Despite a complete turnover at the LB position that includes two starting sophomores and a first-year starting junior, the Maple Grove Crimson still have one of the best LB rooms in the state of Minnesota this fall. Maybe it’s the high-quality coaching from former Mounds View DC Vince Calistro, now the ‘backers coach at the recent 6A state champ, maybe it’s the type of athletes the city of Maple Grove is producing and attracting of late, or maybe it’s genetics. In our opinion, it’s a combination of the three, and the Crimson’s ‘backers seem to rotating in terms of personal production, Friday Night Lights’ showings, and personal, well-earned accolades and acclaim. Despite the 21-14 loss to Eden Prairie on Thursday night, the Crimson’s defense kept their side in the ball game, and they were spearheaded by 2028 OLB Austin Thyen Austin Thyen 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Maple Grove | 2028 State MN . The younger brother of current St. John’s freshman ‘backer Beaux Thyen, younger bro Austin has some serious juice, athleticism, and physicality at the prep ranks, and he finished his Week 2 with a banger of a personal stat line, finishing with 18 tackles and 2 sacks against a traditional MN heavyweight.

The film displays an off-ball OLB who mixes in some standup EDGE, and he truly embodies the phrase “plays like his hair is on fire.” Thyen flashes excellent pursuit speed and nonstop motor helped him hawk down a loose Eden Prairie tailback to save a TD in impressive fashion. Shows a nose for the football, comes flat down the LOS and has the speed to make plays behind the LOS right off the snap, and closes in a blink. Assignment sound, stays home, gap integrity helps him make tackles and stay in a good position throughout a rep. Never takes his foot off the gap, love the physicality and toughness, and plays fast, fast, fast.

There’s another Thyen in the Maple Grove LB room, and just like older brother Beaux, who is taking his talents to Collegeville in the St. John’s 2026 commitment class, younger brother Austin can add PRZMN Showcase standout to his athletic resume. One or both of the Thyen’s parents were/are fast, cause the brothers can both fly, and Austin came into Plymouth and tallied a 4.8 flat in the 40 to really catch PRZMN’s attention. With good size that came close to 200 pounds and nearly 6′, Thyen was closing and taking the air out of RB’s space in a blink, and he was balanced, controlled, yet aggressive breaking on the ball in coverage. Three-down LB who had a good day against seasoned varsity competition at the PRZMN Spring Showcase. Watch out for Thyen next fall as Maple Grove looks to replace their loaded 2026 class.