STA has a long history of successful running backs, both at the prep and collegiate levels, and Baez could be the next in that long line of tradition. He was a 1,100-yard rusher as a junior, but he honestly shows a ton of promise at the next level as a slot receiver. Baez is very quick, and that agility and athleticism show on his tape early and often. He’s got a phenomenal sense of balance, and when you pair that with his ability to make quick cuts in rapid succession, you get a ball carrier who can turn collapsing run lanes into 6 points. I expect Baez to be the primary offensive weapon for the Cadets this fall, and that will likely carry with it another 1k rushing season.

One of the statistically best rushers in the state last season, I was excited when I saw Baez’s name on the camp roster. I was very surprised, however, when the 1,000+ yard rusher showed off some of the best hands in the camp. He breaks hard out of the top of his routes and is a talented runner in open space. He also tested pretty well, ending the day with a 4.85 40, 4.45 pro-agility, 8’9″ broad jump (tied for second in his position group), and a 7.53 L-drill. On a run-dominant team such as St. Thomas Academy, which completed 58 passes last season, Baez found the rock in his hands 14 times, the most on the team. STA tries to get him the rock in every way possible, and I don’t blame them.

Dominic Baez Dominic Baez 5'7" | 166 lbs | RB St Thomas | 2026 State MN is one of the most interesting RBs that I saw during the event. Baez is a proven starter coming off a 1000 yard rushing season as a junior. Baez did a solid job in the ball-carrying drills, making sharp, horizontal cuts and jukes against defenders, and he showed a sneaky amount of burst carrying around the outside edge. However, Baez was more impressive in the pass-catching drills than on the ground. He runs routes like a WR, and he was able to win on multiple deep routes, showing his ability to get to the top of the route to make a play. Baez should see his value increase significantly after this showcase as he flashed clear dual-threat ability, and he could very easily play both RB and WR in the next level.

If you like broken tackles, especially ones broken through physicality, STA’s Dom Baez is for you. The 5’8, 185 lber. was an exciting watch when PRzMN checked out some section championship action in early November as STA hosted Apple Valley The class 5A, Section 3 crown. With his natural pad level and balance, as well as a powerful lower body on his 185 lb. frame, Baez displays electric balance when facing contact. The junior has a rep that saw him absorb and then spin off two Hastings tacklers on one leg before shooting forward like he was blasted out of a cannon in a beautiful display of body control and athleticism. The STA product totaled 835 YPC and 9 TDs on a 6.5 YPC average as a junior, in large part thanks to his sudden COD ability and footwork that saw Baez freeze, stun, and embarrass free defenders in the hole and at the third level of the defense. He can stop on a dime and was unpredictable in the timing of his cuts, creating some thrilling broken tackles at high speeds against quality defenses. The 185 lber. fights to stay upright and squeeze every yard possible out of a carry, owns sure hands and is a reliable and dangerous target out of the backfield, and possesses a mean stiff-arm and does a good job of keeping his play side hand free and using his weapon to punch defenders off him. He’s laterally twitchy, owns good vision, and is a tough kid who will get you hard yards and has no problem lowering his pads and running over defenders North-South. I’d like to see him finish some of these big runs for six, especially when he gets the sideline, as a senior, but he’s got a great skillset to play RB at the next level and has a ton of good football in front of him.