The biggest recruiting riser and storyline of the ongoing 2026 season was revealed yesterday. Akeed Ali Akeed Ali 6'1" | 160 lbs | ATH East Ridge | 2027 State MN , the East Ridge Raptors’ senior superstar and dynamic multi-phase weapon, earned his first D1 offer from FCS Northern Iowa after visiting Cedar Rapids for a game-day experience with the Panthers. PrepRedzone has written extensively about Ali and his game so far this fall, especially because his senior tape has been exciting since he moved from WR (where he can still tear it up) to RB for the 6A Metro Raptors. 11.01 100M speed, a wealth of 6A production, experience, and versatility, and a lot of good film are very much worth taking a flyer on, in my opinion. Good move by UNI here early in October. D1s do still recruit seniors, I guess!

11.01 100M speed, plus a ton of 6A experience and production at a variety of positions. Check the boxes in person and in a camp setting, too. Also the state’s best returner at. the midseason point of the 2026 season.

Recruiting can be tough sledding for Minnesota-born-and-bred skill players sometimes. Akeed Ali Akeed Ali 6'1" | 160 lbs | ATH East Ridge | 2027 State MN , despite 6A explosive ability, production, and tape, not to mention eye-catching track times that have topped out at 11.01 in the 100M, only came out of the Summer Camp Circuit with an offer from Augsburg University. Underrated to say the least, Ali is quickly asserting himself as one of the biggest walking highlight reels in all of Minnesota this all. Doing a bit of everything for the 2-1 Raptors, who nearly squeaked out a win over powerhouse Minnetonka 14-7 in Week 1, Ali has been finding particular success as a RB and kickoff returner for East Ridge, where he’s had stat-stuffing performances the last two weeks against Roseville and Hopkins.

Ali, in Week 3, popped off for 11 rushes for 215 yards and 3 TDs in win over Roseville, as well as 2 for 2 passing for 36 yards and 2 returns for 103 yards and 1 TD in the 36-13 win over the Raiders. Also produced a KOR TD Week 2 against Hopkins.

vs. Roseville:

Ali barely decelerated in the KOR against Roseville. Saw the hole and exploded through it, finishing the TD run by torching that last defender’s pursuit angle.

As a read-option QB/RB, Ali put his big play ability on full display on an exciting TD run that involved a big cut and step back inside, then you really see that track speed as the senior accelerates, gets up to top speed in a blink, and races past the Raiders‘ defense with ease. Two more cuts and he’s gone and into the endzone down the far sideline. Ali flies through the first two levels of the defense like he was shot out of a cannon, shows good vision and footwork, and when he sees space, he takes space, gone.

vs. Hopkins:

Nifty footwork scoots him between 5 or 6 Hopkins coverage defenders, scurries his way into space, accelerates, and is gone. Pulls away from the last three Royals‘ pursuers in noticeably easy fashion.

Dangerous read option attack was on display again vs. the Royals. Ali scored on a goal line TD run, and he slips by arm tackles and stuck-in-the-mud defenders thanks to his top-notch burst. Ali showed off smooth, powerful COD ability, and PRZMN loves how he moves, maneuvers, and operates in space comfortably and effectively. Ali is playing like one of the most dangerous weapons in all of Minnesota right now.

@akeedali_1

Recently named to PrepRedzoneMN’s “Most Explosive” special feature back in March, East Ridge’s Akeed Ali Akeed Ali 6'1" | 160 lbs | ATH East Ridge | 2027 State MN was one of the best WRs in Minnesota last fall. Playing in the top-tiers of Minnesota 6A, Big School football, Ali showed why he was so successful in 2025, finishing his junior season with 55 receptions for 818 yards and 4 TDs. Ali has PRed with 11.01, 11.07, and 11.38 100M, asserting himself as one of the fastest players in MN 6A ball, not to mention one of hte most productive.

Back in March, we noted that Ali, “despite playing in a run-heavy offense led by Gophers basketball commit Cedric Tomes in 2025, showed big-time production as a junior, as well as speed, vision, and playmaking ability. He took a routine jet sweep or hand-off behind the LOS and ripped it for a TD against 6A defenses all around the Metro. Ali owns the top-end speed to burn those last pursuit angles from defenders and finish big runs broken out in space for six, and he can go 0-60 in a blink. The East Ridge junior has a great rep against Maple Grove where he slows and settles down to reel in a slant, then, in a second, he’s back up and sprinting into the endzone without a Crimson defender being able to even lay a hand on the wideout. Plus, Ali is positionally versatile and especially dangerous out of the slot, displays some loose hips and is a burner of a vertical threat, and is shifty, powerful, and twitchy at the top of the route.

Ali flashes strong hands that can finish contested catches through tight coverage and aggressive hands looking to knock the ball loose, and he fires and shows noticeable power out of his cuts, which can happen at top speed with fluidity and effortlessness. PRZMN really likes his rep catching a deep post against I believe Stillwater, wherein the East Ridge junior gets decleated by the SAF coming back from the backside. However, as good, tough receivers do, Ali held onto the ball like his life depended on it! Gotta love the reliability and grit in the junior.”

This kid will blow up this Summer Camp SZN, you heard it here first!

We obviously need some WR representation for the PRZMN “Most Explosive” special, and there’s none better than Woodbury product and East Ridge High School 2027 Akeed Ali Akeed Ali 6'1" | 160 lbs | ATH East Ridge | 2027 State MN . A long-time popular name at PRZMN thanks to some strong showings at PRZMN Showcases early into his high school campaign, Ali has nothing but green testing numbers in his game – clocked in the low 4.7s/high 4.6s in the 40 at PRZMN Showcases and, and a boat load of MVFC and FCS stop-ins this winter have us bullish on Ali’s chances at earning some serious collegiate consideration during spring workouts and the Summer Camp Circuit.

Despite playing in a run-heavy offense led by Gophers basketball commit Cedric Tomes Cedric Tomes 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH/QB East Ridge | 2026 State MN in 2025, Ali still managed to pop off 52 catches for 818 yards and 4 TDs last fall, and he displays the speed, vision, and playmaking ability to take a routine jet sweep or hand-off behind the LOS and ripping it for a TD against 6A defenses around the Metro. Ali owns the top-end speed to burn those last pursuit angles from defenders and finish big runs broken out in space for six, and he can go 0-60 in a blink. Has a great rep against Maple Grove where he slows and settles down to reel in a slant, then, in a second, he’s back up and sprinting into the endzone without a Crimson defender being able to even lay a hand on the wideout. Plus, Ali is positionally versatile and especially dangerous out of the slot, displays some loose hips and is a burner of a vertical threat, and is shifty, powerful, and twitchy at the top of the route.

Ali flashes strong hands that can finish contested catches through tight coverage and aggressive hands looking to knock the ball loose, and he fires and shows noticeable power out of his cuts, which can happen at top speed with fluidity and effortlessness. PRZMN really likes his rep catching a deep post against I believe Stillwater, wherein the East Ridge junior gets decleated by the SAF coming back from the backside. However, as good, tough receivers do, Ali held onto the ball like his life depended on it! Gotta love the reliability and grit in the junior. Must-know WR in the state going into the offseason and 2026 season!

I spoke very highly about Ali recently, and I will be doing so again. On a team that hasn’t thrown the rock very much this year, Ali was the CLEAR WR1, reeling in nearly 4x as many passes as the next closest member of the Raptors WR core. He finished the regular season with 40 balls caught for an impressive 516 yards with a TD, too. He also carried the rock 10 times for 69 yards. His film impressed me, and he’s the kind of athlete who could pop off in the playoffs and draw a lot of eyes.

Ali has had a fantastic junior season so far, and the tape he’s been putting out has been incredible. He’s got great top-end speed, to the point where he’s been able to take jet sweeps 70+ yards to the house. His release off the line is among the top in the state, and he can lose even the best DBs in an instant. Man coverage is a mistake against Ali, and often a safety is required over the top. This kid’s potential is nuts. I could see an FBS/FCS upside.

Akeed Ali Akeed Ali 6'1" | 160 lbs | ATH East Ridge | 2027 State MN made plenty of noise with his testing drills. Posting a 4.6 40 yard time, a 4.38 shuttle, and a stunning 9’9″ broad jump, Ali was one of the best test performers in the entire showcase. This skillset translated well onto the field, as he proved to be quite a threat down the field, having a lot of success during the 1-on-1 drills with deep posts and vert routes. Ali did a great job bursting off the snap quickly, getting depth on his routes, and he caught nearly every pass that was thrown his way. After dominating on East Ridge’s JV team last season, Ali is making a strong case to find a role in the starting lineup for their varsity offense in 2025.

A sophomore wideout with a promising future, Ali tore up JV last season putting forth some remarkable midseason tape. Touting impressive speed and a surprising amount of elusiveness in his route-running, Ali can do it all. He does an excellent job of creating space from DBs and frequently impresses me with his quickness, especially with the rock in his hands. He has a knack for repeatedly making defenders miss and it looks like he could seamlessly make the transition to varsity next season and have a solid impact.