18 MN 2025 Studs I Missed on the Rankings
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It’s a tough pill to swallow knowing that you under-ranked or completely missed a prospect once the official rankings update goes live. It’s part of the process, but it doesn’t make me feel great, and it’s especially tough when the…
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Continue ReadingIt’s a tough pill to swallow knowing that you under-ranked or completely missed a prospect once the official rankings update goes live. It’s part of the process, but it doesn’t make me feel great, and it’s especially tough when the prospect is a stud and/or feels slighted by the miscue. As I’ve said before and will continue to reiterate, it’s never personal, but when you do multiple updates in a row and give yourself deadlines you want to meet someone will inevitably get accidentally overlooked. It’s not an excuse, but it makes my job a lot easier when kids, or their coaches/teammates, market themselves on social media OR are timely in updating their film on Hudl. It doesn’t need to be week to week, although that’s ideal, but even a midseason tape or a regular season/playoff tape right after the season’s conclusion can make a difference in a player’s recruitment. College coaches are always recruiting and on Hudl, so I’m not just saying this for the sake of PRzMN too. Although I do recognize that every high school program is different and small schools are at a disadvantage in some of these regards, I also hope that you guys know that I am constantly on the lookout for new recruits and put a lot of time into gathering as much information and names as I possibly can all year long, so I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m whining. Now that I’ve said my piece, let’s get into some studs that I missed in our latest 2025 PRzMN official rankings update. It’s a heckuva group, with size, multi-sport backgrounds, geographic diversity, and a ton of talent that will make our 2025 rankings much more robust and compelling. Without further ado, let’s meet the 18 MN 2025 Studs I Missed on the latest Rankings Update. You guys will be added right after this article goes live!
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Nathan Dobbs Nathan Dobbs 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL Hopkins | 2025 State MN (Hopkins) 2025. OL. 6’4, 245 lbs. 3.3 GPA. @NathanDobbsJr72
I can’t help but get excited when I see a Hopkins football who also plays on the Royals‘ accomplished basketball team, especially when they have the size of rising junior Nathan Dobbs Nathan Dobbs 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL Hopkins | 2025 State MN , a 6’4, 245 lb. offensive lineman with a 6’8″ wingspan. A varsity starter in 2022, Dobbs played both guard and tackle for the Royals and was an asset in both the run and pass blocking game. Good hand placement, is big enough to stonewall bigger rushers at the initial contact point, and can be utilized to block out at the edge of the LOS when his QB rolls out. Also is experienced in pass protection and is patient in his pass set and can handle speed and or power rushers. He needs to add strength and muscle to that frame to continue to develop and sharpen his game. The technique is already there!
Evan McCarty Evan McCarty 6'6" | 250 lbs | OL Wayzata | 2025 State MN (Wayzata) DL. 6’5, 225. @Evan_McCarty_
I always make sure to thoroughly scour the Hudl account and rosters of the former Lake Conference schools, as their underclassmen ranks are generally voluminous and well advertised. There’s usually ample and eye-catching size as well, which is where Wayzata’s 6’5, 225 lb. sophomore defensive lineman Evan McCarty Evan McCarty 6'6" | 250 lbs | OL Wayzata | 2025 State MN comes in. Also a strong baseball player for the Trojans, McCarty is long, can impact the run and pass game, and is strong for his age. Limited tape, but a definite name to know given the size, age, and school combination. Any prep baseball fans reading this should be aware of McCarty on the baseball recruiting scene as well.
Eli Klimek Eli Klimek 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Nevis | 2025 State MN (Nevis) LB/RB. 6’1, 205 lbs. @klimek_eli
Located three hours NW of Minneapolis and 50 minutes south of Bemidji, Nevis‘ 9-man football squad went 8-2 in 2022 and have a stud sophomore in 6’1, 205 lber. Eli Klimek Eli Klimek 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Nevis | 2025 State MN . Currently a member of our 2025 watchlist, Klimek deserves to be ranked, and brings a versatile skillset to the table as a recruit. He can be a dominant blocker out on the perimeter or from his fullback position, and also possesses good hands as a receiver and a mean truckstick as a RB. I like his defensive game the most however, as he uses solid timing and speed to shoot gaps and blow up plays before they can develop, and he also closes quickly and is a strong tackler at the contact point. You can’t take this guy off the field!
Taye Manns Taye Manns 5'11" | 200 lbs | ATH Denfeld | 2025 State MN (Duluth Denfeld) WR/RB. 5’10, 192 lbs. @TayeManns
A recent standout and top performer at Sunday’s PrepRedzoneMN Prospect Tour Showcase in Maple Grove, Duluth Denfeld’s Taye Manns Taye Manns 5'11" | 200 lbs | ATH Denfeld | 2025 State MN is another electric offensive weapon on the Hunters roster going into the fall and had a particularly fantastic testing performance where he popped off a 4.5 40, 4.4 short-shuttle, and 9’10” broad jump for some outstanding overall athletic numbers. After his in-person showing on Sunday, Iowa State sent a camp invite, and the film looks good too, as he has more than a handful of exciting catches where he beautifully high points the football way up in the air and through contact and tight coverage. They were some highlight reel, momentum-building, and athletic snags, and he also shows off some exciting twitch and elusiveness when the ball is in his hand, and that speed he displayed in Maple Grove on his kick return TD reps. Manns a tough customer to bring down in 1-on-1 settings and makes plays in all three phases of the game. He’ll be highly ranked when I add his name to our 2025 big board.
Isaiah Campbell (Elk River) OL/DL. 6’6, 295 lbs. @Isaiahfootball7
It wasn’t long ago that Elk River had a P5 offensive lineman, and although I’m far from ready to add that title to 2025 6’5.5, 305 lb. OT and DT Isaiah Campbell, there are definitely some good things going for him and he’s easily a name to know in the growing 2025 OL class. Strong for his size and age, Campbell already holds a 435 lb. max squat and is well on his way to that coveted 500 lb. mark, and at the end of last month he took an unofficial to the U and got to check out a Gophers spring practice to mark the genesis of his recruitment. Also a multi-sport athlete who plays basketball, Campbell did aid Elk River in their 2022 5A state title run, but it came from the non-varsity ranks, where he was a dominant and crushing run blocker and finisher whose aforementioned strength shows up on tape. He’s able to easily dispose of opponents in 1-on-1 settings with heavy hands, leg drive, and overpowering strength & size. JV and sophomore competition didn’t know what hit them.
William Storm William Storm 6'3" | 260 lbs | OL Bloomington Kennedy | 2025 State MN (Kennedy) OL. 6’3, 260 lbs. 3.3 GPA. @williamstorm62
It’s been invigorating to see the uptick and rising success in the Bloomington Kennedy football program. Both in their on-field accomplishments and recruiting talent, the Eagles are on the up-and-up, and I missed a stud out of their 2025 class in 6’3, 260 lb. OL William Storm William Storm 6'3" | 260 lbs | OL Bloomington Kennedy | 2025 State MN . Storm will captain the Eagles in 2023 as a junior – a good sign of his leadership ability and what his teammates & coaches think of him – and on film he shows off a solid initial punch, a good motor with constant leg drive, and the balance and technical capability to shut down opponents in both the run and pass blocking game. He’ll need to continue adding strength and mass to keep heightening and sharpening his game, but there’s a solid foundation already in place and I’m excited to watch the OT in 2023.
Eleazar Staley Eleazar Staley 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Mankato West | 2025 State MN (Mankato West) WR/DB. 6’2, 180 lbs. @EleazarStaley
Mankato West is once again brimming with talent on their football team, with lineman, skill players, upperclassmen, and underclassmen all represented in their upcoming graduating classes. A must-know name out of the 2025s is 6’2, 180 lber. Eleazar Staley Eleazar Staley 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Mankato West | 2025 State MN , who was a varsity contributor to the Scarlet’s football and basketball teams as a sophomore and is set to compete in track this spring, Staley also made plays on the gridiron for West’s non-varsity squads, and against all levels of competition he showed off soft hands, the ability to track the ball well, and contested catch prowess. Staley also has some good reps after the catch that showed off speed and quickness against non-varsity opponents, and I also like his footwork at the LOS in his releases. The fall of 2023 is going to be a breakout season for the Scarlet wideout. Welcome to the rankings! Well deserved, Eleazar.
Payton Rehfeld Payton Rehfeld 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR East Ridge | 2025 MN (East Ridge) WR. 6’2, 170 lbs. 3.67 GPA. @PaytonRehfeld_8
The East Ridge passing attack is going to be one of the best and most explosive in the state next fall and I am already thrilled to watch. The roster is packed with talented wideouts, and out of their rising junior class comes 6’2, 180 lber. Payton Rehfeld Payton Rehfeld 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR East Ridge | 2025 MN . Against non-varsity competition in 2022, Rehfeld has height and length for days, and I like the speed he shows off when going deep. He also has impressive focus and concentration when reeling in catches through contact and traffic. For a 6’2, underclassman, I also like how he can drop his hips and keep DBs guessing at the top of the route, and that same skill helps him cut by and slip through tackle attempts after the catch. This overall skillset makes me very excited for his varisty debut in 2023. He’s got the chance to be explosive and productive against great Metro competition. Can’t wait to get Rehfeld on the rankings!
Nick Montik Nick Montik 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL Elk River | 2025 State MN (Elk River) 2025. DE/TE. 6’5, 240 lbs. @nick_montik
Another Elk River rising junior with eye-popping size and strength, 6’5, 240 lb. Nick Montik Nick Montik 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL Elk River | 2025 State MN recently maxed out at a 425 lb. squat as a 15 year old and just finished his first year ever playing football, the greatest game known to mankind I may add. Although football is a tough sport to initially get the hang of and requires a lot of mental focus, but it can definitely be looked at as a positive in the recruiting world and is something college programs do not mind hearing, as it allows them to really mold and develop an athlete into their system and as a college football player as a whole. What artist doesn’t want to work with a raw ball of clay? What also makes Montik very exciting is the fact he earned varsity reps in his first year of football, for the defending 5A state champs no less, and although his film is limited from his sophomore/JV/varsity campaign in 2022, it’s exciting to see Montik beat blockers with his overwhelming size, aforementioned strength, and quickness that offensive linemen don’t see coming. I also love seeing him run down plays. It looks like Montik has some natural mobility and body control for still-growing young linemen of his size. He’s only scratching the surface of his potential and I’m pumped to see how this offseason has paid off. Keep your eyes and ears open for the two giant 2025s out of Elk River!
Nolan Pfister Nolan Pfister 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL Esko | 2025 MN (Esko) OLB/DE. 6’5, 235 lbs. @nolan_pfister51
Esko High School’s Nolan Pfister Nolan Pfister 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL Esko | 2025 MN presents a compelling conundrum as a prospect at this point in time, with emphasis on the compelling. With the recent resurgence of the Esko program, led by uber-athletic and 24/7Sports 4-star Koi Perich Koi Perich 6'2" | 200 lbs | ATH Esko | 2024 State MN , you have to be extra aware of someone reporting the athletic numbers that Pfister is. The 6’5, 235 lber. doesn’t have any film right now, but he’s revealed a 4.96 40 (lasered), a 240 lb. clean (on video), and a 9’8″ broad jump. Boy, if those numbers are legit at his size then Pfister is going to be an incredibly popular prospect in his class. That 40 and broad jump are very impressive, but with them being unconfirmed and with no tape available, it’s tough to corroborate and fully believe the hype right now. The fall of 2023 is going to be huge for Pfister and I am licking my chops waiting to get some film of this dude. I’ll be heading to Esko this fall though, that’s forsure.
Evan Anderson (Mt. Iron-Buhl) TE/DT. 5’10, 205 lbs. 3.1 GPA. @EvanxMichaelA
Another state champ to make the list of currently unheralded and unranked rising juniors, 9-man standout Evan Anderson is a good athlete and has some exciting tape from the 2022 season. A two-way contributor, Anderson is built like a brick and moves well, opening his tape with an electric TE screen where he dances by and slips through a ton of tackle attempts for an exciting TD reception that must have had his teammates hyped. His strength is also noticeable on tape, as he can easily shuck blockers off him and to the ground like they’re his little brother and has a rep of him holding his gap through a triple team of blocking attempts before he still makes the tackle. Strong, nimble, and dynamic, if Anderson can add weight and maybe add an inch or two and he’ll be one of the most dominant players in all of 9-man. Mt. Iron-Buhl is reloading!
Chris King Chris King 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Mt. Iron-Buhl | 2025 State MN (Mt. Iron-Buhl) OL/DL. 6’3, 255 lbs. @25ChrisKing
Another Mt. Iron-Buhl Ranger and 9-man state champ to make this PRzMN feature, sophomore lineman Chris King Chris King 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Mt. Iron-Buhl | 2025 State MN has great size at 6’3, 255 lbs. and knows how to use it. A strong and tenacious blocker who holds that weight well and moves gracefully, King has some violent pulls across the LOS that I would not want to be on the receiving end of and opened some huge gaps for his teammates last season. With a solid base, consistent hand placement and leg drive, and solid footwork, King was dominant in 1-on-1 blocks and looks like a good athlete at his size who could probably play LB if it was asked of him. Rocking #9 while looking as fluid as King does on tape makes the 255 lber. look like a beast along the MIB offensive line and brings the game along with the look. He had some big blocks last fall and is bound for more these next two seasons. College coaches need to keep stopping by MIB these next few seasons.
Sebastyen Fries (Lakeville North) 2025. WR. 6’3, 205 lbs. @FriesSebastyen
Sadly, Lakeville North WR Sebastyen Fries doesn’t have any film as of yet, but the size, recruiting legacy at Lakeville North, and experienced 7-on-7 background are all big pluses in his recruiting profile and I’m chomping at the bit to see some tape of this dude. If he keeps growing and adding weight and inches he’s got TE in his future as well. PRzMN is pumped to see how things develop.
Gannon Bolgrean Gannon Bolgrean 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Barnesville | 2025 State MN (Barnesville) 2025. ATH. 6′, 165 lbs. @gannonbolgrean
Coming out of small school powerhouse Barnesville, the defending AA state champions, current sophomore Gannon Bolgrean Gannon Bolgrean 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Barnesville | 2025 State MN opens his tape with an athletic highlight reel INT in the state title game against Chatfield and also some exciting and impressive offensive reps as a running QB for the Trojans offense. Fast enough to outrun pursuit angles and finish big runs, shifty and balanced when avoiding tackle attempts, and good vision with the ball in his hands, Bolgrean is an athletic and natural football player who is also a ballhawk from the defensive secondary and an overall big play waiting to happen. He without a doubt should have made the initial 2025 rankings update but makes for a strong addition now. You have to make sure you get this dude the ball.
Andrew Hoheisel Andrew Hoheisel 6'6" | 215 lbs | DL Monticello | 2025 State MN (Monticello) TE/DE. 6’6, 215 lbs. @andrew_hoheisel
Monti, just like another team mentioned on this list, has a handful of 2025s with eye-popping size, positional versatility, and experience that has to get on our rankings. One of the Magic’s stud sophomores is Andrew Hoheisel Andrew Hoheisel 6'6" | 215 lbs | DL Monticello | 2025 State MN , a 6’6, 215 lber. whose brother just committed to St. John’s at the end of January, got varsity action as a sophomore in 2022, unfortunately does not have any film, but the size, family ties, and varsity experience as an underclassman make him a must-watch going forward and a welcome addition to the soon-to-be updated 2025 rankings. Keep your eyes out for the Magic, as well as the younger Hoheisel, this fall!
Hunter Johnson Hunter Johnson 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB Fairmont | 2025 MN (Fairmont) FB/OLB. 6’2, 195 lbs. @CrusadeHunter
Fairmont’s 2025 class is making out to be one of the best in the Outstate, small school ranks, and another name to add to the list is 6’2, 195 lber. Hunter Johnson Hunter Johnson 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB Fairmont | 2025 MN , a fullback and linebacker who helped the Cardinals to a Class AAA state semifinal appearance, mostly on the defensive side of the ball. In his only rep of film from last season, Johnson laid a big hit against Belle Plaine, so I’m excited to see what he can do with more opportunities and reps in this fall. Fairmont is going to be a serious contender for the Class AAA crown again in 2023.
John Pinc John Pinc 6'3" | 160 lbs | WR Coon Rapids | 2025 MN (Coon Rapids) 6’3, 155 lbs. @john_pinc
Another member of the 2025 watchlist who deserves a bump up into the rankings, Coon Rapids two-sport standout John Pinc John Pinc 6'3" | 160 lbs | WR Coon Rapids | 2025 MN brings good size to the table and has been working hard this offseason to make that jump up to the varsity level as an upperclassman. I love the frame, and it has a chance to grow into a monster, and in his limited highlights from his sophomore season you can see Pinc use that frame to his advantage, going up and high-pointing the football in contested catch, 50/50 ball situations that shows off the basketball background as well. If he can add that skillset to the electric 2024 P5 wideout KCC, the Coon Rapids WR room is going to be one of the most dangerous in the Metro this fall. Keep grinding, John!
Ryan Babatz Ryan Babatz 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL Buffalo | 2025 State MN (Buffalo) OL/DL. 6’4, 270 lbs. @BabatzRyan
Of all the players I missed in the 2025 rankings update, I am the most disappointed that I missed Buffalo’s 6’4, 270 lb. lineman Ryan Babatz Ryan Babatz 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL Buffalo | 2025 State MN . In fact, I had his name in my database already, but somehow overlooked it while adding names to the big board, a mistake I am still regretting. An All-District HM selection as a sophomore, Babatz is definitely a name to know in the developing 2025 OL class – which already looks very promising – and recently took an unofficial visit to the Gophers for their spring practice. In February, Babatz put up a 295 lb. bench press, and you can see that strength in his 2022 tape, where he can finish defenders into the turf after a couple steps of engagement or even on his initial punch. He’s also got a great base, is balanced, and has some excellent pass pro reps as both a guard and tackle where he shows off a smooth and concise vertical set that is able to handle both speed and power. Babatz is bendy, nimble, and more than comfortable in space, which allows him to be used a ton of different ways by the Bison’s offense. There are some very good things going for him on tape and he’s looking like a Top-25 kid right now. Bright future and P5 potential make for an excellent, albeit late, addition to the 2025 big board. Sorry it took so long, Ryan!