Maple Grove has a new-look roster going into the 2026. The Big School state champs from two seasons ago have some fresh faces in their LB corps, and although the trio is dominated by youth, there’s also an abundance of talent, not to mention physicality and fearlessness. Leading the new starters is Levi Bakker Levi Bakker 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Maple Grove | 2029 State MN , an outstanding 2029 prospect who went 4.6 on the laser 40 at our spring PRZMN Showcase backed up by a muscle-bound build far more than impressive than your typical freshman linebackers. Bakker has a nose for the ball and some real-deal athleticism backing his game, and his outrageous closing speed was on display beautifully in a tackle against Burnsville during the War on the Shore competition. Good recognition and triggered on the ball with some serious pace, not to mention the tackle’s collision itself.

Going to be a breakout season for Bakker and his LB counterparts in 2026.

Another big-time LB name-to-know in Minnesota’s 2029 class showed up and showed out in Plymouth on Saturday! Lindstrom native and Chisago Lakes High School freshman was not built like your typical first year, measuring in at a strapping 5’11, 200 lbs. with noticeable muscle definition and broad shoulders that look ready-made for working inside the box against varsity competition. After popping off a 4.84 laser-verified 40, Bakker showed off his well-rounded game that included coachability and a front-of-the-line mentality during drill work and indy, where his footwork, balance, and overall mobility looked more similar to a season upperclassmen as opposing to a rising sophomore. Bakker was also doing a great job of squeezing and closing with quickness, both in run and pass settings, and he upped his game during competition against a twitchy group of RBs. We’ll be watching this 2029 LB closely this fall!

Levi came in as our LB2 in the 2029 class out of Chisago Lakes and let’s just say when you catch high attention of just about every PRZ scout in attendance evaluating, you had yourself a pretty sound day at our Prep Redzone Minnesota Showcase. He also ended Session 1 in Plymouth as one of our top performers in the linebacker group, which I must say after being at double-digit PRZ Minnesota Showcase over the years and the LBs that have came thru, that’s a tall task that Levi is hitting early for the Wildcats product. He surely is not built like your typical freshmen at all off the eye test as Levi brought the zest you want to see early, with a massive motor and man, did every PRZ scout in attendance love the way this young man finishes in every rep. 4.64 in the lasered 40 time, 4.36 in the pro agility, and a whopping 9’3 in the broad jump show you everything you need to see as far as explosive traits for this young man’s future.