PrepRedzoneMN 2023 Rankings Update: Fastest Prospects
Biggest, fastest, strongest. A lot of the time that’s what it comes down to at the end of the day when we’re talking college football prospects. Now that the recent PrepRedzoneMN 2023 rankings update is off and published I wanted…
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Continue ReadingBiggest, fastest, strongest. A lot of the time that’s what it comes down to at the end of the day when we’re talking college football prospects. Now that the recent PrepRedzoneMN 2023 rankings update is off and published I wanted to make sure to highlight some of the biggest speedsters the class has to offer, both on film and with verified track times, and I really like what this group has to offer. From Minneapolis to Moorhead and everywhere in between, get to know some of the fastest prospects this class has to offer. Thanks for reading!
1) Richlu Tudee Richlu Tudee 5'8" | 160 lbs | DB Champlin Park | 2023 State MN (Champlin Park) DB/RB. 5’8, 170 lbs.
Rank: 205
I’ve written about the Rebel two-sport standout previously so I won’t take too long here, but Tudee is the fastest high schooler in the state and won the AAA 100, 200, and 4×100 and posted scorching times of 10.61 in the 100 and 21.12 in the 200 this past spring. His performances have earned him track offers from Baylor, Arkansas, Florida A&M, and North Texas, but on the gridiron he still has a lot to prove. As a JV competitor last year his film was solid but limited, and I really want him to show off that speed against varsity competition to the chagrin of CP coaches. I cannot wait to see how he shows out as a senior. Best of luck, Richlu!
2) Sawyer Seidl Sawyer Seidl 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB Hill-Murray | 2023 State MN (Hill-Murray) RB. 5’10, 170 lbs.
Rank: 15
RB1 in Minnesota’s 2023 class is one of the most accomplished multi-sport athletes in the state as he’s a FBS recruit in football, a second line defender for the Pioneer’s state tourney #1 seed squad, and recorded impressive 10.7 100 M and 21.7 200 M times on the track this spring. He also helped HM’s 4×1 squad win the AA final, a race in which he anchored. I’m a little surprised he hasn’t picked up more steam on the recruiting trail after earning offers from New Mexico State (Feb. 7th), Western Illinois (Feb. 8th), Army (March 4th), St. Thomas (May 27th), and Southern Illinois in early June, as the combination of his film, production, verified speed, and multi-sport background all lend themselves to a successful FBS-caliber RB. I think college programs can be hesitant when it comes to running backs from Minnesota, so he’ll have a lot to prove and a lot to gain with a monster senior season.
3) Grayson Spronk Grayson Spronk 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Prior Lake | 2023 State MN (Prior Lake) RB. 6’1, 195 lbs.
Rank: 22
Another player who I’ve written about a lot as of late, Spronk was an offseason winner in 2022 after breaking Prior Lake’s all-time power clean record with a 340 lb. rep max and posting multiple sub-11 and sub-10.9 100M times this spring, the best of which clocked in at 10.87. He’s explosive, and it shows up on film as well, with burst and contact balance all over his play style as a junior. He’s going to do some damage with his lower body this fall as the Lakers look to crown themselves 6A champs.
4) Jonathan Shrum Jonathan Shrum 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB Farmington | 2023 State MN (Farmington) DB. 5’11, 180 lbs.
Rank: 92
Love to see defenders make the list, and Farmington DB Jonathan Shrum Jonathan Shrum 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB Farmington | 2023 State MN is a good one coming out of the illustrious Tiger strength and conditioning program. The two-sport standout, who holds offers from Augustana, Bemidji State, UMD, and Sioux Falls, was one of the most productive defenders in the state of MN last fall, posting 113 tackles, 10 TFLs, 3 sacks, and 3 INTs as a DB! He then went into spring track season and posted five sub-11 second 100M dash times, with a 10.9 flat and 10.86 coming in as his fastest. To go along with these outstanding credentials, his junior film showed off a playmaking safety who can line up all over the field and plays with instincts, speed, and aggression. As a testament to his athleticism, he made plays on special teams and offense as well, and is dangerous with the ball in his hand and a full head of steam. I also love watching him tackle. In retrospect I should have him ranked higher, so look for him to gain some ground come the next update in a couple of months. Big fan of this kid.
5) Sam Backer Sam Backer 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Chatfield | 2023 State MN (Chatfield) RB. Committed to MSU-Mankato
Rank: 60
The Chatfield Gopher experienced and prolific RB Sam Backer Sam Backer 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Chatfield | 2023 State MN shut down his recruitment three days ago after committing to heavyweight NSIC competitor Minnesota State-Mankato, and he can now focus on helping Chatfield repeat as AA state champions. The prep QB, RB, and safety posted 3,117 AP yards and 51 TDs as a junior and followed it up with a successful track season that included an 11.05 PR at sections. A beast with the football in his hand, the future Maverick RB has big play speed and capability and can through weaker tackle attempts like a hot knife through butter. His vision and contact balance make him a natural and electric runner who can break tackles any way he chooses and popped off some exciting and impressive TD runs in 2021. He also possesses the dirtiest spin move in Minnesota! Mavs got a stud!
6) Michael Haugo Michael Haugo 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR Moorhead | 2023 State MN (Moorhead) WR. 6’4, 185 lbs.
Rank: 89
Possessing excellent size for the WR position at the prep level, Haugo set his 8AA section 200M record this spring with a 21.82 PR during a prolific track season that included an 11.06 100M time and a 22.12 200M at the MSHSL state championships in June. Since that track season ended he received college offers from UMD, MSUM, Concordia-Moorhead, and Sioux Falls, and I’m excited to see how he builds on his junior tape that shows off that track speed when the ball is in his hand. He also has some hops and can high point the football beautifully, and for a taller WR he’s got some good elusiveness in the open field. With his long arms, he’s a productive redzone threat with a big catch radius and some strong, sticky hands that can reel in receptions through contact. He’s putting some good things on film and is going to be a monster up North this fall for the Spuds.
7) Jaivon Hill Jaivon Hill 5'9 | DB Minneapolis North | 2023 MN (Minneapolis North) DB. 5’9, 170 lbs.
Rank: WL
One of a few speedsters on the Polars squad going into the fall of 2022, rising senior DB Jaivon Hill Jaivon Hill 5'9 | DB Minneapolis North | 2023 MN is coming off a solid junior track season that included a 22.30 and 22.88 200M times that helped him qualify for the state tournament in Class A of our great state. He’s a strong tackler, who can hold the edge on the perimeter as a CB and tackle in space or in between the tackles. There’s a rep around 1:20 into his junior film where he really puts that track speed on camera and hawks down a loose ball carrier in pursuit. I’m excited to see how this MPLS Polars squad looks in 2022 and they will definitely be leaning on the speed and physicality of the Hill.
8) Kameron Clay Kameron Clay 5'10" | 145 lbs | DB Minneapolis North | 2023 State MN (Minneapolis North) WR/DB. 5’10, 145 lbs.
Rank: 204
I just wrote about the Polar two-way, two-sport standout in my recent “Top Stock Risers” feature on the MN site, as he bumped his ranking way up during a successful offseason campaign that included running a 4.43 at the UWRF prospect camp, attended by PRzMN contributor Nate Wahl. During his junior track season he clocked a 22.44 200M at his section finals and a 50.24 in the 400. The athlete posted 36 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 TFLs, 2 FFs, 2 INTs, and a sack as a junior and is a physical hitter who can play the ball well while it’s in the air. He does a good job of utilizing that speed whether it’s in coverage or in pursuit around the LOS.
9) Mark Rogalski Mark Rogalski 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Saint Thomas Academy | 2023 State MN (St. Thomas Academy) DB/LB. 6’1, 190 lbs.
Rank: 43
I’ve written about Rogalski extensively since the 2021 season ended, so I’ll keep it short, but he’s the hardest hitter in the state and one of my personal favorite prospects in the entire class. An explosive and thunderous tackler with instincts in the turnover department, he holds an Ivy League offer from Yale, and posted some solid 200M times like his 22.35 in the state final. His closing and pursuit speed are where those 200M times are reflected, and I cannot wait to see how he builds on his awesome junior tape.
10) Greg Schafer Greg Schafer 5'10" | 155 lbs | RB Lakeview | 2023 State MN (Lakeview) RB. 5’10, 155 lbs.
Rank: 137
A figurehead of one of the most dangerous offensive backfields in outstate MN, Lakeview, and especially Schafer, bring a ton of speed to the table. His 5’10, 155 lb. frame has posted multiple low 4.5 40s at our PrepRedzoneMN Showcases, and his tape is brimming with speed that can take advantage of small holes between the tackles and explode to daylight and into the endzone untouched. He can also easily take and turn the corner on a defense and flies by pursuit angles in easy fashion. I’m incredibly pumped to see the Lakeview offense and Schafer in 2022.
HM: Caden Spence Caden Spence 6'1" | 190 lbs | RB Zimmerman | 2023 State MN (Zimmerman) RB. 6’1, 190 lbs.
Rank: 67
One of the biggest sleepers in the entire class and apart of a strong top-end class of RBs in the 2023 class, Spence is long and explosive in his junior tape and totaled 109 carries for 1,302 yards and 16 TDs in his junior campaign. I wish I had some verified numbers on the Zimmerman RB, as he looks fast on tape and covers a ton of ground in each step with his long gait and strong lower body. He was a big play machine in 2021 and keeps defenders on their toes and constantly worried about his speed, which helped him cut by tackle attempts with clear shots on him. His burst and top end speed helped Spence end a ton of runs without a defender inside 10 yards of him.
HM: Clayton Kosel Clayton Kosel 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Lakeview | 2023 State MN (Lakeview) RB. 5’9, 180 lbs.
Rank: 128
Another Lakeview Laker RB and offensive weapon, Kosel is a little sneakier in his speed but still out runs and pursuit angles against opponents who look like they’re set to run him down. His speed shows up more when he’s got a head of steam, as he’s more than happy to run through and over tackle attempts when needed. It’s a fun and dangerous combo of speed and power and is going to give defenders fits in 2021.
HM: Michael Gross Michael Gross 6'3" | 170 lbs | WR Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN (Eden Prairie) WR. 6’3, 165 lbs.
Rank: 106
The impressive two-sport standout and student-athlete from heavyweight Eden Prairie is an accomplished 400M runner and posted a blazing 49.02 as well as two more sub-50 second races during the spring of his junior season. The 6’3 pass catcher tallied 18 receptions for 315 yards and 5 TDs last fall and proved himself to be a vertical threat who can complete receptions through contact. He’s be the focal point of the Eagles passing attack this fall.