The single most impactful WR at the 2026 Bemidji State War on the Shore competition – in my mind – goes to Simley’s Justin Runge Justin Runge 6'0" | 155 lbs | WR Simley | 2027 State MN . A well-known WR out of the state’s 2027 class, Runge made an outrageous TD catch to beat Shakopee during War on the Shore double-elimination pool play. Got wide open on a slant, climbed the ladder and floated up through the air to pluck the ball right out of the air, and finished the catch through a massive collision from none other than Blake Betton Blake Betton 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Shakopee | 2027 State MN , ricocheting towards the sidelines but just managing to toe tap his way into a reception. Later, Runge then produced a head-tapping, float-through-the-air catch on what looked like a seam or skinny post that, when slowed down, looked like he got 3-4+ feet off the ground, then perfectly landing inbounds through the tight coverage of a helpless Maple Grove cornerback. The head-tapping vertical catch while fully extended had Runge once again showing off those ball skills, as he beautifully tracked down, leapt, and high-pointed a tough throw, after which he got his toes down on a beautiful display of body control. What a dazzling showing for the uncommitted Simley wideout.

Justin had one of the more crazy catches during War on the Shore, where his 4A team from Simley knocked off 6A Shakopee in tournament play which was the best upset of War on the Shore. He found the quick window of seperation and had to tip-toe in the back of the end zone to reel in what was a very difficult reception to haul in. Justin was by far Simley’s most productive wide receiver that during the Bemidji State Big School Team Camp and caught a handful of receptions on Wednesday that had me trying to figure out why he doesn’t have more next-level opportunities, as he pass the eye test from me with his great hands when needed in clutch situations.

Runge has been recognized as one of the top wideouts in the state, and while he plays in a run-dominant scheme, he managed to rack up 329 receiving yards on 23 receptions, finding the endzone 8 times throughout the season. His junior tape is very exciting. Runge is a fluid route runner who flashes his hands late and excels at bringing down tightly contested passes. He’s got a great release from the line and routinely cooks corners in press coverage. The way he’s able to get up to bring down difficult passes is extremely impressive. He’s got a number of plays where he hauls down possession catches against the sidelines, too. Runge is going to be a problem for defenses next season.

Simley’s passing attack proved to be hit-and-miss at times last season, but when they hit, they were quite explosive, and the strongest factor to that explosiveness was sophomore breakout Justin Runge Justin Runge 6'0" | 155 lbs | WR Simley | 2027 State MN . Runge recorded 28 receptions for 574 yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging 20.5 yards per reception. Runge’s speed on the gridiron is unmatched, being able to turn on the jets on a dime, and he shows great footwork to make sharp angles and quick double-moves on his routes to increase his ability to get open deep. Runge accelerates quickly after the catch, and even through a small crease of open-field, that’s all he needs to break into the open. Runge will be an exciting playmaker to watch on Simley’s offense going forward, and if he builds a bit of muscle over the offseason, he could project his ranking toward the #1 WR spot by the end of his junior year.

More Simley Spartans love and more verified speed high up in the 2027 classes Big Board! Get to know sophomore Justin Runge Justin Runge 6'0" | 155 lbs | WR Simley | 2027 State MN , as you’ll be hearing more about him in the next couple of years, we can guarantee that. Not only can Runge fly, he is also one of the most productive sophomore pass-catchers in all of Minnesota, totaling 28 receptions for 574 yards and 7 TDs on a Class 4A Metro contender that was 7 points away from a berth in the state playoffs. That’s some strong and notable production for a first-year starter, and an underclassman to boot, and Runge’s performance at December’s PrepRedzoneMN Stock-Up Showcase gives some major indications as to why.

The then-153 lber. went 4.84 and 4.87 in the 40, two of the better 40 times of the 2027 class in attendance, as well as 4.69 and 4.75 in the shuttle, almost 8′ in the broad, and 7.66 in the L-drill. An impressive athletic performance to say the least, and Runge’s tape displays explosive deep threat and a clean, concise route runner who is one of the smoothest wide receivers in the class. The 155 lber. displays a twitchy and effective ability to separate, with sudden cuts and quick feet that give him plenty of juice at the top of the route, as well as loose hips, some burst out of his breaks and can pull away from trailing DBs when he’s tracking the deep ball. Speaking of the deep ball, Runge has the top-end speed to win vertically, and he did some kids dirty as a route runner, leaving them shaking their heads in search of the sophomore’s trail and 5 steps behind on double moves and explosive routes. Don’t be surprised if this dude climbs the rankings come next update.