New Offensive Weapons Reveal Themselves in Minnesota

Now that we're two weeks into the 2026 Minnesota high school football regular season, we're really begin to see who is asserting themselves offensively throughout the state. Who had a good offseason, who is ready for the spotlight, whose name is being called this fall; these questions are beginning to get answered as New Offensive Weapons Reveal Themselves in Minnesota. Learn more below!   --    The Coon Rapids Cardinals are at the genesis of a new era, currently 1-1 in the first year of Cleveland McCoy's tutelage. A well-known name and presence in the state's training and QB scene, McCoy brings a good resume and football knowhow to the 6A competitor Cardinals, who have a good senior class on this fall's roster and are led at the front by a new offensive weapon revealing himself under Friday Night Lights. [player_tooltip player_id='1407471' first='Wilson-Bright' last='Tambe'] is off to a good start as a senior, as he popped off for a 105 rushing yards and 4 TDs Week 1 vs. Osseo High School.   Against the Orioles, Tambe was seeing the cutback well, willing and physical in pass pro, and had an impressive run through a dog pile, keeping those legs pumping through contact and collisions from first and second level defenders. Tambe displayed explosive burst that gets him to the second and third level of a defense quickly, and his impressive contact balance thanks to his lower body strength and naturally low center of gravity. Will run behind his pads and can break tackles North-South behind a full head of steam. No updated stats or tape from Week 2, but I'd be watching this breakout offensive weapon in the 6A RB race the rest of the season.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/d1_wilson14/status/2093013772684181715 </div></figure>     Representing the 651 and St. Paul Highland Park High School, RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='2164813' first='Brandon' last='Jackson'] is coming off a strong showing on the Summer Camp Circuit. We saw Jackson live and in-person at the Macalester College High-Academic Prospect Camp, where the hometown hero looked like one of the best players in attendance backed by a well-built frame and a versatile skillset. In Week 1 against Richfield, Jackson posted 18 rushes for 110 yards and 3 TDs + 5 tackles and 2 FF, a strong showing that saw the Scots' prospect display himself as a North-South power back with big-time goal line threat and good burst that gets him upfield quickly. Some highlights included FF coming downhill quickly and with pace, and the 651 recruit putting a kid flat on his butt as the upback on kickoff return coverage.   In the Week 2 film vs. Mahtomedi, Jackson was a thumper of an OLB/SS who will stick his face into ball carriers and win collisions in 1v1 tackles. Displays a nose for the football and sniffs the rock out well, is a strong 1v1 tackler in both defensive and special teams settings, and laid some massive and impressive hits throughout the Mahtomedi matchup. Made sure the Zephyrs felt #4 throughout the ball game. Good backpedal and defensive range as a safety to highlight the aforementioned versatility, good understanding of leverage as the edge defender, and attacks blockers to their outside shoulder. As a tailback, Jackson owns good vision and some serious power. Should be a big season for this 2027 breakout offensive AND defensive weapon.     Foley High School is home to some must-know prospects in their 2027 class. RB [player_tooltip player_id='1288311' first='Brody' last='Kipka'] is one of the highlights, and the senior tailback got his senior season off to a huge start in Week 1 against Glencoe-Silver Lake. 12 carries for 212 yards and 6 TDs verus the Wildcats, wherein Kipka displayed light, nimble feet and the ability to bounce off tacklers like bowling pins. Kipka owns homerun speed, can get back up to full speed quickly after contact, and sent a kid flying backward and onto his butt like he stepped on a landmine against GLS. Big-time truck stick and physicality from the tailback spot, also a mean stiff arm and is a smooth, slicing cutter and footwork. Foley lost to Pierz 42-6 in Week 2, so no updated stats or film just yet, but Kipka is coming off a junior season that saw him 1,249 rushing yards, so keep an eye on this 2027's production the rest of the fall.     This isn't the first time Simley's 2027 tailback [player_tooltip player_id='2374594' first='Derrick' last='Montgomery'] has caught our attention. A hard-charger with some pound-for-pound power that punches above what his weight and size would suggest, Montgomery drew our eye back-to-back summers at the Bemidji State Big School War on the Shore Team Camp, as well as a matchup against Minneapolis North in the fall of 2025, in large part thanks to his North-South, physical running style. The kid will sit you down if you come into contact unprepared, and he's also got some quickness and light feet that he can use to lethal effectiveness as well, especially when he chooses not to try to run a defender over. Montgomery posted 15 carries for 124 and 1 TD against Minneapolis North in Week 1, and the film shows a tailback with good vision, patience, and the wherewithal to follow his blocks and see and exploit space as it develops. Fearless and physical into contact, noticeable burst, and really punishes that free tackler, usually the safety, as the last defender. Tough 1v1 assignment when he gets a full head of steam and will wear you down over the course of four quarters.     Melrose Area is off to a hot start in 2026, sitting at 2-0 with a 60-0 beatdown of Montevideo and a tight 40-32 victory over Sauk Centre. The 6'2, 185 lb. QB/LB/S hybrid [player_tooltip player_id='2152744' first='Brecken' last='Elfering'] was a massive presence in the Week 1 win over Montevideo: 6-13 for 73 yards and 3 TDs passing, 8 for 73 yards and 3 TDs rushing, 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery for TD. There's two TD plays publicly available on Hudl, in the first, he displays the fact that he throws a pretty ball. Good touch, gets the ball out of his hand quickly. In the second clip, ran over two defenders on the goal line in a 9-yard TD scamper against Sauk Centre in Week 2. Smooth, silky runner who can generate some power when he sticks his cleat in the turf and works vertically. Also strong hooping background with the Dutchmen. Can't wait to get Elfering on the 2028 Big Board ASAP.     Another Melrose Area Dutchmen breaking out and finding serious success early into the 2026 season, senior RB Sam Stangler brings fun size to the table at 6'2, 205 lbs., and growing. The RB went for 14 carries for 223 yards and 3 TDs in 60-0 win over Montevideo in Week 1.   Stangler has public film available of a 96-yard TD run against Montevideo and 39-yard TD against Sauk Centre, and in those highlights, Stangler proves himself to be a shifty, twitchy cutter with elusive COD ability, not to mention big-time burst that catapults him into space and past outreaching and out pursued defenders. Stangler is a patient tailback with an impressive, noticeably strong lower body that bounces weaker tackle attempts off his legs. For a big back on film, Stangler can outpace those final pursuers to finish big runs for six in exciting, noteworthy fashion as well. College coaches have to get this 2027 on their recruiting boards ASAP.     PRZMN thought that we had a good understanding of Marshall's roster going into the fall, but like any good prep football program, the Tigers' have some talent hidden into the ranks, ready to reveal itself and breakout under the spotlight of Friday Night Lights. 6'2, 195 lber. Sam Meier is one of these new offensive weapons revealing themselves early into the fall, as the dynamic, big play tailback went for 9 rushes for 118 yards and 2 TDs vs. Westonka in Week 1 and 10 rushes for 43 yards and 1 TD in 49-0 win over Rocori in Week 2.   The highlights available publicly are a 70-yard TD run against Westonka and 15-yard run vs. Rocori, and the film displays a patient runner who follows his blocks, sees the cutback well, and is dangerous when he hits the sideline. Meier is nimble, quick, and balanced in the open field, can throw out some dirty and effective cuts in the open field, and is able to step and slip through weaker attempts at his lower body. Meier is a big play 'back with homerun speed and is a fun combination of size, speed, and physicality. Height is rare at the RB position and creates a tough tackling assignment in the open field. Promising, high-ceiling prospect as a tailback or potentially LB.     After a narrow 14-7 loss to Cambridge-Isanti in Week 1, Sartell High School is back on the track to victory, finishing out a hard-fought 34-20 win over St. Cloud Tech in Week 2. The Sabres' offense is getting led at the front by returning RB [player_tooltip player_id='2081581' first='Jonah' last='Ambrosier'], who brings a wealth of experience to the table but is establishing himself as a new weapon revealing himself at the forefront of the state's RB ranks. A 5'10, 200 lber., Ambrosier popped off for 25 carries for 208 yards and 3 TDs Week 2 in the 34-20 win over the Tigers. The Week 1/2 highlight display a tailback with light, nimble feet that can eat and absorb contact very effectively, run through arm tackles and weaker tackle attempts at his lower body with ease, and ridiculous leg drive post contact. Can drag and carry defenders for extra yardage post-contact with regularity, and the burst propels him into the second and third level of a defense, wherein he begins to brace for contact, and sometimes it comes, but sometimes it doesn't. Ambrosier plays fast and that speed pushes him by slower tacklers, which a lot of a defense is when compared to the senior tailback. Stiff-arm put a Tech defender on his butt like it was an annoying cousin at a family reunion, and the senior knows how to use the space on the field well. Uses his footwork to set up and freeze defenders before bouncing it outside or cutting it back inside, effective pass catcher out of the backfield, and thrives in physical settings. Will run behind his pads, seeks out and wins collisions, and can wear down a defense over 4 quarters with the nonstop toughness. Big-time stock riser who is flying up our recruiting board this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='2250197' first='Max' last='Vannurden'] is a big-time sleeper in the state's 2027 class. Coming out of Royalton High School, Vannurden had a breakout, tremendous showing at the Bemidji State small school War on the Shore Team Camp, asserting himself as one of the top playmakers, physical presences, and overall natural football players of the hundreds of prospects from over a dozen small schools across MN and South Dakota. Vannurden was breaking multiple tackles each and every carry, halting opposing offensive drives seemingly single-handedly, and using his premier size to his advantage in a multitude of scenarios. Somewhere around 6'3, 200 lbs., Vannurden is making waves as a receiving in 2026, tallying 3 receiving TDs so far this season, tied for 8th in the state in receiving TDs as of right now.   The only film from 2026 is 65-yard TD reception against Kimball, where Vannurden flashed that special playmaking ability we saw at BSU. The senior plucked the ball out of the air on a slant, stuck his cleat in the turf, and the burst, want/hunger to score, intent, and footwork came alive quickly and in can't-miss fashion as he steps the safety out of his cleats, shifts into top gear, and outruns two sprinting pursuers without any visible uptick in effort. Smooth, fast, explosive, natural football player, playmaker, and athlete. Talk about a BIG-TIME sleeper in the 2027 Greater Minnesota ranks.     Who doesn't like a 6'4 safety? Dover-Eyota's Jace Drilling is one of the more versatile and high-ceiling prospects in Greater Minnesota this fall, and he's breaking out and revealing himself as a standout offensive weapon thanks to his play in 2026. Drilling is currently sitting at 7 completions on 16 attempts for 83 yards and 2 TDs to 2 INTs passing, 26 rushes for 23 yards and 4 TDs rushing, 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 PBU defensively, 1 punt for 51 yards and 1 touchback as well. Two TDs on the ground in both Week 1 and 2 action. Also a good hooper with Dover-Eyota and has a lot of film from his exploits on the hardcourt.   No senior film, but the junior tape displays a roving safety who can come downhill, lay the wood, and stop tailbacks and ball carriers as that free defender. He runs the alley effectively and with pace, good overall defensive range, and the tape shows primarily safety reps and highlights in 2025. Projects to safety at the next level. As a WR in 2025, Drillling can get up and high-point the football, win 50/50 balls and contested catches, and reel in the ball away from his body thanks to his strong hands. Also a deep threat with ball skills who can burn corners in man coverage and play the ball well in the air. Not to mention the excellent frame for the position and when projecting to the next level. Yet another sleeper of a weapon revealing himself early in 2026.     You know we need some TE representation on this 2026 breakout feature! Breckenridge is looking like a #1 contender in 2026's Class A race to the Prep Bowl, possibly setting up another matchup with the long-time undefeated Minneota Vikings, but let's not get ahead of ourselves, especially when it comes to the Cowboys' wealth of prospects on their 2026 roster. Also a good SF on the Cowboys' basketball team, Connor Ernst is off to a strong start to his senior football campaign, posting 6 catches for 179 yards and 2 TDs vs. Benson in Week 1, though there's no stats uploaded from Week 2. 7 tackles vs. Benson on defense as well.   The only tape available is 87-yard TD reception vs. Benson, and in it, Ernst snagged the ball down the seam, did a good job of bringing those pinkies together to reel in a slightly underthrown pass that came in low and near his ankles. Then ran over the awaiting zone corner, kept his balance, stayed upright and onward, and blew past that backside safety to finish the big pitch & catch for six. Overall impressive speed and YAC ability at the TE position. Love the resume and multi-sport background out of Greater Minnesota as well.     Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton had a heartbreaking end to their 2025 campaign, losing by one-point to the eventual Class 3A runner-up Waseca Blujay in the state semifinals late into the fall. The Rebels replaced some exciting, experienced, and versatile talent and playmakers from their 2026 graduating class, but in the vacuum of returning point scores, some serious seniors have stepped up and risen to the occasion. One of these must-know names and talents is 2027 tailback Jace Baumgartner, who, in Week 1 vs. Thief River Falls, popped off for an astounding 10 carries for 214 yards and 3 TDs in the win. In the win, the powerful RB proved himself to be a patient runner who can follow his blocks and allow a run play to develop. Also does a great job of setting up and sniffing out gaps and creases in a DL and along the LOS. The 200+ lber. can drop his hips and cut at top speed, is a splash-play machine with game-breaking, homerun speed, and is overall elusive in the open field. Can burn right past ya if you give him too much space but can also beat you with cuts and quickness. Baumgartner sends out of control DBs and tacklers flying by him thanks to his moves in the open field, and his acceleration was on another level against TRF. Prowlers defense was having trouble touching him and getting a hand on him, much less tackling him   In Week 2 vs. Park Rapids, Baumgartner tallied 19 carries for 149 yards and 3 TDs, showing off great vision, a nifty B-button, and the ability to set up defenders in the open field, where he can break ankles with quick, powerful, lateral cuts and effective footwork. Demonstrates speed to outpace second and third level defenders and pursuers and is strong through contact. Doesn't allow himself to get pushed out of bounds, easily works through arm tackles as well as weaker tackle attempts at his lower body. The kid is playing like a scholarship RB with some serious post-season accolades coming his way if he keeps this production and playmaking ability up.     Mabel-Canton's Kale Eiken is a new offensive weapon breaking out and revealing himself in Minnesota this fall, but he's also doubling as one of the most mysterious producers the state's senior class has to offer right now. No senior tape, no size listed, but did go for 38 carries for 203 and 3TDs in the 46-18 win over Houston in Week 2. Zero football tape available, but has tallied 61 carries for 363 yards and 4 TDs in 2026 so far. No socials, Eiken does have junior clips from Hayfield and Houston for basketball, and I found on Instagram that the 2027 multi-sport prospect threw a 7-inning no hitter against Spring Grove on the baseball diamond this past season. Someone please tell Mr. Eiken to update that film and tape ASAP!     Benton Schaefer, an exciting 2029 tailback and prospect, is breaking out and revealing himself as a must-know offensive weapon in Minnesota this fall. The sophomore popped off for 11 carries for 213 and 2 TDs in win over Montevideo, but sadly, the only tape available is 29-yard run vs. Montevideo. However, it does show that Schaefer is fast, gets to space quickly, and owns a stiff arm that sent a defender sprawling backward thanks to the strength and timing in the punch. Noticeable and effective acceleration, especially when he spies and sniffs the endzone and six points. I'm itching to get some new and updated tape on this young tailback ASAP!    --

Now that we're two weeks into the 2026 Minnesota high school football regular season, we're really begin to see who is asserting themselves offensively throughout the state. Who had a good offseason, who is ready for the spotlight, whose name is being called this fall; these questions are beginning to get answered as New Offensive Weapons Reveal Themselves in Minnesota. Learn more below!