Sleen rushed for 164 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries in Hermantown’s 52-7 win over Duluth Denfeld. He opened the scoring with a 3-yard run and later broke free for touchdown runs of 37 and 32 yards in the third quarter, showing the acceleration and top-end speed that make him the centerpiece of the Hawks’ offense. At 6’1, 170 pounds, Sleen combines speed, vision, and toughness. He presses the line of scrimmage with patience before exploding through openings, where his balance and power allow him to run through first contact. His ability to accelerate into space makes missed tackles inevitable, and one false step by a defender is often enough for him to take over a drive. Last year, Sleen rushed for 1,623 yards and 24 touchdowns at 12.4 yards per carry, production that established him as one of the most dangerous backs in the state. His speed and physicality make him a nightmare for defenses. A player who will continue to attract college attention.

Man, oh man, do we have a fun RB coming out of Hermantown’s 2027 class. 5’11, 160 lber. Martin Sleen Martin Sleen 5'11" | 160 lbs | RB Hermantown | 2027 State MN has been one of the most productive tailbacks in Minnesota this fall, finishing his 8 game regular season with 103 carries for 1,096 yards (10.4 YPC) and 17 TDs while spearheading Hermantown to a 7-1 record. This kid is real-deal explosive and real-deal athletic. This past offseason, at the TrainingHaus Combine down in Eagan, Sleen put up some crazy testing numbers. Led by a 4.64 40, Sleen posted a 4.28 shuttle and 7.0 L-drill, along with an eye-popping 42″ vert for good measure. If that’s a laser 40, that’s D1-worthy athleticism, especially for a sophomore, and you can see the numbers translate to the tape as well.

The speed shows up all throughout his tape. Sleen slides by pursuers like they’re stuck in the mud and displays legit game-breaking speed that can take it to the house on any play. He’s a fluid runner who shows great burst and a top gear that he can shift into at the third level to outrun pursuers and finish big runs. Sleen can also can cut on a dime and cut at top speed, and demonstrates great vision, as he uses every inch of the field to his advantage and does a good job of setting up defenders before bouncing the rock outside, where he’s lethal once he gets the sideline. Once he sticks his cleat in the turf and gets vertical and he can get up to top speed quickly, and one cut and he’s gone. Sleen also owns great balance, thanks to a strong lower body and good contact balance that helps him run through weaker tackle attempts without losing steam. The Hermantown product earned a gameday invite from UND this season but is still very much under the radar. We may have our next great Outstate athlete on our hands!

The fourth RB in a row to round out the 2027 inaugural Top 10 of the rankings, we have another speedy, playmaking, high-potential 218 product in Hermantown’s 5’11, 150 lber. Martin Sleen Martin Sleen 5'11" | 160 lbs | RB Hermantown | 2027 State MN . Sleen had a mind-blowing performance at May’s TrainingHaus high school football combine, posting a 42″ vert, 4.64 40, 4.28 short-shuttle, and 7-second flat L-drill for some serious, real-deal, verified athleticism that is up there with any athletes in the state. Sleen contributed to Hermantown’s freshman, JV, and varsity squads, starting three games on varsity and bringing the same raw speed and playmaking ability to whichever level of competition he was facing.

If Sleen gets the corner on a defense, he’s gone, and that’s against varsity and non-varsity defenses alike. However, he’s also willing to play physically and put a few opponents flat on their butts in 2023, both as a ball carrier and as a blocker. Sleen has a rep in JV play where he trucks and runs over two opponents at one time, and it looked like he was shot out of a cannon against JV and C squad competition, flying past pursuers like a bat out of hell and leaving them stuck in the mud and wondering why they’re so dang slow. I also like his vision, and the pure speed and pace he brings to the table is unmatched in this 2027 and far from anything I’ve seen while scouting freshmen in my fiveish years with PRZ. Sleen has the chance to be one of the most explosive, productive, and exciting RBs in the state next fall with Hermantown. Don’t blink!

If you’re reading this, Martin, please flip your highlight tape and start with varsity, as opposed to ending with it!