West St. Paul-based private school and MSHSL Class 3A competitor St. Croix Lutheran has been especially tough the past couple years, and within the team’s success lie some impressive individual prospects at positions all around the gridiron. The Crusaders‘ are currently home to one of the state’s most dynamic, explosive, and underrated playmakers in Eli Larson Eli Larson 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB/DB St. Croix Lutheran | 2028 State MN . The junior standout popped off a 4.73 laser 40 at our PrepRedzoneMN spring showcase, and boy did he put that verified speed to good use in Week 1, posting 6 total TDs on 15 carries for 207 yards and 5 TDs. 3 returns for 126 yards and 1 TD, 2 tackles, 3 assists, 2 TFLs in the team win 59-21 vs. Faribault.

The film shows his 87-yard KOR TD that saw him make one cut, get vertical, and get gone like he was shot out of a cannon. Zoomed past the coverage unit like it was sped up on playback. From his FB spot, Larson took and handoff and burst through the A or B gap and into the third level of the defense in a blink, spun out of a tackle attempt by a DB, kept his feet, and burnt another Falcon en-route to the endzone. His 48-yard TD run saw him zoom past the defense in a hurry, he flew by three tackle attempts – who all separately failed to wrap him up – on the way to a 18-yard rushing TD, and his goal line TD carry carried a couple Falcons on his back for a score. Plus, he posted another easy 1-yard TD carry saw him show off more power.

vs. Brooklyn Center, Larson went for 150 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. Larson was a good 1v1 tackle on a BC RB around the box, and his INT showed off some nice defensive range as a single-high MOF defender, good play on the ball at the catch point as well. Plus, he displayed tons of burst and was getting to the second level of the defense and into space in a blink.

vs. St. Paul Johnson, Larson produced four TDs, two from short yardage goal line scores and the other as an option that showed off his speed once he hit the edge, the last a big-time burst between the tackles that barely saw him touched as he flipped the field during the course of the long score. Also popped a Govs’ WR into the sideline in physical fashion from his DB spot. Buy stock now!

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St. Croix Lutheran has a good one in 2028 RB Eli Larson Eli Larson 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB/DB St. Croix Lutheran | 2028 State MN ! A breakout, noteworthy performance at the recent PRZMN Spring Showcase is going to earn Larson some serious validity in the upcoming 2028 Ranking’s Update, which included an awesome performance during testing for the sophomore. 4.73 laser 40, 4.31 shuttle and 8’5 broad highlighted Larson’s opening portion of the Showcase, and things got better from there. Larson was one of the smoothest customers of the LB group, and his fluidity was an asset as both a route runner and when working with ball-hand 1v1 in space. Long arms, intentional footwork, and a calm, competitive demeanor was a nasty combination for would-be defenders in Plymouth, and after posting 53 rushes for 489 yards and 8 TDs in 2025 for the 10-1 Crusaders, I think there’s an argument to be made that Larson may be one of the more productive backs in MN the next two years. Remember the name!

Last season, Larson was a driving force for St. Croix Lutheran on both sides of the ball as a sophomore. On offense, he rushed for 489 yards and 8 TDs in just 5 games, and with the two RBs ahead of him graduated, that number is sure to rise. On defense, he brought down 37 total tackles, 2 TFLs, 1.0 sack, 1 INT, and 1 fumble recovery. Larson is a hard runner who churns his legs relentlessly upon contact and has surprising vision for an underclassman. He’s a great one-cut back, and I love how he finds open run lanes even if the path he’s supposed to take has collapsed in front of him. He’s also got a nice burst through the LOS, which allows him to gash defenses on dive plays. With two more years to improve and a greater workload in 2026, Larson is an athlete to watch.