Alexandria has been putting out of the biggest – and baddest – recruits in Minnesota the last few cycles. Nine wins in 2025, 10 wins and a Prep Bowl appearance in 2024, and 11 wins and a 5A state semifinal appearance in 2023 don’t come without size, athleticism, and physicality, and the Cardinals‘ have a roster to keep the good times going this coming fall. One of the anchors of the upcoming 2026 campaign in OL/DL Jensen Martinson Jensen Martinson 6'4" | 245 lbs | OL Alexandria | 2027 State MN , a RG who is reportedly up to 6’4, 245 lbs. and was a pancake machine in 2025, both in run and pass blocking scenarios.

Martinson is one of the best and most brutish puller in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, a trait he highlights on the first play of his tape, where the RG pulled left and crosses the face of the 2i and annihilates the DE with a double forearm smash to the face that crumples the poor 5T to the floor like folded laundry. The 2027 is physical, and mean, and is a bully at the contact point, especially if he can get an edge of a leverage or positional advantage. Martinson really put the hurtin’ on linebackers in 2025, as he’s laterally agile and balanced, both when moving, pulling, and wrapping around the LOS but also when climbing and finding work in space. The 245 lber. always looks to finish blocks, and he isn’t passive in pass pro, as he finds and sticks rushers and brings the physicality to them. Athletic in space, impressive base and anchor in pass pro, plays opponents’ hands effectively, and can seriously halt rushers in their tracks once he locks out and extends his arms. Plus, the Alex product can put iDL on their backs on simple down blocks thanks to his overwhelming strength at the point of attack. Easy choice for Hardest Hitter of the 2027 Class.

Compared to your typical Minnesota recruiting cycle, there’s a lack of size and length in the 2027 class that I’m not used to seeing, making Alexandria’s rising junior DL Jensen Martinson Jensen Martinson 6'4" | 245 lbs | OL Alexandria | 2027 State MN even more of a must-watch as this sophomore class continues to develop. At a reported 6’4, 225ish, Martinson has verified weight room numbers that catch the eye, notably a 255 lb. clean, 405 lb. squat, and 250 lb. bench, and he is the younger brother of Alexandria senior Joseph Martinson Joseph Martinson 6'3" | 310 lbs | OL Alexandria | 2025 State MN , who measured in at around 6’3, 300 and was a key piece to Alex’s Class 5A state runner-up finish in 2024. The younger Martinson was also a contributor, posting 13 tackles in his introductory season to 5A football while seeing tick deep into the playoffs.

I saw Martinson line up as a 5T, 3T, 2i, or head up as a NG, bringing some exciting versatility to the table, and the sophomore is strong enough to stuff a gap and a ball carrier on the interior. He reads, processes, and identifies where the ball is quickly, making a ton of tackles at the LOS, demonstrates a quick first step that can get both vertical and wide, and uses his hands to shed and disengage from blocking attempts and can make tackles through contact as well. If Martinson attacks this offseason, the 5A experience he earned in 2024 made for an excellent foundation to build on as an upperclassman. The dude is a must-watch in the 2024 class, regardless of position.