Victoria-based Holy Family Catholic has been a fringe contender that has been knocked out by a Prep Bowl finalist in the state playoffs the past two seasons. The Fire have an especially seasoned roster this fall, and 2029 Cole Kahlbaugh is looking – and playing – like one of the best sophomore DBs in Minnesota so far this season. The 5’10, 155 lb. SAF is coming off a Week 7 showing in which he posted 13 tackles and 1 FF in the 29-24 win over Dassel-Cokato.

Only one game of tape available, which came vs. New London-Spicer, where Kahlbaugh produced an INT where he capitalized on a miscommunication by the WR and QB, stepped right into his line of sight and read the quarterback like a book. Stepped and worked through a couple of tackle attempts and took that pick back to the house as well. Kahlbaugh nearly had another INT on one of the better reads and breaks I’ve seen all year on a lazy out route from the slot option. He produced another great goal line PBU on a little hitch while playing man coverage on the TE as a two-high safety.

Kahlbaugh displays closing speed, defensive range, and will run the alley with pace, intent, and physicality. He had a smooth catch-and-return on a somewhat shanked punt and made a great cover-2 break as the boundary hash defender over the top, showing quickness, angle, and ball skills at the catch point. The sophomore also made an instinctive, difficult PBU working up and under a stop route down the seam on a crafty NLS concept.

X: @Cole_Kahlbaugh

IG: cole_kahlbaugh

Cole was a new name at defensive back out of this 2029 class that was one a small few that caught my attention in that DB group out of Holy Family. He might play on both sides for the ball for the Fire, but I saw the early translation to the defensive back position when I get to see the athleticism he boosted with his vertical during Indy drills a couple Saturdays ago in Plymouth. He’s tested in the mid-tier with the group in the second session, but his ball skills intrigued me heading into his sophomore year at the spring Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase. Good size for the position for his age, and plenty of upside left to show in my eyes.