Gotta give some of our Minnesota D1 commits some love, and there’s no better place to start than with Shakopee Sabers 2025 DL and South Dakota Coyotes commit Max Coles Max Coles 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Shakopee | 2025 State MN . I was thoroughly impressed by Coles when I saw his Sabers take on Minnetonka in a Top 5 6A showdown a couple of weeks ago. Not only was he a massive, eye-catching, and powerfully built DL and occasional offensive lineman, Coles played like his hair was on fire for four straight quarters, defeating double team after double team and causing a heckuva nuisance behind the Skippers LOS, as well as far downfield, when the giant 250+ lber. would routinely hawk down loose RBs and QBs like he was a linebacker or defensive back.

The midseason tape shows a positionally versatile lineman who can play anywhere from true NG to 5T, as well as OG on the offensive side of the ball. Coles‘ top-end speed can help him pursue sideline to sideline and is frankly eye-popping to see on tape for a kid of his size. I also was very impressed by his body control, which shows up especially well in pursuit, as Coles can change direction, accelerate, and mirror ball carriers in the open field more like a LB than your typical DL. He shows a great chop/rip that can carry him through contact from big-time MN Metro 6A OTs and has reps of him working through and defeating 2, sometimes 3 blocking attempts in a single rep. His explosive get-off, heavy hands, and power help him put offensive linemen on skates when he bull rushes or uses power moves, can drive OTs and OGs 4-5 yards into the backfield and sometimes into their own RBs, and he goes all-out into contact. Given the speed and burst from the big man, Coles can create some huge collisions and is a powerful thumper at the contact point. He also laid some crushing hits from his OG spot when playing offense, and is an instinctive DL who has some good reps of him sniffing out screens and quickly processing and identifying opponents on-field decisions and play calls. I think South Dakota got a fantastic defensive lineman in their 2025 class. Coles, both in person and on tape, looks and plays like an FBS kid. You’ll be hearing about Coles in the college ranks sooner rather than later.