Alexandria’s 2025 playmaker Evan Kludt has seen his ranking climb from #71 to #38 overall.

Man, I was excited to break down Kludt, his development, and his junior tape. One of those kids whose tape popped off the screen and really got the recruiting juices fired up in yours truly, Kludt has made some fantastic gains since his sophomore season and propelled himself in to the D1into recruiting discussion in the state thanks to his electrifying play and ensuing film from 2023. The Alexandria Cardinals have one of the deepest rosters in the state regarding their 2025s, and it seemed like every other prospect I was evaluating during the 2025 MN Rankings Update hailed from the 5A state championship contender up 94 and only a couple of hours NW of the Twin Cities. Kludt is leading the pack of junior talent on the recruiting trail, and his glow-up has included a big uptick in speed, quickness, and general playmaking ability. Kludt is significantly and noticeably more explosive in his junior tape compared to the sophomore film, and boy oh boy does this kid have some impressive junior highlights.

You’ve heard me talk ad nauseam about the importance of length in DB recruiting lately, and Kludt is a 6’3, CB with a ton of juice and who is a level-up athletically than his competition in 2023, which included 5A opponents all the way to the AAAAA state semifinals. Kludt posted 570 receiving yards, 11 total TDs, 6 INTs, 2 returns for TDs, and 23 tackles in his superb junior campaign, and I really like what he brings to the gridiron on both sides of the ball. The 6’3, 185 lber. possesses game-breaking speed, good overall balance and body control, and tons of juice with the ball in his hand, He runs great routes, is quick in his releases at the LOS, stacks receivers and gets them to open their hips, and is nasty when creating separation at the top of the route, and his loose hips, which he can drop and breakdown well at the top of the route, help him run a mean corner-post as well as lock people down on defense. I love his footwork, loose hips, change of direction control, and ability to mirror receivers in man coverage, he is instinctive and rangy in coverage and possesses great ball skills, and is impressive in the air. Kludt can high-point the rock and can win 50/50 balls and contested catches with ease. With the ball in hand, the 185 lber. is fast and demonstrates a strong lower body that can bounce off weaker tackle attempts and generate power and force when he sticks his cleat in the ground and cuts.

I can definitely see him in the Missouri Valley in college, and I’ll be eagerly and excitedly following Kludt and the rest of the Alex roster this offseason and all through 2024. What a junior season for the Cardinals CB and WR. Colleges need to get at this kid.

Kludt placed eighth in the long jump, which is a great start on contested balls – on both sides of the ball. On offense, he is a great route runner with solid speed. Kludt has excellent ball skills, making him effective as a receiver and defensive back. Usually lined up at corner, the Cardinals’ two-way player is fluid in his backpedal and quickly comes out of his breaks. His speed and length give him great range, especially in zone coverage. He is a big corner, but his athletic ability allows him to stay with smaller receivers.

When the Alexandria offense was clicking, Klundt was a huge reason why. He seemed to get hurt late in the first half, and although the Cadets’ improved play was the biggest reason, Kludt’s ineffective play was right up there. Before he was hurt, he got wide open for a 61-yard touchdown pass on a deep post. On defense, he made an interception on a rushed throw. At least once, he was open down the field, and it was apparent that he didn’t have that extra gear that he had earlier in the game.

Intriguing size for a DB at 6’3, 165 lbs. and was productive as a sophomore for the Alexandria Cardinals, finishing the year with 34 tackles (14 solo), with 2 INTs, and a receiving TD off five catches. Kludt’s length aids him in his strong ball skills, where he can twist and contort from non-ideal body positions to play the ball in the air. In addition to his strong ball skills, Kludt shows solid speed to stay on top of deep routes and is comfortable playing off-man coverage on the perimeter of the defense, and can drop his hips and get out of his breaks pretty well for a young buck of his size. Kludt also is a willing tackler and shows some soft hands offensively. High upside as a DB, especially if he can hit the weight room and add to his speed and strength.

Yet another DB with great size, Alexandria sophomore Evan Kludt measures in at 6’3, 165 lbs. post-sophomore football season and posted 34 tackles, 2 INTs, and 5 receptions for 47 yards and a TD in his final year as an underclassman. Kludt possesses some shiftiness as a route runner and soft hands to help him separate on a variety of different routes as a WR. I also like his man coverage skills as a CB, who can stay on top of deep balls, contest three-step routes, and tackle in space. All with a long 6’3 frame that is still growing an developing. With a year of varsity action and experience under his belt in 2022 he’s going to come back into 2023 with a ton to prove and a lot of room to better his current ranking. I can’t get over how exciting this DB class is and Kludt is very much a part of my excitement. Go Cards!