-way versatility, and production as an underclassman have me excited about his future. Keep up the great work, Evan!   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23456669/68b43a870a38f6d4bf877554">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23456669/68b43a870a38f6d4bf877554</a>     Another 2025 Minnesota high school football season's Breakout Star from the Big School, 6A RB spot, Prior Lake have themselves a good one in 5'11, 180 lber. [player_tooltip player_id='1894343' first='Luke' last='Watkins']. Like many others on this list (are you beginning to see some correlation?), Watkins is a decorated multi-sport athlete as a young sophomore, excelling at baseball, hockey, and of course, football. In his breakout varsity season as a first-year starter, Watkins is the Lakers leading rusher, posting 24 carries for 142 yards and a TD against some stiff competition from the 6A Metro ranks.   With a noticeably strong lower body, Watkins displays good balance and toughness through contact, as he owns the ability to bounce off tackle attempts like a pinball, leading to exciting carries and multiple broken tackles left in his wake. Plus, he shows good patience and burst, and is an asset out of the backfield as a receiver and in the screen game who is overall dangerous in space. A developing power back, this kid is only going to get bigger, faster, and stronger in his remaining prep football years, a fact that should worry his 6A competition. Remember the name!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Luke24711297208/status/1961915042850345355 </div></figure>     A 2028 that PrepRedzoneMN is very excited about, Grand Rapids product [player_tooltip player_id='1814373' first='Logan' last='Mcnear'] was a standout, can't-miss talent at this past July's Bemidji State War on the Shore Big School Team Camp, earning a nod on the coveted All-Camp Team while showing a skillset of length, explosiveness, versatility, and overall upside. Now the Thunderhawks' QB1, Mcnear is running GR's triple-option with lethal efficiency, proving himself as the team's leading scorer with four rushing TDs and a passing TD for good measure, all while leading the Thunderhawks to a current 2-1 record with their lone loss coming to a heavyweight Bemidji program.   Possessing game-changing burst with the top-end speed to finish big runs for six and outpace those final pursuing defenders, Mcnear's long legs equate smooth cuts, and the 6'4 athlete shows good vision and the awareness of when and where to bounce the rock outside, utilizing the whole field and really stabbing defenses when he gets to the sideline. He's also light on his feet and elusive in the hole and in space, and can take the ball to the house on any given play. I see D1 upside and potential in this young man; hang tight on his upcoming rankings debut!   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22889394/68c73beb4959ff0f9372385a">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22889394/68c73beb4959ff0f9372385a</a>     One of PrepRedzoneMN's constant goals is to find the Next Great Offensive Linemen out of Minnesota, a goal which is especially valuable out of the underclassmen ranks. After Friday's in-person evaluation of the Eden Prairie vs. Edina 6A matchup, I think we may have found one, dear readers. Coming out of powerhouse Edina, LG [player_tooltip player_id='1739373' first='Wyatt' last='Perry'] was bendy, smooth in his pass set, and physical from his OG spot, asserting himself physically from start to finish on the Hornet's 6A OL. No film available, but the in-person showing was impressive. I'll be eagerly awaiting more film, info, ANYTHING from the young Hornet OL.   "Well, I couldn't be more excited about sophomore OG [player_tooltip player_id='1739373' first='Wyatt' last='Perry']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/wyatt-perry-2/"></a> . While stay babyfaced and carrying the gait of an underclassmen still growing into body, Perry flipped the switch at the snap, playing with exciting physicality and effectiveness at the point of attack while showing off some serious upside overall. Technically sound, Perry used his impressive foot speed, balance, and technique to show off a clean and effective pass set, and with his giant frame was able to move mass and open gaps in the run game. Only an underclassmen, the size already catapults Perry into D1 consideration, but his play absolutely solidified the fact that this kid is a Top 20 2028 right now. So stoked I got eyes on this kid on Friday night. PrepRedzoneMN is always on the hunt for the Next Great Minnesota Offensive Linemen, and we may have one here, folks."    --

As we hurdle full throttle into Week 4 of the 2025 Minnesota prep football season, PrepRedzoneMN is really starting to smell some Breakout Names and Contenders that are beginning to make their mark on the MN high school football scene. Partly due to strong performances on the Summer Camp Circuit, as well as notable and eye-catching Week 1-3 performances, we're continuing our breakout mini-series with the seemingly-heralded and quickly-rising 2028 sophomore prospects. Minnesota has seen some especially impressive 2028s begin to take over gridirons all around the Land of 10,000 Lakes this fall, and nothing can quite match underclassmen production, so as always, PrepRedzoneMN has your first-look at some of the future faces of Minnesota prep football stardom. The future is NOW!