Another surefire Minnesota-born-and-bred recruiting trial winner from this spring, Eli Diane Eli Diane 6'4" | 250 lbs | DL Wayzata | 2027 State MN is also a massive winner for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who landed the Wayzata products verbal commitment on April 12th. Diane’s power and explosiveness, as verified by his unreal track & field times in the shot put and discus, have college programs abuzz, and he’s showing top end ability and projection as high as anyone the state has produced in the last 10 years. The now-Gopher commit landed offers from Wisconsin, Rutgers, Colorado State, Iowa State, Iowa, and Kansas State, as well as the hometown Gophers, all in January and February, but the April commitment secured his status for one of the big winners of the spring. Not only does the commitment add clout, Diane’s track times and throws have been nothing short of fantastic, especially for a sophomore underclassman. Diane has thrown a 58’2.25″, 57’2.5″, and 55’11”, all this month only, elite throws to say the least, and his sophomore tape screams “upside”, as well “power” and “athleticism. Diane displays mobility, lower body strength, balance, and a quick get-off with solid pad level, as well as strong, active hands that can shock and shed blocking attempts, positional versatility along the DL, and lateral agility, and when you combine it with the track times and the fact that he started as a sophomore for a Minnesota Big School traditional powerhouse, and you have to answer as to why he’s debuting as a Top 100 kid in the United State’s 2027 class. Diane will competing with fellow Gophers commit Howie Johnson Howie Johnson 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL Forest Lake | 2026 State MN , for a Big School shot put title to end his sophomore year soon. RTB!

An extremely promising 2027 prospect who has been lighting up the 6A ranks and shooting his recruiting stock into the stratosphere this season, Wayzata’s 6’4, 230 lb. DE Eli Diane Eli Diane 6'4" | 250 lbs | DL Wayzata | 2027 State MN had some serious momentum building even prior to the 2024 season kicking off. This summer, Diane showed some real-deal size/athleticism combo at the Wisconsin Badgers prospect camp, measuring in at 6’3.5″ and 227 pounds and clocking a 1.78 flying 10, 4.85 short-shuttle, and 9’3″ & 9’4″ broad jump that certainly turned some heads in the Badgers recruiting department. Things were starting to build even prior to that, as Diane popped off a a 50’02 and 50-6.5 shot put as a freshman, a very impressive benchmark to hit at such a young age and really highlighting his power and overall athleticism. Some heavy hitters already follow Diane on Twitter, including four members of Iowa’s staff, namely their WR GA, DL coach, Director of Recruiting, and GM/Chief of Staff. Ohio’s Director of Recruiting and Iowa State’s Director of Player Personnel also follow Diane, as well as Boston College’s official football fan account. Diane earned an in-season gameday invite from the Hawkeyes, which he attended last weekend, and in his inaugural season on the 6A heavyweight Wayzata, Diane posted 15+ tackles, 5 TFLs, and 3 sacks against MN Big School competition. Talk about a future star on the recruiting trail!

The film is good and checks some big-time boxes, especially for a sophomore. Diane can play either 3T or 5T, shows some length in his arms and a good frame that can continue to add weight, and he looks flexible in his three-point stance and fires off the well with pace and good pad level. The 230 lber. shows some twitch, a good initial punch that can eat and work through down blocks, pulls, and doubles, and he looks fluid when he opens up and chases down ball carriers from the backside of the LOS or at the second level of the field. Diane is also patient when reading a developing play and can handle read-option assignments, cuts tight off blockers backsides and shows good technique when reading and processing offenses. Plus, he’s turnover-minded and shows some good awareness to scoop and attempt to score a live fumble against Shakopee. Looks like there’s P4 football in this young man’s future.