Goodhue senior Jack Carlson Jack Carlson 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Chanhassen | 2026 State MN has turned himself into one of the most physical two-way players in the state. At 6’0, 220 pounds, Carlson is built like a bruiser but moves with the feet of a lighter back. In Goodhue’s Week 1 win over Triton, he carried the ball 19 times for 83 yards and a touchdown. Week 2 was another workhorse outing in a muddy win over Randolph — pounding out 7-to-10-yard chunks and adding about 55 yards as a receiver out of the backfield. He finished with two touchdowns. Defenders know he’s getting the ball and still struggle to bring him down. They wear down over four quarters against his downhill style. His wrestling background (a state runner-up at heavyweight) shows up in his leverage, footwork, and ability to stay upright through contact. He runs behind his pads, finishes runs, and punishes would-be tacklers. Carlson has good hands, processes quickly in space, and can be used effectively as a receiver. At 220, he’s a load in the open field but has enough quickness to beat linebackers in coverage and instincts to read and react like a natural playmaker. On defense, he’s a high-motor linebacker, always first in line for drills, and showing the kind of motor and toughness that sets the tone. College programs like North Dakota State and Bemidji State have taken notice.

LB Prepredzonemn ranking140/Ranked #4 in the 285A weight class by The Guillotine

Carlson is a two-way player and a multi-faceted offensive player. He is a physical runner who could be a primary back. He can run a defender over or make a move in the open field. However, the junior is more valuable as a multi-use back. He is a punishing lead blocker, has great hands, and makes plays deep down the middle of the field – not just in the flat. On the defensive side of the ball, he lines up as an inside linebacker or sometimes a defensive tackle. His strength and speed make him tough to block on the line. His explosiveness from the linebacker spot makes him effective between the tackles, and he has the speed to make plays on the outside. Two years ago, Carlson fell one win short of the state tournament. However, he was the Section 1A champion last year.

A PrepRedzoneMN Showcase standout, linebacker Jack Carlson is doing a great job of raising his stock thanks to his 2024 season play, firmly supplanting himself onto the radar of the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, one of the best evaluators and finders of small school Minnesota talent out there. A 6′, 215 lber., Carlson took a gameday visit to Grand Forks in September and has also received a gameday invite from Augustana in Sioux Falls. A RB, LB, fullback, I think he’d be well-suited for the fullback position in college, as he’s a physical blocker with great leg drive post-contact and does a good job of identifying the biggest threat to his RB. I like his juice as a ball-carrier, as the Goodhue High School product displays smooth cuts, good vision, and some shake and/or physicality when he sees that free defender in space. Plus. Carlson can catch the rock out of the backfield. Defensively, Carlson gets up and under blocking attempts and can make tackles through contact and is a strong tackler when he puts his pads on a ball carrier. The Missouri Valley still honors fullbacks, make sure you keep an eye on this one!

There is perhaps no one whose Week 3 game impressed me more than rising junior LB prospect Jack Carlson. He brought down an athletic interception which he returned to the 1-yard line, a fumble recovery, a violent sack, and a few TFLs on top of all that. This dude is a FORCE on the defensive side of the ball and needs more recruiting attention ASAP.